Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Dental instruments, assemblies, and components for a dental instrument are described with a two-piece tip that includes a flexible tip end and a stiff shank. Various methods of assembly are described for securing the flexible tip end to the shank including utilizing a slot in the shank and one or more pins inserted through the tip and shank, a securing material, and forming the shank with a distal portion coupled to a portion of the flexible tip end.

Exemplary embodiments of surgical instruments and packs or sets of surgical instruments are disclosed herein. An exemplary surgical instrument is a two-part surgical instrument that includes a first shank. The first shank has a first ring handle at a first end and a first jaw portion on the other end and a shaft and one or more retainers. The exemplary surgical instrument includes a second shank. The second shank has a second ring handle at a first end and a second jaw portion on the other end and an opening configured to receive the shaft. The first shank is connected to the second shank by sliding the opening of the second shank over the shaft of the first shank and the first shank is disconnected from the second shank by pulling the second shank away from the first shank.

A microsurgical instrument includes a cannula with a straight segment at a proximal end and a parting tip at a distal end. The parting tip includes a parting tip projection, a convex parting edge formed on the parting tip projection, and a spatulated parting face. The spatulated parting face includes a convex surface portion formed on the parting tip projection and a concave surface portion joined to the convex surface portion along a line of inflection at a proximal end of the parting tip projection. The microsurgical instrument optionally includes a cannula head attached to the cannula. The cannula head includes a tapered outer surface, a circumferential outer flange, an arcuate inner flange, and an inner flange ridge extending radially away from the inner flange. A payload guide attached to the cannula and cannula head directs payloads into the lumen of the cannula.

Apparatus and methods for ventral only ablation of the tongue, for use in treating sleep apnea and related breathing disorders. An RF ablation probe or wand is inserted in ventral surface of a patient's tongue in a superior plane along a longitudinal (i.e., anterior to posterior) axis of the tongue, to a predetermined depth. The wand is withdrawn, RF energy is applied, creating a lesion predominantly in the interior of the tongue in an anterior to posterior plane, thereby resulting in less scarring but appreciable movement of the posterior tongue base away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Also disclosed is a tongue retractor device used for measuring the depth of wand insertion, lifting the tongue to expose the ventral surface of the tongue for the procedure, and providing a stop surface to inhibit further wand insertion.

Devices and methods are disclosed for providing access to a central compartment of a hip joint. The devices can access the central compartment by distracting all or a portion of the labrum. The labrum can be distracted by advancing a device underneath the bottom edge of the labrum, and using the device to further distract the labrum. Some devices can move underneath the labrum to provide a gap for other devices to access the central compartment.

The present invention is a group of surgical instruments with improved function and design for dental and craniofacial surgery, especially subperiosteal tunneling and related procedures. The instruments include surgical elevators for vestibular incision or incisions in the gingival sulcus. The instruments have varying angles and shapes to create a mucosal tunnel in any oral or maxillofacial region. The instrument suite also optionally includes specially designed forceps for introduction of graft material inside the subperiosteal tunnel and to assist with suturing of the graft to surrounding tissue.

The present invention is a group of surgical instruments with improved function and design for dental and craniofacial surgery, especially subperiosteal tunneling and related procedures. The instruments include surgical elevators for vestibular incision or incisions in the gingival sulcus. The instruments have varying angles and shapes to create a mucosal tunnel in any oral or maxillofacial region. The instrument suite also optionally includes specially designed forceps for introduction of graft material inside the subperiosteal tunnel and to assist with suturing of the graft to surrounding tissue.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

A combination ultrasonic and electrosurgical surgical instrument includes a housing having an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing and a wave guide configured to support an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is tapered along both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defined therealong and defines an elongated edge on an upper surface thereof terminating at a spatula-like distal end. The elongated edge and side of the spatula-like distal end are coated with an electrically conductive material and are both adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that activation of the electrosurgical energy source and the ultrasonic transducer treat tissue with both electrosurgical energy and ultrasonic energy.