A dental device that mates a high volume extraction unit to a tongue retractor to allow the dental assistant to remove fluids and debris from the mouth of a patient with ease and using a minimal volume of the space in a patient's mouth. The device has a straw collar that encircles the shaft of a suction straw in a “Vee” configuration with a set of opposing half-bands. A post extending inward from the front half band locks the suction straw in place. Affixed to the suction straw is a paddle shaped tongue retractor with an array of orifices there through to allow the vacuuming of fluids and debris from the bottom side of the retractor.

A scleral depressor includes an elongated handle defining a first axis. An extension member has one end attached to the proximal end of the handle and includes a blade at the remote end thereof. The extension member defines a second axis and extends from the handle at approximately 90° thereby defining a plane. A bulbous or cylindrically shaped blade located at the remote end of the extension member has its rounded surface extending out of the plane. By properly manipulating the handle, such as by rotating the same, the rounded surface of the blade is used to depress the sclera.

A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may further include an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member. The end-effector may include a plurality of arms pivotally connected to one another, wherein each arm includes a tissue-contacting surface, a first portion of the tissue-contacting surface including a plurality of ridges configured to grasp tissue. Further, the tissue-contacting surface may include a channel oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the medical device.

A medical device includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and medial portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion defines a first axis. The second end portion defines a second axis. The first axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the second axis.

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.

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.

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.

An approach is provided for delivering therapeutic materials to an intervertebral disc via a sub-ligamentous space. The approach includes positioning a tool at an interface of a longitudinal ligament and an outer surface of the intervertebral disc, in which the interface is the sub-ligamentous space. The tool may include a first needle and a second needle housed within the first needle. An insertion end of the first needle may include a shallow beveled end. The approach includes inserting the insertion end of the first needle into the sub-ligamentous space. The approach includes deploying the second needle from within the first needle into at least one of an annulus and a nucleus of the intervertebral disc. The approach includes delivering the therapeutic materials to the at least one of the annulus and the nucleus.

An instrument for crimping one or more suture fasteners to one or more corresponding surgical sutures is disclosed. The instrument also includes at least one shaft having one or more receiving faces, one or more anvils, one or more hammers, one or more pushers moveable in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft and configured to engage at least one of the hammer and the anvil for urging the hammer and the anvil together; and a loading tool. The loading tool may also include a target cover defining one or more snare guides, a target tray coupled to the target cover, one or more suture fasteners, one or more snare loops, and at least one handle.

A positioning wand for assisting in positioning at least one of a first magnetic implant and a second magnetic implant configured for forming an anastomosis between two adjacent walls of a digestive tract of a patient is provided. The positioning wand can include an elongated member sized and configured to be inserted into an abdominal cavity of the patient, and a distal tip provided at a distal end of the elongated member. The distal tip can include a guide magnet configured to magnetically couple with the at least one of the first and second magnetic implants through a wall of the digestive tract to position the at least one of the first and second magnetic implants to a desired site of the anastomosis. The distal tip can be configured to be moveable in response to a contact pressure upon contact with the wall of the digestive tract.