A distractor device includes a longitudinal guiding element and a longitudinal driving element, such as a threaded rod, which may be arranged substantially parallel to the guiding element such that the threaded rod may rotate about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element. First and second distractor arms are arranged extending along first and second lateral axes from the guiding element. The first and second lateral axes are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element. The first and second distractor arms are captively displaceable along the guiding element, such that the first and second distractor arms are displaceable away from each other by rotating the threaded rod in a first rotational direction, and towards each other by rotating the threaded rod in a second rotational direction, the second rotational direction being opposite to the first rotational direction.

A surgical instrument, such as a capsular retractor, and methods of use are disclosed.

A system includes a surgical table, a pad disposed on a table portion of the surgical table, and a leg distraction unit configured for modular attachment to the surgical table, the leg distraction unit configured to apply a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is positioned on the pad and the table portion is tilted so that the patient's head is below the patient's hip, wherein the table portion is capable of tilting to a tilt angle in which the distraction force applied to the leg of the patient is counteracted by a combination of a friction force provided by the pad and a force of gravity from the patient being tilted so that the patient is kept from sliding in a direction of the distraction force.

Systems and methods for accessing an interior space of a joint such as a hip joint in preparation for arthroscopic surgery are provided. In general, the described techniques utilize a joint access device having a handle and a dilator shaft and/or sheath coupled to a distal end of the handle. The device can be advanced over a guidewire inserted into a joint to a first position and the guidewire can be reversibly locked to the handle. The handle can be associated with an actuator configured to be actuated to cause the dilator shaft and/or sheath to advance distally toward a second position within the joint while simultaneously retracting the guidewire coupled to the handle.

Methods and apparatus for performing joint laxity measurement are disclosed. A retractor includes a plurality of spacers, such as plates, that are capable of being moved from a central portion of the retractor by a carriage mechanism. In some cases, the carriage mechanism may press against ramps connected to internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. In other cases, the carriage mechanism may include blades that rotate and press against the internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. The retractor is mounted on a surgical device configured to actuate the carriage mechanism. When the retractor is placed in a joint and the carriage mechanism is actuated, a measurement of the joint laxity may be determined based upon characteristics of the retractor and/or the surgical device.

Systems and methods for accessing an interior space of a joint such as a hip joint in preparation for arthroscopic surgery are provided. In general, the described techniques utilize a joint access device having a handle and a dilator shaft and/or sheath coupled to a distal end of the handle. The device can be advanced over a guidewire inserted into a joint to a first position and the guidewire can be reversibly locked to the handle. The handle can be associated with an actuator configured to be actuated to cause the dilator shaft and/or sheath to advance distally toward a second position within the joint while simultaneously retracting the guidewire coupled to the handle.

A surgical instrument, such as a capsular retractor, and methods of use are disclosed.

A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a human patient, the natural hip joint having a ball shaped caput femur as the proximal part of the femoral bone with a convex hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint and a bowl shaped acetabulum as part of the pelvic bone with a concave hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint. The medical device comprising; an artificial caput femur, comprising a convex surface towards the center of the hip joint. The artificial convex caput femur is adapted to, when implanted: be fixated to the pelvic bone of the human patient, and be in movable connection with an artificial acetabulum surface fixated to the femoral bone of the patient, thereby forming a ball and socket joint. The medical device further comprises a fixation element comprising a fixation surface adapted to be in contact with the surface of the acetabulum and adapted to fixate the artificial convex caput femur to at least the acetabulum of the pelvic bone.

This present invention relates to medical procedures and distraction devices for internal joint distraction.

A stabilizing pad configured for positioning on a surgical table onto which a patient is placed for a surgical procedure, the stabilizing pad comprising: a high friction top surface; and a high friction bottom surface; wherein the stabilizing pad comprises foam.