An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra. This keel extends in a plane which is non-perpendicular to the outer surface; and preferably there are two of the keels extending from the outer surface which are preferably offset laterally from one another. In another embodiment, an anterior shelf is provided at an anterior end of the outer surface, and this anterior shelf extends vertically away from the inner surface in order to help prevent bone growth from the adjacent vertebra towards the inner surface. Further in accordance with disclosed embodiments, various materials, shapes and forms of construction of the component and/or keel provide various benefits.

The present invention provides a cutting tool for surgical procedures. More specifically, the present invention provides a rotary surgical cutting tool which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art surgical cutting tools by providing a rotary cutting tool having straight flutes, with each side of the flute being provided with a cutting edge that permits cutting in both directions during limited oscillatory motion of the rotary surgical cutting tool. The areas between the cutting edges are provided with relief to reduce friction while the flute moves the cut material away from the cutting edges.

A cutting blade with multiple body inserts, each comprising a load-sharing member and a flexible perimeter joint. These inserts reduce the magnitude of frictional forces acting on the blade's body. The load-sharing member, in particular, acts as a point contact between the material being cut, such as bone, and the cutting blade. As such, the frictional forces exerted act only on the load-sharing member as opposed to the entire body. By limiting the real contact area, the magnitude of friction generated during operation is reduced. Additionally, the load-sharing members create a thermally insulating space between the body and the material being cut. The functionality of these body inserts, however, relies on the flexible perimeter joint. The flexible perimeter joint isolates the effects of frictional forces to the load-sharing member by preventing direct contact between the load-sharing member and the surrounding body.

A method of surgically preparing a sacroiliac joint comprising: a) approaching a sacroiliac joint space with a joint preparation tool comprising a cutting element including an exterior having an asymmetric cutting band such that the first side includes a first surface having a first texture and the second side includes a second surface having a second texture, the first and second textures being different such that the first texture is substantially smoother than the second texture; and b) delivering at least a portion of the cutting element non-transversely into the sacroiliac joint space for decortication, the cutting element being oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that the first surface opposes the generally softer sacrum and the second surface opposes the generally harder ilium in order to more aggressively prepare the surface of the ilium while not over-preparing the sacrum to provide a robust biologic environment for intra-articular fusion.

A surgical saw system including a saw, a blade cartridge and an attachment. The saw including a housing and a reciprocating shaft. The blade cartridge that may be removably coupled to the saw includes a bar and a rack. The bar includes a first holding feature. The rack is moveably disposed within the bar and is configured to removably couple to the reciprocating shaft of the saw. The attachment is disposed between and connecting the bar of the blade cartridge to the saw. The attachment may include a coupling feature in selective releasable engagement with the first holding feature of the bar to hold the bar static relative to the saw. The blade cartridge may also include a drive link that extends from reciprocating shaft of the saw and the rack for imparting the reciprocal motion of the reciprocating shaft to the rack.

The present invention provides a cutting tool for surgical procedures. More specifically, the present invention provides a rotary surgical cutting tool which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art surgical cutting tools by providing a rotary cutting tool having straight flutes, with each side of the flute being provided with a cutting edge that permits cutting in both directions during limited oscillatory motion of the rotary surgical cutting tool. The areas between the cutting edges are provided with relief to reduce friction while the flute moves the cut material away from the cutting edges.

A method of surgically preparing a sacroiliac joint comprising: a) approaching a sacroiliac joint space with a joint preparation tool comprising a cutting element including an exterior having an asymmetric cutting band such that the first side includes a first surface having a first texture and the second side includes a second surface having a second texture, the first and second textures being different such that the first texture is substantially smoother than the second texture; and b) delivering at least a portion of the cutting element non-transversely into the sacroiliac joint space for decortication, the cutting element being oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that the first surface opposes the generally softer sacrum and the second surface opposes the generally harder ilium in order to more aggressively prepare the surface of the ilium while not over-preparing the sacrum to provide a robust biologic environment for intra-articular fusion.

A surgical blade assembly includes a blade having side surfaces defining a width greater than its thickness. The surgical blade assembly also includes a reinforcing member having a body portion, and first and second arms extending from the body portion to define a receiving portion. The receiving portion is configured to receive the blade and the first and second arms are configured to abut the side surfaces of the blade. The first and second arms act as a strut to reinforce the blade against external forces applied to the blade. The blade and the reinforcing member may include coupling features to prevent separation of the reinforcing member from the blade. The blade and the reinforcing member may be substantially perpendicular to each other when coupled.

An ultrasonic bone scalpel bit includes a scalpel bit end portion located at a distal end of the scalpel bit, the scalpel bit end portion being formed to have a flat shape and provided with a cutting portion. The cutting portion includes a distal end portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion being symmetrically arranged relative to a longitudinal axis of the scalpel bit end portion in a width direction of the scalpel bit end portion. The cutting portion further includes a plurality of protrusions formed near the distal end portion, the plurality of protrusions projecting outward from the first side portion and the second side portion symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis in the width direction of the scalpel bit end portion.

A tool system for use with an accessory tool including a mounting end, comprises an oscillating power tool and a handheld tool assembly. The oscillating power tool includes a first tool holder configured to connect to the mounting end of the accessory tool. The handheld tool assembly includes a second tool holder configured to connect to the mounting end of the accessory tool.