Systems and methods for ultrasonically-assisted placement of orthopedic implants is described herein. An example method may comprise delivering ultrasonic energy to a surgical instrument such as a screw driver, Jamshidi needle, awl, probe, or tap that is in contact with the bone region targeted for removal and/or being prepared for implant placement. The method may further comprise delivering the ultrasonic energy via a probe passed through a cannulated surgical instrument and/or implant. An example system may comprise an ultrasonic generator coupled to a transducer, a probe or surgical instrument coupled to the transducer, a cannulated surgical instrument that allows passage of the probe, and a computing device configured to control the ultrasonic generator and take input from the user.

An amputation system includes a cutting element having a cutting blade traversing a V-shape. The V-shape has a vertex and an angle in a range of 90-120°. A rod, rigidly coupled to the cutting element, has its longitudinal axis aligned with the vertex so it bisects the angle of the V-shape. A barrel having a bore receives at least a portion of the rod therein wherein the rod's outboard end resides in the bore. An energetic energy source, positioned in the bore adjacent to the rod's outboard end, generates a pressure force that is incident on the rod's outboard end. The pressure force is one that peaks within 0.5 milliseconds to propel the rod from the bore at a velocity in a range of 300 to 1000 feet per second.

A motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool is provided for orthopedic impacting in the hips, knees, shoulders and the like. The tool is capable of holding a broach, chisel, or other end effector, which when gently tapped in a cavity with controlled percussive impacts, can expand the size or volume of an opening of the cavity or facilitate removal of the broach, implant, or other surgical implement from the opening. A stored-energy drive mechanism stores potential energy and then releases it to launch a launched mass or striker to communicate a striking force to an adapter in either a forward or reverse direction. The tool may further include a combination anvil and adapter and an energy adjustment mechanism to adjust the striking force the launched mass delivers to the adapter in accordance with a patient profile.

A power tool for removing an intervertebral disc and preparing vertebral endplates is described. The power tool may include a cutting element, and the height of the cutting element may be adjustable. The cutting element may be a braided cable and may include one or more beads to enhance the effectiveness of the cable. The cutting element may have a minimum height requirement, which may not be satisfied in patients with a collapsed disc due to degenerative disc disorder. For these patients, also described are bone tamps for increasing the intervertebral distance and providing access to tissues distal to the tamp. One type of bone tamp features an inflatable balloon with an inner lumen. Another type of bone tamp includes an expanding distal end and an inner cannula. Also described is a manual expander scraper tool that is compatible with both types of bone tamp.

A swivel knuckle assembly for interconnecting a motor and a supply line. The knuckle assembly may include a bearing member to reduce a coefficient of friction. A locking mechanism is disclosed to connect members of the knuckle assembly.

A handpiece for a handheld surgical instrument having a motor and a heatsink is provided. The motor is within a motor housing and the heat sink is disposed around and thermally coupled with the motor housing. The handpiece is formed from a material having a first thermal conductivity and the heat sink has a second thermal conductivity that is greater in value than the first thermal conductivity of the material of the handpiece. The heat sink is configured to dissipate heat from the motor during operation of the motor to the handpiece.

Various surgical impactors are disclosed. The surgical impactor may include a housing, a rod that extends at least partially inside the housing, a hammer head attached to the rod, and a hammer housing that receives the hammer head. Actuation of the rod can cause the hammer head to move proximally and/or distally inside, and to impact, the hammer housing. The force of the impact can be conveyed to a surgical implant, instrument, etc.

A method of using a medical tool comprising a cranial access drill includes placing a guide-hub against a cranial drilling surface, guiding a drill bit into the guide-hub along an axial direction of the guide-hub, drilling the cranial drilling surface in the axial direction with the drill bit using a motor, detecting, using a controller, an electrical parametric change at the drill bit that corresponds to puncturing the cranial drilling surface, and deactivating, using the controller, the motor in response to detecting the electrical parametric change.

A compressed gas motor. The motor has a port and a hollow cylinder delimited by a wall with a ventilation opening, a rear closure, and a plunger axially movable in the cylinder. The plunger divides the cylinder into front and back chambers. The ventilation opening is periodically opened towards the back chamber during operation of the motor by movement of the plunger. A compression spring in the front chamber urges the plunger towards the rear closure and/or a tension spring in the back chamber draws the plunger towards the rear closure so that the back chamber is closed relative to the ventilation opening by the plunger and the back chamber is connected with the port when the same pressure prevails in the front and back chambers. The motor can be used in surgical drive systems, medical lavage systems and medical devices. Also disclosed is a method for operating the motor.

A differential pressure motor comprising two working pistons and a rod that move in a hollow space. Walls defining the hollow space have five openings. A valve piston moves between and against the working pistons and can be driven by the working pistons. The valve piston with the five openings forms a valve with which an alternate impact of a first pressure and a second pressure on the working pistons is controllable when the pressures are applied to three of the five openings such that the working pistons periodically move which drives a periodic movement of the valve piston. Also disclosed are a surgical drive system with, a medical lavage system for the debridement of soft tissue and/or bone tissue having, and a medical device for brushing, rasping or sawing soft tissue and/or bone tissue with such a differential pressure motor, and a method for operating a differential pressure motor.