A method of diagnosing, minimizing symptoms and/or treating the pathology of intervertebral disc degeneration includes introducing a first cannula through a vertebra along an axis of at least one pedicle of the vertebra from a generally posterior to a generally anterior direction and inserting a second cannula within a lumen of the first cannula, the second cannula constrained to a relatively straight configuration within at least a portion of the first cannula and assumes a nonlinear or curvilinear geometry external to the first cannula within at least a portion of a vertebral body of the vertebra and away from a longitudinal axis of the first cannula. The method includes forming a channel with the second cannula, the channel extending to or adjacent to a vertebral endplate of the vertebral body in order to create a defect through the vertebral endplate of the vertebra. Related systems, devices, and methods are described.

A system can include an elongated instrument that is positioned within a cannula portion of a cannula assembly. The system can include a shield that is coupled with both the elongated instrument and the cannula assembly when in an unlocked state. The shield can permit proximal movement of the elongated instrument relative thereto when in the unlocked state. The shield can automatically transition to a locked state to attach to a distal end of the elongated instrument to restrict access to a distal tip of the elongated instrument.

An orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising a stem trial component is disclosed. The stem trial component comprises an outer sleeve and a central rod that couples the stem trial component to a surgical reamer. A method of assembling an orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.

A drill for driving a drill bit into a solid object such as bone. The drill includes a rotor with a bore that transmits rotational movement to the drill bit. The drill bit extends through the rotor bore. A probe extends forward from the drill to measure bore depth. The probe is moveably mounted to the drill so as to extend into the rotor bore. As the drill and drill bit advance forward the probe remains static. As a result of the advancement of the drill the rotor extends over the proximal end of the probe.

Disclosed is an assembly for holding a tool. The assembly may selectively reduce and/or eliminate vibrations received and felt by a user. Reducing vibrations may reduce or eliminate chatter at a working end of a tool.

A modular inserter assembly for use in inserting an interbody fusion cage into the disc space between opposing vertebrae comprises a depth stop and a modular inserter tip releasably attached thereto. The modular inserter assembly includes a cage attachment surface for releasable attachment to an interbody fusion cage, the depth stop including a movable stop axially movable relative to the inserter tip and being sized and configured to engage an exterior surface of one of the vertebrae to establish the depth to which the interbody fusion cage is to be inserted in the disc space. A plurality of modular inserter tips, each being configured for selective releasable attachment to differently sized interbody fusion cages are provided in a kit with the depth stop.

An osteotome having a shaft assembly that includes a guide extending in a longitudinal direction of the shaft assembly, and a blade adjacent the guide and extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft assembly.

A surgical guidance device is cannulated for passage of a guidewire or pin and includes a hand grip and differential control assembly for driving the guidewire or pin and differentially driving a screw, such as but not limited to a pedicle screw, into bone. The differential control assembly resides in a housing, and includes a differential control assembly for gripping and locking or releasing the guidewire or pin and effecting directional movement (relative to the user holding the surgical guidance device) either distally into the bone or proximally away from bone to thereby drive or retract the guidewire. The differential control assembly also allows distal or proximal drive of a screw, such that one or both the guidewire and screw can be passed proximally or distally alone or together.

Tools, devices and systems that include a generally cylindrical, hollow shaft, and a suction canister are provided with advantageous interconnectivity features and functions that enable ease of manufacturing, lowered manufacturing costs, and allow for a platform of different shaft embodiments and canister embodiments that may be manufactured in different combinations to form an array of unique instruments. The interconnectivity may be irreversible or reversible, and the connection features maintain an air tight seal between the components. Tools, devices and systems are also provided that include collection functionality that can be employed to manipulate the volume of tissue collected while using a tissue collection feature/function. This may be undertaken to restrict total volume of the collection chamber in a way that allows for continuous suction flow rate to take place while collecting the desired amount of tissue. Containing the tissue to a pre-set volume can enable a user to effectively ascertain the volume of tissue collected.

A surgical device is disclosed for attachment to a body of a surgical tool usable to manipulate a desired tissue in a surgical site within a patient, the surgical device may include a housing with at least one each of a projecting device, an imaging device and/or an illuminating device. The housing may be removably attachable to the body in an operatively-aligned orientation relative to the body. The projecting device(s) may emit an optical targeting marker from the exit port in a targeting direction onto the surgical site. The illuminating device(s) may illuminate the surgical site. The one imaging device(s) may obtaining an image of the surgical site.