A disc preparation instrument for use in fusing spinal vertebrae comprises a modular scoring trial and a depth stop releasably attached to the scoring trial. The trial includes an elongate stem supporting a trial device at its distal tip. The trial device is insertable into a disc space and includes a rotatable rasp for scoring opposing vertebral endplates at a scored location. A stop, sized to engage an exterior surface of the vertebrae, is movable on the depth stop stem by rotation of an adjustment knob to a plurality of selectable distances between the proximal end of the trial device and the movable stop. An actuator releasably attached to the trial is operable to rotate the rasp. A plurality of modular trials, each having a trial device of different heights may be provided in a kit. Each scoring trial is selectively releasably attachable to a single depth stop.

An arthroscopic cutting probe includes a shaft assembly having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis. A distal cutting member is rotatably attached at the distal end of the shaft assembly, and at least a portion of an exterior surface of the distal cutting member is electrically insulated. One or more burr elements extend radially outwardly from the electrically insulated portion of the exterior surface of the distal cutting member, wherein the burr element is electrically conductive to form an active electrode.

An instrument for drilling a hole for a bone screw comprises a shaft having a primary drill fluted portion, a shank, and a middle portion there between. Part of an outer surface of the shaft's middle portion is non-curved. A sleeve surrounds the shaft. The sleeve has an inner surface that is complementary to the outer surface of the shaft's middle portion such that the sleeve slides with respect to the shaft. The sleeve's inner surface contacts the outer surface of the shaft's middle portion at the non-curved part such that the shaft can transmit torque to the sleeve. A countersink drill bit is provided at an end of the sleeve proximate the shaft's primary drill fluted portion. A locking mechanism selectively holds the sleeve in a fixed position with respect to the shaft, locating the countersink drill bit at a selected position with respect to the shaft's drilling end.

A surgical tool for use with a drill bit to prevent skiving at an implant insertion site on a bone includes a cannulated sleeve having a distal end defining a burr surface. The distal end may be detachable from a body of the cannulated sleeve. The tool may be used with more than one distal end, each of the distal ends defining a burr surface having a different cutting surface from the others. The tool may form a system that includes the drill bit.

A drill sleeve, including: an outer sleeve with an internal collet at a distal end of the outer sleeve, a slot, and an inner opening; a handle connected to the outer sleeve; an inner sleeve with an inner opening configured to receive and guide a drill bit, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to slide inside the inner opening of the outer sleeve; a trigger; a connection member connected to trigger and the inner tube, wherein the connection member passes through the slot in the outer sleeve and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force between the handle and the trigger wherein the biasing force drives the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve, wherein when a distal end of the inner sleeve engages the internal collet, the internal collet is configured to engage a screw hole in a bone plate, align the drill sleeve with a nominal axis of the screw hole, and secure the drill sleeve to the screw hole.

This disclosure relates to drill guides and depth control apparatus for use with a variety of customized or standardized surgical instruments. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least a body portion and a collar portion, one or more of which are configured to be coupled to a cutting instrument, such as a drill bit, in a specified location and manner to prevent unwanted movement. In embodiments, the assembly of the body and collar portions may be incrementally adjusted to alter the desired depth of the cutting instrument. Methods for using the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed herein.

A bone anchor delivery system device (10) has a retractable punch driver assembly and a locking mechanism (32). The punch driver assembly has a retractable punch shaft (30) and a guide (20) for receiving the retractable punch shaft (30). The guide (20) is rotatable relative to the punch shaft (30) and the shaft has an extended length with bone penetrating tip (35) at a first end (33). The locking mechanism (32) for locking the retractable punch shaft (30) from linear movement and rotational movement relative to the guide (20) is positioned at an opposite second end. The retractable punch shaft (30) has a reduced diameter end (33) extending from the tip (35) toward a shoulder stop for receiving a releasable punch (12). The releasable punch (12) has a hollow opening for receiving the reduced diameter end (33) of the punch shaft (30). The punch (12) is profiled to pierce and form a bone anchor hole.

Briefly, the invention relates to a surgical tool and method for forming a pilot bore by inserting a guide wire into bone. More particularly, the device includes a cannulated hand grip and driving tool used for the rotation of a pedicle screw into bone. The rear portion of the hand grip includes a slide assembly that is suited to grip a guide wire. The slide assembly includes a user adjustable stop to control the sliding movement of the guide wire. The rear surface of the slide assembly is constructed to be impacted with a hammer or similar device, whereby the stop prevents the guide wire from penetrating the bone further than desired. Should it be desired that the guide wire be retracted, a screw jack is included to allow the guide wire to be precisely retracted.

A parallel spacer for parallel spacing of a plurality of guiding elements during surgery is provided. The parallel spacer includes a parallel spacer body defining a first guide aperture extending through the parallel spacer body, the first guide aperture being sized to receive a first guiding element in a first orientation with respect to the parallel spacer body and hold the guiding element at the first orientation. The body further defines a second guide aperture extending through the parallel spacer body, sized to receive an access needle. The parallel spacer further includes a first external positioning protrusion, with the first guide aperture extending through the first external positioning protrusion, and a second external positioning protrusion, with the second guide aperture extending therethrough. The second guide aperture is open from a proximal end of the parallel spacer body to a distal end of the second external positioning protrusion.

A tool for surgically removing tissue of a patient includes a body, a flexible rotating shaft that drives a distal cutting tool and is drivingly coupled to a motor supported by bearings in a flexible tubular sheath to allow the shaft to rotate and be shifted longitudinally. Steering cables in the sheath control the flexion of the sheath. A processor controls the operation to ensure that the cutting tool operates within a predetermined resection area, controlling a combination of motor speed, sheath flexion, and shaft retraction to assist surgery in the resection area.