The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

The present disclosure is directed to devices, kits, and methods for treating lumbar spinal stenosis by at least partially decompressing a compressed nerve root. The method can include identifying the compressed nerve root and percutaneously accessing a region of a lamina located adjacent to the compressed nerve root. The method can also include forming a channel through the region of the lamina, wherein the channel can be formed medial to a lateral border of the lamina. Further, the method can include expanding the channel in a lateral direction.

A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an end effector element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The robot system includes a robot base having a display, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, wherein movement of the robot arm is electronically controlled by the robot base. The end-effector is coupled to the robot arm, containing one or more end-effector tracking markers. The system also includes a plurality of dynamic reference bases (DRB) attached to multiple patient fixture instruments, wherein the plurality of dynamic reference bases include one or more tracking markers indicating a position of the patient fixture instrument in a navigational space. The system also includes a first camera system and a second camera system, the first and second camera systems being able to detect a plurality of tracking markers.

A surgical instrument system including an endoscope having an elongated housing extending between a proximal instrument end and a distal instrument end. The surgical instrument system may further include an irrigation sleeve having a sleeve body extending between a proximal sleeve end and a distal sleeve end. The irrigation sleeve may further have a first lumen and a second lumen spaced out of fluid communication with the first lumen, the first lumen formed in the sleeve body for receiving at least a portion of the elongated housing of the endoscope with the distal instrument end arranged adjacent to the distal sleeve end. The second lumen may be formed in the sleeve body and extend between a lumen inlet adapted for fluid communication with an irrigation source and a lumen outlet arranged to direct irrigation fluid toward the distal instrument end.

Systems and methods are provided for trajectory guidance during surgical procedures, for example, monitoring and identifying a desired trajectory of surgical access devices and implants for the purpose of preventing unintended injury to surrounding tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, or bone.

A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element

Devices, systems, and methods for detecting unexpected movement of a surgical instrument during a robot-assisted surgical procedure are provided. The surgical robot system may be configured to measure forces and torques experienced by the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure and determine if the forces and torques are within an acceptable range. The robot system is further configured to notify the user of the presence of the unexpected movement.

A needle assembly 10 compromising an infusion needle 11 that includes a needle cannula 13 made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol. The needle cannula is cold-worked or heat annealed to produce a preformed bend 16 that can be straightened within passageway 21 of a coaxial outer cannula 12 for introduction into the body of a patient. Upon deployment from the outer cannula, the needle cannula substantially returns to the preformed configuration for the introduction or extraction of materials at areas lateral to the entry path of the needle assembly. The needle assembly can compromise a plurality of needle cannulae than can be variably arranged or configured for attaining a desired infusion pattern.

Neurophysiological instruments and techniques are improved through various enhancements. Stimulation of an instrument is possible while it is advancing into the spine or elsewhere, alerting the surgeon to the first sign the instrument or device (screw) may be too near a nerve. A directional probe helps surgeons determine the location of the hole in the pedicle. Electrically insulating sleeves prevent shunting into the soft tissues. According to a different improvement, the same probe to be used to stimulate different devices, such as screws and wires. Electrical impulses may be recorded from non-muscle regions of the body, including the spine and other portions of the central nervous system as opposed to just the extremities.

Bone plates for engaging bone members are described herein. The bone plates can receive one or more screws to secure the bone plates to an underlying bone member. The one or more screws can be inserted into bone plate holes that can be considered locking or non-locking. The bone plates described herein can have particular combinations of locking and/or non-locking holes. In addition, instruments such as distal and proximal aiming guides can accompany the bone plates to guide one or more screws into the bone plates.