An inserter apparatus (e.g., a continuous analyte monitoring inserter apparatus) includes an outer member; an inner member; a transmitter carrier configured to support a transmitter and biosensor assembly during insertion of a biosensor, the transmitter carrier including a bias member; and a pivot member configured to pivot at times relative to the transmitter carrier and support an insertion device during biosensor insertion. The outer member is configured to press the bias member against the pivot member during insertion of the biosensor. During a first stroke portion of the insertion apparatus, the pivot member is prevented from pivoting. In a second stroke portion, pivoting is allowed, and the bias member causes, pivoting of the pivot member and retraction of the insertion device. Other systems and methods embodiments are provided.

An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers. The reinforcing member is secured to the first bone segment with a first fastener assembly through the first hole and the first opening and to the second bone segment with a second fastener assembly through the second hole and the second opening to fix the first bone segment to the second bone segment.

A locator of a surgical port of a surgical robot system, the surgical robot system comprising an instrument attached to a robot arm, the instrument having an instrument shaft able to pass through the surgical port to a surgical site, the locator comprising: an interface configured to couple to the surgical port; a mechanism configured to permit relative linear and/or rotational motion of the interface and the instrument shaft; and a controller comprising a processor operable to estimate the position of a part of the robot arm, the controller configured to control the mechanism in dependence on the estimated position of the part of the robot arm such that as the robot arm retracts the instrument from the patient, the locator moves the port away from the robot arm and provides a reaction force to keep the port in place.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A method comprises the steps of: fixing a distal end of a first member of a surgical instrument with tissue, the surgical instrument including a second member having a longitudinal passageway configured for disposal of the first member and being connected with a navigation component such that the distal end is disposable with the passageway at a selected distance from the navigation component, the navigation component being positioned relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of an orientation of the first member; removing the second member from the first member; and connecting a third member with the first member along the orientation such that a distal end of the third member is fixed with the tissue. Systems, spinal implants, constructs and instruments are disclosed.

An apparatus and method is provided for intraoperative tissue stimulation during port-based surgery. The apparatus includes an access port and electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may include an access port, with or without electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation, and electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port. The method includes inserting an access port into a tissue, applying an electrical potential to the tissue using electrical terminals attached to the access port, and measuring consequent neural activity using electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port.

A surgical access device assembly includes a cannula hub and a cannula tube. The cannula tube extends distally from the cannula hub along a longitudinal axis. The cannula tube defines a working channel. The cannula tube includes a tissue engagement feature and a balancing feature. The balancing feature is configured to promote lateral stability of the cannula tube and the cannula hub relative to the body cavity wall of the patient. The balancing feature includes a proximal portion of the cannula tube having a first wall thickness. The balancing feature also includes a distal portion of the cannula tube having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. At least a portion of the proximal portion is proximal relative to the tissue engagement feature. At least a portion of the distal portion is distal relative to the tissue engagement feature.

A depth limiter that is configured to couple with a cannula of a surgical access device. The depth limiter includes first and second user contact portions and first and second biasing features. The first biasing feature includes a first resilient portion and a first gripping surface. The second biasing feature includes a second resilient portion and a second gripping surface. The first and second resilient portions are configured to move the respective first and second gripping surfaces from a fixed configuration to a movable configuration when the respective first and second user contact portions are actuated. In the fixed configuration, the first and second gripping surfaces collectively restrict axial movement of the depth limiter by directly contacting the cannula. In the movable configuration, the first and second gripping surfaces extend parallel to a longitudinal axis and allow for axial movement of the depth limiter relative to the cannula.

The present disclosure relates to a surgical cannula with a removable seal at one end. The surgical cannula is a wide gauge surgical cannula, that allows materials and tools to be introduced into a body during a surgical procedure. The cannula includes a seal structure at one end, which may be attached to and detached from the cannula body as desired. The seal structure includes one or more valves that retain pressure within the cannula. The one or more valves are configured to allow a tool through the valve(s), while retaining pressure inside the cannula, so that surgical tools may be inserted through the cannula even when the seal structure is attached to an end of the cannula.