Embolic coils with detachable segments that are separated by detachment capsules that are thermolytically degradable such that varying lengths of coil may be implanted into a vascular malformation to occlude same. The capsules are radiotransparent when compared to the adjoining coil segments to the location of the segments is easily seen. The capsules further include protruding electrical contacts that make positive contact with terminals on a delivery catheter. The terminals on the delivery catheter serve as markers so the relationship between the detachment capsules and the terminals is easily visible under x-ray.

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 retractor in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes an adapter and an arm that can be releasably connected to the adapter. An end portion of the arm includes first and second legs and a lock well between the legs. The adapter includes a tubular channel having side walls configured to receive the end portion of the arm, and a lock having a cam in the channel that is rotatable between a release position and a lock position. The lock is configured such that (1) when the lock is in the release position the end portion of the arm can be inserted into the channel and removed from the channel with the cam passing to and from the lock well between the legs, and (2) when the lock is in the lock position the cam is in the lock well and engages the legs to urge the legs into engagement with the side walls of the channel.

A surgical retractor comprises a rack, a pair of adapters on the rack, and a pair of arms with blades that are releasably connectable to the adapters. Each arm includes a pair of snap arms having top and bottom sides, a head on a distal end, and an undercut in both of the top and bottom sides at a proximal portion of the head. Each adapter includes a channel having undercut catches, and is configured to receive the retractor arm at an inserted position. The undercut catches extend into the channel and engage the snap arm undercuts when the retractor arm is at the inserted position. Lead-ins in the channel are configured to engage the snap arm heads and deflect the heads around the undercut catches as the retractor arm is inserted into the channel and moved toward the inserted position. The retractor arms and adaptors can be formed from radiodense and/or radiolucent materials.

A retractor in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprises a retractor element and a retractor arm releasably connectable to the retractor element. A first connector structure on the retractor arm includes a first end portion having a first edge, a first pin slot extending into the first end portion from the first edge, and a first lock well in the first pin slot. A second connector structure on the element includes an end portion having an aperture, the end portion configured to receive the first connector structure at a connected position with the aperture aligned with the first lock well of the first connector structure. The lock includes a first cam and is rotatable between a release position and a lock position. The cam is configured such that (1) when the lock is in the release position the end portion of the second connector structure can be moved to the connected position with respect to the first connector structure with the first cam passing through the first pin slot and into the first lock well of the first connector structure, and (2) when the lock is in the lock position the first cam engages the first end portion of the first connector structure to resist withdrawal of the first end portion of the first connector structure from the second connector structure.

In one embodiment, a needle guide includes a guide element including a hollow body having a first opening at a first end, a second opening at a second end, and an interior space defined by an inner wall of the body that extends from the first opening to the second opening, wherein the second opening is smaller than the first opening and is configured to receive a needle having a tip that is to be positioned within a target site of a patient, and wherein the body includes a radiopaque material at the second opening that can be viewed during real-time medical imaging to facilitate placement and insertion of the needle.

A fluoro-navigation system for navigating a tool relative to a medical image. The system includes a motorized X-ray imaging system for acquiring a plurality of images of a region of interest of a patient, the position of each image being known. Also included is a localization system, a registration phantom with a plurality of radiopaque fiducials, a tracker for being tracked by the localization system, a processor for receiving the plurality of images and for reconstructing a 3D medical image from the images using radiopaque fiducials visible in the plurality of images. Also included is base made of a substantially radiotransparent material, to be rigidly secured to a patient's bone and having a reproducible fixation system for attaching the registration phantom and/or tracker.

A surgical appliance includes a pair of opposed prongs slideably disposed on an elongated locking track for retracting neurovascular and musculotendinous anatomical structures through an incision for affording access to deeper structures for inserting osteosynthesis hardware in the surgical treatment of a distal radius fracture or other surgical procedure. The prongs extend from retractors that traverse the locking track for opposed linear movement while recessed in a surgical working region accessible through an incision. The prongs terminate in curvatures defining a void that gather and engage the elongated anatomical structures on top of the skeletal members receiving the plate. The prongs draw back the tendons, blood vessels and nerve structures to allow unimpeded surgical access for manipulating and attaching skeletal and soft tissue members and/or appliances. The device retracts anatomical structures along a linear track for a fixed locking engagement maintaining a surgical gap without direct manual assistance.

The present invention relates to a surgical skull clamp (1) and a method for the manufacture of a surgical skull clamp (1). In one embodiment of the surgical skull clamp (1) at least a part of the surgical skull clamp (1) has at least two different structures.

A guide device for an orthopedic surgery on a phalange includes a distal part having a pin guide is provided. The distal part includes a first opening having a first diameter at a proximal end for inserting at least a portion of a phalange into a tubular section of the distal part, and a second opening at a distal end. The pin guide is connected to the distal end, having a first length which is shorter than a length of a k-wire inserted into the phalange, and a second diameter which is greater than a diameter of the k-wire, and less than the first diameter. In certain embodiments the guide device further includes a proximal part having an aperture for inserting the phalange and a plurality of fasteners, for fastening the proximal part to the distal part.