Methods and apparatuses for performing an orthopedic procedure in the sacroiliac region are disclosed. In one form, an aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted into the aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The probe assembly is manipulated within a joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the probe assembly is in the extended position. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The cutting assembly is manipulated within the joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the cutting assembly is in the extended position to form a fusion region.

A single-handed meniscal biter instrument for probing and resecting meniscal tissue. The instrument includes a main body configured to be held by one hand and a cutting mechanism coupled to the main body and configured to be operable by the same hand while held. The instrument also includes an extendable probe coupled to the main body, wherein the probe is configured to be independently operable by the same hand while being held.

According to some embodiments, a method of accessing an intervertebral space of a patient's spine in a minimally invasive manner compromises creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of a vertebral member using a probe, advancing the probe through the pedicle and to a main body portion of the vertebral member, advancing the probe through a superior endplate of the vertebral member and into the intervertebral space and enlarging the passage using at least one tap to create an enlarged passage from a posterior of the pedicle to the intervertebral space. In some embodiments, the enlarged passage traverses at least three cortical layers of the vertebral member.

Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to single portal surgical systems. In one implementation, an apparatus includes first, second, and third cannulas. Fluid flows through a proximal opening of the first cannula. The second cannula couples within the first cannula such that an outer wall of the second cannula contacts an inner wall of the first cannula. The second cannula includes a first distal opening and a first slot longitudinally extending along the second cannula. Fluid entering the proximal opening flows through the first slot and exits at a distal end of the. The third cannula couples within the second cannula such that an outer wall of the third cannula is in touching relation with an inner wall of the second cannula. The third cannula includes a second distal opening that rotationally interacts with the first distal opening during tissue debridement.

A rongeur including a base, which includes a handle portion, a body portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is made of a metal material and includes a male mold-on interlock portion configured to non-removably interlock with an over-molded plastic material. The body portion is made of plastic material and includes an over-mold interlock portion that is over-molded onto and non-removably fixed onto the mold-on interlock portion of the shaft portion. A slide shaft of the rongeur includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion is made of a metal material and includes a male mold-on interlock portion configured to non-removably interlock with an over-molded plastic material. The proximal portion is made of a plastic material and includes an over-mold interlock portion that is over-molded onto and non-removably fixed onto the mold-on interlock portion of the distal portion.

A shaper for reaming tissue having a single articulating cutting head can be operably connected to a main shaft. The cutting head can be inverted by rotating the main shaft 180 degrees so that the remaining half-circle of tissue can be removed for a complete discectomy or other surgical procedure. The main shaft can be rotationally locked so that rotation does not occur until the user actuates a release mechanism.

A collector used to collect bone includes: a container body defining an interior containment space for receiving and retaining collected bone, and having at least one open end for access and removal of collected bone from the interior containment space; and a cap in covering relation to the open end of the container body such that access to the interior containment space for removal of collected bone is inhibited. The collector includes an intake port defining an opening for receiving therein a distal end of a kerrison rongeur for collecting cut bone from a cutting area thereof, and the cap includes at least one scraper for engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of a distal end of a kerrison rongeur when received within the intake port. The collector preferably is used with a kerrison-type rongeur for collecting cut bone therefrom.

A medical device includes a sheath, an shaft at least partially surrounded by the sheath, an end effector at a distal end of the shaft and movable between at least an open position and a closed position, and a handle. The handle includes a shaft advancement body, a channel body securely coupled to the sheath and selectively positionable with respect to the shaft advancement body, and a plunger securely coupled to the shaft and selectively positionable with respect to the channel body.

A direction adjustable surgical tissue removal device, including: an insert rod having a stopping step at a front end; a slider slidably coupled to the insert rod, moving forward and backward with respect to the stopping step, and having a punching portion forming a jaw in cooperation with the stopping step; a rotary shaft being a hollow member fixed behind the insert rod and rotated by a user; a pushing rod having a front end fixed to the slider sequentially through the rotary shaft and the insert rod and a rear end extending backward; a spring disposed between the rotary shaft and the rear end of the pushing rod and elastically supporting the pushing rod backward; and a handle accommodating a portion of the rotary shaft and moving the pushing rod forward such that the punching portion is pushed toward the stopping step.

A surgical instrument for cutting and grasping tissue comprising a handle assembly, an elongated member and first and second jaws. A first movable member moves the second jaw in a first direction about a first pivot axis in a grasping action and a second movable member moves the second jaw in a second direction different than the first direction and about a second pivot axis in a cutting action. A switch is positioned at the proximal portion of the instrument and a selecting member is actuated by movement of the switch, the selecting member movable between a first position to enable movement of the second jaw in the first direction and prohibit movement in the second direction and a second position to enable movement of the second jaw in the second direction and prohibit movement in the first direction.