Devices, systems and methods for minimally open orthopedic spine surgery are disclosed. A first flexible screw-based retractor is designed to be coupled to each pedicle screw inserted into adjacent vertebral bodies. A retractor system is provided in which a first retractor blade is mounted to one of the screws and a second movable retractor blade is moved away from the first blade, in a medial direction, to create a working channel through which the disc space may be accessed for passing instruments and implants. Light may be incorporated into the device to illuminate the surgical field. One or all of the retractor blades may be made of a sterilizable plastic or metal and be disposable or reusable.

A surgical towel clamp apparatus includes a first elongated element having a curved tip and a right finger ring, a second elongated element having a curved tip and a left finger ring, wherein the first and second elongated elements are coupled at a first pivot point, a third elongated element having a straight tip and coupled to the right finger ring, a fourth elongated element having a straight tip and coupled to the left finger ring, wherein the third and fourth elongated elements are coupled at a second pivot point, wherein in an open orientation, the rings are apart, the curved tips are apart, and the straight tips are apart, and wherein in a closed orientation, the left and right finger rings are adjacent, the curved tips are in contact and the straight tips are in contact.

A surgical retractor is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a surgical retractor includes a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a first portion coupled to a second portion via a hinged connection, wherein the first and second portions are configured to rotate about a body axis; a first radiolucent tip coupled to a distal portion of the first portion; a second radiolucent tip coupled to a distal portion of the second portion; a holder coupled to one of the first or second portions; and a deformable member extending through the holder, wherein the deformable member is configured to be deformed to facilitate fixation of the surgical retractor at a desired location.

Provided is a surgical instrument including a first holding member, a sleeve member, a linkage member, a second holding member, a hook member and an opening/closing member. The second holding member is pivotally connected to the first holding member and when the second holding member moves relative to the first holding member, the linkage member is moved inside the sleeve member so as to drive the opening/closing member to move relative to the hook member. Through the movement of the opening/closing member of the surgical instrument, surrounding soft tissues, blood vessels or nerves that have strayed into the hook member can be pushed out so as not to be damaged by the hook member during surgery.

There is disclosed a system and methods for safely and securely gripping osseous-based tissue during allograft processing. One embodiment includes a first forceps half pivotally coupled to a second forceps half, where the first and the second forceps halves combine to form a handle portion and a head portion. The handle portion may define a first longitudinal axis, and the head portion may define a second longitudinal axis that intersects the first longitudinal axis at a varying head angle. The first and the second halves move between an open position in which the first and second forceps halves at the head portion are separated and a closed position in which the first and second forceps halves at the head portion are together. The forceps may also include an open-biasing spring element attached between the first and second forceps halves and a selective locking mechanism. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a clamp composed of four distinct components. The ability to deconstruct the provided clamp into four components as compared to a typical two-part clamp may allow for greater ease in cleaning and sterilization. The provided clamp may include a first arm, a second arm, a cannula block, and a rotary cannula. In some instances, the provided clamp may include a locking feature for locking the rotary cannula to, and releasing it from, the cannula block. The present disclosure also provides a clamp including a scale for bone size determination, a clamp including a scale for determining how much compression force is being applied to a bone between the clamp's jaws, a system including a bushing and a set screw in which the set screw is self-locking, and a drill component system for preparing an opening in bone for a fixation component.

A branch-crossed surgical instrument includes a female branch and a male branch, each branch having a terminal portion over the longitudinal extension thereof. The terminal portion of the female branch is passed through by a passage opening, which has a distal and a proximal longitudinal end surface, each having two outer edges and adjusted to receive the terminal portion of the male branch such that the two terminal portions form a plug-through closure in an assembly position of the instrument. The passage opening has a length, wherein the outer edges of the longitudinal end surfaces are exposed in all relative positions of the two branches, in particular in a completely closed position and/or in a completely opened position of the instrument, and not covered by the male branch.

Devices, systems and methods for minimally open orthopedic spine surgery are disclosed. A first flexible screw-based retractor is designed to be coupled to each pedicle screw inserted into adjacent vertebral bodies. A retractor system is provided in which a first retractor blade is mounted to one of the screws and a second movable retractor blade is moved away from the first blade, in a medial direction, to create a working channel through which the disc space may be accessed for passing instruments and implants. Light may be incorporated into the device to illuminate the surgical field. One or all of the retractor blades may be made of a sterilizable plastic or metal and be disposable or reusable.

The present disclosure provides a clamp composed of four distinct components. The ability to deconstruct the provided clamp into four components as compared to a typical two-part clamp may allow for greater ease in cleaning and sterilization. The provided clamp may include a first arm, a second arm, a cannula block, and a rotary cannula. In some instances, the provided clamp may include a locking feature for locking the rotary cannula to, and releasing it from, the cannula block. The present disclosure also provides a clamp including a scale for bone size determination, a clamp including a scale for determining how much compression force is being applied to a bone between the clamp’s jaws, a system including a bushing and a set screw in which the set screw is self-locking, and a drill component system for preparing an opening in bone for a fixation component.

A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.)