Enzymatic and non-enzymatic detectors and associated membrane apparatus, and methods of use, such as within a fully implantable sensor apparatus. In one embodiment, detector performance is controlled through selective use of membrane configurations and enzyme region shapes, which enable accurate detection of blood glucose level within the solid tissue of the living host for extended periods of time. Isolation between the host's tissue and the underlying enzymes and reaction byproducts used in the detectors is also advantageously maintained in one embodiment via use of a non-enzyme containing permeable membrane formed of e.g., a biocompatible crosslinked protein-based material. Control of response range and/or rate in some embodiments also permits customization of sensor elements. In one variant, heterogeneous detector elements are used to, e.g., accommodate a wider range of blood glucose concentration within the host. Methods of manufacturing the membranes and detectors, including methods to increase reliability, are also disclosed.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft (1) on which a first handle (3) is formed, a pushing part (2) which is actuated by a second handle (4), and a force accumulator for returning the pushing part (2), wherein the force accumulator and the pushing part (2) are integrally formed.

A rongeur for cutting bone and other tissue includes a first shaft terminating in a footplate and a second shaft having a cutting edge. The first shaft and the second shaft are capable of reciprocal motion relative to one another, such that the cutting edge and footplate are moveable from a maximally-separated open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the cutting edge and the footplate may be in contact. The rongeur further includes a flange extending outwardly from either the footplate or the second shaft, or includes a first flange extending outwardly from the footplate and a second flange extending outwardly from the second shaft.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones of a subject using distractor platforms for the exposure and resection of at least a portion of the facet joint, such as in performance of a TLIF procedure. In one embodiment, the distractor platform contains at least a first receptacle and/or extension that are adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker and the method includes advancing a first threaded segment of a first bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, wherein the first bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment that is adapted to couple with a distraction platform adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade and is adapted to retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position.

Instruments and methods that allow for a minimally invasive way to probe, locate, and cut a meniscus during a meniscectomy procedure. The instrument is a single hybrid probe/cutter instrument provided with both probing and cutting means that allow probing and cutting of the meniscus with the same hybrid instrument. A minimally invasive technique for probing and cutting (resecting) a torn area of a meniscus by employing the single, hybrid probing/cutting instrument is also provided. The technique provides a consistently good-quality meniscus with improved cosmetic results, and is simple and easily reproducible, strong, and time-saving for meniscal repairs.

A system including a bone punch tool and a needle guide. The bone punch tool can include a support arm having a support arm proximal portion and a support arm distal portion, a pivot arm having a pivot arm proximal portion and a pivot arm distal portion, and an arcuate punch configured to punch through bone. The pivot arm distal portion can be pivotably coupled to the support arm distal portion, such that the pivot arm proximal portion is configured to be moved away from the support arm proximal portion to extend the arcuate punch into a punch position to punch an arcuate hole through bone. The needle guide can be configured to guide a needle through the arcuate hole.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones using distractor platforms for exposure and resection of at least a portion of a facet joint, such as in performance of a TLiF procedure. In one embodiment, the distractor platform contains at least a first receptacle and/or extension adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker, and the method includes advancing a threaded segment of a bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, the bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment adapted to couple with a distraction platform, which is adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade, and retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position. Stabilization of a spinal segment is also provided by advancing a substantially concave orthopedic implant through an opening made in a posterior aspect of a disc space.

A laminectomy forceps having a cutting unit with a fixed beak and a sliding tray slidingly mounted on the fixed beak, an actuation lever to actuate the sliding tray, a handle in opposed position to the actuation lever and joined to an external frame joined to the fixed beak, a lever mechanism connected to the actuation lever and to the sliding tray, the lever mechanism including a first lever shaped as a straight bar, a second lever shaped as a straight bar and having a first arm between a fulcrum and a first end and a second arm between the fulcrum and a second end and a third lever shaped as a straight bar connected to a stem intended to push the sliding tray.

Disclosed is a Rongeur for surgical use. The disclosed Rongeur has a push button actuator which, upon activation, allows the long parts of the Rongeur to be easily separated for thorough cleaning and sterilization for reuse.

Disclosed is a disassemblable bone punch comprising a shaft and a handle, wherein the shaft comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part, wherein the first shaft part comprises at least one first guiding element, and the second shaft part comprises at least one second guiding element, wherein the first shaft part is connected to the second shaft part such that the first guiding element is in engagement with the second guiding element and the first shaft part is movable parallel to a proximal-to-distal direction relative to the second shaft part, wherein the shaft is movable into a disassembly position, into a neutral position and into a punching position.