Guiding devices and methods are disclosed that comprise a detachable guide pin. The guiding devices may be driven into a bone to place the detachable guide pin within the bone. Once placed in the bone, the guide pin can be used to guide a surgical device into the bone.

A system for planning pedicle screw fixation includes: a C-arm configured to capture a spinal image of a patient; an insertion path provider configured to provide an entry point and an insertion endpoint of a pedicle screw on a C-arm image; a registrator configured to calculate spatial coordinates of the entry point and the insertion endpoint based on a reference coordinate system; a guider configured to determine an insertion position of the pedicle screw based on the spatial coordinates of the entry point and the insertion endpoint, and guide a probe to be inserted toward the entry point according to the insertion positions; and a screw determiner configured to determine a length condition of the pedicle screw by obtaining coordinates of a start point at which the probe is inserted and becomes in contact with a bone.

Devices, systems, and methods for automatically exchanging a first end-effector on a robot arm with a second end-effector housed in a docking station. The first end-effector has a clamp that either engages or disengages the robot arm based upon an application of force of the robot arm onto the end-effector. The clamp has a spring loaded clip that disengages the first end-effector to allow the robot arm to move away from the released first end-effector. The robot arm is configured to automatically move to a port of a docking station housing the desired second end-effector using magnetic coils on the robot arm and the docking station to guide the robot arm.

The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

A pedicle screw implant construct kit, comprising at least one pedicle screw, at least one collar comprising a recess for receiving a rod, the collar configured to be coupled to a head of the pedicle screw, an elongated rod for connecting the collar to one more additional collars to couple between the pedicle screw and one or more additional screws, and a locking ring sized to be positioned over at least a distal portion of the collar to restrain relative movement of the screw head and rod by exerting radial compression force onto the collar. In some embodiments, the components of the kit are comprised of carbon reinforced composite material, optionally with no radiation blocking material. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the kit includes two locking rings on a collar, optionally both below the rod.

The invention relates to a surgical kit, for performing minimally invasive spine surgery. The surgical kit comprises a position detection system, configured for detecting position and orientation of localizers from received sensor signals in the position detection system's coordinate system. The surgical kit also comprises a sensor carrier, configured to be removably arranged in a lumen of a medical instrument, the sensor carrier having at least two localizers, the localizers each being configured for providing a sensor signal representing position and orientation of the respective localizer. Furthermore, the surgical kit comprises a plurality of medical instruments having a lumen in which the sensor carrier can be removably arranged for connecting the respective medical instrument to the position detection system.

A spinal implant comprises at least one bone fastener including a proximal portion configured for fixation with a first anterior cortical surface of a vertebra and a distal portion configured for fixation with a second cortical surface of the vertebra. The proximal portion is engageable with a surgical driver having a surgical navigation component that generates data for display of an image representing position of the spinal implant relative to the vertebra. The spinal implant can be employed with cervical, thoracic, lumbar and/or sacral regions of a spine. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

The present application relates to an implant system, preferably for the sacroiliac joint, comprising an implant body with at least two adjacent apertures, at least two screws and an insertion instrument assembly. Each screw comprises a screw head and a threaded elongated shaft. The at least two screws are rotatably engaged within said at least two apertures. The insertion instrument assembly includes a basis, a first holding means and at least one rotatable driving means configured for engagement with a drive of at least one of said at least two screws. The at least two screws or said insertion instrument assembly comprises transmission means such that a rotational movement of a first screw of said at least two screws is transferred to the at least one further screw.

The present invention provides plate systems for distracting and fixating vertebral bodies of animal (preferably human) spines. In some embodiments, the system includes: a biocompatible plate with at least two holes, at least two biocompatible distraction screws for insertion through the holes, each screw having an expandable head, a bore and a threaded shank, and at least two biocompatible fixating screws with threaded shanks. Insertion of the fixating screws into the distraction screws causes the expandable heads to expand and lock to the biocompatible plate. Optionally, the plate and the expandable heads comprises mating teeth configured to lock the expandable heads to the plate upon expansion of the expandable heads. The present invention also relates to use of the plate system to distract and fixate vertebral bodies.

Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors.