Abstract: A textile prosthesis comprising a unitary body of predetermined shape having structural integrity, the body including at least one anchorage body portion for attachment to an anatomical body part, the body being composed of a combination of binding yarns and tensile load bearing filaments, the binding yarns being located at least in the or in each of said anchorage body portions and being interconnected to one another by sewn stitches, the tensile load bearing filaments being located in between said stitches so as to be constrained to extend through said unitary body along predetermined pathways extending in one or more predetermined directions so as to render the body resistance to stretch when a tensile load is applied in said one or more predetermined directions.

Abstract: A method for applying microwave techniques to embroidered surgical implants including using microwave technology in the process of acetate removal and using microwave technology in the process of drying implants.

Abstract: A system and associated methods for performing spinal fusion, involving the use of a graft holder assembly, a locking assembly, and a pair of bone graft implants to simultaneously introduce the bone graft implants into a disc space to thereafter effect spinal fusion.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a nerve adjacent the distal end of at least one probe, comprising: determining relative neuro-muscular response onset values for a plurality of spinal nerves; emitting a stimulus pulse from a probe or surgical tool; detecting neuro-muscular responses to the stimulus pulse in each of the plurality of spinal nerves; and concluding that the electrode disposed on the distal end of the at least one probe is positioned adjacent to a first spinal nerve when the neuro-muscular response detected in the first spinal nerve is detected as a current intensity level less than or equal to a corresponding neuro-muscular response onset value of the first spinal nerve.

Abstract: An anterior thoracic/lumbar system comprising a thin plate and fasteners for securing the plate to vertebrae or other osseous material. The plate may be hinged along the central axis, with a pair of collinear holes on each portion of the plate. Each of the holes accommodates a bolt which is screwed into the vertebrae and secured to the plate using a nut.

Abstract: A textile prosthesis comprising a unitary body of predetermined shape having structural integrity, the body including at least one anchorage body portion for attachment to an anatomical body part, the body being composed of a combination of binding yarns and tensile load bearing filaments, the binding yarns being located at least in the or in each of said anchorage body portions and being interconnected to one another by sewn stitches, the tensile load bearing filaments being located inbetween said stitches so as to be constrained to extend through said unitary body along predetermined pathways extending in one or more predetermined directions so as to render the body resistance to stretch when a tensile load is applied in said one or more predetermined directions.

Abstract: A connector comprising at least one pair of apertures for receiving a fastener, such as a screw, a load bearing filament extending continuously along a predefined circuitous path which extends between and around each of the apertures of said pair of apertures. The load bearing filament extends around each aperture to define multiple aperture forming strands of said load bearing filaments. The multiple aperture forming strands of the load bearing filament are bound together around each aperture by binding filaments in order to constrain relative lateral movement between the aperture forming multiple strands and to define the shape of each aperture.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for detecting proximity of a nerve to a proximity electrode and status of nerve. The method of detecting the proximity of the nerve to the proximity electrode applies a first electrical signal with multiple current levels to a calibration electrode. The method applies a second electrical signal with multiple current levels to the proximity electrode. Based on the response of the nerve to the first and second electrical signals, the method determines the proximity of the proximity electrode to the nerve. The method determines the status of the nerve by applying the first electrical signal with multiple signal levels to the calibration electrode.

Abstract: A surgical instrument positioning system, comprising: at least one support; a cross member having at least one curved end portion, the at least one curved end portion being held by the at least one support such that the cross member is rotatable about an axis extending through a center of curvature of the at least one curved end portion of the cross member; and at least one surgical instrument holder suspended from the cross member. A laser alignment system for an image intensifier, comprising: at least one laser source which emits planar laser beams in first and second intersecting planes.

Abstract: An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein.

Abstract: A self-sealing hemostasis valve having a first membrane with an opening offset from the center and a second membrane with an opening offset from the center in a direction opposite of the offset in the first membrane. The two membranes are joined about their outer edges. Access through the two elastomeric membranes without tearing is available at the intersection of the openings in the membrane assembly when the two membranes are deformed by an instrument being inserted through the hemostasis valve.

Abstract: A water sport safety device for use with generally planar water sport devices which float at or beneath the surface of a body of water when floating unattended. The water sport safety device consists of a buoyant marker assembly which is attached to the water sport device so as to extend upward above the surface of the water when the water sport device is floating unattended in the water. The extension of the buoyant marker assembly above the surface of the water provides a highly noticeable and visible mark for water skiers, boaters and other water sportsman to identify the unattended water sport device, increasing the safety accorded the aforementioned individuals and increasing the ability to find and recover unattended floating water sport devices.