Abstract: An adjustable cervical link system that includes a plurality of cervical links for adjustable fixation to articles of a patient's cervical spine, and a connecting assembly having a generally rectangular loop shape defining a substantially open interior therebetween. Each cervical link has a plurality of circular holes each arranged to receive a screw thereby securing the cervical link to the respective article of a patient's cervical spine at a bottom portion of the cervical link. Each cervical link has a plurality of recessed portion along a top portion of the cervical link. Each recessed portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls. The connecting assembly is arranged to be placed in and frictionally engage the U-shaped cross-section of the recessed portions.

Abstract: An adjustable cervical link system that includes a plurality of cervical links for adjustable fixation to articles of a patient's cervical spine, and a connecting assembly having a generally rectangular loop shape defining a substantially open interior therebetween. Each cervical link has a plurality of circular holes each arranged to receive a screw thereby securing the cervical link to the respective article of a patient's cervical spine at a bottom portion of the cervical link. Each cervical link has a plurality of recessed portion along a top portion of the cervical link. Each recessed portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls. The connecting assembly is arranged to be placed in and frictionally engage the U-shaped cross-section of the recessed portions.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for using an augmented reality device for determining an orientation of an instrument for inserting a medical device are provided. One such method includes simulating an insertion point and an orientation of a simulated surgical hardware installation on a diagnostic representation of a bone, and using an augmented reality based electronic device to align an instrument for inserting a surgical hardware installation at a desired orientation through an insertion point of the bone by displaying visual indicia indicating the insertion point and the orientation of the simulated surgical hardware installation. Disclosed herein is also a system and method having a concentric shape alignment system for medical device placement in the body, such as in a bone.

Abstract: An adjustable cervical link system that includes a plurality of cervical links for adjustable fixation to articles of a patient's cervical spine, and a connecting assembly having a generally rectangular loop shape defining a substantially open interior therebetween. Each cervical link has a plurality of circular holes each arranged to receive a screw thereby securing the cervical link to the respective article of a patient's cervical spine at a bottom portion of the cervical link. Each cervical link has a plurality of recessed portion along a top portion of the cervical link. Each recessed portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls. The connecting assembly is arranged to be placed in and frictionally engage the U-shaped cross-section of the recessed portions.

Abstract: An adjustable cervical link system that includes a plurality of cervical links for adjustable fixation to articles of a patient's cervical spine, and a connecting assembly having a generally rectangular loop shape defining a substantially open interior therebetween. Each cervical link has a plurality of circular holes each arranged to receive a screw thereby securing the cervical link to the respective article of a patient's cervical spine at a bottom portion of the cervical link. Each cervical link has a plurality of recessed portion along a top portion of the cervical link. Each recessed portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls. The connecting assembly is arranged to be placed in and frictionally engage the U-shaped cross-section of the recessed portions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are device and methods for determining an orientation of an instrument for inserting a medical device in a bone. One such method includes simulating an insertion point and an orientation of a simulated surgical hardware installation on a diagnostic representation of the bone, and then using an electronic device to align an instrument for inserting a surgical hardware installation at a desired orientation through an insertion point of the bone by indicating when an orientation of the electronic device is within a threshold of the simulated orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are device and methods for determining an orientation of an instrument for inserting a medical device in a bone. One such method includes simulating an insertion point and an orientation of a simulated surgical hardware installation on a diagnostic representation of the bone, and then using an electronic device to align an instrument for inserting a surgical hardware installation at a desired orientation through an insertion point of the bone by indicating when an orientation of the electronic device is within a threshold of the simulated orientation.

Abstract: A medical dilating system includes a dilator device configured to penetrate and provide an opening in tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, first and second ends, and an interior wall defining an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end to one or more openings in a tapered tip at the first end. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface and an interior wall defining an open interior volume extending from an opening of a first end of the sleeve to a second end of the sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include a first sleeve positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve.

Abstract: A medical dilating system and method are provided that include a dilator device having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip configured to penetrate and provide an opening in the tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve.

Abstract: An adjustable cervical link system that includes a plurality of cervical links for adjustable fixation to articles of a patient's cervical spine, and a connecting assembly having a generally rectangular loop shape defining a substantially open interior therebetween. Each cervical link has a plurality of circular holes each arranged to receive a screw thereby securing the cervical link to the respective article of a patient's cervical spine at a bottom portion of the cervical link. Each cervical link has a plurality of recessed portion along a top portion of the cervical link. Each recessed portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls. The connecting assembly is arranged to be placed in and frictionally engage the U-shaped cross-section of the recessed portions.

Abstract: A space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system and method of using same is provided. The space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system includes a satellite having a control system configured to maintain an orbit in outer space around the earth and to deorbit the satellite on a desired trajectory corresponding to an earth based target upon a command, and a projectile object operably connected to the satellite. The projectile object includes a dense mass and a heat shield operably surrounding the mass such that at least a portion of the mass survives reentry into the earth's atmosphere and strikes the earth based target delivering its kinetic energy.

Abstract: A space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system and method of using same is provided. The space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system includes a satellite having a control system configured to maintain an orbit in outer space around the earth and to deorbit the satellite on a desired trajectory corresponding to an earth based target upon a command, and a projectile object operably connected to the satellite. The projectile object includes a dense mass and a heat shield operably surrounding the mass such that at least a portion of the mass survives reentry into the earth's atmosphere and strikes the earth based target delivering its kinetic energy.

Abstract: A medical dilating system and method are provided that include a dilator device having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip configured to penetrate and provide an opening in the tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve.