Abstract: The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A cross connector system for use during a spinal fixation procedure is provided. The system includes at least one bridge defining a coupling bore and having a pair of downwardly extending arms for coupling to a first fastener. The system includes a contoured bar having a first end offset from a second end, and a bore having a central axis. The system includes an expansion ring received within the bore, and a locking device received through the expansion ring and the coupling bore. The locking device is operable in a first state in which the contoured bar is movable about the central axis of the bore and in a second state in which the contoured bar fixed relative to the central axis of the bore.

Abstract: A hair waving apparatus includes a handle component defining a longitudinal axis, and proximal and distal ends and a rotatable component operatively coupled to the handle component and adapted for rotatable movement about the longitudinal axis to engage a length of hair to impart a waving effect to the length of hair. The rotatable component includes a first treatment member and a second treatment member configured for relative movement between an open condition and an approximated condition. At least one of the first and second treatment members includes a heating element. A drive is operatively coupled to the rotatable component to impart rotational movement to the rotatable component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure includes two lateral arms each having a block with an aperture extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the arm. The distal end of each arm pivotably supports a retractor blade. A transverse extension, forming a retractor core, extends through the aperture and slideably supports a lateral arm at each end. A central arm also pivotably supports a retractor blade, and has an extension on a proximal end that is insertable into an aperture within the core. The lateral and central arms are translatable in connection with the core. The retractor blades can be pivoted by rotating a tool engagement. A rack and pinion, controlled by a pawl, is used to translate the side and central arms.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom portion comprising a spindle for receiving a quantity of floss. A first locking plate is operable for receiving a feed portion of the floss upon a horizontal surface. A plate extends from the first locking plate where a distal end of the plate engages the feed portion and a return portion of the feed portion returns back over the horizontal surface. An aperture enables an exiting portion of the return portion to exit the bottom portion. A top portion includes a spindle cap portion operable for engaging the spindle. A second locking plate is operable for engaging the first locking plate to substantially constrain the feed portion of the floss and the return portion. A stretching mechanism is joined to the second plate for applying a stretching force along a portion of the feed portion and a portion of the return portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hair curling hammer and an operation principle thereof. The hair curling hammer is made up of a handle housing component, a control member, a heating member, a power member, a hair curling member and a hair care member. The handle housing component comprises a first handle housing and a second handle housing, the control member comprises a button, a decoration fixing mount, a button divider and a PCB board. The power member, heating member, hair curling member and hair care member are arranged in the working part of the hair curling hammer together. The invention is adjustable in temperature, circling number of curling hair, case hardening time, and turning, which meets the various requirements of the customer; improves the hair curling member, the operability and reliability of curling hair greatly; and three hair combing brushes are added in to make the progress of curling hair more smooth.

Abstract: A mask for facial contouring that includes: a main portion, where the main portion is adapted to cover a portion of a user's face leaving exposure of a user's outer jaw bone; eye covers, where the eye covers cover the user's eyes; a lip cover, where the lip cover covers the user's lips; temple covers extending from the main portion covering each temple area of the user's face; slit openings along a nose section of the mask; openings at a forehead portion of the mask; and an ear loop on each side of the mask for attaching the mask to the user's face. Each side of the mask may include curved exposure of the user's outer jaw bone and preferably the mask includes a soft material on an interior of the mask.

Abstract: A method for mixing substances for the treatment of keratinous substrates may comprise separating a paperboard packaging container into at least two portions. The method may also comprise removing at least two containers containing differing substances from the paperboard packaging container and mixing the at least two substances together in one of the at least two separated portions of the paperboard packaging container so as to form a mixture of the at least two substances for the treatment of keratinous substrates. The method may further comprise applying the mixture to a keratinous substrate.

Abstract: A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly. The positioning assembly can include a femoral attachment member configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur, a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, and a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide. Further, the positioning assembly can include a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle and a guide member removably coupled to the depth selector slide and configured to extend from the depth selector slide.

Abstract: A plate is provided with feet located laterally of adjacent compression screw holes and absent from about threaded locking holes so as to suspend the plate segment having the threaded locking holes from over the bone. This forces a minimum gap between the threaded holes and the bone, and allows the plate thereat to deflect under loads that can be practically delivered by the locking screws. By allowing the plate to deflect, the threads on the head of the locking screw can be aligned, or timed, with the threads of the threaded plate hole to reduce the required torque to insert the locking screw into the locking hole and the bone.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a dental material comprises a container for containing the material and an outlet which is closed by a closure. A breakable seal is arranged between the closure and the container. The device further is operable between a storage position in which the outlet is closed and an operational position in which the outlet is open. An initial operation toward the operational position causes the seal to break, whereby the closure is captured in the device. The device may provide a relatively long shelf life for the material, and may facilitate preparation of the material for use.

Abstract: Described are surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, involving an expansion member. The invention relates to an expansion member that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, two longitudinal blades extending in the length direction, and a connector connecting the blades. The connector allows movement of the blades to increase or decrease a distance between the blades at the distal end.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly, including a femoral attachment member, including a tongue with at least one fixation aperture configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur. The positioning assembly can further include a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide, and a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle. A flexion-extension adjustment member can be configured to adjust a flexion-extension position of the positioning assembly relative to a flexion-extension of a knee joint and a guide member can be configured to extend from the depth selector slide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: The system includes a hair color packet assembly having several individual hair color packets and one developer packet, each packet having a pump for delivering selected amounts of material to a mixing assembly. A control assembly operable in response to a user's input controls each of the pumps to deliver selected amounts of color material and developer material to a mixing assembly which mixes the colors and the developer and delivers it to a brushhead/distributor, which has openings through which the selected hair color formulation is delivered. The brushhead/distributor is mountable in a handle having a motor which drives the brushhead/distributor in a linear oscillating manner.

Abstract: An implant comprises an elongated plate having a first major face and at least one locking screw hole, to receive a locking fastener oriented normal to the major face. The elongated plate has a wall with a flat surface normal to the first major face. A non-locking screw hole is located between the locking screw hole and the wall. The non-locking screw hole is configured to receive a non-locking fastener oriented at an acute angle relative to the locking fastener.

Abstract: The hair coloring appliance includes a flexible cap which is adapted and sized to fit against the head of the user, covering the user's hair. The cap includes a sealing band which seals the edge of the cap to the user's head. A vacuum pump assembly is connected to the cap as well as a color infusion assembly. A control system controls the vacuum assembly to create a vacuum in the cap volume and to permit infusion of color material when the desired vacuum has been created.

Abstract: This disclosure proposes a technique for finding and treating areas of tooth decay primarily below the gum line using protuberances provided in a length of modified dental floss. The length of modified dental floss is provided with protuberances which can be used to detect areas of tooth decay by the roughness and sensitivity felt as the length of modified dental floss glides over the area of tooth decay. Specially designed posts are used to anchor the ends of the length of modified dental floss in order to be able to apply greater force during flossing, and free up fingers that would normally have the dental floss wrapped around them, to guide the floss to the right locations for flossing.

Abstract: A cannulated screw having a resilient balloon structure capable of supporting compressive and cyclic loads. The balloon provides an artificial disc prosthesis by use of the balloon that mimics the porperties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion, absorbing shocks and permitting a natural range of motion.