Abstract: A fixation device includes a tapered cannula defining a bore therethrough, a shaft, and a post. The shaft includes a proximal portion disposed within the bore, and central and distal portions extending distally from the tapered cannula. The proximal portion includes a threaded inner surface defined therein. The shaft includes blades disposed within the central portion, the blades movable between a closed position in which the blades are disposed within the shaft and an open position in which the blades extend laterally through the shaft. The post includes a threaded outer surface threadingly engaged with the threaded inner surface of the shaft. The post is movable longitudinally within the shaft to transition the blades between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A fixation device includes a tapered cannula defining a bore therethrough, a shaft, and a post. The shaft includes a proximal portion disposed within the bore, and central and distal portions extending distally from the tapered cannula. The proximal portion includes a threaded inner surface defined therein. The shaft includes blades disposed within the central portion, the blades movable between a closed position in which the blades are disposed within the shaft and an open position in which the blades extend laterally through the shaft. The post includes a threaded outer surface threadingly engaged with the threaded inner surface of the shaft. The post is movable longitudinally within the shaft to transition the blades between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are selection systems and methods for selecting a disability insurance package from a plurality of disability insurance packages, and for recommending the selected disability insurance package to a client. A selection system can include a query unit, a scoring unit and a recommendation unit. The query unit can present two or more prompts related to disability insurance, each prompt being associated with two or more response choices. A client can select a response choice for each prompt, and the query unit can receive the selected response choices. The scoring unit can associate point values with each of the selected response choices and can calculate a response score by combining the point values. The recommendation unit can select a disability insurance package corresponding the response score resulting from the user's responses to the prompts. Other embodiments of selection systems are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus. The apparatus includes a handle structure, a shaft structure coupled to the handle structure, and a spreading structure coupled to the shaft structure and movable between a compact and an expanded configuration. The apparatus includes a protective sheath of shape-recovery material. The protective sheath covers the entire spreading structure in a substantially form fitting manner in any configuration of the spreading structure including the compact configuration, the expanded configuration and any configurations therebetween.

Abstract: A vertebral body aspirator comprises an inner member including a cannula disposed therethrough, the inner member having an opening at a distal end thereof and a rotatable knob at a proximal end thereof, an outer member having a cannula disposed therethrough, the cannula of the outer member being configured and dimensioned for receiving the inner member. The outer member has an aperture located at a distal end thereof. The knob is configured to rotate inner member with respect to the outer member and expose the opening of the inner member. The outer member may include an extended tip located at the distal end thereof. A cartridge may be disposed within the inner member. The cartridge can be disposable and can have a straight-tip or bent-tip at its distal end. The vertebral body aspirator may also include a syringe connected to the proximal end of the cartridge.

Abstract: A Novel surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.

Abstract: A novel surgical apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery procedures and a method for use is provided. The present invention includes a protective sheath which prevents fouling of the moving parts of the device by unwanted contact with surround tissue and bone. The device relates primarily to the treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of human and other animal body systems and, more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for manipulating the vertebral body through a less invasive, percutaneous, surgical approach.

Abstract: A Novel surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.

Abstract: A Novel surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.

Abstract: A Novel surgical apparatus and method of use in osteoplasty and other methods of injecting materials into a subject for medical purposes. The present invention particularly relates to the surgical treatment of traumatic, pathogenic, or osteoporotic bone conditions of the human and other animal body systems and more particularly, to a novel apparatus and method for injection of a material into a lesion of a vertebral body or other bony structure.