Abstract: Systems and methods for displacing bony structures relative to each other using a single device is disclosed. Displacement includes distraction and compression. Bony structures are engaged with displacement arms. The user selects one of a plurality of manners in which to manipulate a user interface, where a first manner results in compression and a second manner results in distraction. The user interface is manipulated in the selected manner until a desired amount of displacement has been reached. This displacement is performed in a manner that is minimally invasive to the patient.

Abstract: An extension for use in a procedure to implant a stabilization system for bony structures such as vertebrae is described. The extension is formed by a tubular body with an engagement mechanism at one end to removably engage with a poly-axial head of a bone anchor assembly. A locking ring working with a slide are used to temporarily lock the poly-axial head and extension in the desired relationship for performing the procedure. The locking ring includes a slot in which resides a pin on the slider. Twisting the locking ring causes the pin to move in the slot and thereby move the slider either up or down. In one position a locking body on the slider engages with the poly-axial assembly locking the extension in place. In the other position, the locking body is disengaged from the poly-axial head allowing the extension to be decoupled from the bone anchor assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bone anchoring systems are disclosed. In one such embodiment, there is disclosed a bone anchoring system, comprising a bone anchor having a distal end portion adapted to engage a bone and a proximal end portion, a head coupled to the proximal end portion wherein the head is adapted to rotate with respect to the bone anchor, and a locking element coupled to the head and adapted to rotate with respect to the head to create additional rotation with respect to the bone anchor.

Abstract: A method for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth. A receptor positioning device is provided which includes a receptor holding member and an arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth. The device includes a collimation plate with a cross-shaped opening for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine. A pair of handles extends away from the plate for positioning the device, with one of the handles being radially aligned and the other of the handles being non-radially aligned. Each handle includes a polymeric grip incorporating an arm holder adjacent a base of the handle and having a rectangular opening for slidably receiving the arm and removably securing the collimation plate to the receptor holding member. One rectangular opening is radially aligned and the other rectangular opening is non-radially aligned.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a displacement device having at least a first arm, a second arm, and a connector. Various embodiments of the connector includes a lateral adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the first arm and the second arm and an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A method for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth. A receptor positioning device is provided which includes a receptor holding member and an arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth. The device includes a collimation plate with a cross-shaped opening for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine. A pair of handles extends away from the plate for positioning the device, with one of the handles being radially aligned and the other of the handles being non-radially aligned. Each handle includes a polymeric grip incorporating an arm holder adjacent a base of the handle and having a rectangular opening for slidably receiving the arm and removably securing the collimation plate to the receptor holding member. One rectangular opening is radially aligned and the other rectangular opening is non-radially aligned.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for measuring the distance between the bone anchors inserted into vertebrae comprising two legs pivotally coupled to each other, the two legs are also coupled to a proportional magnifier which is coupled to a scale. The proportional magnifier allows the scale to be easily viewable.

Abstract: Suture locking devices and methods. In one embodiment, the device includes a suture lock, a rotatable actuator adjacent to the lock, and a release mechanism. The lock defines a pair of suture holes which receive sutures attached to tissue (e.g. a spinal disc) of the surgical site. When the actuator rotates the sutures are wound together (preferably around a hub on the lock) thereby securing the plate to the tissue. Furthermore, the release mechanism is coupled to the lock in such a manner that when the release mechanism is actuated the device releases the lock. The release mechanism may include a push button that is biased away from the lock. Also, the actuator may include a thumbwheel and a gear. Further, the gear may also define suture holes. Additionally, a pull ring connected to a pair of loops for drawing the sutures through the instrument may be included.

Abstract: An annular access device provides minimally invasive access to the interior of an intervertebral disc, a stable working platform for treatment, and closure of an annulotomy. A method of performing a surgical operation on an intervertebral disc provides for inserting an obturator into an annulotomy, and actuating an operable member to secure the obturator to an annulus of an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A tissue evacuation device may be designed to provide a high-energy fluid (e.g., a heated vapor) to targeted tissue for breaking down the targeted tissue, such as the nucleus of an intervertebral disc. An inner tube positioned within an outer tube, having a nozzle coupled to distal ends of the tubes, having a heating element positioned between the inner and outer tubes, delivers a heated vapor through a port to the nozzle to break down tissue. After the nucleus or other targeted tissue is broken down, the tissue evacuation device may also remove some or all of the broken down tissue.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprises a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine and a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine. The collimation plate has a rectangular opening in its surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member and a pair of handles extending away from the plate for positioning the device. The collimation plate is constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in., preferably at least 0.100 in., to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of teeth inside a patient's mouth includes a rigid, fixed structure having a collimation plate defining a substantially rectangular opening. A receptor holding member is adapted to receive a receptor, and an elongated arm is adapted to receive and couple to the collimation plate. The elongated arm extends towards and couples with a rear portion of the receptor holding member, opposite the collimation plate, such that an unobstructed path is defined between the substantially rectangular opening of the collimation plate and the receptor. A biting surface is fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongated arm and adjacent to the receptor holding member such that the receptor is positioned behind the teeth on which the radiographs are being taken while the biting surface is gripped by the teeth on the opposite side of the patient's mouth.

Abstract: An extension for use in a procedure to implant a stabilization system for bony structures such as vertebrae is described. The extension is formed by a tubular body with an engagement mechanism at one end to removably engage with a poly-axial head of a bone anchor assembly. A locking ring working with a slide are used to temporarily lock the poly-axial head and extension in the desired relationship for performing the procedure. The locking ring includes a slot in which resides a pin on the slider. Twisting the locking ring causes the pin to move in the slot and thereby move the slider either up or down. In one position a locking body on the slider engages with the poly-axial assembly locking the extension in place. In the other position, the locking body is disengaged from the poly-axial head allowing the extension to be decoupled from the bone anchor assembly.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprises a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine and a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine. The collimation plate has a rectangular opening in its surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member and a pair of handles extending away from the plate for positioning the device. The collimation plate is constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in., preferably at least 0.100 in., to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displacing bony structures relative to each other using a single device is disclosed. Displacement includes distraction and compression. Bony structures are engaged with displacement arms. The user selects one of a plurality of manners in which to manipulate a user interface, where a first manner results in compression and a second manner results in distraction. The user interface is manipulated in the selected manner until a desired amount of displacement has been reached. This displacement is performed in a manner that is minimally invasive to the patient.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprises a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine and a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine. The collimation plate has a rectangular opening in its surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member and a pair of handles extending away from the plate for positioning the device. The collimation plate is constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in., preferably at least 0.100 in., to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening. The device also includes an arm between the collimation plate and the receptor holding member, the arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth to secure the device in the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of teeth inside a patient's mouth includes a rigid, fixed structure having a collimation plate defining a substantially rectangular opening. A receptor holding member is adapted to receive a receptor, and an elongated arm is adapted to receive and couple to the collimation plate. The elongated arm extends towards and couples with a rear portion of the receptor holding member, opposite the collimation plate, such that an unobstructed path is defined between the substantially rectangular opening of the collimation plate and the receptor. A biting surface is fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongated arm and adjacent to the receptor holding member such that the receptor is positioned behind the teeth on which the radiographs are being taken while the biting surface is gripped by the teeth on the opposite side of the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of teeth inside a patient's mouth includes a rigid, fixed structure having a collimation plate defining a substantially rectangular opening. A receptor holding member is adapted to receive a receptor, and an elongated arm is adapted to receive and couple to the collimation plate. The elongated arm extends towards and couples with a rear portion of the receptor holding member, opposite the collimation plate, such that an unobstructed path is defined between the substantially rectangular opening of the collimation plate and the receptor. A biting surface is fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongated arm and adjacent to the receptor holding member such that the receptor is positioned behind the teeth on which the radiographs are being taken while the biting surface is gripped by the teeth on the opposite side of the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of teeth inside a patient's mouth includes a rigid, fixed structure having a collimation plate defining a substantially rectangular opening. A receptor holding member is adapted to receive a receptor, and an elongated arm is adapted to receive and couple to the collimation plate. The elongated arm extends towards and couples with a rear portion of the receptor holding member, opposite the collimation plate, such that an unobstructed path is defined between the substantially rectangular opening of the collimation plate and the receptor. A biting surface is fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongated arm and adjacent to the receptor holding member such that the receptor is positioned behind the teeth on which the radiographs are being taken while the biting surface is gripped by the teeth on the opposite side of the patient's mouth.