Abstract: The present invention discloses a ball probe ultrasonic bone removal device that is designed to assist surgeons with foraminotomy procedures. The device comprises a shaft at a first end of the device and a spherical ball tip at a second end of the device. In between the shaft and the ball tip is a foot piece that connects to the shaft through an angle. On the foot piece, serrations or a course surface cover a portion of the circumference of the foot piece. In some embodiments, serrations or a course surface may also cover a portion of the circumference of the shaft. The spherical ball tip is smooth and designed to cause no damage to the sensitive nerves and tissue in the intervertebral foramina, but the surface with the serrations or the course protrusions are designed to remove bone and tissue under ultrasonic movement (e.g., vertical vibration, rotational oscillation).

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Purcutaneous Spinal Interbody Fusion (PSIF). In PSIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

Abstract: A preprocessed semiconductor substrate such as a wafer is provided with a metal etch mask which defines singulation channels on the substrate surface. An isotropic etch process is used to define a singulation channel with a first depth extending into the semiconductor substrate material. A second anisotropic etch process is used to increase the depth of the singulation channel while providing substantially vertical singulation channel sidewalls. The singulation channel can be extended through the depth of the substrate or, in an alternative embodiment, a predetermined portion of the inactive surface of the substrate removed to expose the singulation channels. In this manner, semiconductor die can be precisely singulated from a wafer while maintaining vertical die sidewalls.

Abstract: A preprocessed semiconductor substrate such as a wafer is provided with a metal etch mask which defines singulation channels on the substrate surface. An isotropic etch process is used to define a singulation channel with a first depth extending into the semiconductor substrate material A second anisotropic etch process is used to increase the depth of the singulation channel while providing substantially vertical singulation channel sidewalls. The singulation channel can be extended through the depth of the substrate or, in an alternative embodiment, a predetermined portion of the inactive surface of the substrate remove to expose the singulation channels. In this manner, semiconductor die can be precisely singulated from a wafer while maintaining vertical die sidewalls.

Abstract: A detector for measuring relative movement and/or displacement between two relatively movable members comprises a linear array of steel balls, or other suitable longitudinal element of which the magnetic permeability varies cylically in a longitudinal direction, mounted on one of the members, and a transducer on the other member. The transducer is arranged to produce a magnetic field through the balls, preferably across the line thereof, and includes at least two pick-up coils spaced along the line of balls for sensing the variation in the magnetic field due to the presence of the balls, so that the relative spacing of the pick-up coils and the balls enable, on production of the magnetic field, the generation by the pick-up coils of output signals denoting the relative movement between the two members.