Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the prognosis of degenerative disc disorder (DDD) are provided. In one aspect, intervertebral disc loss is predicted based on receiving image data comprising one or more images of the human spine; segmenting, using a processor, disc regions of said one or more images; generating, using the processor, individual biomarkers based on texture features of said segmented disc regions; generating, using the processor, a predicting intervertebral disc loss based in part on the prognostic marker generated from the individual biomarkers.

Abstract: The bending flexibility profile of a stent closely matches the flexibilities of the stent delivery system on either side of the stent. In one embodiment, a stent has a longitudinal axis and at least one link attaching each ring to an adjacent ring. The links closest to the stent end rings have the greatest bending flexibility and the links closest to the center of the stent have the least bending flexibility.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products to perform multi-modality vertebrae recognition are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure disclosed and described herein enable a multi-modality vertebrae recognition engine that recognizes vertebrae by using a three-stage recognition approach: landmark detection, global shape registration, and local pose adjustment. These stages cover the matching from local to global spine structures. The three stages are implemented by three modules in the hierarchical deformable model, the local appearance module, global geometry model, and local geometry model. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the overall workflow can be understood as a three-stage top-down registration. The goal of the registration is: 1) to align the global shape of the spine model, and 2) to align the vertebrae poses with the local image structures around identified landmarks.

Abstract: A surgical reamer assembly includes a dilator having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough for receiving a guidewire and a tubular channel positioned over the dilator. The surgical reamer assembly also includes an expandable reamer head coupled to an elongated shaft, such that the expandable reamer head is insertable through the tubular channel once the dilator and guidewire are removed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the prognosis of degenerative disc disorder (DDD) are provided. In one aspect, intervertebral disc loss is predicted based on receiving image data comprising one or more images of the human spine; segmenting, using a processor, disc regions of said one or more images; generating, using the processor, individual biomarkers based on texture features of said segmented disc regions; generating, using the processor, a predicting intervertebral disc loss based in part on the prognostic marker generated from the individual biomarkers.

Abstract: The bending flexibility profile of a stent closely matches the flexibilities of the stent delivery system on either side of the stent. In one embodiment, a stent has a longitudinal axis and at least one link attaching each ring to an adjacent ring. The links closest to the stent end rings have the greatest bending flexibility and the links closest to the center of the stent have the least bending flexibility.

Abstract: The bending flexibility profile of a stent closely matches the flexibilities of the stent delivery system on either side of the stent. In one embodiment, a stent has a longitudinal axis and at least one link attaching each ring to an adjacent ring. The links closest to the stent end rings have the greatest bending flexibility and the links closest to the center of the stent have the least bending flexibility.

Abstract: A surgical reamer assembly includes a dilator having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough for receiving a guidewire and a tubular channel positioned over the dilator. The surgical reamer assembly also includes an expandable reamer head coupled to an elongated shaft, such that the expandable reamer head is insertable through the tubular channel once the dilator and guidewire are removed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for the electrolytic removal of metal from a device, such as a medical device. More particularly, the apparatus of the invention includes a mandrel having slots or openings therein to expose portions of a metallic device, such as a stent, to an electrolytic solution to remove metal from the exposed portion.

Abstract: A method for postoperatively compressing a bone graft between adjacent spinal vertebrae utilizing first and second plates having openings at remote ends for receiving bone screws to fix the plates to respective vertebrae on opposite sides of a bone graft-receiving site. The first and second plates have male and female parts having interlocking elements cooperable with one another enabling movement of the plates and the adjacent vertebrae to one another to progressively compress the bone graft between the adjacent vertebrae and prevent movement of the first and second plates and adjacent vertebrae away from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for the electrolytic removal of metal from a device, such as a medical device. More particularly, the apparatus of the invention includes a mandrel having slots or openings therein to expose portions of a metallic device, such as a stent, to an electrolytic solution to remove metal from the exposed portion.