Abstract: A system for packaging a bone allograft for use in a future medical procedure in which the bone allograft is stored in a saturated saline solution in an airtight container. The saline solution keeps the allograft hydrated and may be saturated with a combination of calcium, phosphate, or magnesium to inhibit mineral leaching out of the allograft during storage. The container may be deformable to conform to the shape of the allograft material as the container is “shrink-fitted” to the allograft. Optionally, the bone allograft may also be freeze dried prior to placement in the container.

Abstract: A system for securing first and second opposing facet joints together, comprising: a cannulated drill having a side opening; and an extendible member received within the cannula of the cannulated drill, the extendible member having a distal end which passes out of the side opening in a direction radially outwards from the axis of the cannulated drill as the extendible member is advanced distally through the cannula of the drill. The drill can be rotated such that the extendible member ablates opposite contacting surfaces of first and second facet joints, promoting fusion between the first and second facet joints. A facet screw passing through a hole drilled by the cannulated drill through the first facet joint and into the second facet joint is tightened into position to immobilize the first and second facet joints together.

Abstract: A control handle assembly, comprising, a body; a pair of handles extending from the body; and an actuator disposed within the body, wherein the handles move in unison, and wherein movement of the actuator is controlled by movement of the pair of handles.

Abstract: Pump and cannula systems inserted through the right side and/or left side of the heart provide protection against collapse of the heart chambers and veins and arteries and provide supplemental blood flow through same to enable beating heart bypass surgery on all vessels of the heart, including lateral and posterior vessels. The invention eliminates the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machines. The invention further provides stents adapted for protecting from vein, artery, atrium and/or ventricle collapse during beating heart bypass surgery.

Abstract: A method of positioning a cannula along a path in a patient's intervertebral plane, comprising: suspending a cross member across a patient, the cross member having two cannula guides attached thereto, the cannula guides each being adjustably movable both along the length of the cross member and around a central longitudinally extending axis of the cross member; suspending radiopaque markers from the cannula guides; aligning the radiopoaque markers with the intervertebral plane as viewed in a radio-image, thereby aligning the cannula guides with the intervertebral plane; and advancing a cannula through the cannula guide.

Abstract: A method of aligning a C-arm of an image intensifier for rotation in a selected plane, the C-arm having a transmitter mounted at one end and a receiver mounted at an opposite end, comprising: identifying the selected plane by viewing the location of bony structures with the image intensifier;and aligning indicia disposed on a radio-opaque reticle covering at least a portion of the receiver with the selected plane, the indicia being aligned with the plane of rotation of the C-arm, thereby aligning the plane of the C-arm with the selected plane.

Abstract: An articulator for positioning a tool during a surgical procedure, comprising: a longitudinally extending body; a plurality of transverse grooves extending inwardly from opposite lateral sides of the longitudinally extending body; and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the longitudinally extending body, the plurality of recesses defining an articulation control wire lumen and a tool control wire lumen, and wherein the tool control lumen is disposed collinear with a neutral bending axis of the articulator.

Abstract: An intervertebral support assembly, comprising a pair of bone allografts positioned between two adjacent vertebrae, the bone allografts being positioned towards the anterior portion of the adjacent vertebrae; and a pair of facet screws, each facet screw securing together a facet joint between the two adjacent vertebrae. A method of providing support between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising positioning a pair of bone allografts between the two adjacent vertebrae at a location towards the front of the adjacent vertebrae; and securing together facet joints between the two adjacent vertebrae with a pair of facet screws.

Abstract: A system for removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical rongeur or suction punch, comprising: an elongated tubular member having a side hole positioned adjacent its distal end; and an insert projecting inwardly from the distal end of the tubular member into the inner bore of the tubular member.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting proximity of a nerve to a proximity electrode and status of nerve. The method of detecting the proximity of the nerve to the proximity electrode applies a first electrical signal with multiple current levels to a calibration electrode. The method applies a second electrical signal with multiple current levels to the proximity electrode. Based on the response of the nerve to the first and second electrical signals, the method determines the proximity of the proximity electrode to the nerve. The method determines the status of the nerve by applying the first electrical signal with multiple signal levels to the calibration electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for receiving gift cards during special events, as well as for storing additional keepsake articles after the special event. The container of the present invention includes an article-receiving member and a lid member. The article-receiving member has a decorative exterior, and a decorative and protective interior. The lid member has a decorative exterior. Collectively, the lid member and article-receiving member provide an attractive receptacle of high quality for receiving gift cards during special events, such as those brought by attendees of weddings, anniversary parties, baptisms, birthday parties, bat mitzvahs, bar mitzvahs, wedding and/or baby showers. Following the special event, the container of the present invention may be used to store additional keepsakes from the special event in a safe condition, and is suitably attractive to be placed prominently for public viewing.

Abstract: A method of positioning a plurality of intervertebral implants in a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: introducing an elongated member into the patient's intervertebral space; and sequentially advancing a plurality of intervertebral implants over the elongated member and into the patient's intervertebral space, the plurality of intervertebral implants each having at least one hole passing therethrough, with the elongated member received through the holes passing through each of the plurality of implants.

Abstract: A system for recovering bone particles removed from a patient, comprising a sub-system for removing particles of bone; a sub-system for irrigating the operative site to yield a slurry comprising the bone particles; a sub-system for removing the slurry from the operative site; and a sub-system for recovering the bone particles from the slurry.

Abstract: A method for inserting a bone block into a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: supporting the bone block in an inserter; advancing the inserter into the intervertebral space; rotating the inserter, thereby separating adjacent vertebrae; separating the bone block and the inserter with a push rod; and removing the inserter from the intervertebral space.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of identifying animals involving the use of a universal identification scheme capable of identifying individual animals anywhere in the world such that data may collected for the animals over their entire life cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear having a concealed storage cavity for storing personal items, including but not limited to, keys, money, and medication, for increased personal safety and increased convenience.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a balloon tip at an implantable end thereof. The balloon tip comprises a sealed, flexible, inflatable portion adapted to receive an inflating material via a lumen in fluid communication therewith. The lumen comprises a gap formed in the tubular wall of the cannula, and may be defined by a supply tube disposed within the lumen and extending between an inflatable material source and the balloon tip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to manipulate the position of the heart to provide surgical access to lateral and posterior portions of the heart. A jack apparatus connected to a surgical retractor can be positioned in the surgical cavity to produce a sideways force on the heart. A tripod apparatus can be used to hold up the heart into a desired position. A band can be attached to the heart to rotate its position. Fingers attached to the bottom of a blade on a surgical retractor can be used to manipulate the heart's position.

Abstract: A sealing conduit for use with a portal formed on the body which enable surgical, diagnostic and assistive instruments to be inserted into the body during least invasive medical procedures. The sealing conduit includes an elongated cylindrical member with a continuous central lumen therebetween. A flexible annular lip structure is attached or formed on the inside surface of the cylindrical member which is folded in a retracted position inside the cylindrical member or extended through the distal opening thereof. During use, a penetrating member is disposed inside the cylindrical member which is moved downward to forcibly move the annular lip structure from the retracted to the extended position. When the annular lip structure is in the extended position, distal end of the sealing conduit is located just inside the desired vessel or conduit and outward migration of the sealing conduit through the portal is prevented.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing cannula device which can be easily and properly inserted while effectively sealing an incision made during a surgical or non-surgical process. The sealing cannula device includes a cannula sleeve having an external flange and tissue engaging threads. The screw threads on the external surface of the cannula sleeve allows the device to be easily screwed through an incision made in a body cavity wall or blood vessel until the tissue abuts against the flange. The vessel or body cavity wall is compressed between the flange and a flat surface formed by the helical thread. An effective compression seal is formed between the device and cavity or vessel wall which protects the puncture site from environmental contaminants. An axial through hole in the device provides vascular or body cavity access during surgical or non-surgical procedures.