Abstract: One method of reducing fractures in long bones is to insert an intramedullary screw through the bone canal across the fracture and deploy tangs to increase the purchase of the screw. Compression is then applied along the screw to bring the broken bone together. An improved low cost lag screw has a cannulated shaft with a shaped bore in the leading end. A similarly shaped tang body is movably disposed in the leading end bore. The tang body has several tangs laser welded about the periphery and extending from the tang body. The shaped surfaces of the bore have exit holes and the ends of the tangs are adjacent the holes. An end cap is laser welded to the leading end of the shaft.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a pivotable interbody spacer system includes an insertion instrument configured to manipulate a pivotable interbody spacer during surgical insertion, wherein the insertion instrument includes means for coupling the interbody spacer and a means for fixing the angular position of the interbody spacer. According to one exemplary method for inserting the interbody spacer in a spinal disc space, the interbody spacer is grasped by the insertion instrument and fixed at a first angular position; the interbody spacer is inserted into the surgical site; the interbody spacer is released from the first angular position; the insertion instrument is pivoted about the coupling such that the interbody spacer is in a second angular position; the angular position of interbody spacer is fixed in the second angular position; the insertion process continues until the interbody spacer is positioned in the desired location.

Abstract: A device and system for use in emergency management operations before and after a disaster. The device incorporates a GPS and a radio with very simplified, pre-programmed instructions which are uploaded automatically in the device's memory via wireless technology prior to the unit's first use at a disaster site. Maps of areas to be searched are uploaded into the device and the areas covered during the search are retained in the devices' memory. A unique feature enables the searcher to quickly indicate a specific need or service at a particular location during the search, which information automatically is geocoded and time/date stamped once the user saves the information inputted. Via wireless technology areas that have been searched during an operational period are downloaded to a base unit and areas to be searched the following operational period are uploaded to the portable units at the beginning of the day.

Abstract: A guide wire introducer with integrated wire steering function for treating bone. The guide wire employed with the introducer includes a bore material that is a psuedoelastic metal alloy, such as Nitinol. This introducer has a chamfered tip with the complement of the outer construction including a uniform narrow outer diameter enabling insertion into soft tissue and bone with a guide wire therein. The chamfered tip of the introducer incorporates as integrated slit that enables the steering function of the introducer. Additionally, the outer surface of the introducer incorporates a radiolucent notch for radial position reference.

Abstract: A modular anchoring device including a threaded shank for anchoring within a vertebra, an intermediate element and a head portion configured to receive and secure a rigid or non-rigid stabilization rod. The threaded shank, the intermediate element and the head portion of the anchoring device are cannulated to permit percutaneous implantation of the device. The intermediate portion is designed to be removable from the threaded shank portion subsequent to implantation of the anchoring device to enable substitution of another intermediate element having different dynamic characteristics.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for securing one or more loudspeakers to an overhead structure. The system includes up to six axes about which the speaker(s) can be rotated and/or traversed to provide the desired pan, tilt and rotational splay angle to the speaker.

Abstract: A spinal implant for insertion between adjacent vertebrae for promoting fusion of the vertebrae is a wedge shaped body with upper and lower plates separated by pyramidal sides with one large end and one small end enclosing the body. The upper and lower plates have elongated openings oriented perpendicularly to each other to form an internal labyrinth. The upper and lower openings are to be filled with thin layers of bone graft material to promote rapid ingrowth of living tissue.

Abstract: The device includes a support structure (2) having an orifice (3) that delimits a seat (5) for receiving a nut (6) intended to cooperate with a locking screw (4). The seat (5) comprises an upper part (5a) and a lower part (5b), both shaped as truncated spheres and concentric to each other. Furthermore, the nut (6) has a spherical contour (11), and the screw head (15) has a lower part (15b), also with a spherical contour, and an upper part (15a) provided with a thread (17). The upper (15a) and lower (15b) parts of the screw head (15) cooperate respectively with the complementary thread (14) of the nut (6) and with the lower part (5b) of the receiving seat (5) such that, in the final phase of screwing the spherical contour (11) of the nut (6) bears against the upper spherical part (5a) of the seat (5), and of the lower part of the screw head (15b) against the lower spherical part (5b) of the seat (5).

Abstract: A projectile launcher having a magnet based driver motor. The driver motor is constructed of a coil winding suspended within a magnetic field formed by the combination of a front plate, a magnet and a pole piece attached to a back plate. An electrical controller is electrically coupled to the driver motor and allows for remote operation of the launcher. The coil may include a diaphragm capable of producing sounds wherein electrical current applied to the coil winding causes the coil to vibrate according to an audio frequency to make a desired sound, or travel a predetermined distance so as to cause an ejection of a projectile placed over the coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an air freshener that is constructed and arranged to be secured to the supporting shaft of a ceiling fan. One embodiment of the device includes a scented ring of wickable material having an inner aperture and split through one side. The aperture is sized to cooperate with the supporting shaft of the fan and the split allows the scented ring to be sprung apart for easy installation of the device about the supporting rod. The wickable material includes properties that allow the device to remain in position about the supporting rod once installed while wicking a fragrance composition substantially to its surface for distributing a fragrance evenly throughout an open area, such as a large room. The inner and bottom surfaces of the scented ring may include a polymeric coating to prevent the fragrance composition from wicking to a supporting surface.

Abstract: A water powered hose reel operated by household water pressure. The hose reel has a traversing hydraulic motor for use in retrieval of a flexible hose. The hose reel includes a spool carried by and enclosed within an enclosure, the spool having a hub with a pair of flanges at opposing ends configured for proper alignment of the hose during storage, take-up and pay-out of the hose. The enclosure is configured for receiving the spool so as to rotate within the enclosure. A hydraulic motor allows take-up of the hose by use of a reciprocating traversing motor driving a rack attached to the spool by a series of gears. Disengagement of the motor allows for manual pay-out of the hose.

Abstract: An outsole grid cleaner for removing dirt and debris from the sole of shoes includes a base and a plurality of scraper prongs which remove dirt and debris from the shoe's sole. The outsole grid cleaner has one continuous sidewall extending peripherally around the device. A plurality of scraper prongs extend outwardly from the sidewall. The plurality of scraper prongs have a free end. The plurality of scraper prongs are manipulated through a shoe's outsole pattern of projections to forcibly remove debris and dirt from the lowermost surface of the shoe's outsole pattern. The scraper prongs also remove dirt and debris when in contact with the channel on the top surface of the shoe sole's projections. The scraper prongs further remove the dirt and debris when in contact with the top surface of the shoe sole's projections.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: A radiation beam analyzer for measuring the distribution and intensity of radiation produced by a Cyberknife®. The analyzer employs a relative small tank of water into which a sensor is placed. The distance between the sensor and the radiation source is not varied. There are two methods to maintain the SAD (source to axis distance) constant. A first method maintains the position of detector fixed, utilizing a holder designed to retain the detector, and raises or lowers the small tank of water. A second method moves the detector up or down with a raising and lower mechanism in one direction and synchronically moves the small tank of water in the opposite direction with another raising and lowering mechanism. The second method also keeps the SAD constant. These methods position the detector relative to the radiation source to simulate the location of a malady within a patient's body.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.