Abstract: System and method for automatically bending a surgical rod are provided. The system includes a linear movement device configured to axially feed the surgical rod, a rotational movement device configured to rotate the surgical rod as it is axially fed, and a bending device including a roller to impose bending forces against the rod. The rod is free from contact with the bending device after it is axially fed past the roller.

Abstract: A catheter system for draining a bodily fluid from a fluid source in a body of a subject. In one form, the catheter tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter tube includes a drainage lumen that extends from a proximal end opening in the proximal end to a distal end opening in the distal end. The catheter system further includes a fluid sampling component in fluid communication with the distal end opening. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a one-way check valve. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a balloon positioned between one or more openings.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dural elevating and cutting apparatus and methods of use are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spinal shield having a shield body including a plurality of lateral extensions configured to be positioned over an exposed spinal canal for establishing a protective barrier around the contents of the exposed spinal canal are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for bending a surgical rod using an automated bending system includes receiving an indication of a plurality of line segments defined on the rod and an indication of an angle measurement to be formed between at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments. Bending parameters to perform on the rod to form the angle measurement between the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments are determined and operation of the automated bending system is controlled using the bending parameters to create an angle having the angle measurement between the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting eye movements of a subject for the diagnosis of neurological disorders. The method includes tracking eye movements of the subject, identifying microsaccades from the tracked eye movements, and characterizing microsaccade dynamics of the identified microsaccades to determine one or more parameters, such as microsaccade direction, microsaccade velocity, microsaccade magnitude, microsaccadic peak velocity-magnitude relationship, microsaccade duration, and intersaccadic intervals. The method also includes comparing the one or more determined parameters with a corresponding control parameter, assessing the comparison to determine differences between the one or more determined parameters and the corresponding control parameters, and generating a report including the diagnosis of neurological disorder based on the assessment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for whole-blade acquisition and phase correction for fast and robust MR imaging are disclosed herein. In particular, the system enables sampling of odd and even k-space echoes in the same k-space as well as a whole-blade phase correction strategy to achieve improved image quality at an accelerated imaging rate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a device for deep surgical corridor microvascular anastomosis are described herein. A device, comprising: an elongated body; a rod disposed at least partially within the channel of the elongated body; an actuator in association with the elongated body and the rod, wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the rod in a first axial direction; and a pair of coupling arms in association with the distal portion of the rod, wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the rod in a first axial direction such that the pivotable end of each coupling arm of the pair of coupling arms is consequently actuated in the first axial direction such that the pair of coupling arms are parallel with one another in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A catheter system for draining a bodily fluid from a fluid source in a body of a subject. In one form, the catheter tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter tube includes a drainage lumen that extends from a proximal end opening in the proximal end to a distal end opening in the distal end. The catheter system further includes a fluid sampling component in fluid communication with the distal end opening. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a one-way check valve. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a balloon positioned between one or more openings.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an expandable interbody cage device configured to reduce subsidence into an endplate of a vertebral body by including a plurality of arms that engage the cortical tissue of the vertebral body. The plurality of arms increase the surface area and improve distribution of force, especially around stronger parts of the endplate such as the cortical bone at the rim of the endplate. The expandable interbody cage device maintains a low or slim profile while in a “closed” configuration during insertion between vertebrae and is further operable to laterally expand into an “open” configuration that increases the surface area of the expandable interbody cage device after insertion to securely engage the expandable interbody cage device between the vertebra. The expandable interbody cage device further includes one or more ports and/or cavities in which bone graft material can be disposed within.

Abstract: An apparatus for extraction of osseous tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fixed portion and a clamp oriented along a generally central area of the fixed portion. The apparatus includes a first bone cutting device and a second bone cutting device coupled to the fixed portion and oriented around the clamp. The first bone cutting device and the second bone cutting device are coupled to the fixed portion using respective joints that accommodate orientations of the first bone cutting device and the second bone cutting device relative to the fixed portion along different horizontal and vertical axes. The clamp is configured to engage a first bone portion during a surgical procedure. The first bone cutting device and the second bone cutting device are configured to remove a second bone portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for determining a volume of surgical freedom using a plurality of three-dimensional extrema points along a surgical corridor in relation to a structure of interest are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of pertussis toxin, and its derivatives, analogs, salts and pharmaceutical equivalents. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating or preventing a neurological disease or injury by administering pertussis toxin to the individual.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a polypeptide with at least two domains, wherein the first domain is capable of binding CD3 and the second domain is capable of binding to a cancer cell. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject, comprising: providing a composition comprising a polypeptide with at least two domains, wherein the first domain is capable of binding CD3 and the second domain is capable of binding to a cancer cell; and treating the cancer by administering a therapeutically effective dosage of the composition to the subject.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a stereotactic coordinate adjuster system and associated method for positional adjustment of components of a stereotactic system are disclosed herein. The system provides fine adjustment to the stereotactic system by providing form-fitting components that encapsulate components of the stereotactic system and allow for fine positional adjustment of an arc support member and a slide portion of the stereotactic system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The system comprises a sensing arrangement and a control unit. The sensing arrangement collects eye movement data of a user. The control unit is in communication with the sensing arrangement and configured to compare the eye movement data to one or more baseline measurements of eye movement dynamics. The control unit is also configured to generate an alert indicating the presence or severity of the TBI for delivery to control unit administrator if the eye movement data diverges from one or more of the baseline measurements by a threshold amount.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for treating a medical condition of a patient, involving detecting a physiological cycle or cycles of the patient and applying an electrical signal to a portion of the patient's vagus nerve through an electrode at a selected point in the physiological cycle(s). The physiological cycle can be the cardiac and/or respiratory cycle. The selected point can be a point in the cardiac cycle correlated with increased afferent conduction on the vagus nerve, such as a point from about 10 msec to about 800 msec after an R-wave of the patient's ECG, optionally during inspiration by the patient. The selected point can be a point in the cardiac cycle when said applying increases heart rate variability, such as a point from about 10 msec to about 800 msec after an R-wave of the patient's ECG, optionally during expiration by the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of detecting or predicting a relapse of multiple sclerosis in an individual afflicted with a form of multiple sclerosis, comprising: (a) providing a blood sample of the individual; (b) testing the blood sample to determine a protein activity or protein level, wherein the protein is Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, or Protein C; and (c) detecting or predicting a relapse of multiple sclerosis in the individual if the protein activity or protein level is elevated compared to the protein activity or protein level in an individual not afflicted with the form of multiple sclerosis and patients' own baseline values. Also provided herein is a method of treating an individual afflicted with multiple sclerosis, who is experiencing a relapse or predicted to experience a relapse, comprising treating the individual by administering a dose of a steroid or anti-coagulation compound effective to alleviate the symptom of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting deceptive intent of a subject include observing eye movements of the subject and correlating the observed movements to known baseline neurophysiological indicators of deception. A detection system may record eye movement data from the subject, compare the eye movement data to a data model comprising threshold eye movement data samples, and from the comparison make a determination whether or not the subject is lying. The detection system may create an alert if deception is detected. The eye movements detected include saccadic and intersaccadic parameters such as intersaccadic drift velocity. Measurements may be collected in situ with a field testing device, such as a non-invasive, non-contact device attached to the subject's computing device and configured to non-obtrusively record the eye movement data.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to an anonymous database system. The system includes a plurality of biometric nodes in communication with one another. Each of the plurality of biometric nodes includes a biometric input that receives biometric data from a user. The system also includes at least one central database in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes; and a plurality of institution databases in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes. A first node of the plurality of biometric nodes is configured to receive a message from a second node of the plurality of biometric nodes, the message requesting authorization of data access by the second node. Various embodiments relate to a method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication using an anonymous database system.