Abstract: A spinal implant device is provided comprising a body structure with a central cavity and a movable lid configured to cover the central cavity. The movable lid is configured to be opened to pack a material in the central cavity. The movable lid can be connected to the body structure with a moveable joint. The spinal implant device can include a compressible feature. A method for treating the spine is provided comprising opening a movable lid of a spinal implant device, packing a material in a central cavity of a spinal implant device, closing the movable lid, and inserting the spinal implant device between vertebrae.

Abstract: Various embodiments of bone ties, bone tie inserters, and methods for treating the spine are provided. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae to correct coronal plane deformity. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around the spinous process of one vertebra and around the transverse process of a second adjacent vertebra to achieve rotational correction. The methods can include wrapping the bone tie around the lamina of adjacent vertebrae to achieve sagittal correction. The methods can include applying tension to the bone tie to set the sagittal correction. The methods can include passing the bone tie through a lumen in a vertebral body or a pedicle of the inferior vertebra and the lamina or articular process of the superior vertebra.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: An expandable interbody device for placement between adjacent vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae, actuating the screw mechanism and delivering a material to a chamber of the expandable interbody device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue. The devices and methods may include insertion of first and second elongated members into the space between two tissue layers, with an augmenting elongated member at least partially inserted therebetween to form a distraction device between the tissues to be distracted. At least one of the first and second elongated members may be formed of a flexible core member with a plurality of rigid veneer members spaced along the length of the core member. At least one of the elongated members may include a shaping member that automatically moves from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration. A deployment catheter may include a deformable distal end to allow augmentation of the tissue distraction device during implantation. An injection aid may be provided for introducing a filler material into an interior defined by a deployed tissue distraction device.

Abstract: A double-chambers inflatable kayak, including an upper chamber and a lower chamber which are fixedly connected to each other by a connecting portion and between which a cavity is formed, wherein the upper chamber includes a cockpit hole and a first air valve provided on the surface, the cockpit hole being in communication with the cavity, and the first air valve being used to inflate and deflate the upper chamber, and wherein the lower chamber includes a second air valve which is used to inflate and deflate the lower chamber.

Abstract: Various embodiments of filling assemblies and methods are provided. The filling assembly can include a barrel and receiving block assembly configured to couple to a tube. The filling assembly can include a filling auger, wherein the filling auger is configured to rotate and translate to fill the tube with material. The method of filling a tube can include disposing flights of a filling auger within a barrel and receiving block assembly. The method can include coupling a tube to the barrel and receiving block assembly. The method can include rotating and translating flights of the filling auger within the barrel and receiving block assembly to fill the tube with material. The filling assemblies can be utilized for loading material into small diameter tubes, including small diameter tubes used for spinal fusion for delivering graft material, biologics, and/or other material to the disc space.

Abstract: A graft material injector device and method are disclosed. The injector device includes an elongated injector tube and a side loading aperture for receiving graft material. A graft material loader and a cover for the side loading aperture may optionally be included.

Abstract: A method of preparing an injection slurry for the sequestration of battery recycling waste includes contacting at least one battery recycling waste stream with an optional liquid, thereby forming a slurry, screening the slurry thereby forming a screened slurry, conditioning the screened slurry thereby forming a conditioned slurry, and determining whether a threshold injection criterion of the conditioned slurry has been met. The threshold injection criterion has been met, an injection slurry is thereby formed. A method of sequestering battery waste includes introducing an injection slurry including battery recycling waste into a subsurface structure at a depth of at least 500 m.

Abstract: A method to recycle graphite from lithium and sodium-ion batteries. Graphite from the batteries first is treated in an aqueous solution of strong base at a temperature range between about 100° C. and about 250° C., a pressure range between about 0.9 bar and about 20 bar, at a solid-to-liquid ratio of from about 1-to-1 to about 1-to-4. The treated graphite is then washed, filtered, and then treated with a mineral acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid). The purified graphite is then coated with amorphous carbon at a weight percentage range between 0.5 wt % and about 20 wt %. The recycled graphite yielded by the method routinely achieves a purity >99.9%, a specific area of less than or equal to about 10 m2/g.

Abstract: The inventions described herein provide methods and systems for recycling lithium iron phosphate batteries, including: adding an oxidizing agent to a recycling stream of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries to form a leach solution; filtering the leach solution to remove a residue and obtain a lithium rich solution; modifying pH of the lithium rich solution for filtering impurities and obtaining a purified Li solution; and adding a precipitant to the purified Li solution thereby precipitating a lithium compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting tissue in the intervertebral disc space that includes a barrier member having a first configuration for insertion into the disc space and a second configuration when deployed within the disc space. The second configuration of the barrier member is adapted to at least partially define a perimeter of a working region within the disc space. The apparatus also includes a tissue disruption tool configured for insertion into the working region.

Abstract: A clip-on reducer tool assembly for seating a spinal fixation rod in a rod receiving implant, the tool assembly has an outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has a proximal end with a cylindrical portion having a threaded opening, a first leg extension extending therefrom to a distal end, and a second leg extension joined to the first leg extension at an intermediate location between the distal end and proximal end. The second leg extension extends from the distal end toward the proximal end to a lever end spaced from the cylindrical portion. The leg extensions at the distal end have grasping members to engage an outer surface of a rod receiving implant and a fulcrum proximally located near the intermediate location configured to enlarge the space between the leg extension at the distal end as the lever end is depressed inwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A battery recycling process recovers lithium from nickel-rich cathode material in a recycling stream of end-of-life batteries. A dilute acid leach of a high nickel content cathode material contains a mixture of sulfuric acid based on a molar quantity of lithium in the cathode material. The highly selective leach generates a lithium rich solution with a small amount of nickel removable by nanofiltration to achieve a highly efficient recovery of the lithium contained in the recycling stream. A quantity of the leach acid based on the lithium content and a quantity of water based on a total black mass of the recycling stream results in a highly selective, near pure lithium leach when the recycling stream results from high nickel NMC batteries such as 811.

Abstract: A detachable vertical cutter for insertion into a cylinder or tube is formed as a single unitary structure. The single blade has a pair of tool attachment end portions and a cutting blade extending in a loop between the attachment ends. The cutting blade is inclined vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder or tube into which the attachment ends can slide into. The cutting blade has a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube will extend a distance greater than the tube outside diameter. The cutting edge when pushed inwardly and pulled outwardly between adjacent vertebrae scrapes and cuts disc material. When retracted the cutting blade deflects into the cylinder or tube for insertion or extraction into or from the disc space.

Abstract: A flexible fastening band connector can comprises a recess to receive a distal end portion of a flexible fastening band and lumen to receive the proximal end portion of the flexible fastening band. The lumen guides the proximal end portion of the flexible fastening band toward a fastening mechanism. The flexible fastening band connector can comprise an opening to receive a spinal rod. In operation, the spinal rod is coupled to additional devices to secure the spinal rod to portions of one or more vertebra. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed connector is provided.

Abstract: An expandable interbody device for placement between adjacent vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae, actuating the screw mechanism and delivering a material to a chamber of the expandable interbody device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue. The devices and methods may include insertion of first and second elongated members into the space between two tissue layers, with an augmenting elongated member inserted therebetween to form a distraction device between the tissues to be distracted. The distraction device defines a generally annular configuration, with a locking member secured to one of the elongated members at a plurality of locations to maintain the distraction device in the generally annular configuration. The augmenting elongated member may be shorter than the first and second elongated members such that a window is defined between the proximal and distal ends of the augmenting elongated member when the distraction device and the first and second elongated members are in the generally annular configuration. Bone graft material or bone filler may be introduced into the interior of the distraction device through the window.