Abstract: Apparatus for use in stabilizing and/or aligning the spinal column utilizes hooks and rods to effectively transfer load from the vertebrae to the apparatus regardless of the angle and the height of the pedicular screws. A screw cap formed of a base having a bore therethrough for receiving the head of the screw, an upright riser formed thereon that is laterally offset from the bore, and a surface for engaging the rod or plate of the stabilizer enables the apparatus to be used for stabilizing and/or aligning vertebral bodies that are out of alignment, of different shape or size, and/or pathology. The apparatus is implanted in a series of steps that are quickly and conveniently performed in the surgical stage and with minimal application of force to align the vertebral bodies, decreasing the likelihood of damaging the nerves populating the surgical stage.

Abstract: Interrupting the charging status of a rechargeable battery comprises providing a timer operable electrical extension cord. The extension cord comprises a conducting cable or media capable of transmitting electric current providing desired extended operative connection between at least a power input connector to a power source or one or more electrical sockets at one end of the conducting media and a power output connector at other end of the conducting media to any intermittently operable or charge dependent electrically operable unit. The extension cord includes a timer for continuously tracking the desired time duration for which the switch is to be either in an on state or in an off state. The timer cooperates with a controller to trigger a corresponding change in a switching state of the extension cord.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally comprise devices and methods for optimizing rechargeable battery life. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a device for interrupting the charging status of a rechargeable battery, comprising: a plug, an outlet, a switch, and a controller for controlling the switch state dependent on at least one of: amount of time the switch is in the open state, and amount of time the switch is in the closed state.

Abstract: An artificial disc prosthesis having load-bearing characteristics that mimic those of the normal, healthy intervertebral disc so as to provide resist flexion and axial compression of the spine in a way that preserves normal spinal function. The disc prosthesis includes three main components, a frame, a cushion molded over the frame, and a sac containing a hydrogel for maintaining disc height that is confined within a cavity in the cushion. Disc height is changed by increasing and/or decreasing the amount of hydrogel in the sac in accordance with the particular needs of the patient into which the artificial disc is implanted. Also provided is a frame for an artifical intervertebral disc that allows the axis of rotation of the spine to shift in a manner that replicates, or mimics, the normal function of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A rotating, locking, spring-loaded disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with minimal height and maximal width. The implant is inserted into the space between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed and, when positioned in the disk space, rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A portion of the implant is biased away from the implant and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae to provide a cushioning effect between the implant and the vertebra. A lock is then secured to the implant to resist further rotation of the implant in the disk space.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally comprise devices and methods for optimizing rechargeable battery life. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a device for interrupting the charging status of a rechargeable battery, comprising: a plug, an outlet, a switch, and a controller for controlling the switch state dependent on at least one of: amount of time the switch is in the open state, and amount of time the switch is in the closed state.

Abstract: A multi-axis connection for transferring load from the vertebrae of a patient to a plate extending from one vertebra to another vertebra when affixed to the respective vertebrae by screws extending through holes in the plate at the level of the respective vertebrae, each screw being oriented at any of a plurality of angles relative to the plate. The threaded shank of each screw is screwed into the vertebral body and the head is positioned in the central portion of the hole, the hole being defined by an aperture, an opening through which the screw extends, and the central portion between aperture and opening. The diameter of the head is larger than the aperture of the hole in the plate and is provided with a screw thread that engages the smaller diameter aperture of the hole to pull the head into the central portion of the hole when the screw is rotated, the head of the screw being retained within the hole by the smaller diameter aperture and the opening of the hole.

Abstract: A multi-axis connection for transferring load from the vertebrae of a patient to a plate extending from one vertebra to another vertebra when the plate is affixed to the respective vertebrae by screwing screws into the bodies of the vertebrae. The screws extend through holes in the plate at the level of the respective vertebrae, each screw being oriented at any one of a plurality of angles relative to the plate so as to effectively transfer load. The threaded shank of each screw is screwed into the vertebral body and the head of each screw is positioned in the central portion of the hole, the hole being defined by an aperture, an opening through which the shank of the screw extends, and the central portion between the aperture and the opening.

Abstract: An artificial disc prosthesis having load-bearing characteristics that mimic those of the normal, healthy intervertebral disc so as to provide resist flexion and axial compression of the spine in a way that preserves normal spinal function. The disc prosthesis includes three main components, a frame, a cushion molded over the frame, and a sac containing a hydrogel for maintaining disc height that is confined within a cavity in the cushion. Disc height is changed by increasing and/or decreasing the amount of hydrogel in the sac in accordance with the particular needs of the patient into which the artificial disc is implanted. Also provided is a frame for an artifical intervertebral disc that allows the axis of rotation of the spine to shift in a manner that replicates, or mimics, the normal function of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc that uses two orthogonally-oriented cushions, one with a greater height than width and the other with a greater width than height, comprised of a resilient material and affixed to each other in a manner to resist relative movement therebetween, to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an intervertebral disc, to distribute and cushion against compression loads, and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral disc. One of the two cushions at least partially surrounds a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc implant having a body with a greater height than width comprised of a resilient material and an elongate cavity for receiving a key to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an intervertebral disc when implanted into the space from which a portion of the disc is removed. To distribute and cushion against compression loads, and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral disc, the key is removed after the body is implanted into the disc space and a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates is inserted into the cavity in the implant body. The frame does not extend all the way into the cavity in the body and the portion of the cavity into which the frame does not extend is filled with a hydrogel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. Upper and lower interlocking brackets are insertable in a prepared intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The brackets are affixed to the vertebrae at attachment plates. A rib on one side of one bracket interlocks with a rib receiving groove in the other bracket to stabilize the spinal column without eliminated mobility (forward and rearward flexion) of the column. Various embodiments include additional shock absorption features.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a first workpiece to a bone or second workpiece. A countersink in the first workpiece has an opening for receiving a screw having a threaded first end, an opposite top head end, and a collar. The collar has external threads which engage complimentary threads in the counter sink. The collar is sized to allow the screw head to rotate within a smooth concave cavity in the collar while at the same time retaining the screw within the collar. Once the screw is threaded into the bone (or second workpiece), the collar retains the screw securely in the first workpiece.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a first workpiece to a bone or second workpiece. A countersink in the first workpiece has an opening for receiving a screw having a threaded first end, an opposite top head end, and a collar. The collar has external threads which engage complimentary threads in the counter sink. The collar is sized to allow the screw head to rotate within a smooth concave cavity in the collar while at the same time retaining the screw within the collar. Once the screw is threaded into the bone (or second workpiece), the collar retains the screw securely in the first workpiece.

Abstract: A multi-axis correction washer for use with a spinal stabilizer for internal spinal fixation. The body of the washer is provided in cylindrical and wedge-shaped cylindrical configurations with a passage through the center axis of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and/or offset from the center axis of the cylindrical washer and a shoulder or other structure for rotatably engaging an aperture in a spinal implant. The spinal implant can be a plate and screw-type, ladder-type, or monorail-type spinal fixation system. The washer is provided with a concave surface and a bearing surface, the former being adapted to engage the hemispherically-shaped head of the pedicle screw and the nut threaded onto the pedicle screw bearing against the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. Upper and lower interlocking brackets are insertable in a prepared intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The brackets are affixed to the vertebrae at attachment plates. A rib on one side of one bracket interlocks with a rib receiving groove in the other bracket to stabilize the spinal column without eliminated mobility (forward and rearward flexion) of the column. Various embodiments include additional shock absorption features.

Abstract: A medical appliance adapted to bridge and stabilize spaced apart bone segments having outside, ledge and inside surfaces. The appliance has an elongate bottom plate, an elongate top plate, and a locking member. The bottom plate is attachable to the ledge surface of the bone and has a bottom base plate, a plurality of screw barrels extending from the bottom base plate in a first direction for receiving barrel screws, and a plurality of openings in the base plate for rotatably retaining the screw barrels. The elongate top plate has a top plate base, a plurality of slots aligned to allow the barrel screws to engage the screw barrels of the bottom plate. The locking member is dispoaed in a countersink to engage the bone screws such that axial and rotational movement of the bone screws may be restricted. The screw barrels are equipped with an angle first end and a riveted second end to restrain screw movement but allow the screws to engage the barrels at various angles.

Abstract: A multi-axis correction washer for use with a spinal stabilizer for internal spinal fixation. The bodies of the washer are provided in cylindrical and wedge-shaped cylindrical configurations with a hole in the center of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and/or offset from the center axis of the cylindrical washer and a shoulder or other structure for rotatably engaging a hole in a spinal implant. The spinal implant can be a plate and screw-type, ladder-type, or monorail-type spinal fixation system. The washer is rotated to provide an infinite range of angles and screw placements relative to the central axis of the spinal column for maximum flexibility of installation and to effectively transfer the load on the spinal column to the implant, all while maintaining an angle of approximately 90° between the head of the screw and/or nut and the washer which engages the implant.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a minimal height and a width greater than the height. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed. Once inserted, the implant is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger width middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae and the implant is then rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A lock is then secured to the implant to prevent further rotation thereof.