Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: An endoscope with a coupling device for the connection of a video camera, wherein the endoscope has, at its needle-shaped tube, a distal end which is provided for insertion into the body and a lens system and has a proximal end provided for looking into the endoscope and having a field diaphragm, the coupling device being attached to the proximal end, and wherein a lens system is arranged following the field diaphragm and, like the lens system at the distal end, is sealed off from the outside completely and tightly and is constructed so as to be non-adjustable and non-focusable. The coupling device has no lenses and is adjustable with respect to its axial length in the manner of a telescope.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: Image processing operations are used to improve images that include visual artifacts generated by calibration markers used in intrinsic calibration of an x-ray image. Artifacts introduced by opaque or semi-transparent calibration markers may be completely or partially removed from the image. More particularly, artifacts caused by opaque calibration markers are removed by changing the pixels corresponding to the projections of the calibration markers to blend in with pixels surrounding the calibration markers. Artifacts may also be generated with semi-transparent calibration markers. These artifacts may be eliminated from the image, while leaving intact the underlying image, by subtracting a constant offset from each marker projection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spinal fusion implant that is at least partially cylindrical, made of material appropriate for human implantation and having preferably, but not necessarily, one closed end and one end capable of being closed, such that an internal chamber can be filled and hold any natural or artificial osteoconductive, osteoinductive, osteogenic, or other fusion enhancing material. The partially cylindrical implant directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. In the preferred embodiment, the implant of the present invention relies on surface roughenings of the outer surface to enhance its stability and resist dislodgement from within the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The implant of the present invention incorporates at its rear end, an engagement means to facilitate insertion or extraction of the implant. The implant may be filled with, coated with, and/or composed of, fusion promoting substances.

Abstract: Four versions of clamps originally slidable along two generally parallel spinal rods are swivel connected to three versions of transverse connectors located between the rods. Set screws lock the transverse connectors to the clamps. Two of the clamp versions use interfitting rotational index locking detents at the swivel connections to fix the final orientation of the transverse connector relative to the spinal rods. The other two clamp versions use locking tapers to lock the rotational index positions at the swivel connections to fix the final orientation of the transverse connector relative to the spinal rods. One clamp version uses a separate set screw to fix the clamp on the spinal rod. One transverse connector has an open clamping head for installation directly onto the spinal rod without sliding it onto the rod from one end or the other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spinal fusion implant that is at least partially cylindrical, made of material appropriate for human implantation and having preferably, but not necessarily, one closed end and one end capable of being closed, such that an internal chamber can be filled and hold any natural or artificial osteoconductive, osteoinductive, osteogenic, or other fusion enhancing material. The partially cylindrical implant directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. In the preferred embodiment, the implant of the present invention relies on surface roughenings of the outer surface to enhance its stability and resist dislodgement from within the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The implant of the present invention incorporates at its rear end, an engagement means to facilitate insertion or extraction of the implant. The implant may be filled with, coated with, and/or composed of, fusion promoting substances.