Abstract: An implantable device may include a barrel, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The implantable device may further include an actuator assembly disposed in the barrel, and a central screw that extends from a rear ramped actuator through a front ramped actuator. The implantable device may further include a first plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the first plate. The implantable device may further include a second plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the second plate, the second plate configured to be received on the central screw. The barrel may be configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

Abstract: An implantable growing rod assembly adapted to be secured along a length of a spine for treating deformities of the spine. The assembly includes a housing, a fixed rod extending along a longitudinal axis away from the housing, and an expansion rod extendible from the housing along the longitudinal axis. A driver assembly is fixed to the housing and adapted to translate the expansion rod along the longitudinal axis. Examples of the implantable growing rod assembly include a smart growing system, and an autonomous growing rod system.

Abstract: A light guide assembly for use with a retractor having a channel for slidably receiving an end portion of a light guide. The light guide assembly includes a light guide having the end portion for slidably inserting into the channel and retentor for releasably holding in position the end portion relative to the retractor.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a receiver with an upper channel for receiving a rod and a central bore extending downward through the channel having a support surface adjacent a bottom opening, a guide and advancement structure adjacent the top of the receiver, and a downward-facing surface below the guide and advancement structure. The assembly also includes a shank with a head portion pivotably supported by the support surface with the shank extending downwardly through the bottom opening, and an insert with a lower surface engageable with the head portion of the shank, an insert channel for receiving the rod, an upward-facing surface located radially outward from the insert channel, and one or more slots configured to make the insert resiliently axially compressible when the upward-facing surface of the insert abuts the downward-facing surface of the central bore to apply a downwardly directed pressure against the head portion of the shank.

Abstract: An ear ailment diagnostic device includes an ear piece, a light source, a magnification lens, an air conduction channel and a miniature digital camera, which is capable of taking still or digital images. The earpieces may optionally comprise a thermometer and/or tympanometer. Each earpiece is coupled to an air conduction tube, an insufflator and an electrical wiring/data tube which is coupled to a computer. The insufflator may be manually, electronically, or battery powered. In the preferred embodiment the computer comprises a smart phone with data processing capability and wireless communication capability. Any data sent from the device can then be interpreted and diagnosed in a remote location so that an accurate treatment is prescribed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the disclosure, the implant includes a spacer that is connectable to two extensions. One of the two extensions is connectable to the spacer at a first end and coupled to the spacer by a rotational connection. The other of the two extensions is movably connectable to the second end of the spacer and translatable over the outer surface of the spacer from the second end.

Abstract: An elastic intramedullary fixation device includes a serpentine frame and a shell, the inner surface of the shell is rotatably connected with a locking rod, one end of the locking rod is inserted with a key rod, one end of the shell is inserted with a clamping rod, the outer surfaces of the clamping rod and the key rod are sleeved with a connecting sleeve, the outer surfaces of the clamping rod and the key rod are provided with a connecting component, and the surfaces of the clamping rod and the shell are provided with a self-locking component. By configuring a connecting component and a self-locking component, the connecting component not only allows for the adjustment of the positional relationship between the key rod and the clamping rod, but also enables engagement with the locking component, thereby enhancing the stability of the connection between the clamping plate and the shell.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a minor diameter, and a helical thread disposed about the shaft along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft. The helical thread may include a major diameter and a concave undercut surface angled towards one of the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft. The intervertebral implant may be implanted within an intervertebral space between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body. A ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter may be less than 1.50. The concave undercut surface may engage the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body and may be shaped to resist at least one force transmitted between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body to stabilize the intervertebral space.

Abstract: An implantable device may include a barrel, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The implantable device may further include an actuator assembly disposed in the barrel, and a central screw that extends from a rear ramped actuator through a front ramped actuator. The implantable device may further include a first plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the first plate. The implantable device may further include a second plate having multiple projections extending from one side of the second plate, the second plate configured to be received on the central screw. The barrel may be configured to transition from a collapsed form having a first height to an expanded form having a second height and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

Abstract: Intramedullary nails, systems, and methods. The intramedullary nail may include a generally elongate body extending from a first, distal end to a second, proximal end. The distal end may include one or more openings configured to receive one or more bone anchors that extend transversely through the distal end of the intramedullary nail, and thereby configured to secure the distal end of the nail. The proximal end may also include one or more openings configured to receive one or more bone anchors that extend transversely through the proximal end of the intramedullary nail, and thereby configured to secure the proximal end of the nail.

Abstract: A graft delivery device includes a graft delivery tube having a main passage for delivering graft material to a surgical implant inserted between adjacent vertebrae of a spine. The graft delivery tube includes an articulating portion proximate an output end of the graft delivery tube. The graft delivery device also includes a pusher device slidable along the main passage to drive graft material through the main passage toward the output end of the graft delivery tube, an actuation wire extending axially through at least the articulating portion of the graft delivery tube, and an actuation device connected to the actuation wire. The actuation device is actuatable to pull the actuation wire. Moreover, pulling the actuation wire bends the articulating portion of the graft delivery tube and positions the output end proximate the surgical implant.

Abstract: An implant may include a first body member and a second body member, at least one bone contacting arched member, and a first external element extending from the first body member to the second body member, wherein the first external element has an undulating planar geometry in which the first external element undulates in a single plane.

Abstract: A rod for spinal fixation implant having flexibility to reliably support movement of the spine while following movement of the spine with simple configuration. A rod for spinal fixation implant with a screw portion fixed to a vertebral bone and a coupling portion configured to couple the screw portion to the rod, and fixes plural vertebral bones to each other via the rod, the rod for spinal fixation implant includes a layered winding portion 10 configured by layering four layers, in radial direction, of spiral bodies obtained by winding four wires in a spiral shape with space portion inside and gap portion being opened between respective wires in an axial direction; and a rod-shaped core material 3 disposed in the space portion, in which the layered winding portions 10 of four layers are disposed such that spiral directions of the spiral bodies of adjacent layers are opposite to each other.

Abstract: A system for varying distance between bone segments comprises an intramedullary nail (100) and a driving shaft (210). The intramedullary nail (100) comprises a head (110) attached relative to a first bone segment (410); a housing (120) attached with the head (110); a rotational to linear motion convertor mechanism (140) having an input part and an output part (160); and a transmission (130) having an input member (131) & an output member (133), operatively coupled with input part (150) of rotational to linear motion convertor mechanism (140) and configured to transmit rotational motion and power at an angle. Further, at least a portion of the rotational to linear motion convertor mechanism (140) is contained in the housing (120) and the output part (160) is attached relative to a second bone segment (420). Additionally, the driving shaft (210) is configured to detachably connect with an input member (131) of the transmission.

Abstract: Intervertebral implant systems include spacers that may have solid and porous bodies integrally formed together as a single part. The bone-facing sides of the spacers include asymmetric lobes which may include solid and/or porous portions. Bone anchor holes may extend through the spacers and lobes, to receive bone anchors. A helically fluted bone anchor may be received in the bone anchor holes.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting an implant is provided. The cutter includes a gearbox; a primary milling bit, a secondary milling bit and a lead screw operatively coupled to the gearbox; an input coupling coupled rigidly to the primary milling bit; and an implant coupler coupled rigidly to the lead screw, wherein the gearbox is operable to translate with respect to the lead screw and to drive the secondary milling bit in response to a driving force applied to the input coupling.

Abstract: A receiver assembly for securing an elongate rod to a bone anchor including a receiver and a threaded plug. The receiver including an upper portion defining a channel to receive the elongate rod, an interior surface having helically wound receiver thread, and an exterior surface having in some embodiments first and second horizontal curvate extending instrument engaging grooves. The threaded plug including a longitudinal axis, a lower surface having a protrusion, and an external side surface having a continuous helically wound closure thread to rotatably mate with the helically wound receiver thread. The continuous helically wound closure thread including a lower leading surface and an upper trailing surface, both in some embodiments extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a cylindrical outer crest surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. When the protrusion on the threaded plug engages the elongate rod, the threaded plug does not extend overtop a top surface of the receiver.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

Abstract: A low profile spinal fixation system for use in securing a spinal rod to a vertebra using a lockable bone screw connector. The connector is configured to be removably connected to the head of a bone screw, and a spinal rod can then be used to physically connect a first vertebra to a second vertebra. The spinal rod is locked to the bone screw by use of a compressible upper collet.