Abstract: A method of managing a controller of a software defined networking (SDN) network is implemented by a computing device in the SDN network. The method includes receiving status information for the controller, receiving usage information for the operating environment, generating at least one failure prediction for the controller based on the received status information, and outputting prediction information for the at least one failure prediction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of training a network status classification model. The method includes obtaining measurements of network parameters of a communications network, converting the measurements into a plurality of first images representing the measurements and training a deep convolutional generative adversarial network, DCGAN, with the first images. The method also includes generating a plurality of second images representing artificial measurements of the network parameters using the DCGAN, and training a network status classification model with the plurality of second images.

Abstract: A protective container for a sterilized medical implant includes a base including a hollow body having a closed end and an opened end. The base including a thread. A cap is secured about the opened end of the hollow body. The cap includes a thread that cooperates with the thread provided on the base such that relative rotation of the base and the cap causes relative axial movement of the base and the cap. A sealing member is compressed between the base and the cap to provide a seal therebetween as a result of relative axial movement of the base and the cap.

Abstract: A combined assembly of a medical implant and a sheath includes a medical implant having a surface and a sheath that is releasably secured to and protectively covers the surface of the medical implant. The sheath may protectively cover some or all of the surface of the medical implant. The sheath may be frictionally or mechanically retained on the medical implant. The medical implant may include both an inner surface and an outer surface, and the sheath may include both an inner sheath portion and an outer sheath portion. The sheath may include one or more perforations, a gripping structure that cooperates with a handling tool, or a handle.

Abstract: An assembly includes a template and a bone plate. The template includes abase, a retaining mechanism provided on the base, and a plurality of openings formed through the base. The bone plate includes a body having a plurality of openings formed through the body. The retaining mechanism releasably connects the base of the template to the body of the bone plate such that the plurality of openings formed through the base of the template is aligned with the plurality of openings formed through the body of the bone plate. A method of securing adjacent portions of a fractured bone or adjacent bones using the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering a medical device to a desired location at a surgical site includes the initial steps of providing a package including a hollow body that extends from a first opened end to a second opened end, and providing a medical device within the hollow body between the first opened end and the second opened end. The package is oriented such that the first opened end is disposed adjacent to a desired location at a surgical site. Lastly, the medical device is moved through the first opened end from the hollow body to the desired location.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage includes a plurality of segments that are connected together by one or more members formed from a shape memory alloy material such that the segments are automatically moved from an initial orientation before implantation/insertion in an intervertebral space to an expanded orientation after implantation/insertion in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of segments may have a plurality of passageways or recesses formed therethrough, and wherein a wire formed from a shape memory alloy material extends through each of the plurality of passageways or recesses. The member may be formed from a shape memory alloy material that demonstrates shape memory effects and superelasticity properties, such as nitinol.

Abstract: A package for a medical device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted to support a medical device having a receiving area. The second portion has an area that is adapted to be aligned with the receiving area of the medical device supported in the first portion. The area of the second portion can be deformed to move a medical material into the receiving area of the medical device. A method of providing a medical device with a medical material includes the steps of: (a) providing a package including a first portion containing a medical device; (b) providing a medical material; and (c) deforming a second portion of the package to move the medical material into or onto the medical device.

Abstract: A metering delivery apparatus for injecting bone graft cement includes a body portion, a material containment vessel, an actuator, and a control unit. The body portion includes a drive housing that supports an actuator drivetrain and receiver end that supports the material containment vessel. The actuator has a first end connected to the actuator drivetrain and a second end that supports a moveable portion of the vessel to dispense material in the vessel and a retracting movement that relieves pressure applied to the material. The control unit receives actuator parameter inputs and includes a sensor to detect a signal of at least one of a pressure level and a time period. The sensor provides the detected signal to the control unit such that the control unit operates the actuator between the dispensing and retracting movements based on the detected signal and the actuator parameter inputs.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly includes a threaded shank portion formed from a polymer material and a head assembly. The head assembly includes a tulip having extending arms, the tulip engaging a reaction bar such that loads applied to the pedicle screw assembly can be transferred to another pedicle screw assembly in order to immobilize a section of a spinal column.

Abstract: A combined protective container and delivery device for an orthopedic implant device is provided. The combined protective container and delivery device includes an orthopedic implant device configured for insertion into a surgical site and a support configured to receive the orthopedic implant device. A base is configured to receive the orthopedic implant device and the support. A cover is configured to form a sealed container to prevent the ingress of contaminants to the orthopedic implant device and the support.

Abstract: An interspinous stabilization device is provided that more evenly distributes loads throughout the adjacent vertebrae than known interspinous stabilization devices, and further can readily compensate for graft settling so as to maintain continued axial loading of the graft material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for an interspinous stabilization device that more evenly distributes loads throughout the adjacent vertebrae than known interspinous stabilization devices, and further readily compensates for graft settling so as to maintain continued axial loading of the graft. More specifically, this invention relates to a medical device that helps in performing a spinal fusion procedure by holding the bone graft in place and stabilizing the facet screw by a plate that is attached to it. The invention also performs a dynamic function that compensates for settling of the bone graft over time. This dynamic function may, if desired, be enhanced by a movement-limiting mechanism that allows extension but not flexion such that the bone graft fusion remains in contact and fusion takes place.

Abstract: A pedicle reconstruction device adapted for use with a pedicle screw includes a head portion, a stem portion extending from the head portion, a neck portion extending from the stem portion, and an anchor portion extending from the neck portion. A slot is formed through the neck portion and the anchor portion such that the anchor portion can be oriented in a retracted condition when pedicle screw is not disposed therein and in an extended condition when a pedicle screw is disposed therein.

Abstract: A metering delivery apparatus for injecting bone graft cement includes a body portion, a material containment vessel, an actuator, and a control unit. The body portion includes a drive housing that supports an actuator drivetrain and receiver end that supports the material containment vessel. The actuator has a first end connected to the actuator drivetrain and a second end that supports a moveable portion of the vessel to dispense material in the vessel and a retracting movement that relieves pressure applied to the material. The control unit receives actuator parameter inputs and includes a sensor to detect a signal of at least one of a pressure level and a time period. The sensor provides the detected signal to the control unit such that the control unit operates the actuator between the dispensing and retracting movements based on the detected signal and the actuator parameter inputs.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage includes a plurality of segments that are connected together by one or more members formed from a shape memory alloy material such that the segments are automatically moved from an initial orientation before implantation/insertion in an intervertebral space to an expanded orientation after implantation/insertion in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of segments may have a plurality of passageways or recesses formed therethrough, and wherein a wire formed from a shape memory alloy material extends through each of the plurality of passageways or recesses. The member may be formed from a shape memory alloy material that demonstrates shape memory effects and superelasticity properties, such as nitinol.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for an interspinous stabilization device that more evenly distributes loads throughout the adjacent vertebrae than known interspinous stabilization devices, and further readily compensates for graft settling so as to maintain continued axial loading of the graft. More specifically, this invention relates to a medical device that helps in performing a spinal fusion procedure by holding the bone graft in place and stabilizing the facet screw by a plate that is attached to it. The invention also performs a dynamic function that compensates for settling of the bone graft over time. This dynamic function may, if desired, be enhanced by a movement-limiting mechanism that allows extension but not flexion such that the bone graft fusion remains in contact and fusion takes place.