Abstract: A spinal fusion bone scaffold having a first member including a first base plate and a first plurality of struts each having a first end engaging the first base plate and a second, free end. The first plurality of struts is configured to form at least part of a hyperbolic curve such that said bone scaffold includes an overall optimized hyperboloid shape having an outer diameter and an inner waist diameter. The scaffold may include a second member including a second plurality of struts each having a first end and a second end, each of the second plurality of struts being configured to form at least part of the hyperbolic curve. The scaffold includes connecting means for connecting said second member to said first member, which are aligned so as to complete the hyperbolic curve while generating hyperboloid geometry of the bone scaffold.

Abstract: A bone repair scaffold having two moduli that match those of the cancellous and cortical bone in a patient receiving a bone graft/implant. The bone repair scaffold possesses increased mechanical properties to sustain physiological loading and biologically active capability to facilitate bone fusion. The bone repair scaffold may be 3D-printed, which allows for a variety of scaffold designs and configurations. Pore size, interconnected porosity, shape, and modulus of the bone repair scaffold may be modified for different bone graft applications, whether it is used as filler for bone cancer resections or trauma, or as a fusion device in cases of surgery. Depending on the defect location of the bone shaft, the relative porosity of the scaffold may be modified to account for changes in cortical bone thickness. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone repair scaffold is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A bone repair scaffold having two moduli that match those of the cancellous and cortical bone in a patient receiving a bone graft/implant. The bone repair scaffold possesses increased mechanical properties to sustain physiological loading and biologically active capability to facilitate bone fusion. The bone repair scaffold may be 3D-printed, which allows for a variety of scaffold designs and configurations. Pore size, interconnected porosity, shape, and modulus of the bone repair scaffold may be modified for different bone graft applications, whether it is used as filler for bone cancer resections or trauma, or as a fusion device in cases of surgery. Depending on the defect location of the bone shaft, the relative porosity of the scaffold may be modified to account for changes in cortical bone thickness. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone repair scaffold is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal fusion bone scaffold having a first member including a first base plate and a first plurality of struts each having a first end engaging the first base plate and a second, free end. The first plurality of struts is configured to form at least part of a hyperbolic curve such that said bone scaffold includes an overall optimized hyperboloid shape having an outer diameter and an inner waist diameter. The scaffold may include a second member including a second plurality of struts each having a first end and a second end, each of the second plurality of struts being configured to form at least part of the hyperbolic curve. The scaffold includes connecting means for connecting said second member to said first member, which are aligned so as to complete the hyperbolic curve while generating hyperboloid geometry of the bone scaffold.

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A goniometer has three potentiometers with axes of rotation that intersect at a point for measuring angular range of motion of an anatomy, such as of the spine or jointed appendages. The intersecting axes facilitate calculation of angle based on potentiometer output and allow the rotations on each of the three axes to be measured independently and simultaneously without mechanical or electrical cross talk. The angular measurements may be recorded on a computer for analysis and playback and may be continuously captured over a range of motion. The captured data may be compared to samples from the same person or others to aid in assessment of function.

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A distractor and measuring device includes a first handle operatively connected to a first paddle and a second handle operatively connected to a second paddle. The first and second handles are pivotally connected to one another such that movement of the handles relative to one another causes the paddles to move relative to each other. At least one transducer is positioned on at least one of the first and second handles for measuring an amount of force applied during distraction. A measurement rod is pivotally connected to the device and is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second paddles. A potentiometer is operatively connected to the measurement rod to measure the angular orientation of the measurement rod.

Abstract: A surgical implant including a cage having a first porosity and a first modulus; and a core bounded by said cage, said core having a second porosity that is higher than said first porosity of said cage, and said core having a second modulus that is lower than said first modulus of said cage. The implant may be functionally graded in a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, or a radial direction thereof. The implant is made by preparing a first formulation for the cage within a first extruder and a second formulation for the core within a second extruder, extruding the first formulation through a co-extrusion die while simultaneously extruding said second formulation through the co-extrusion die so as to form an extrudate that includes said cage component and said core component bounded by said cage component.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral fusion cage that includes an inferior baseplate and a superior baseplate, an insert rotatably received between the inferior and superior baseplates, and a guide pin coupled to the inferior and superior baseplates for facilitating the rotation of the insert. The insert includes a pair of protuberances, each of which are releasably engageable with a corresponding lock groove formed within the inferior and superior baseplates. When said insert is rotated relative to the guide pin, the protuberances engage the lock grooves, and the inferior and superior baseplates expand from a collapsed position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are juxtaposed with one another, and an expanded position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are diverged away from one another. Tabs formed on the superior baseplate continuously engage slots formed within the inferior baseplate when the baseplates expand from their collapsed position to their expanded position.

Abstract: A portable water purification system and method of operation of the system is disclosed that may comprise a container defining a water purification chamber; a plurality of UV generating light sources distributed in the purification chamber of the container; and a portable power source electrically connected to the light sources, and adapted to convert kinetic energy to electrical energy to provide to the light sources. The portable power source may be adapted to be driven by human motive power to provide the kinetic energy. The purification system may comprise a filling opening to the container; and a filter intermediate the filling opening and the chamber adapted to remove turbidity from the water entering the water purification chamber through the filling opening. The portable power source may comprise a hand-cranked electrical generator.

Abstract: A distractor and measuring device includes a first handle operatively connected to a first paddle and a second handle operatively connected to a second paddle. The first and second handles are pivotally connected to one another such that movement of the handles relative to one another causes the paddles to move relative to each other. At least one transducer is positioned on at least one of the first and second handles for measuring an amount of force applied during distraction. A measurement rod is pivotally connected to the device and is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second paddles. A potentiometer is operatively connected to the measurement rod to measure the angular orientation of the measurement rod.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral fusion cage that includes an inferior baseplate and a superior baseplate, an insert rotatbly received between the inferior and superior baseplates, and a guide pin coupled to the inferior and superior baseplates for facilitating the rotation of the insert. The insert includes a pair of protuberances, each of which are releasably engageable with a corresponding lock groove formed within the inferior and superior baseplates. When said insert is rotated relative to the guide pin, the protuberances engage the lock grooves, and the inferior and superior baseplates expand from a collapsed position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are juxtaposed with one another, and an expanded position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are diverged away from one another. As a result, the cage distracts in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: a first member having a first vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a first vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a first saddle shaped articulation surface; and a second member having a second vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a second vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a second saddle shaped articulation surface, wherein an intervertebral disc space is defined substantially between the first and second endplates of the first and second vertebral bones, and the first and second articulation surfaces are sized and shaped to engage one another when the first and second members are disposed in the intervertebral disc space to enable the first and second vertebral bones to articulate in at least one of flexion, extension and lateral bending.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: a first member having a first vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a first vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a first articulation surface that is defined by a plurality of concave arcs each having a respective radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to an anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and a plurality of convex arcs each having a respective radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to a lateral plane of the spinal column; and a second member having a second vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a second vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a second articulation surface that is defined by a plurality of convex arcs each having a radius of curvature about a corresponding axis substantially perpendicular to the anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, an

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: a first member having a first vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a first vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a first articulation surface that is defined at least by a concave arc having a radius of curvature A about a first axis substantially perpendicular to an anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and by a convex arc having a radius of curvature B about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a lateral plane of the spinal column; and a second member having a second vertebral contact surface for engagement with an endplate of a second vertebral bone in the spinal column, and having a second articulation surface that is defined at least by a convex arc having a radius of curvature C about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, and by a concave arc having a radius of curvature D about a second axis subst

Abstract: A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc. The apparatus is operable to permit respective vertebral bones of the spinal column between which the apparatus is positioned to articulate in flexion and extension in an anterior-posterior plane of the spinal column, lateral bending in a lateral plane of the spinal column, and axial rotation through a range of angles without permitting the vertebral bones to substantially move in directions directed away from one another along a longitudinal axis of the spinal column.