Abstract: Borescopes and related methods that are configured to preclude or minimize imaging in hazy and/or smoky conditions. In some embodiments, the borescope may comprise a shaft made up, at least in part, of a material that is electrically non-conductive material and/or thermally non-conductive, and a tip positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The tip may comprise at least one light source, such as an LED or array of LEDS, configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation in which no more than about 20% of the total spectral output is in the infrared spectrum. The electromagnetic radiation delivered from the at least one light source may comprise a spectrum having at least one of a local maximum and a global maximum between about 450 and about 495 nm. The at least one light source may be configured to deliver between about 20 and about 75 lumens of visible light.

Abstract: Borescopes and related methods that are configured to preclude or minimize imaging in hazy and/or smoky conditions. In some embodiments, the borescope may comprise a shaft made up, at least in part, of a material that is electrically non-conductive material and/or thermally non-conductive, and a tip positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The tip may comprise at least one light source, such as an LED or array of LEDS, configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation in which no more than about 20% of the total spectral output is in the infrared spectrum. The electromagnetic radiation delivered from the at least one light source may comprise a spectrum having at least one of a local maximum and a global maximum between about 450 and about 495 nm. The at least one light source may be configured to deliver between about 20 and about 75 lumens of visible light.

Abstract: Borescopes, such as laparoscopes and endoscopes, configured to provide for image reorientation. In some embodiments, a portion of the borescope, such as the handle, may be rotatable with respect to another portion of the borescope, such as the shaft/tube. A sensor may be provided to translate the rotational positions of these two portions into digital data to allow an image or stream of images to be digitally rotated, preferably in real time, so that a camera module and/or image sensor may be fixed to the tube, such as positioned in a distal tip of the tube, without compromising the ability of the device to allow a surgeon to fix the rotational orientation of the images in a desired manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield for radiation attenuation. The shield includes a carrier suitable for topical application on human tissue, such as skin. The carrier includes an active ingredient that is homogenously dispersed throughout the carrier. The active ingredient includes an element suitable for attenuating radiation and having a high atomic number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield for radiation attenuation. The shield includes a carrier suitable for topical application on human tissue, such as skin. The carrier includes an active ingredient that is homogenously dispersed throughout the carrier. The active ingredient includes an element suitable for attenuating radiation and having a high atomic number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield for radiation attenuation. The shield includes a carrier suitable for topical application on human tissue, such as skin. The carrier includes an active ingredient that is homogenously dispersed throughout the carrier. The active ingredient includes an element suitable for attenuating radiation and having a high atomic number.

Abstract: Radiation shields and radiation shielding systems for attenuating ionizing radiation include two or more attenuating elements, such as layers. The two or more attenuating elements may include different attenuating materials. The two or more attenuating elements may be configured to attenuate ionizing radiation differently than one another. In some embodiments, different attenuating elements may be configured for use with different energies or ranges of energies of ionizing radiation. The concurrent use of two or more layers or other attenuating elements may optimize the ability of a radiation shield to attenuating ionizing radiation. Systems and methods for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Radiation shields and radiation shielding systems for attenuating ionizing radiation include two or more attenuating elements, such as layers. The two or more attenuating elements may include different attenuating materials. The two or more attenuating elements may be configured to attenuate ionizing radiation differently than one another. In some embodiments, different attenuating elements may be configured for use with different energies or ranges of energies of ionizing radiation. The concurrent use of two or more layers or other attenuating elements may optimize the ability of a radiation shield to attenuating ionizing radiation. Systems and methods for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radio-opaque film with a laminate structure includes one or more layers of radio-opaque material between a pair of containment layers. Each radio-opaque layer may comprise particles of radio-opaque material and a binder, which holds the particles of radio-opaque material together. One or both of the containment layers may impart the radio-opaque film with paper-like or cloth-like characteristics. Alternatively, a sheet of paper-like or cloth-like material may be adhered to one or both of the containment layers. Methods for manufacturing radio-opaque films are also disclosed, as are systems in which radio-opaque films are used.

Abstract: A radio-opaque film with a laminate structure includes one or more layers of radio-opaque material between a pair of containment layers. Each radio-opaque layer may comprise particles of radio-opaque material and a binder, which holds the particles of radio-opaque material together. One or both of the containment layers may impart the radio-opaque film with paper-like or cloth-like characteristics. Alternatively, a sheet of paper-like or cloth-like material may be adhered to one or both of the containment layers. Methods for manufacturing radio-opaque films are also disclosed, as are systems in which radio-opaque films are used.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for tracking medical equipment, or one or more medical devices, such as radio-opaque shields, are disclosed. Use of the medical device(s) may be tracked. Withdrawal of the medical device(s) from service for maintenance, other service and/or validation may be tracked. When a tracked medical device comprises a radio-opaque shield, the cumulative exposure of the medical device or an individual or object shielded by the medical device to ionizing radiation may be tracked, as may the cumulative amount of ionizing radiation attenuated by the medical device. Methods for actively or passively tracking one or more medical devices until the arrival of a time for a predetermined, or scheduled, event are also disclosed, as are methods for performing predetermined events.

Abstract: A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to each other, with one of said surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for tracking and providing reminders of scheduled events for medical equipment involve the use of portable tracking devices that may be secured to individual items of medical equipment that are scheduled to which one or more scheduled events may apply. In a specific embodiment, shields for limiting an individual's exposure to ionizing radiation may be tracked. Methods for actively or passively tracking one or more medical devices until the arrival of a time for a predetermined, or scheduled, event or total time elapsed are also disclosed, as are methods for performing predetermined events on medical devices.

Abstract: Shields that attenuate ionizing radiation (e.g., x-rays, gamma rays, etc.) include outer layers that minimize soiling. Removable shells that minimize soiling of shields for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed. The soil-minimizing outer layers and shells may be formed from materials that resist soiling, that counteract soiling, or from which soiling may be readily removed. Methods for minimizing soiling of radio-opaque shields are also disclosed.

Abstract: A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented, generally perpendicular to each other, with one of the surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented, for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.

Abstract: An improved bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength biocompatible material having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block may be coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.

Abstract: An improved implant is provided for human implantation, such as a spinal implant for implantation into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. Some embodiments include a substrate of high strength biocompatible material, such as doped silicon nitride ceramic for example. In some embodiments, the substrate may also include one or more regions of a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. In other embodiments, the substrate may comprise the entire implant.

Abstract: Wearable radio-opaque shields may be formed from relatively low-cost materials, which may include a non-toxic radio-opaque material. The use of such materials may render the wearable radio-opaque shields suitable for limited use or even for single use. The useful life of a wearable radio-opaque shield may be extended, and hygiene improved, by way of a liner configured for assembly with the wearable radio-opaque shield. Methods for using and disposing of wearable radio-opaque shields and liners are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hlp prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.

Abstract: A prosthesis for articulation (e.g., hip or joint prosthesis) is provided, which includes a pair of articulation components respectively defining a pair of articulation surfaces movably engageable with each other. In some embodiments, each of the articulation surfaces is formed from a biocompatible ceramic (e.g., doped silicon nitride ceramic) having a flexural strength greater than about 700 Mega-Pascal (MPa) and a toughness greater than about 7 Mega-Pascal root meter (MPam0.5).