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: 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: 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: 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: Poly(propylene fumarate) is copolymerized with poly(caprolactone) diol to produce a block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(?-caprolactone). The biocompatible and bioresorbable block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(?-caprolactone) is useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for tissue and/or skeletal reconstruction. The block copolymer can be crosslinked by redox or photo-initiation, with or without an additional crosslinker. Thus, the copolymer is both self-crosslinkable (without the use of any crosslinkers) and photocrosslinkable (in the presence of UV light).

Abstract: Fumaric acid or a salt thereof, such as a fumaryl halide (e.g., fumaryl chloride), which contains unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds that can be used for in situ crosslinking, is copolymerized with a biodegradable poly(caprolactone) macromer that has a flexible backbone such that the resulting copolymer may self-crosslink in the absence of a crosslinking agent. The bio-compatible and bioresorbable poly(caprolactone fumarate) biomaterial is useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for application in skeletal reconstruction.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises (i) a macromer prepared by reacting an unsaturated diacid having a carbon-carbon double bond and a saturated diacid, and (ii) a bioactive ceramic grafted to the macromer. In one embodiment, the unsaturated diacid having a carbon-carbon double bond is fumaric acid, the saturated diacid is compatible with fumaric acid and poly(propylene fumarate) such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid and mixtures thereof, and the bioactive ceramic is hydroxyapatite. In another embodiment, hydroxyapatite is grafted with a biodegradable and crosslinkable macromer comprising silane units alternating with furnarate and adipate units.

Abstract: The invention provides for a spinal fixation support device to be used in conjunction with spinal fixation instrumentation. The invention further provides for methods of using the spinal fixation support device. In addition, the invention provides for a spinal fixation system that includes a spinal fixation support device of the invention and can further include spinal fixation instrumentation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing parking reminders for people parking at parking facilities. Parking reminders are provided including both a parking location and an advertisement for a business. The advertisement for the business can be used to directly or indirectly pay for the cost of the parking reminders. Some parking reminders are printed paper products including a printed business name and optional business location together with an advertisement which can include an optional coupon good for a discount and/or additional goods or services at the business. The parking reminder can include parking sublocations, such as parking levels or parking lot subsections. The invention also provides parking reminder dispensers which can be located at exit points for parking facilities such as elevators or other exit points. Some dispensers provide electronically transmitted parking reminders through electromagnetic and/or optical signals.

Abstract: An orthopaedic method and anchor assemblies for anchoring a linkage such as a rod or cable used for fixation or reduction. One assembly includes an anchor plate and a slotted anchor bolt that captures the plate in a one-piece assembly for convenient installation. The base of the anchor bolt lies below the plate, and a cap or nut tightens down to secure a linking member, e.g., a rod or cable, in the slot, simultaneously clamping the bolt to fix both its position and its orientation on the plate. One occipital plate has lateral arms that hold the anchor bolts, and a Y-shaped embodiment is mounted in an inverted orientation to position the anchor bolts well down in soft tissue for more effective wound closure. A cable connector is used together with an anchor plate, vertebra anchor screws and fixation rods to secure ends of a cable at the level of one or more vertebrae, providing a versatile and highly stable system for alignment, fixation and fusing of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Abstract: An orthopaedic method and anchor assemblies for anchoring a linkage such as a rod or cable used for fixation or reduction. One assembly includes an anchor plate and a slotted anchor bolt that captures the plate in a one-piece assembly for convenient installation. The base of the anchor bolt lies below the plate, and a cap or nut tightens down to secure a linking member, e.g., a rod or cable, in the slot, simultaneously clamping the bolt to fix both its position and its orientation on the plate. One occipital plate has lateral arms that hold the anchor bolts, and a Y-shaped embodiment is mounted in an inverted orientation to position the anchor bolts well down in soft tissue for more effective wound closure. A cable connector is used together with an anchor plate, vertebra anchor screws and fixation rods to secure ends of a cable at the level of one or more vertebrae, providing a versatile and highly stable system for alignment, fixation and fusing of the cervical and thoracic spine.