Abstract: A computer assisted medical procedure system includes at least one registering computing device, a medical device locator operatively coupled to a medical device placed within a medical procedure theater, wherein the at least one registering computing device determines the location of the medical device locator and medical device relative to a patient, and a patient position fiducial associated with anatomy of a patient being subjected to a medical procedure wherein the at least one registering computing device detects the position of the patient position fiducial relative to the medical device locator in order to determine a relative position of the medical device to the anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: An interbody implant may include a solid, unitary body and one or more porous layers. The interbody implant may include a homogenous interface between the one or more porous layers and a the solid, unitary body. The homogenous interface may fuse the material of the solid, unitary body to the one or more porous layers via a thermal process. The interbody implant may include a superior surface designed to abut an inferior surface of a vertebra and an inferior surface designed to abut a superior surface of a vertebra. The interbody implant may include a bone cavity extending between a first aperture and a second aperture of the superior and inferior surfaces.

Abstract: An orthopedic prosthesis for stimulating bone growth may include a substrate having at least one bone-facing surface and at least one internal surface, at least one piezoelectric nanostructure coupled to the at least one bone-facing surface of the substrate, at least one charge storing material placed within the orthopedic prosthesis proximate the at least one internal surface, and an interconnect in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric nanostructure and the charge storing material. The at least one piezoelectric nanostructure may be configured to generate an electric charge in response to at least one mechanical force applied to the at least one piezoelectric nanostructure and the interconnect may be configured to transfer the electric charge to the at least one charge storing material to promote bone in-growth within the orthopedic prosthesis and/or on the at least one bone-facing surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flash butt welding process for joining sections of a railway line using vibration apparatus, the process including configuring and attaching a vibration apparatus on the railway line such that a vibration means is attachable to the railway line, and controlled vibration of the railway line at a suitable low frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration, and then welding sections of railway line together using a flash butt welding means, and applying vibration to the sections of railway line until the flash butt weld is complete, and applying a controlled vibration to the welded sections of railway line for a period of time sufficient to allow for heat to dissipate from the weld area, and to allow for the weld area to be stress relieved for an improved weld joint.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flash butt welding process for joining sections of a railway line using vibration apparatus, the process including configuring and attaching a vibration apparatus on the railway line such that a vibration means is attachable to the railway line, and controlled vibration of the railway line at a suitable low frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration, and then welding sections of railway line together using a flash butt welding means, and applying vibration to the sections of railway line until the flash butt weld is complete, and applying a controlled vibration to the welded sections of railway line for a period of time sufficient to allow for heat to dissipate from the weld area, and to allow for the weld area to be stress relieved for an improved weld joint.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermite welding process for joining sections of a railway line in situ, the process including the preliminary step of mounting a suitable welding mould about the aligned sections of railway line to be welded together and sealing the mould to prevent run out; mounting a vibration means on the railway line at a suitable distance from the mould and operating it at a suitable frequency; heating the sections of railway line to a desired temperature; igniting an ignitor means and allowing it to drop into the mould to react with molten steel in the mould and fill a weld area about and between the sections of railway line in the mould; and when solidified, to vibrate the railway line for a further period of time until stress relieving of the cast weld area has occurred.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermite welding process for joining sections of a railway line in situ, the process including the preliminary step of mounting a suitable welding mould about the aligned sections of railway line to be welded together and sealing the mould to prevent run out; mounting a vibration means on the railway line at a suitable distance from the mould and operating it at a suitable frequency; heating the sections of railway line to a desired temperature; igniting an ignitor means and allowing it to drop into the mould to react with molten steel in the mould and fill a weld area about and between the sections of railway line in the mould; and when solidified, to vibrate the railway line for a further period of time until stress relieving of the cast weld area has occurred.

Abstract: A tuning device (23) and an apparatus that incorporates the tuning device (23) for use in testing the integrity of a railway line (30) to obtain an improved test signal, the tuning device (23) including an elongate member (23) adapted to be attachable at one end of the railway line (30) being tested in situ or is attachable to an attachment member (21) coupled to the section (10) of railway line (30), and wherein a vibration signal measuring means (24) is adapted to be secured to the other end of the elongate member (23).

Abstract: A surgical implant includes a first end plate having a substantially X-shaped configuration. A second end plate is spaced apart for the first end plate. A central longitudinal axis centrally extends between the first end plate and the second end plate. Four spaced apart beams extend from the first end plate to the second end plate at location spaced apart form the central longitudinal axis. An open passageway extends between each adjacent pair of the beams and intersects with the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A spinal stabilizing system includes a collar having a tubular sidewall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface at least partially bounding a longitudinal passage extending therethrough. A shoulder radially inwardly projects from a second end of the sidewall so as to at last partially encircle the longitudinal passage. A pair of spaced apart channels transversely extend through the sidewall at the first end thereof. The system further includes a screw having a threaded portion and an enlarged head mounted on the end thereof, the head of the screw resting against the shoulder of the collar so that the head can pivot on the shoulder, a locking slot being formed on the head of the screw. A pin is secured to the collar and projects into the locking slot on the head of the screw such rotation of the collar facilitates rotation of the screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing and stress relieving metal components comprising a vibration means (28), attachment means (30), control means (2) and measuring means (13,31), the attachment means (28) being configured and arranged to, in use, directly vibration couple the vibration means (28) to a metal component (40), the control means (2) controlling actuation of the vibration means (28), and the measuring means (13,31), in use, measuring the amplitude of vibration in the said metal component (29).