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 expandable intervertebral implant includes a superior plate having a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a threaded first hole. An inferior plate has a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a first bore, the inferior plate at least partially bounding an elongated channel that communicates with the first bore. A first lift screw includes a gear wheel rotatably received within the first bore of the inferior plate and a threaded stem projecting from the gear wheel and being threaded into the first hole of the superior plate. A drive screw is rotatably disposed within the channel of the inferior plate, the drive screw having a worm that engages with the gear wheel such that rotation of the drive screw facilitates rotation of the first lift screw which in turn facilitates movement of the superior plate relative to the inferior plate.

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: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a superior plate having a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a threaded first hole. An inferior plate has a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a first bore, the inferior plate at least partially bounding an elongated channel that communicates with the first bore. A first lift screw includes a gear wheel rotatably received within the first bore of the inferior plate and a threaded stem projecting from the gear wheel and being threaded into the first hole of the superior plate. A drive screw is rotatably disposed within the channel of the inferior plate, the drive screw having a worm that engages with the gear wheel such that rotation of the drive screw facilitates rotation of the first lift screw which in turn facilitates movement of the superior plate relative to the inferior plate.

Abstract: A bone screw includes an elongate shaft extending longitudinally between a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The shaft bounds a first passageway at least partially extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The shaft is comprised of a radiolucent material. A core is disposed within the first passageway of the shaft. The core can be comprised of a radiolucent or radiopaque material. A head is either integrally formed with or secured to the proximal end of the shaft or the proximal end of the core. The head can also bound a second passageway that extends through the head and is aligned with the first passageway. The core can also be disposed within the second passageway.

Abstract: A bone screw includes an elongate shaft extending longitudinally between a proximal end and an opposing distal end The shaft bounds a first passageway at least partially extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The shaft is comprised of a radiolucent material. A core is disposed within the first passageway of the shaft. The core can be comprised of a radiolucent or radiopaque material. A head is either integrally formed with or secured to the proximal end of the shaft or the proximal end of the core. The head can also bound a second passageway that extends through the head and is aligned with the first passageway. The core can also be disposed within the second passageway.

Abstract: A stabilizing rod includes an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The shaft is comprised of a radiolucent material and bounds a passageway that at least partially extends between the proximal end and the distal end. A core is disposed within the passageway of the shaft. The core can be comprised of a radiopaque material. The stabilizing rod can also include a radiopaque marker disposed on or within the shaft.

Abstract: A bone screw includes an elongate shaft extending longitudinally between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the shaft bounding a first passageway at least partially extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the shaft being comprised of a radiolucent material. A core is disposed within the first passageway of the shaft, the core being comprised of a radiopaque material. A rounded head or a substantially U-shaped collar is either integrally formed with or is rigidly attached to the proximal end of the shaft.

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: A bone fixation plate assembly includes a proximal plate having a proximal body with a first arm projecting therefrom, the first arm having an elongated expansion slot extending through a portion thereof and a threaded bore formed thereon so as to communicate with the expansion slot. A set screw is received within the threaded bore and has a top surface with a driver engaging feature formed thereon and an encircling perimeter edge. A distal plate has a distal body with a first sleeve projecting therefrom. The first sleeve bounds a socket with the first arm received therein. An access opening is formed on the first sleeve and is configured so that the driver engaging feature of the set screw is accessible through the access opening while at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the set screw is covered by the first sleeve.

Abstract: A spinal implant having a spinal cage and a plurality of staples. The spinal cage is configured to be positioned in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The plurality of staples are moveably disposed on the spinal cage and configured to be inserted into the adjacent vertebrae so as to secure the spinal cage in the intervertebral space when the spinal cage is positioned therein. A method of securing the spinal implant within the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A bone fixation plate assembly includes a proximal plate having a proximal body with a first arm projecting therefrom, the first arm having an elongated expansion slot extending through a portion thereof and a threaded bore formed thereon so as to communicate with the expansion slot. A set screw is received within the threaded bore and has a top surface with a driver engaging feature formed thereon and an encircling perimeter edge. A distal plate has a distal body with a first sleeve projecting therefrom. The first sleeve bounds a socket with the first arm received therein. An access opening is formed on the first sleeve and is configured so that the driver engaging feature of the set screw is accessible through the access opening while at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the set screw is covered by the first sleeve.

Abstract: A method for mounting a polyaxial screw into a bone includes rotating a drive cap so that a screw mounted to the drive cap is screwed into a bone, the drive cap having a socket in which a portion of the screw is pivotably disposed, at least a portion of a collet being disposed within the socket between the screw and the drive cap. A stabilizing structure and a fastener are positioned onto a shaft projecting from the drive cap. The fastener is advanced along the shaft so as to push a portion of a compression cap against the collet which in turn wedges the collet within the socket of the drive cap and causes the collet to bias against a portion of the screw, thereby locking the position of the screw, the collet, and the drive cap relative to each other.

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: A bone plate has a main body configured to position adjacent bones with respect to each other. The main body includes a plurality of separate layers bonded together. Each layer is comprised of a radiolucent material and has a first aperture and a second aperture that extend through the layer. The layers are all stacked such that the first apertures of all of the layers are aligned with each other and the second apertures of all of the layers are aligned with each other. An insert can be positioned within the first aperture.

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: A spinal implant cross connector includes a central hub. Four spaced apart arm assemblies outwardly project from the central hub, each arm assembly having an adjustable length extending between a first end coupled to the central hub and an opposing second end. The arm assemblies extend in a substantially X-shaped pattern with two of the arm assemblies being pivotable relative to the other two. A rod clamp assembly is disposed at the second end of each arm assembly.

Abstract: A cross connector that can be used with a spinal implant includes a first rod clamp having a first end and an opposing second end, the first rod clamp having a first clamp arm crossing a second clamp arm so as to form a scissor coupling. The cross connector also includes a second rod clamp and a cross bar assembly extending between the first rod clamp and the second rod clamp.

Abstract: A method for mounting a polyaxial screw into a bone includes rotating a drive cap so that a screw mounted to the drive cap is screwed into a bone, the drive cap having a socket in which a portion of the screw is pivotably disposed, at least a portion of a collet being disposed within the socket between the screw and the drive cap. A stabilizing structure and a fastener are positioned onto a shaft projecting from the drive cap. The fastener is advanced along the shaft so as to push a portion of a compression cap against the collet which in turn wedges the collet within the socket of the drive cap and causes the collet to bias against a portion of the screw, thereby locking the position of the screw, the collet, and the drive cap relative to each other.