Abstract: The present invention provides a shoulder pad for use in a contact sport, such as football, hockey or lacrosse. The shoulder pad includes a pair of arch members, each having an upper portion, a front portion depending from the upper portion, and a rear portion depending from the upper portion. The shoulder pad further includes at least one side pad assembly having an epaulet and a shoulder cap, wherein the shoulder cap overlies the wearer's shoulder region and the epaulet overlies both the arch member and the shoulder cap. The epaulet portion extends vertically to protect the head and neck of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal safety equipment for use by athletes, military personnel, motor sports participants and the like and in particular, protective headgear adapted to minimize rotational acceleration and/or axial compressive forces incident on the head of a wearer.

Abstract: A protective helmet which employs an inner shell, an outer shell, and dampeners positioned between the inner and outer shells which facilitate rotational movement between the inner and outer shells. The dampeners also provide shock absorption to counter the rotational acceleration caused by an impact to the helmet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal safety equipment for use by athletes, military personnel, motor sports participants and the like and in particular, protective headgear adapted to minimize rotational acceleration and/or axial compressive forces incident on the head of a wearer.

Abstract: A protective helmet which employs an inner shell, an outer shell, and dampeners positioned between the inner and outer shells which facilitate rotational movement between the inner and outer shells. The dampeners also provide shock absorption to counter the rotational acceleration caused by an impact to the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet and shoulder pad combination is provided with an improved helmet support and restrictor to minimize rearward hyperextension and whiplash-type head movement as well as axial compression.

Abstract: A dampening device for use in a dampening system that operates to dampen and slow the movement of a closing door thereby reducing noise and the risk of injury, the dampening device including a piston and dampening apparatus that are moveable within a cylinder and an anchoring apparatus, the dampening device attached to various positions along a door frame or door panel.

Abstract: A helmet and shoulder pad combination is provided with an improved helmet support and restrictor to minimize rearward hyperextension and whiplash-type head movement as well as axial compression.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement body device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a connecting member having an upper member and a lower member engaged thereto at opposite ends thereof. The members can be restrained relative to one another to resist axial, rotation and/or lateral displacement. The vertebral replacement body device can have a chamber extending therethrough for fusion of the supported vertebrae.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic device is described. The modular prosthetic device is provided with an anchoring device having first and second end members, the first and second end members cooperating to receive a prosthetic insertion device. The first and second end members each include a first surface, at least one vertebral-engaging member extending from the first surface, a second surface in an opposed relation to the first surface, and at least one flange extending from the second surface. The anchoring device is adapted to receive a variety of prosthetic insertion devices such that the modular prosthetic device can be revised into a variety of modular prosthetic devices. A stacking member is also provided for use with the anchoring device to provide a variety of modular, stackable prosthetic devices.

Abstract: An improved pedicle screw system is provided with an offset stabilizer rod for the internal fixation of the spine. The pedicle screw system includes at least two multi-angle pedicle screw units adapted for anchored securement to patient bone, and an elongated stabilizer rod extending therebetween. Each pedicle screw unit includes a bone screw associated with an anchor bracket defining a laterally offset and upwardly open channel or trough for receiving and supporting the stabilizer rod. A securement member such as a set screw is fastened to the anchor bracket for compressively retaining the stabilizer rod within the bracket channel or trough. The securement member may also bear against the associated bone screw for compressively retaining the screw in position relative to the anchor bracket.

Abstract: An improved spinal fixation system is provided for human implantation, including a set of screws with interconnecting rods for implantation into the pedicle and between two adjacent vertebrae or a plate with screws for fixating two adjacent vertebrae. The screws, rods, and plates include a substrate portion of high strength biocompatible material and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate portion 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 fixation system provides a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and bio-activity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fixation system may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.

Abstract: A dynamic bone fixation plate assembly includes a bone plate with at least one fastener-receiving aperture, and at least one self-locking fastener. Each fastener includes a threaded shaft or shank for secure engagement with patient bone, and a head for engaging the bone plate in a manner providing a low profile orthopedic device. The fastener shank includes features lock the fastener to the bone plate to prevent the fastener from backing out of the bone plate while still allowing rotational movement between the fastener and the plate. Utilizing the features of the present invention, the bone plate controllably subsides and settles into a position of stability.

Abstract: A milling instrument assembly is provided for vertebral endplate preparation along a cutting path obliquely oriented to the axis of approach to the vertebra. The milling instrument assembly provides control of the anterior-posterior depth of endplate removal by guiding cutting assembly in the disc space as it moves transversely across a housing assembly. Methods and techniques are included for using the milling instrument assembly in spinal surgery.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.

Abstract: An expansion assembly expands a vertebral implant. The vertebral implant has an inner cylindrical assembly adapted for insertion into an outer cylindrical assembly having an outer wall. The vertebral implant is expandable along an implant axis defined by the outer and inner cylindrical assemblies. The expansion assembly comprises an axle having proximal and distal end portions and an axle axis defined between the proximal and distal end portions. The expansion assembly further comprises a gear arranged about the axle axis at the proximal end portion of the axle and adapted to rotate about the axle axis to cause the inner cylindrical assembly to expand the vertebral implant. The engagement assembly also comprising a first engaging portion adapted to engage the inner cylindrical assembly and a second engaging portion adapted to engage the gear externally of the outer wall of the outer cylindrical assembly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a surgical instrument for inserting an implant, the surgical instrument including an inserter assembly and a distractor assembly.

Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.

Abstract: A laterally expandable spinal implant includes a central body and two wings that are adapted to be received within an inner chamber formed within the central body. The wings have guide rails that fit into grooves defined in the central body. To ensure that the implant is properly secured, each guide rail has an outer end with a cutting surface that cuts into vertebral end plates when the wings are extended. The two wings are connected together through a central turnbuckle shaft that has geared teeth and threading on both ends that engage threaded cavities in the wings. Through the gear teeth, the turnbuckle shaft is able to be rotated so as to laterally extend the wings from the central member. A locking mechanism locks the turnbuckle shaft to prevent the wings from retracting.