Abstract: A surgical rod curving method and apparatus is disclosed, wherein a rod curving force is applied to the rod by a rod curving element while the rod is moved in a lengthwise direction relative to the rod curving element. In this manner a smooth curve is induced into the rod, wherein there is substantially no localized stress points induced into the rod. Additionally, by rotating a previously curved rod about an axis corresponding to a lengthwise direction of the rod, and reapplying a curving force, a non-planar curve is induced in the surgical rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment media for purifying water, and methods for forming such treatment media. Formation of the treatment media of the present invention entails heating an alumina substrate to a temperature in the range of 375° F. to 300° F. and then depositing a predetermined quantity and concentration of silver onto the activated alumina substrate such that silver ions are released and catalysis reactions occur, thus beneficially ensuring both an immediate and a residual germicidal effect to water that is treated by the treatment media.

Abstract: A catalyst for the purification, e.g., disinfection, of water is disclosed. The catalyst of the invention comprises a substrate, a first metal, and at least one additional metal. The metals are codeposited on the substrate to form a unified structure. Methods of using the catalyst to disinfect water and devices for the purification of water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical rod curving method and apparatus is disclosed, wherein a rod curving force is applied to the rod by a rod curving element while the rod is moved in a lengthwise direction relative to the rod curving element. In this manner a smooth curve is induced into the rod, wherein there is substantially no localized stress points induced into the rod. Additionally, by rotating a previously curved rod about an axis corresponding to a lengthwise direction of the rod, and reapplying a curving force, a non-planar curve is induced in the surgical rod.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatment media for incorporation into techniques and equipment that eliminate germs from water through silver catalysis.

Abstract: A catalyst for the purification, e.g., disinfection, of water is disclosed. The catalyst of the invention comprises a substrate, a first metal, and at least one additional metal. The metals are codeposited on the substrate to form a unified structure. Methods of using the catalyst to disinfect water and devices for the purification of water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine and/or pelvis in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with the fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal member and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship between the longitudinal member and elements to which the fasteners are connected. Once the longitudinal member and fasteners have been positioned in the desired spatial relationship, clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners and connector members against relative movement. To provide for the adjustability of the longitudinal member relative to the fasteners, oblong openings are formed in the connector members.

Abstract: A bone alignment assembly is disclosed having bone anchor subassemblies for securing to both bones and a bone position retainer, wherein the bone position retainer includes a longitudinal member for maintaining a desired alignment of the bones when the bone anchor assemblies are secured to the bone position retainer. Each of the bone anchor subassemblies includes a shaft and one or more pairs of components (e.g., washers) wherein the components of each pair have mating spherical concave and convex surfaces that can mate together in a plurality of angular positions. When the shaft extends through each of the pairs of mating components, and also through a passageway of the bone position retainer that is sandwiched between the two pairs of mating components, the shaft can be secured at any one of a plurality of orientations relative to the bone position retainer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine and/or pelvis in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with the fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal member and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship between the longitudinal member and elements to which the fasteners are connected. Once the longitudinal member and fasteners have been positioned in the desired spatial relationship, clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners and connector members against relative movement. To provide for the adjustability of the longitudinal member relative to the fasteners, oblong openings are formed in the connector members.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member extendable along the spinal column. A fastener connects the longitudinal member to a vertebra. The fastener has a first end portion engaging a vertebra and a second end portion. A staple, through which the second end portion of the fastener is extendable, includes a plurality of projections for engaging a vertebra. A washer, including an opening through which the second end portion of the fastener is extendable, engages the staple and the longitudinal member. The washer prevents pivotal movement of the longitudinal member relative to the staple. The longitudinal member, the fastener, the staple, and the washer are connected together.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member extendable along the spinal column. A fastener for connecting the longitudinal member to a vertebra includes a first end portion for engaging a vertebra and a second end portion connectable with the longitudinal member. A staple including a plurality of mounting projections for engaging the vertebra has surfaces for defining an opening through which the second end portion of the fastener extends. The staple includes surfaces for engaging the second end portion of the fastener to prevent relative rotation between the fastener and the staple.

Abstract: A water purifier for killing bacteria in water located in a confined area includes a water inlet, a water outlet, and a purification unit that kills the bacteria in the water. A first fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet so that water flowing along the first fluid path flows from the water inlet to the water outlet without passing through the purification unit, and includes a constricted region that has a cross sectional area that is smaller than a cross sectional area of the water inlet. A second fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet, and includes the purification unit, so that water flowing along the second fluid path flows through the purification unit as the water flows from the water inlet to the water outlet.

Abstract: A method of treating water to kill bacteria therein includes exposing the water to a silver catalyst in the presence of oxygen to form an active oxidizer in the water. The silver catalyst includes elemental silver deposited on a high surface area alumina matrix. In one form of the method the active oxidizer formed is predominantly hydrogen peroxide, whereas in a second form of the method an oxidizable salt is added to the water so that the active oxidizer formed is predominantly oxidized ions of the salt. The method can be effectively carried out by adding oxygen in the form of O.sub.2 ozone to the water prior to exposing it to the catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with that fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal members and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship. Clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners, and connector members against relative movement. To provide for adjustability, oblong openings are formed in the connector members. The fasteners have a plurality of tapered washers to create variable angles between the axis of the fastener and the axis of the oblong opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship in a spinal column includes an elongated one-piece rod which extends along the spinal column. An upper portion of the rod has a diameter which is less than the diameter of a lower portion of the rod. A first plurality of connector assemblies engage the lower portion of the rod and connect the lower portion of the rod to vertebrae. A second plurality of connector assemblies engage the upper portion of the rod and connect the upper portion of the rod to vertebrae which are disposed in the spinal column above the vertebrae to which the lower portion of the rod is connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with the fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal member and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship between the longitudinal member and elements to which the fasteners are connected. Once the longitudinal member and fasteners have been positioned in the desired spatial relationship, clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners and connector members against relative movement. To provide for the adjustability of the longitudinal member relative to the fasteners, oblong openings are formed in the connector members.

Abstract: A plurality of instruments or members are provided to plastically deform spine plates or rods to a configuration which corresponds to a desired configuration for connection with a spinal column. A pair of flat benders have slots which are engageable with a spine plate to bend and/or twist the spine plate. A pair of tube benders are engageable with a rod to bend the rod. One of the flat benders may be used with one of the tube benders to form a bend in the rod. In addition, the two flat benders may be used together to bend the rod. These instruments make possible two dimensional bending of spine plates and three dimensional bending of spine rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a bendable elongate rod with a vertebra. The apparatus comprises a body portion having an opening for receiving the rod. A connector portion is fixed to and extends from the body portion for connecting the body portion with the vertebra. A pair of spaced apart arcuate surfaces are located in the opening in the body portion for engaging the rod at axially spaced locations.