Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: A deployable electrical contact device is provided that includes a body portion and a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement is controllably deployable from the body portion. The mounting arrangement is configured to retain the device at a position at a metallic well structure by mechanically engaging with a wall surface of the metallic well structure. The mounting arrangement includes electrically conductive pads configured to provide electrical continuity between the engaged metallic well structure and the mounting arrangement. The device is configured such that when deployed an electrical signal path between one or more of the conductive pads and the body portion is established to provide electrical continuity between the metallic well structure and the body portion.

Abstract: A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.

Abstract: A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.

Abstract: There are described devices and methods for use, for example, with signaling in a well, e.g. using a well structure of the well. Such signaling may include the communication of power and/or data signals. The devices and methods used may assist with efficient and/or effective communication of such signals. In some examples, there is described deployable devices and methods, e.g. a deployable device for signaling contact in a well, and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: A test bench configured to test a drag damper. The test bench comprises a first support that can be rotated about a first axis by a motor, the test bench comprising a second support that can rotate about a second axis, the second axis being axially offset from the first axis, the test bench comprising a first connector secured to the first support and a second connector secured to the second support, the first connector and the second connector being offset from the first axis and the second axis, the first connector and the second connector being opposite each other along an arrangement axis and being configured to carry the damper in line with the arrangement axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.

Abstract: Atest bench configured to test a drag damper. The test bench comprises a first support that can be rotated about a first axis by a motor, the test bench comprising a second support that can rotate about a second axis, the second axis being axially offset from the first axis, the test bench comprising a first connector secured to the first support and a second connector secured to the second support, the first connector and the second connector being offset from the first axis and the second axis, the first connector and the second connector being opposite each other along an arrangement axis and being configured to carry the damper in line with the arrangement axis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: There are described devices and methods for use, for example, with signaling in a well, e.g. using a well structure of the well. Such signaling may include the communication of power and/or data signals. The devices and methods used may assist with efficient and/or effective communication of such signals. In some examples, there is described deployable devices and methods, e.g. a deployable device for signaling contact in a well, and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved tissue retraction and direct visualization tool of a spinal surgical site, such as a site in the cervical spine, including a retractor assembly having a visualization channel, a first retractor member, and a second retractor member, the retractor assembly configured to be coupled to an actuator assembly configured to actuate the retractor assembly. In some aspects, the retractor assembly may transition from an unexpanded state for delivery to an expanded state for visualization. In some aspects, the retractor assembly is expanded with an actuator assembly. A method of using the visualization tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: There are described devices and methods for use, for example, with signaling in a well, e.g. using a well structure of the well. Such signaling may include the communication of power and/or data signals. The devices and methods used may assist with efficient and/or effective communication of such signals. In some examples, there is described deployable devices and methods, e.g. a deployable device for signaling contact in a well, and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.