Abstract: An anterior method for implanting an artificial disc in an intervertebral space of a human body includes inserting a midline marker in a face of a vertebral body for instrument alignment and artificial disc placement. A kit for implanting an artificial disc in an intervertebral space of a human body includes site preparation instruments, artificial disc insertion instruments, and a midline marker for guiding the artificial disc insertion instruments into a prepared intervertebral space. Also included are a verification instrument, a midline marker, a midline marker insertion instrument, an endplate shaping device, a distraction instrument, a trial insertion instrument, an endplate insertion instrument, a core insertion instrument, and a trial spacer head.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgical instrument is provided which includes a receiving component having a longitudinal axis, a modular tip configured to be coupled in a rigid manner to the receiving component in two or less orientations, and a locking mechanism for securing the tip to the receiving component. A method for attaching a modular tip to a surgical instrument is also provided that includes actuating a locking mechanism, inserting a mating component of a modular tip into a receiving component by moving the mating component in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receiving component, or by rotating the mating component relative to the receiving component, or a combination thereof, and releasing the locking mechanism to secure the tip to the receiving component.

Abstract: A vertebral endplate chisel having upper and lower shaving portions, and a non-cutting guide integrally connected to and extending between the shaving portions and adapted to center the chisel within the disc space so that equal amounts of bone are removed from each endplate by the shaving portions as the chisel moves through the disc space.

Abstract: An method and apparatus is provided for achieving stability of an implant in an intervertebral space of the human body, including an implant having a superior surface and an inferior surface, the surfaces having no significant protrusions extending therefrom and at least one modular projection mateable with one of each superior and inferior surface of the implant to achieve stability within the intervertebral space. The implants can be selected form a group of artificial discs and spinal fusion cages.

Abstract: A dialog management system has an incoming dialog manager (2) for receiving customer information. It automatically updates a profile database and passes data to a segmentation manager for (3) for dynamically determining a current customer segment. In real time, a segmentation decision is used by a feedback manager (10) to generate questions for the customer. Thus the managers (2, 3, 10) operate in a real time cycle involving the customer to gather data and assist the customer as if a personal service were being provided.

Abstract: A medical instrument impacting tool that is useful for mating to a medical instrument used during spinal surgery is provided. The impacting tool is effective to apply a force to the medical instrument to efficiently and effectively prepare a bone structure, insert or remove a trial implant, insert or remove an implant, or to remove a medical instrument positioned between adjacent bone structures. In general, the medical instrument impacting tool includes a hollow tube, a handle slidably disposed around the tube, and a mass connected to the handle and slidably disposed within the tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two motion surfaces and an open channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vertebral endplate chisel comprising:

Abstract: A medical instrument impacting tool that is useful for mating to a medical instrument used during spinal surgery is provided. The impacting tool is effective to apply a force to the medical instrument to efficiently and effectively prepare a bone structure, insert or remove a trial implant, insert or remove an implant, or to remove a medical instrument positioned between adjacent bone structures. In general, the medical instrument impacting tool includes a hollow tube, a handle slidably disposed around the tube, and a mass connected to the handle and slidably disposed within the tube.

Abstract: An installation template for installing a door closer. The installation consists of an under sheet coated with a release agent and two installation templates, a pull side template and a push side template, both coated with a self-stick adhesive, attached to the under sheet. The pull side template and the push side template include two sets of written instructions, each set being upside down to the other set, which permits each template to be used for both right hand and left hand installations. The use of both pull side and push side templates on the single under sheet along with the two sets of written instructions, allows a single template to be used for both push side installation and pull side installation of both right hand and left hand doors.

Abstract: A method of installing a door closer. The method includes selecting a pull-side mounting template adhered to a first side of a releasable backing or a push-side template adhered to a second side of the releasable backing. The selected template is removed from the backing and is separated into a door portion and a door-frame portion. An edge of the door portion is aligned with a top edge of a door and adhered thereto, and an edge of the door-frame portion is aligned with a door frame and adhered thereto. A rod and shoe bracket is attached to a rod and shoe indicator on one of the door portion or the door-frame portion, and a door closer is attached to a door closer indicator on the other of the door portion or the door-frame portion.

Abstract: An installation template for installing a door closer. The installation consists of an under sheet coated with a release agent and two installation templates, a pull side template and a push side template, both coated with a self-stick adhesive, attached to the under sheet. The pull side template and the push side template include two sets of written instructions, each set being upside down to the other set, which permits each template to be used for both right hand and left hand installations. The use of both pull side and push side templates on the single under sheet along with the two sets of written instructions, allows a single template to be used for both push side installation and pull side installation of both right hand and left hand doors.

Abstract: An installation template for installing a door closer. The installation consists of an under sheet coated with a release agent and two installation templates, a pull side template and a push side template, both coated with a self-stick adhesive, attached to the under sheet. The pull side template and the push side template include two sets of written instructions, each set being upside down to the other set, which permits each template to be used for both right hand and left hand installations. The use of both pull side and push side templates on the single under sheet along with the two sets of written instructions, allows a single template to be used for both push side installation and pull side installation of both right hand and left hand doors.

Abstract: An installation template for installing a door closer. The installation consists of an under sheet coated with a release agent and two installation templates, a pull side template and a push side template, both coated with a self-stick adhesive, attached to the under sheet. The pull side template and the push side template include two sets of written instructions, each set being upside down to the other set, which permits each template to be used for both right hand and left hand installations. The use of both pull side and push side templates on the single under sheet along with the two sets of written instructions, allows a single template to be used for both push side installation and pull side installation of both right hand and left hand doors.

Abstract: A yarn guide comprising a rotatably mounted circumferentially grooved cylindrical bar having as part of the bar surface a smoothly recessed, relatively flat area advancing helically less than a complete turn along the the length of the bar, the relatively flat area being uniformly recessed to a depth such that at least part of the recessed area is devoid of grooves. The guide permits step-wise engagement of a multiplicity of yarns.