Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral disc space in-between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant includes a plate preferably coupled to a spacer. The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a number of components including upper and lower endplates and one or more inserts configured to be disposed between the upper and lower endplates. Complimentary curved articulation surfaces are defined on the insert-facing surfaces of the upper and lower endplates and on the corresponding upper and lower surfaces of each of the inserts. The components of the implant articulate with respect to each other along shared articulation surfaces. At least two pairs of shared articulation surfaces are defined, each pair having a different length radius. The components of the implant can be configured with retainers, such that the implant is retained in an assembled configuration when disposed within an intervertebral space.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant can include a pair of endplates between which is coupled a bag that is filled or is fillable with small beads or particles having smooth exterior geometries. The bead sack implant allows for articulation about various centers of rotation without a predefined neutral position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for producing at least one, in particular metal, component, preferably a cylinder head, a nozzle body for a high-pressure injection pump, a component of a diesel injection engine, or a throttle disk, by means of low-pressure carbonitriding in at least one treatment chamber, which preferably can be evacuated, and an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device, which enables the setting of a specified ratio between a carbon concentration and a nitrogen concentration in a surface layer of the at least one component. In at least one treatment phase, a carbon-providing gas and a nitrogen-providing gas are simultaneously introduced into the treatment chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant for implantation in an intervertebral disc space in-between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant includes a plate preferably coupled to a spacer. The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: An multi-speed automatic transmission providing at least nine forward speeds and one reverse speed, includes four planetary gear sets, six shift control elements, an input shaft, an output shaft, and a transmission case. Each planetary gear set includes a sun gear, a pinion gear set, a carrier that rotatably supports the pinion gear set, and a ring gear. A carrier of a first planetary gear set is connected to the ring gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of the second planetary gear set is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set. The first and second planetary gear sets are concentrically arranged in a common plane.

Abstract: An multi-speed automatic transmission providing at least nine forward speeds and one reverse speed, includes four planetary gear sets, six shift control elements, an input shaft, an output shaft, and a transmission case. Each planetary gear set includes a sun gear, a pinion gear set, a carrier that rotatably supports the pinion gear set, and a ring gear. A carrier of a first planetary gear set is connected to the ring gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of the second planetary gear set is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set. The first and second planetary gear sets are concentrically arranged in a common plane.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A method of supporting a substrate includes inserting a rock bolt into a hole and using the rock bolt to form a groove in a wall of the hole when the rock bolt is inserted therein. The rock bolt is caused to interact with the groove in such a way that the rock bolt is secured in the hole at least in part by the interaction.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.