Abstract: Self-aligning plating systems and methods are disclosed. The self-aligning plating system may include an interbody spacer, a medical device plate, and an insertion member. The interbody spacer may be inserted between a top vertebra and a bottom vertebra of a patient's spinal column. A medical device plate may slide along an insertion member in operable connectivity with the interbody spacer so that the medical device plate comes into contact with and can be secured to the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: Self-aligning plating systems and methods are disclosed. The self-aligning plating system may include an interbody spacer, a medical device plate, and an insertion member. The interbody spacer may be inserted between a top vertebra and a bottom vertebra of a patient's spinal column. A medical device plate may slide along an insertion member in operable connectivity with the interbody spacer so that the medical device plate comes into contact with and can be secured to the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface. The method includes preparing a solution of a phosphorous-based acid in a solvent; immersing a strip of the metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; supplying a voltage for a duration of time to prepare a phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; removing the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; cleaning and drying the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; applying a chitosan solution to the surface in order to attach chitosan/modified chitosan to the phosphorous acid based modified surface; prepare the modified-metal surface; and cleaning and drying the modified-metal surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface. The method includes preparing a solution of a phosphorous-based acid in a solvent; immersing a strip of the metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; supplying a voltage for a duration of time to prepare a phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; removing the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; cleaning and drying the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; applying a chitosan solution to the surface in order to attach chitosan/modified chitosan to the phosphorous acid based modified surface; prepare the modified-metal surface; and cleaning and drying the modified-metal surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface by attaching a phosphorous-based acid to a surface of a metal: preparing a solution of the phosphorous-based acid in a protic solvent; immersing a strip of a metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, supplying a voltage for a duration of time, removing the metal work piece, cleaning the metal work piece, and drying the cleaned metal work piece under an inert atmosphere to obtain a modified metal work piece.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface by attaching a phosphorous-based acid to a surface of a metal: preparing a solution of the phosphorous-based acid in a protic solvent; immersing a strip of a metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, supplying a voltage for a duration of time, removing the metal work piece, cleaning the metal work piece, and drying the cleaned metal work piece under an inert atmosphere to obtain a modified metal work piece.

Abstract: A retractor system is provided having a plurality of blade portions that collectively present a low profile tapered configuration for insertion through tissue along a natural tissue plane. Once inserted through tissue the blade portions may be independently moved apart to form an access path to a surgical site, such as by first moving the blade portions apart along the natural tissue plane followed by moving the blade portions apart transverse to the natural tissue plane. The blade portions may be attached to retractor frame members, and rack and pinion frame components may be used to control movement of the blade portions relative to one another. Pins may be used to secure the blade portions to bone.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface. The method includes preparing a solution of a phosphorous-based acid in a solvent; immersing a strip of the metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid; supplying a voltage for a duration of time to prepare a phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; removing the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; cleaning and drying the phosphorous acid-modified metal work piece; applying a chitosan solution to the surface in order to attach chitosan/modified chitosan to the phosphorous acid based modified surface; prepare the modified-metal surface; and cleaning and drying the modified-metal surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface by attaching a phosphorous-based acid to a surface of a metal: preparing a solution of the phosphorous-based acid in a protic solvent; immersing a strip of a metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, supplying a voltage for a duration of time, removing the metal work piece, cleaning the metal work piece, and drying the cleaned metal work piece under an inert atmosphere to obtain a modified metal work piece.

Abstract: Self-aligning plating systems and methods are disclosed. The self-aligning plating system may include an interbody spacer, a medical device plate, and an insertion member. The interbody spacer may be inserted between a top vertebra and a bottom vertebra of a patient's spinal column. A medical device plate may slide along an insertion member in operable connectivity with the interbody spacer so that the medical device plate comes into contact with and can be secured to the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A method of photografting organic molecules to a metal oxide comprising: (a) contacting a substrate having a metal oxide layer on a surface thereof with an acrylate, derivative thereof or a photolabile functional group; and (b) exposing the metal oxide layer and the acrylate, derivative thereof or photolabile group to UV or visible radiation to form covalent bonds between the metal oxide and the acrylate, the derivative thereof or the photolabile.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified-metal surface by attaching a phosphorous-based acid to a surface of a metal: preparing a solution of the phosphorous-based acid in a protic solvent; immersing a strip of a metal work piece into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, immersing a strip of a reference metal into the solution of the phosphorous-based acid, supplying a voltage for a duration of time, removing the metal work piece, cleaning the metal work piece, and drying the cleaned metal work piece under an inert atmosphere to obtain a modified metal work piece.

Abstract: A retractor system is provided having a plurality of blade portions that collectively present a low profile tapered configuration for insertion through tissue along a natural tissue plane. Once inserted through tissue the blade portions may be independently moved apart to form an access path to a surgical site, such as by first moving the blade portions apart along the natural tissue plane followed by moving the blade portions apart transverse to the natural tissue plane. The blade portions may be attached to retractor frame members, and rack and pinion frame components may be used to control movement of the blade portions relative to one another. Pins may be used to secure the blade portions to bone.

Abstract: A retractor system is provided having a plurality of blade portions that collectively present a low profile tapered configuration for insertion through tissue along a natural tissue plane. Once inserted through tissue the blade portions may be independently moved apart to form an access path to a surgical site, such as by first moving the blade portions apart along the natural tissue plane followed by moving the blade portions apart transverse to the natural tissue plane. The blade portions may be attached to retractor frame members, and rack and pinion frame components may be used to control movement of the blade portions relative to one another. Pins may be used to secure the blade portions to bone.

Abstract: A neuromonitoring system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes, a ground electrode, a monopolar stimulating probe having an electrode tip and configured to be coupled to a cable, and a stimulating probe sleeve. The sleeve is adapted and configured to be removably coupled to the monopolar stimulating probe. The sleeve has a slot and is configured and adapted to coaxially slide relative to the monopolar stimulating probe between a first retracted position and a second advanced position. The electrode tip generates an omnidirectional signal when in use while the sleeve is in the retracted position or in an uncoupled position. The electrode tip generates a unidirectional signal when in use while the sleeve is in the advanced position.

Abstract: A surgical screw system comprising a cannulated screw, a guide wire and a driver. The screw has a head, a tubular body with a bore, and a tip opposite the head. The guide wire, shorter than the screw, is slidably disposed within the bore of the screw. The guide wire has a working end deployable beyond the tip of the screw, and the working end is sharpened to penetrate the bone and produce a pilot hole when an axial force is applied. The guide wire extends to deploy the working end beyond the tip to create the pilot hole, and fully retracts into the screw upon installation of the screw. The driver passes through the head of the screw into the bore, and applies the axial force to the guide wire. The driver may be used to drive the screw into the bone, and is removable from the screw.

Abstract: A modular implant device for placement between two adjacent vertebrae during a surgical procedure. The implant device comprises a distractor/nosecone portion configured for placement in a first location between the vertebrae and providing distraction and fixation of a desired vertical separation between the vertebrae at the first location. An alignment guide being a long slender element has a first end inserted into the distractor/nosecone portion and extending away from the distractor/nosecone portion, where the alignment guide is used to position the distractor/nosecone portion in the first location between the vertebrae. A body portion is configured for placement in a second location between the vertebrae, providing distraction and fixation of a desired vertical separation between the vertebrae at the second location, where the body portion includes a bore to receive the alignment guide, and the body portion is translated along the alignment guide into position between the vertebrae.

Abstract: A distracting portal device for use between two adjacent vertebrae during an intervertebral surgical procedure. The distracting portal device is a three-dimensional object having a two-dimensional cross-section extended into a third dimension, where the cross-section has a shape which defines one or two portal openings. Each portal opening creates a space between the vertebrae into which a surgeon has clear access to perform the surgical procedure, such as a discectomy. Opposing top and bottom surfaces of the portal device are configured for contact with and distraction of the two adjacent vertebrae. The portal device is selected from a family having a single portal opening and having a cross-section resembling one of the letters “C”, “O” or “U”, or a family having two portal openings and having a cross-section resembling one of the letters “H” or “I”.

Abstract: A retractor system is provided having a plurality of blade portions that collectively present a low profile tapered configuration for insertion through tissue along a natural tissue plane. Once inserted through tissue the blade portions may be independently moved apart to form an access path to a surgical site, such as by first moving the blade portions apart along the natural tissue plane followed by moving the blade portions apart transverse to the natural tissue plane. The blade portions may be attached to retractor frame members, and rack and pinion frame components may be used to control movement of the blade portions relative to one another. Pins may be used to secure the blade portions to bone.

Abstract: Provided is a system and devices for use in the treatment and repair of moveable skeletal joints in the body of a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to the complete or partial posterior modular disc replacement of damaged or diseased fibrocartilage intervertebral discs in a subject wherein the replacement disc is capable of rotation and translation articulation.