Abstract: Described are systems and methods of perioperative warming. One method comprises providing a regulated power supply that is controlled by a controller, wherein the regulated power supply provides power to one or more polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements, each PTC heating element having a saturation voltage and a corresponding saturation temperature; applying a first voltage to at least one of the one or more PTC heating elements, wherein the first voltage is greater than the saturation voltage; monitoring a temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements while the first voltage is being applied; and regulating voltage applied to the one of the one or more PTC heating elements as the monitored temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements approaches the saturation temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods of perioperative warming. One method comprises providing a regulated power supply that is controlled by a controller, wherein the regulated power supply provides power to one or more polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements, each PTC heating element having a saturation voltage and a corresponding saturation temperature; applying a first voltage to at least one of the one or more PTC heating elements, wherein the first voltage is greater than the saturation voltage; monitoring a temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements while the first voltage is being applied; and regulating voltage applied to the one of the one or more PTC heating elements as the monitored temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements approaches the saturation temperature of the one of the one or more PTC heating elements.

Abstract: An artificial disc includes an intermediate section which is disposed between upper and lower retainers. The intermediate section includes a first portion which resists rotation of one of the retainers, for example, the upper retainer, from a first position to a second position. A second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc resists rotation of the upper retainer from the second position to a third position. The second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc is ineffective to provide significant resistance to relative rotation between the retainers during rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the first position to the second position. The artificial disc may be provided with projections which engage protrusions on the intermediate section to resist rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a spinal disc which has a rail extending from the outer surface to connect the apparatus to the first vertebra. The rail extends a first distance from the outer surface adjacent a first end. The rail extends a second distance from the outer surface adjacent a second end. The second distance is greater than the first distance. In another aspect of the apparatus, the first rail extends generally transverse to the first and second ends. The second rail extends generally transverse to the first rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an artificial disc. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. A first mounting member is connectable with the first vertebra and the artificial disc to position the artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae.

Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged spinal disc between first and second vertebrae of a spinal column includes connecting a first mounting member with the first vertebra of the spinal column. An artificial disc is moved between the first and second vertebrae and into engagement with the first mounting member to guide the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining member has an outer surface engageable with the second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core.

Abstract: An artificial disc includes an intermediate section which is disposed between upper and lower retainers. The intermediate section includes a first portion which resists rotation of one of the retainers, for example, the upper retainer, from a first position to a second position. A second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc resists rotation of the upper retainer from the second position to a third position. The second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc is ineffective to provide significant resistance to relative rotation between the retainers during rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the first position to the second position. The artificial disc may be provided with projections which engage protrusions on the intermediate section to resist rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface. A first retaining device is connected to the first surface of the resilient core. The first retaining device includes an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. A second retaining device is connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. The inner surface of the first retaining device is spaced from the core. The core deflects into engagement with the inner surface of the first retaining device upon relative movement between the first and second retaining devices.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attaching to bone comprises a one-piece, homogeneous screw (12) engageable by a driver for driving the screw into bone. The screw (12) has a shaft portion (20) and a head portion (40) extending from the shaft portion. The shaft portion (20) has an outer surface (26) with a thread convolution (28). The head portion (40) includes oppositely disposed first and second axial ends (42 and 44) and a peripheral surface (50) extending between the ends. The first axial end (42) adjoins the shaft portion (20). The second axial end (44) includes an end surface (46). The head portion (40) has a plurality of slots (60) extending axially from the end surface (46) to the first axial end (42). The slots (60) further extend through the peripheral surface (50) of the head portion (40) and radially inward from the peripheral surface of the head portion. In accordance with another feature, the apparatus (10) further comprises a screwdriver (14) for driving the screw (12) into bone (130).

Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human includes an upper rigid plate having an outer perimeter and a lower rigid plate having an outer perimeter. A body of elastomeric material located between and bonded to the upper and lower rigid plates includes a main portion and a peripheral portion extending around the main portion. The upper and lower plates each have a curved convex plate surface extending around the respective outer perimeters and facing the peripheral portion of the body of elastomeric material. The peripheral portion of the body of elastomeric material has a first part which is bonded to the curved convex plate surfaces of the upper and lower plates and extends toward the main portion. The first part of the peripheral portion increases in thickness as the first part extends from the curved convex plate surfaces toward the main portion.