Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for providing a decentralized federation for attribute-based access control. A request for a list of unique identifiers (IDs) associated with members belonging to the federation is sent to a federation authority. For a unique ID in the list of unique IDs associated with a second member belonging to the federation, a set of communication information for communicating with the second member is determined. Based on the set of communication information associated with the second member, the second member is sent a request for a list of available services. The second member is provided a set of verifiable credentials associated with the first member. The second member determines the list of available services based on the set of verifiable credentials and a set of policies and rules. The list of available services is received from the second member.

Abstract: A bone access tool including a handle assembly and speculum assembly coupled to the handle assembly for accessing and channeling through biological tissue is described. The handle assembly has first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. The speculum assembly has first and second speculum members movably positioned relative to one another. The speculum members define an internal shaft arranged about a central axis and a tapered shape when positioned adjacent one another. The tapered shape gradually reduces in size from a proximal rim to a distal edge of the speculum assembly. Actuation of the handle assembly causes the first speculum member and second speculum member to spread apart from one another about the central axis so as to retract anatomical tissue and widen a size of the internal shaft for deploying a tool into the internal shaft between the speculum members.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for accessing and channeling through biological tissue. One embodiment is a bone access tool including a handle assembly and speculum assembly coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly has first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. The speculum assembly has first and second speculum members movably positioned relative to one another. The speculum members define an internal shaft arranged about a central axis and a tapered shape when positioned adjacent one another. The tapered shape gradually reduces in size from a proximal rim to a distal edge of the speculum assembly. The speculum assembly also has at least one rib extending outwardly from each of the first and second speculum members, the rib having an upper surface and an inclined lower surface.

Abstract: A bone block for insertion into a patient's intervertebral space. A method for inserting a bone block into a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: supporting the bone block in an inserter; advancing the inserter into the intervertebral space; rotating the inserter, thereby separating adjacent vertebrae; separating the bone block and the inserter with a push rod; and removing the inserter from the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).

Abstract: A bone block for insertion into a patient's intervertebral space. A method for inserting a bone block into a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: supporting the bone block in an inserter; advancing the inserter into the intervertebral space; rotating the inserter, thereby separating adjacent vertebrae; separating the bone block and the inserter with a push rod; and removing the inserter from the intervertebral space.

Abstract: An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc space distraction system includes a spool core sized to be percutaneously positioned within a portion of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, the spool core having a first diameter. The system further includes an elongate film removably attached to the spool core, wherein the elongate film can be wound around the spool core to increase the first diameter of the spool core.

Abstract: This invention provides substituted pyrimido-pyrimidines that are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer and restenosis, as well as angiogenesis and atherosclerosis. The invention compounds have Formula I: where W is NH, S, SO, or SO2, R1 includes alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heteroaryl and substituted heteroaryl; R2 includes alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl and substituted phenyl; R3 includes alkyl and aryl such as phenyl and substituted phenyl; R8 and R9 include hydrogen and alkyl, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of Formula I together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient therefor, and a method for treating angiogenesis using said compounds.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for accessing and channeling through biological tissue. One embodiment is a bone access tool including a handle assembly and speculum assembly coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly has first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. The speculum assembly has first and second speculum members movably positioned relative to one another. The speculum members define an internal shaft arranged about a central axis and a tapered shape when positioned adjacent one another. The tapered shape gradually reduces in size from a proximal rim to a distal edge of the speculum assembly. The speculum assembly also has at least one rib extending outwardly from each of the first and second speculum members, the rib having an upper surface and an inclined lower surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone coring device having a handle including a first handle component and a second handle component. The first handle component is rotatably coupled to the second handle component. The device also includes a coring assembly mechanically coupled to the handle. The coring assembly includes an elongated outer cutting member having an internal bore and distal edge adapted to cut through cancellous bone. The coring assembly also includes an elongated inner member slidably positioned within the internal bore of the outer cutting member. Rotatable movement of the first handle component relative to the second handle component causes relative, linear movement between the elongated outer cutting member and the inner member to facilitate coring of a sample of bone when the coring assembly is positioned within the bone.

Abstract: A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.

Abstract: A method of determining relative neuro-muscular response onset value thresholds for a plurality of spinal nerves, comprising: depolarizing a portion of the patient's cauda equina; and measuring the current intensity level at which a neuro-muscular response to the depolarization of the cauda equina is detected in each of the plurality of spinal nerves.

Abstract: A method of determining relative neuro-muscular response onset value thresholds for a plurality of spinal nerves, comprising: depolarizing a portion of the patient's cauda equina; and measuring the current intensity level at which a neuro-muscular response to the depolarization of the cauda equina is detected in each of the plurality of spinal nerves.

Abstract: An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein.

Abstract: Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

Abstract: Systems and method for accessing a spinal target site involving a plurality of tissue displacement members configured to be advanced to a spinal target site and moved relative to one another to provide surgical access to the spinal target site, and an expandable member disposed at least partially about at least a portion of the plurality of tissue displacement members and configured to prevent tissue from migrating into the spinal target site during surgical access.