Abstract: A bone-engaging attachment device including a shaft threaded or otherwise adapted to mate with or to accept a fastener, and having a head extending radially at one end of the shaft. A method of attachment of the device to a bone includes preparing a hole in the bone large enough to receive the head and a channel extending from the hole, inserting the head into the hole, and moving the device to a location where the shaft extends outward through the channel while the head is engaged with the bone.

Abstract: An artificial disc including an inner expandable region and an outer peripheral region. The expandable region is transitionable to an expanded configuration having an expanded height that is greater than the intervertebral disc space height, and with the peripheral region having a height substantially equal to the intervertebral disc space height. In one embodiment, the peripheral region has an outer profile substantially corresponding to the size and shape of the intervertebral disc space. In another embodiment, the expandable region comprises a non-porous flexible bladder that is transitionable to the expanded configuration via introduction of an expansion media into an interior chamber of the bladder, with the artificial disc further including an inlet port for introducing expansion media into the interior chamber, and an outlet port for removing expansion media from the interior chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely creating a cavity within living bone into which a plate or implant can be embedded or countersunk. A template is attached to the bone in a required location and is used to control the working depth of a cutting tool used to remove bone within an area limited by the template into which the plate can be placed.

Abstract: A surgical plate system including a surgical plate affixable to bone or other rigid tissue and a method for use of such a system. A connector body protruding from a secondary plate is matable in a receiver defined in a primary plate.

Abstract: A plural component external mix air-assisted/airless spray gun has an airless tip from which resin is emitted in a fan-shaped spray and an injector nozzle for directing an unatomized stream of catalyst into the resin adjacent to the airless tip. The catalyst injector nozzle is built into an ear of an air cap and the air cap is keyed to the airless tip to guarantee the positional relationship between the injector nozzle and the airless tip. Injecting a stream of unatomized catalyst into the resin stream immediately downstream from the airless tip provides thorough mixing of the catalyst into the resin, increased utilization of the catalyst and decreased emissions of catalyst fumes.