Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for evaluating and tracking the operation of the menstrual cycle and treating undesirable trends associated with the menstrual cycle. Various aspects of the system and methods described herein rely upon the operation of diagnostic tests specially configured to evaluate a bodily fluid for the presence or absence of hormones or analytes, and more specifically configured to evaluate a bodily fluid for at least the presence or absence of pregnanediol glucuronide at a threshold selected from the range inclusive of 1 ?g/mL-10 ?g/mL. The results from one or more diagnostic tests are interpreted in accordance with the teachings of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant, and more precisely in the preferred embodiment, a fenestrated non-distracting rod for use in association with spinal surgery. The implant is to be placed via the pre-sacral approach in an embodiment of the invention. The fenestrations incorporated within the preferred embodiment are configured to collect bone during transit through the sacrum, and then optionally configured to contact and/or deposit bone collected into the L5-S1 disc space area.

Abstract: The invention now summarized here is directed toward a surgical device that enables utilization of the lateral approach to the spine with the ability to retract tissue in an anterior-to-posterior direction. The invention also incorporates a surgical method for utilization of the above-mentioned surgical device, embodiments of which incorporate steps for approaching the anterior portion of the disc space, retracting soft tissue in a generally posterior direction, removing disc material, placing a bone graft and removing the associated instrumentation.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus and operation for the placement of pedicle screws without the use of guide wires. The preferred embodiment of the present invention improves upon previous systems for the placement of pedicle screws by reducing the risks associated with the use of guide wires. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also enables the reduction of steps associated with the surgical procedure to place one or more pedicle screws.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a system and method for facilitating the fusion of two vertebral bodies utilizing an oblique lateral surgical trajectory. Certain embodiments disclose a method for a surgical approach into one or more interbody spaces between two vertebral bodies on a trajectory through Kambin's Triangle. Certain embodiments of the invention include a method to open a pathway into a target area between two vertebral bodies of the spine using a series of one or more dilators. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise a system for placing an expandable interbody cage between two vertebral bodies. Certain embodiments of the invention incorporate a series of instruments to deliver an expandable interbody cage.