Abstract: A pedicle screw comprises a head. A shaft is joined to the head. The shaft comprises a first threaded portion, a middle portion and a second threaded portion. The middle portion comprises a modified threaded portion being configured to mitigate damage to a patient's nerve root. A first marker is joinable to the shaft proximate the modified threaded portion. The first marker comprises a material being radiographically distinguishable from the shaft in which a placement of the modified threaded portion is observable.

Abstract: A computer-based method for managing a plurality of computer components in an organization is provided. The method is implemented using a Component Manager (CM) computing device. The method includes receiving, from a stakeholder computing device, component data for at least one computer component of the plurality of computer components. The method also includes storing the component data in a memory block in the memory device. The method further includes assigning a first lifecycle classification, a domain, and at least one stakeholder to the at least one computer component by updating the memory block in the memory device. The method also includes causing the stakeholder computing device to electronically display an interactive dashboard that includes a graphical representation of the at least one computer component. The method further includes prompting a stakeholder to update a component utilization scheme for the computer component, by electronically displaying the graphical representation.

Abstract: Dynamically verifying handwashing compliance by caregivers may include identifying a generated handwashing communication that indicates a handwashing event time defining a time at which a handwashing event occurred. In response to receiving the generated handwashing communication, a patient visit time that defines a time at which a patient visit occurred may be determined. Determining a patient visit time may include receiving a patient visit communication that is sent in response to a determination that a caregiver computing device is physically proximate to a patient computing device. Based on the received handwashing communication and the determined patient visit time, the patient visit time may be determined as being within a time period threshold of the identified handwashing event time. A statistical analysis of a caregiver associated with the caregiver computing device may then be provided.

Abstract: A pedicle depth measuring apparatus comprises an outer tubular member comprising a first end and a second end. A head member is joined to the second end. The head member comprises a base surface comprising an opening. An inner member is slidable within the outer tubular member. The inner member comprises a first end and a second end, the second end being slidable through the opening. The second end further comprises a marker disposed at a distal end. The marker comprises a material that is radiographically distinguishable, in which a placement of the marker within a cannulation of a patient's pedicle is observable. An indicator member is operable for indicating a distance between the marker and the base surface, in which the distance indicates a choice of a size of a pedicle screw to be installed for mitigating damage to the patient's nerve root.

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: A computer-based method for managing a plurality of computer components in an organization is provided. The method is implemented using a Component Manager (CM) computing device. The method includes receiving, from a stakeholder computing device, component data for at least one computer component of the plurality of computer components. The method also includes storing the component data in a memory block in the memory device. The method further includes assigning a first lifecycle classification, a domain, and at least one stakeholder to the at least one computer component by updating the memory block in the memory device. The method also includes causing the stakeholder computing device to electronically display an interactive dashboard that includes a graphical representation of the at least one computer component. The method further includes prompting a stakeholder to update a component utilization scheme for the computer component, by electronically displaying the graphical representation.

Abstract: A computer-based method for managing a plurality of computer components in an organization is provided. The method is implemented using a Component Manager (CM) computing device. The method includes receiving, from a stakeholder computing device, component data for at least one computer component of the plurality of computer components. The method also includes storing the component data in a memory block in the memory device. The method further includes assigning a first lifecycle classification, a domain, and at least one stakeholder to the at least one computer component by updating the memory block in the memory device. The method also includes causing the stakeholder computing device to electronically display an interactive dashboard that includes a graphical representation of the at least one computer component. The method further includes prompting a stakeholder to update a component utilization scheme for the computer component, by electronically displaying the graphical representation.

Abstract: A pedicle screw may include an electrically conductive portion formed from a material having a greater electrical conductivity than that of the base material from which the screw is formed. The electrically conductive portion preferentially channels electrical energy supplied by an electrical probe to a location of the electrically conductive portion facing the nerve root. The portion thus provides a sort of electrical highway that helps to focus the electrical energy applied to the pedicle screw in a particular direction, towards the presumed location of the nerve root. As an alternative to placement of the electrically conductive portion in the pedicle screw itself, the electrically conductive portion could be placed within a tap that is used in preparing the pedicle for receipt of the pedicle screw (e.g., in forming the threaded structure in the pedicle bone into which the pedicle screw will then be placed).

Abstract: A computer-based method for managing a plurality of computer components in an organization is provided. The method is implemented using a Component Manager (CM) computing device. The method includes receiving, from a stakeholder computing device, component data for at least one computer component of the plurality of computer components. The method also includes storing the component data in a memory block in the memory device. The method further includes assigning a first lifecycle classification, a domain, and at least one stakeholder to the at least one computer component by updating the memory block in the memory device. The method also includes causing the stakeholder computing device to electronically display an interactive dashboard that includes a graphical representation of the at least one computer component. The method further includes prompting a stakeholder to update a component utilization scheme for the computer component, by electronically displaying the graphical representation.

Abstract: A pedicle screw comprises a head. A shaft is joined to the head. The shaft comprises a first threaded portion, a middle portion and a second threaded portion. The middle portion comprises a modified threaded portion being configured to mitigate damage to a patient's nerve root. A first marker is joinable to the shaft proximate the modified threaded portion. The first marker comprises a material being radiographically distinguishable from the shaft in which a placement of the modified threaded portion is observable.

Abstract: Methods for accessing a disc space of a patient as a part of an interbody fusion, as well as the tools employed therewith. An exemplary method may include inserting a leading end of an tool into the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from a patient's spinous process and disc. The tool's initial entry into the patient may be from a posterior approach. As the tool is advanced along its designated path, it begins to deviate from the posterior approach towards a lateral approach. When the leading end reaches the disc, it may access the disc from a lateral or substantially lateral location. The tool may be used to access the disc location, to remove disc material, to deliver a cutting tool for removing the disc material, and other steps associated with the spinal interbody fusion procedure.

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: A pedicle screw comprises a head. A shaft is joined to the head. The shaft comprises a first threaded portion, a middle portion and a second threaded portion. The middle portion comprises a modified threaded portion being configured to mitigate damage to a patient's nerve root. A first marker is joinable to the shaft proximate the modified threaded portion. The first marker comprises a material being radiographically distinguishable from the shaft in which a placement of the modified threaded portion is observable.

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: A pedicle screw may include an electrically conductive portion formed from a material having a greater electrical conductivity than that of the base material from which the screw is formed. The electrically conductive portion preferentially channels electrical energy supplied by an electrical probe to a location of the electrically conductive portion facing the nerve root. The portion thus provides a sort of electrical highway that helps to focus the electrical energy applied to the pedicle screw in a particular direction, towards the presumed location of the nerve root. As an alternative to placement of the electrically conductive portion in the pedicle screw itself, the electrically conductive portion could be placed within a tap that is used in preparing the pedicle for receipt of the pedicle screw (e.g., in forming the threaded structure in the pedicle bone into which the pedicle screw will then be placed).

Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.

Abstract: A pedicle depth measuring apparatus comprises an outer tubular member comprising a first end and a second end. A head member is joined to the second end. The head member comprises a base surface comprising an opening. An inner member is slidable within the outer tubular member. The inner member comprises a first end and a second end, the second end being slidable through the opening. The second end further comprises a marker disposed at a distal end. The marker comprises a material that is radiographically distinguishable, in which a placement of the marker within a cannulation of a patient's pedicle is observable. An indicator member is operable for indicating a distance between the marker and the base surface, in which the distance indicates a choice of a size of a pedicle screw to be installed for mitigating damage to the patient's nerve root.

Abstract: A computerized method of automatically determining a user's potential liking for an unknown audio file, based upon a reference audio file that the user likes. Each audio file is analyzed into various frequency and amplitude bins, each bin having a time length that is at least a substantial fraction of the audio file's normal playing time. Each bin is further scored according to the complexity or information content of the audio signal in that bin. Corresponding bins from the reference audio file and one or more unknown audio files are then compared on a per-bin basis, and the results aggregated according to an anticipated user affinity score using an anticipated user affinity algorithm. The method can be used by an internet server to accept song input from users (using user computerized devices), and in turn suggest other high user affinity score songs that the user may like.

Abstract: A method for measuring the depth for installing a pedicle screw comprises utilizing a pedicle depth measuring apparatus which comprises an outer tubular member comprising a first end and a second end. A head member is joined to the second end. The head member comprises a base surface comprising an opening. An inner member is slidable within the outer tubular member. The inner member comprises a first end and a second end, the second end being slidable through the opening. The second end further comprises a marker disposed at a distal end. The marker comprises a material that is radiographically distinguishable, in which a placement of the marker within a cannulation of a patient's pedicle is observable. An indicator member is operable for indicating a distance between the marker and the base surface, in which the distance indicates a choice of a size of a pedicle screw for mitigating damage to the patient's nerve root.