Abstract: An interbody spacer is provided including a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The interbody spacer includes first orifices defined through the top surface. The first orifices include orifices having first and second cross-sectional configurations and the first orifices are arranged in rows extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes a connecting rod, a rod bending device, and a plurality of bone screws. The connecting rod includes an elongate round portion, an elongate head portion and a neck portion connecting the elongate round portion with the elongate head portion. The rod bending device includes an elongate body defining an aperture configured and dimensioned to receive the connecting rod therethrough in a single orientation. The bone screws include a housing portion and a screw shaft distally extending from the housing portion. The housing portion includes an inner housing and an outer housing slidably surrounding at least a portion of the inner housing. The inner housing defines a slot configured and dimensioned to releasably secure the elongate round portion of the connecting rod therein. The outer housing is movable relative to the inner housing between an unlocked state and a locked state.

Abstract: Systems and processes for predictive text input are provided. In one example process, a text input can be received. The text input can be associated with an input context. A frequency of occurrence of an m-gram with respect to a subset of a corpus can be determined using a language model. The subset can be associated with a context. A weighting factor can be determined based on a degree of similarity between the input context and the context. A weighted probability of a predicted text given the text input can be determined based on the frequency of occurrence of the m-gram and the weighting factor. The m-gram can include at least one word in the text input and at least one word in the predicted text.

Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes first and second bone screws and a body. The body includes a back surface having first and second openings for receiving the first and second screws. The first and second openings are configured for orientation towards opposing vertebral bodies. The body further includes first and second side surfaces extending from opposing ends of the back surface and first and second end surfaces extending from respective first and second side surfaces, wherein the ends of the first and second end surfaces meet and define an atraumatic nose. A first angle is formed between the first side surface and the first end surface that is different than a second angle that is formed between the second side surface and the first end surface. A method using same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: An adjustable occipital plate includes a central body portion having a plurality of arms extending therefrom in a generally Y-shaped configuration. Two of the arms include elongate slots for slidably receiving retaining members therein. Each retaining member includes a U-shaped channel for receiving a spine rod and a set screw. The central body portion and one arm include openings for receiving bone screws therein. Each of the arms may be angled with respect to the central body portion.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a substantially U-shaped body portion and a plate portion. The body portion has first, second, and third walls joined to one another such that the second and third walls define legs of the body portion. The body portion is configured and dimensioned to be positioned between first and second vertebral bodies. The plate portion has a main portion and a flange portion. The main portion has at least one first screw hole oriented towards the first vertebral body at an oblique angle relative to a horizontal axis of the body portion. The flange portion has a second screw hole oriented towards the first vertebral body with the second screw hole oriented substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the body portion. The flange portion is coupled to the main portion such that the flange portion extends past the first surface of the main portion.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a foreign currency solution. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) establishing a foreign currency account for a domestic account holder; (b) receiving a domestic currency payment for funding the foreign currency account; (c) exchanging the domestic currency payment to produce an exchanged foreign currency payment; (d) crediting the foreign currency account by the amount of the exchanged foreign currency payment; and (e) authorizing a foreign currency transaction involving the foreign currency account and the domestic account holder. Other embodiments relate to configuring a mobile device to operate as a mobile wallet, such that the mobile device includes a foreign currency account module and/or a domestic currency account module that can be used to engage in both domestic currency and foreign currency transactions.

Abstract: A pedicle screw construct includes a pedicle screw, a coupling, and a collet. The pedicle screw includes a shank having a helical thread formed thereon and a head at one end. The collet is positioned atop the head of the pedicle screw. The collet and pedicle screw are inserted into the coupling. The pedicle screw is rotatable and pivotable relative to the collet and coupling assembly. The collet and the coupling each have a saddle that is adapted and configured for receiving a rod member.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a body, plate, and bone screws. The body includes a first wall having second and third walls joined thereto to define legs. In an embodiment, the body and plate are of unitary construction. In alternative embodiments, the body is formed from a first material and is configured for positioning between vertebral bodies. In other embodiments, the body is separate from the plate. The plate has a main portion and a flange. The main portion has a first screw hole oriented towards the first vertebral body at an oblique angle relative to the horizontal axis of the body. The flange has a second screw hole oriented towards the second vertebral body and substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. The flange is coupled to the main portion and extends past the main portion. Each bone screw is insertable through a screw hole of the plate for attachment to bone. A kit including a body, bone screws, and a plurality of different plates is also provided.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes a connecting rod, a rod bending device, and a plurality of bone screws. The connecting rod includes an elongate round portion, an elongate head portion and a neck portion connecting the elongate round portion with the elongate head portion. The rod bending device includes an elongate body defining an aperture configured and dimensioned to receive the connecting rod therethrough in a single orientation. The bone screws include a housing portion and a screw shaft distally extending from the housing portion. The housing portion includes an inner housing and an outer housing slidably surrounding at least a portion of the inner housing. The inner housing defines a slot configured and dimensioned to releasably secure the elongate round portion of the connecting rod therein. The outer housing is movable relative to the inner housing between an unlocked state and a locked state.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a foreign currency solution. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) establishing a foreign currency account for a domestic account holder; (b) receiving a domestic currency payment for funding the foreign currency account; (c) exchanging the domestic currency payment to produce an exchanged foreign currency payment; (d) crediting the foreign currency account by the amount of the exchanged foreign currency payment; and (e) authorizing a foreign currency transaction involving the foreign currency account and the domestic account holder. Other embodiments relate to configuring a mobile device to operate as a mobile wallet, such that the mobile device includes a foreign currency account module and/or a domestic currency account module that can be used to engage in both domestic currency and foreign currency transactions.

Abstract: An adjustable occipital plate includes a central body portion having a plurality of arms extending therefrom in a generally Y-shaped configuration. Two of the arms include elongate slots for slidably receiving retaining members therein. Each retaining member includes a U-shaped channel for receiving a spine rod and a set screw. The central body portion and one arm include openings for receiving bone screws therein. Each of the arms may be angled with respect to the central body portion.

Abstract: An adjustable occipital plate includes a central body portion having a plurality of arms extending therefrom in a generally Y-shaped configuration. Two of the arms include elongate slots for slidably receiving retaining members therein. Each retaining member includes a U-shaped channel for receiving a spine rod and a set screw. The central body portion and one arm include openings for receiving bone screws therein. Each of the arms may be angled with respect to the central body portion.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: A technique to facilitate the automatic obtaining or extraction of dialogs or screens such as a graphical user interface from executable program code and saving a snapshot of such dialogs or screens in a graphical format. The executable program code is scanned or searched for particular modules within such program code that are used to generate a user interface or dialogue. Each one of these identified GUI-accessible modules is then processed in order to generate, display, and capture their associated user interface(s) or dialogue(s). Any requisite user input or sample data that is required by these modules is automatically generated and provided to assist in the generation, display, and capture of the interfaces/dialogues.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for using bromine and/or bromide-containing compounds derived from a nitrogen-containing compound, such as ammonia, sulfamic acid, or one or more salts thereof, to reduce mercury emissions during coal combustion.

Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for killing bacteria and controlling biofilms comprising one or more microorganisms are provided wherein molecules capable of emulating cell-to-cell signal molecules of the microorganisms are utilized.