Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for surgically manipulating tissue. In general, the methods and devices can include an elongate retractor shaft having a distal retractor tip that is configured to manipulate tissue, for example the tip can be configured to separate muscle and nerve fibers surrounding a vertebra. The elongate retractor shaft can include an illumination source such that at least a portion of the surgical field is illuminated by the device when the device is used in the body. A sensor can also or alternatively be included on the elongate retractor shaft, for example on the blunt retraction tip, such that the sensor can monitor physiological parameters of the tissue in or adjacent to the surgical field.

Abstract: Series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”), including rapid palatal expanders, wherein a left tooth engagement region and a right tooth engagement region are configured to add anti-tipping torque to at least one tooth. Left and right tooth engagement regions may include lingual surfaces with at least one lingual protrusion. Left and right tooth engagement regions may have buccally rotated cavities.

Abstract: A series of palatal expanders and methods of designing palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, where outer occlusal surfaces of a palatal expander are shaped to conform to a geometry of corresponding teeth surfaces of the patient's lower jaw to provide occlusion between occlusal surfaces and the corresponding teeth surfaces.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: A portable clothes hanging assembly includes a plurality of brackets attached together to define a wall mount that is attachable to a wall of a room in a building and a hanger extending away from the wall mount. A hanging wheel is rotatably attached to the hanger such that the hanging wheel has a vertical rotational axis. A plurality of hanger supports is provided and each of the hanger supports is suspendable from the hanging wheel. Each of the hanger supports has a plurality of receivers thereby facilitating each of the receivers to receive a respective one of a plurality of clothes hangers. In this way the hanging wheel facilitates the clothes hangers to hang clothes in the absence of a closet.

Abstract: A portable clothes hanging assembly includes a plurality of brackets attached together to define a wall mount that is attachable to a wall of a room in a building and a hanger extending away from the wall mount. A hanging wheel is rotatably attached to the hanger such that the hanging wheel has a vertical rotational axis. A plurality of hanger supports is provided and each of the hanger supports is suspendable from the hanging wheel. Each of the hanger supports has a plurality of receivers thereby facilitating each of the receivers to receive a respective one of a plurality of clothes hangers. In this way the hanging wheel facilitates the clothes hangers to hang clothes in the absence of a closet.

Abstract: A portable clothes hanging assembly includes a plurality of brackets attached together to define a wall mount that is attachable to a wall of a room in a building and a hanger extending away from the wall mount. A hanging wheel is rotatably attached to the hanger such that the hanging wheel has a vertical rotational axis. A plurality of hanger supports is provided and each of the hanger supports is suspendable from the hanging wheel. Each of the hanger supports has a plurality of receivers thereby facilitating each of the receivers to receive a respective one of a plurality of clothes hangers. In this way the hanging wheel facilitates the clothes hangers to hang clothes in the absence of a closet.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a medical procedure includes an access device that is configured to provide distance information regarding anatomical structures as the access device is driven to a target anatomical site. For instance, the access device can have either or both of a camera and neuromonitoring electrodes. The camera can send real-time images of the anatomical structures as the access device is driven toward the target anatomical site. The electrodes can emit an electrical current to identify a distance from nerve structure. A visual display can include the anatomical structure identified to the operator to assist in guiding the access device to the target anatomical site.

Abstract: A novel posterolateral inter-muscular approach has been developed to access the cervical. spine. The approach includes elevating the splenius capitis and trapezios muscles dorsally to create a window for deep spine access, wherein the window comprises: i) an anterior superior border of the trapezius muscle; ii) an anterior inferior border of the splenius capitis muscle, and iii) a posterior superior border of the levator scapulae muscle. Preferably, a device such as an implant or an instrument is then passed through the window to manipulate the spine.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device comprising inferior and superior fusion cage devices that provide an ability to correct spondylolisthesis via in-situ adjustment.

Abstract: A novel posterolateral inter-muscular approach has been developed to access the cervical spine. The approach includes elevating the splenius capitis and trapezius muscles dorsally to create a window for deep spine access, wherein the window comprises: i) an anterior superior border of the trapezius muscle; ii) an anterior inferior border of the splenius capitis muscle, and iii) a posterior superior border of the levator scapulae muscle. Preferably, a device such as an implant or an instrument is then passed through the window to manipulate the spine.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separate nub component between the plate and an intervertebral fusion cage, wherein the nub is attached to the plate. The nub lessens the undesired pivotal movement of the plate. It is believed that when the nub fits snugly between the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, it acts as a stop against the undesired pivotal movement of the plate.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the effectiveness of spinal stabilization, and particularly that of cervical spinal stabilization, are provided herein. More specifically, methods and systems are disclosed for effectively positioning occipital plates and spinal fixation assemblies within target vertebrae, while also reducing any associated patient trauma (e.g., muscle stripping, tissue damage, etc.). The systems and methods can utilize trans-lamina delivery of the spinal fixation assemblies to allow for the positioning of the fixation elements along the midline of the patient's spine.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion cage has a first component that defines an outside surface that is configured to engage a vertebral endplate, and an interior surface. The fusion cage has a second component that defines first and second opposed surfaces. One of the first and second opposed surfaces can mate with the interior surface of the first component. The fusion cage can include vertical and lateral throughholes adapted to enhance fusion.

Abstract: Electronic devices that detect their position and/or orientation with respect to earth's frame of reference are described. A coupler can removeably maintain the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can have a housing and the coupler can be included on the housing and arranged to physically connect the housing of the electronic device to the housing of at least one other electronic device. Alternatively, the coupler can be a packaging that maintains the electronic devices in physical proximity of one another. Each electronic device can be calibrated using the orientation or position information obtained by other electronic devices maintained by the coupler. Further, each electronic device can include a power source that remains inactive until the device is ready for use.

Abstract: Systems and methods of assessing a probability that an individual will develop sepsis are provided. The systems and methods can include obtaining a set of parameters associated with the individual including white blood cell count (WBC) and monocyte distribution width (MDW) value, and determining whether the set of parameters provides an elevated risk status by comparing at least the WBC and the MDW value with respective predetermined criteria. In the event that the set of parameters is determined to provide the elevated risk status, the systems and methods can further include obtaining a secondary parameter associated with the individual; and providing the probability that the individual will develop sepsis.