Abstract: Methods for correction of spinal deformities using bone anchors having one or more features configured to actively draw in and/or compact vertebral bone into an inner chamber. In some implementations, a first bone anchor having an inner chamber may be advanced into a first vertebral body of a spinal column. One of more features of the inner chamber may, as the first bone anchor is rotatably or otherwise advanced, actively draw and compact vertebral bone into the inner chamber. A second bone anchor may be advanced into a second vertebral body of the spinal column, after which a tether may be coupled between the first and second bone anchors to apply a corrective force to at least a portion of the spinal column.

Abstract: Methods for bone correction and/or fixation of bone anchors, such as spinal deformity correction. In some implementations, the method may comprise advancing a bone anchor through a proximal bone wall and into a bone. Bone material may be compressed in a region distal of the bone anchor by advancing the bone anchor within the bone to form a compressed bone region, the compressed bone region extending, at least in part, distally of the bone anchor, and in some cases within an inner chamber of the bone anchor. The compressed bone region may increase the fixation strength of the bone anchor within the bone to decrease the chances of the bone anchor becoming dislodged within the bone. In some cases, the compressed bone region may be advanced to and/or compressed against a distal cortical bone to obtain functional bicortical purchase without penetration of the cortical bone.

Abstract: Vertebral probes for fusionless spinal surgeries and related surgical methods. In some embodiments, the probe may comprise a shaft having one or more tapering portions. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more non-tapering portions. The probe may further comprise a distal tip extending from a shelf or ledge that may allow for penetration of the tip therethrough with a first force and be configured to inhibit further advancement of the probe by requiring a second force substantially greater than the first force to achieve further advancement.

Abstract: Methods for correction of spinal deformities using bone anchors having one or more features configured to actively draw in and/or compact vertebral bone into an inner chamber. In some implementations, a first bone anchor having an inner chamber may be advanced into a first vertebral body of a spinal column. One of more features of the inner chamber may, as the first bone anchor is rotatably or otherwise advanced, actively draw and compact vertebral bone into the inner chamber. A second bone anchor may be advanced into a second vertebral body of the spinal column, after which a tether may be coupled between the first and second bone anchors to apply a corrective force to at least a portion of the spinal column.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related systems and methods for spinal deformity correction. In some implementations, two adjacent bone anchors may be advanced into respective, adjacent vertebral bodies of a spinal column. Cancellous bone may be compacted within respective inner chambers of the bone anchors. The inner chambers may comprise at least one of a plurality of bone engaging protrusions and a profile that increases in cross-sectional area, at least in part, from a proximal end of the inner chambers to a distal end of the inner chambers. A tether may then be coupled between the first and second bone anchors to apply a corrective force to at least a portion of the spinal column.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related systems and elements, such as means for engaging a ligament to a bone anchor for correction of spinal deformities. In some embodiments, the bone anchor may be configured for engaging vertebral bone and may comprise an exterior thread form and an interior thread form, which may be positioned within an interior chamber of the bone anchor that may open at the distal end of the bone anchor where an outer thread form may also terminate. The inner chamber may taper in an opposite direction relative to an outer surface of the bone anchor upon which the outer thread form is positioned.

Abstract: Vertebral probes for spinal surgeries and related surgical methods. In some embodiments, the probe may comprise a bicortical, vertebral probe that may comprise a shaft and a distal tip configured to penetrate a vertebral body to facilitate subsequent placement of a bone anchor providing bicortical purchase within the vertebral body. One or more features for facilitating safe placement of the probe may be provided, such as making the tip spring-loaded or otherwise axially movable relative to the shaft, providing sensors, and/or providing means for determining a position of the tip within a vertebral body.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related systems and elements, such as means for engaging a ligament to a bone anchor for correction of spinal deformities. In some embodiments, the bone anchor may be configured for engaging vertebral bone and may comprise an exterior thread form and an interior thread form, which may be positioned within an interior chamber of the bone anchor that may open at the distal end of the bone anchor where an outer thread form may also terminate. The inner chamber may taper in an opposite direction relative to an outer surface of the bone anchor upon which the outer thread form is positioned.

Abstract: Vertebral probes for fusionless spinal surgeries and related surgical methods. In some embodiments, the probe may comprise a shaft having one or more tapering portions. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more non-tapering portions. The probe may further comprise a distal tip extending from a shelf or ledge that may allow for penetration of the tip therethrough with a first force and be configured to inhibit further advancement of the probe by requiring a second force substantially greater than the first force to achieve further advancement.

Abstract: A message injection apparatus including a memory, a processor, a connection unit communicatively coupled to a communication device, and an application operating in the memory that is configured to receive audio signals from the communication device and to transmit at least one audio signal to the communication unit based on an operational mode.

Abstract: A method for screening incoming communications includes the steps of receiving an incoming communication intended for a communication device or a recipient and identifying a sender of the communication and a communication type, which can includes an email. The method also includes the steps of identifying screening settings based on the sender and the communication type and determining whether the communication is allowed in accordance with the identified settings. Further, the method includes the steps of notifying a recipient of the communication, if the communication is allowed. In addition, the method includes the step of processing the communication without notifying a recipient, if the communication is not allowed.

Abstract: A mobile communication device has a memory and a processor, the processor executing a computer program configured to perform the steps of connecting to an external mobile communication device via a network, gathering information associated with an audio communication, transmitting the information associated with an audio communication to the external mobile communication device for display on the external mobile communication device, receiving a response from the external mobile communication device, and displaying the response from the external mobile communication device on the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A message consolidation system includes a plurality of mobile communication devices connected to a network, a plurality of telecommunication switching units connected to a plurality of communication units and to the network and a consolidation unit on the network. The consolidation unit is configured to logically relate at least two communication devices, and to extract call information from each of the mobile communication devices and switching devices and to store the extracted data in a memory of the consolidation unit for display on a display unit coupled to a client device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device has a memory and a processor, the processor executing a computer program configured to perform the steps of connecting to an external mobile communication device via a network, gathering information associated with an audio communication, transmitting the information associated with an audio communication to the external mobile communication device for display on the external mobile communication device, receiving a response from the external mobile communication device, and displaying the response from the external mobile communication device on the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method for answering a communication includes the steps of receiving an incoming communication sent by a sender and intended for a communication device of a recipient and answering the communication with an injected audio, video, text, and/or graphic message. The injected message indicates to the sender, in effect, that the recipient is presently unable to respond to the communication but is or will be made aware of the communication. The method further includes the step of providing a promise fulfillment feature that alerts the recipient to the communication and any promise to follow-up with the sender made in the injected message.

Abstract: A mobile communication device including an application running in a first memory of the device, an application audio unit in the first memory, the application audio unit being communicatively coupled to the application operating, and a telephony unit in the first memory, the telephony unit being communicatively coupled to the application, a radio transmission unit including a radio interface unit operating in a second memory and communicatively coupled to the telephony unit, a radio audio unit operating in the second memory, the radio audio unit being communicatively coupled to the radio interface unit, and a hardware driver unit communicatively coupled to the radio interface unit, the hardware driver unit initiating a communication connection between the mobile communication device and another device, an audio switching unit communicatively coupled to the application unit and the radio transmission unit.

Abstract: A message injection apparatus including a memory, a processor, a connection unit communicatively coupled to a communication device, and an application operating in the memory that is configured to receive audio signals from the communication device and to transmit at least one audio signal to the communication unit based on an operational mode.

Abstract: A method for screening incoming communications includes the steps of receiving an incoming communication intended for a communication device or a recipient and identifying a sender of the communication and a communication type, which can includes an email. The method also includes the steps of identifying screening settings based on the sender and the communication type and determining whether the communication is allowed in accordance with the identified settings. Further, the method includes the steps of notifying a recipient of the communication, if the communication is allowed. In addition, the method includes the step of processing the communication without notifying a recipient, if the communication is not allowed.

Abstract: A method for answering a communication includes the steps of receiving an incoming communication sent by a sender and intended for a communication device of a recipient and answering the communication with an injected audio, video, text, and/or graphic message. The injected message indicates to the sender, in effect, that the recipient is presently unable to respond to the communication but is or will be made aware of the communication. The method further includes the step of providing a promise fulfillment feature that alerts the recipient to the communication and any promise to follow-up with the sender made in the injected message.

Abstract: A mobile communication device including an application running in a first memory of the device, an application audio unit in the first memory, the application audio unit being communicatively coupled to the application operating, and a telephony unit in the first memory, the telephony unit being communicatively coupled to the application, a radio transmission unit including a radio interface unit operating in a second memory and communicatively coupled to the telephony unit, a radio audio unit operating in the second memory, the radio audio unit being communicatively coupled to the radio interface unit, and a hardware driver unit communicatively coupled to the radio interface unit, the hardware driver unit initiating a communication connection between the mobile communication device and another device, an audio switching unit communicatively coupled to the application unit and the radio transmission unit.