Abstract: A dryer appliance includes a drum defining a chamber and being rotatably mounted within a cabinet, an air handler for selectively urging a flow of air through the chamber, and a heating assembly for selectively heating the flow of air. A controller is operably coupled to the air handler and the heating assembly and is configured to determine that a self-clean condition is satisfied, determine that the chamber is empty, lock the door, and operate the air handler and the heating assembly to perform a self-clean cycle.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography sample manager includes a thermal chamber, a sample platter mounted in the thermal chamber, and a needle drive including a base having a shaft configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the base attachable to an interior of a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system. The needle drive further includes a needle assembly attached to the base, the needle assembly including a sample needle, and a drive system attached to the base, the drive system including a sample needle motor configured to impart vertical movement of the sample needle. The liquid chromatography sample manager further includes a sample delivery system configured to transfer a first sample from a first sample vial carrier located in the sample platter into a chromatographic flow stream.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a monolithic percutaneous-screw system for use in spinal surgery. The system includes (i) a receiver having a distal base and a pair of opposing arms extending proximally from the base, a pair of opposing distal breakoff sections, each connected monolithically to a proximal end of a corresponding one of the arms, (ii) a pair of opposing proximal breakoff sections, (iii) a pair of opposing intermediate extenders, each extending from a distal end, connected monolithically to a corresponding one of the distal breakoff sections, to a proximal end connected monolithically to a corresponding one of the proximal breakoff section, and (iv) a guide cap connected monolithically to both of the proximal breakoff sections.

Abstract: One or more tethers for use with fastener assemblies and a method for use of the one or more tethers with the fastener assemblies is provided. The one or more tethers can be attached between a first fastener assembly positioned with respect to a first vertebrae adjacent a first side of a spinous process of a second vertebrae and a second fastener assembly positioned with respect to the vertebrae adjacent a second side of the spinous process of the second vertebrae. The one or more tethers can be tensioned against the spinous process of the second vertebrae to mitigate stresses on an uninstrumented level of the spine.

Abstract: An adjustable-height bone plate system that can be attached to a bony structure (e.g., the sacrum) is provided. The adjustable-height bone plate system affords height adjustment of a screw head portion to facilitate attachment of a receiver portion and a spinal rod at a proper, recommended, or desired height for secure interconnection of the spinal rod with a receiver of a pedicle screw assembly attached to an adjacent bony structure (e.g., L5 of the lumbar spine).

Abstract: A multiple-cap-remover for removing and holding spinal-implant guide caps, including a chamber component and a plunger movable disposed within the chamber. The chamber component has a chamber wall extending to an open end, and a cap-retaining component extending radially inward from an inner surface of the chamber at or adjacent the distal end. The distal opening is sized and shaped to allow the guide caps to pass through the opening and into the chamber component. The chamber component is sized and shaped to receive, one at a time, and hold simultaneously, multiple caps removed from respective spinal-implant assemblies using the instrument. The instrument may further have a sliding component connected movably to a body and connected to the plunger such that, when moved distally, it moves the plunger to push the caps captured beyond the cap-retaining component and out of the chamber component via the opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a monolithic percutaneous-screw system for use in spinal surgery. The system includes (i) a receiver having a distal base and a pair of opposing arms extending proximally from the base, a pair of opposing distal breakoff sections, each connected monolithically to a proximal end of a corresponding one of the arms, (ii) a pair of opposing proximal breakoff sections, (iii) a pair of opposing intermediate extenders, each extending from a distal end, connected monolithically to a corresponding one of the distal breakoff sections, to a proximal end connected monolithically to a corresponding one of the proximal breakoff section, and (iv) a guide cap connected monolithically to both of the proximal breakoff sections.

Abstract: One or more tethers for use with fastener assemblies and a method for use of the one or more tethers with the fastener assemblies is provided. The one or more tethers can be attached between a first fastener assembly positioned with respect to a first vertebrae adjacent a first side of a spinous process of a second vertebrae and a second fastener assembly positioned with respect to the vertebrae adjacent a second side of the spinous process of the second vertebrae. The one or more tethers can be tensioned against the spinous process of the second vertebrae to mitigate stresses on an uninstrumented level of the spine.

Abstract: An adjustable-height bone plate system that can be attached to a bony structure (e.g., the sacrum) is provided. The adjustable-height bone plate system affords height adjustment of a screw head portion to facilitate attachment of a receiver portion and a spinal rod at a proper, recommended, or desired height for secure interconnection of the spinal rod with a receiver of a pedicle screw assembly attached to an adjacent bony structure (e.g., L5 of the lumbar spine).

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis implantable within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates is provided. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of prosthesis modules insertable into the disc space, wherein the modules have at least one set of complementarily-shaped and sized surfaces, and wherein at least one of the modules is expandable. The modules have surfaces configured to engage within the disc space in a manner such that the modules form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space, and the modules have bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates to permit articulation between upper and lower vertebral endplates. In one embodiment, the at least one expandable module of the intervertebral prosthesis expands by inflation. In another embodiment, the at least one expandable module expands by unfolding into its intended form.

Abstract: A device for attaching an elongated member to a vertebral member and provide for dampened movement of the elongated member. The device may include a receiver that receives an elongated member. The receiver may be movably attached to an anchor that may be attached to a vertebral member. A dampener may be positioned within the receiver. Further, one or more slots may be positioned in the receiver. The dampener and/or slots dampen the translational movement of the receiver and attached elongated member relative to the anchor in first and second directions, and may also buffer forces applied into the spine.

Abstract: A method for anchoring a portion of material to bone is disclosed. One such method comprises affixing the portion of material to a neck of a fastener, and driving the fastener into the bone such that the portion of material becomes fixed to the bone.

Abstract: A device for attaching an elongated member to a vertebral member and provide for dampened movement of the elongated member. The device may include a receiver that receives an elongated member. The receiver may be movably attached to an anchor that may be attached to a vertebral member. A dampener may be positioned within the receiver. Further, one or more slots may be positioned in the receiver. The dampener and/or slots dampen the translational movement of the receiver and attached elongated member relative to the anchor in first and second directions, and may also buffer forces applied into the spine.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis implantable within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates is provided. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of prosthesis modules insertable into the disc space, wherein the modules have at least one set of complementarily-shaped and sized surfaces, and wherein at least one of the modules is expandable. The modules have surfaces configured to engage within the disc space in a manner such that the modules form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space, and the modules have bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates to permit articulation between upper and lower vertebral endplates. In one embodiment, the at least one expandable module of the intervertebral prosthesis expands by inflation. In another embodiment, the at least one expandable module expands by unfolding into its intended form.