Abstract: A spinal implant assembly, a kit for forming same and a method for forming same. The spinal implant assembly comprises: a first endplate having a first non-planar inner surface; a second endplate having a second non-planar inner surface facing toward the first non-planar inner surface; at least one fastener attaching the first endplate and the second endplate to one another; and a layer including a piezoelectric material (piezoelectric layer), the piezoelectric layer between the first non-planar inner surface and the second non-planar inner surface and having a non-planar upper surface facing toward the first non-planar inner surface and a non-planar lower surface facing toward the second non-planar inner surface, wherein, at a front region of the spinal implant assembly, the first non-planar inner surface and the second non-planar inner surface define a vertically biased interface.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a system for removing bone from vertebrae to relieve stenosis is provided. In one embodiment, the surgical tool includes a drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive shaft having a proximal rod portion and a distal tubular portion, the drill bit and the drive shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis in a clockwise direction; and an engagement system disposed between the drill bit and the drive shaft; wherein the engagement system is configured to selectively engage the drill bit to the drive shaft for powered rotation when the drill bit contacts a first material at a first predetermined resistance and to disengage the drill bit from the drive shaft when the drill bit engages a second material at a second predetermined resistance; and wherein the first predetermined resistance is greater than the second predetermined resistance.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a system for removing bone from vertebrae to relieve stenosis is provided. In one embodiment, the surgical tool includes a drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive shaft having a proximal rod portion and a distal tubular portion, the drill bit and the drive shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis in a clockwise direction; and an engagement system disposed between the drill bit and the drive shaft; wherein the engagement system is configured to selectively engage the drill bit to the drive shaft for powered rotation when the drill bit contacts a first material at a first predetermined resistance and to disengage the drill bit from the drive shaft when the drill bit engages a second material at a second predetermined resistance; and wherein the first predetermined resistance is greater than the second predetermined resistance.

Abstract: A spinal implant capable of generating an electric output includes a first endplate, a second endplate, and a piezoelectric component disposed between the first and second endplates. The spinal implant may further include an intermediate body and a second piezoelectric component disposed between the intermediate body and the second endplate. The inner surfaces of the endplates and/or the intermediate body may be non-planar, such as having an undulating shape. The electric output is produced when the endplates of the spinal implant undergo a force, including a compressive force and/or a shear force.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant assembly includes a bone plate configured to couple the implant assembly to a fractured bone. A piezoelectric component is disposed on the bone plate and configured to produce an electrical output corresponding to a load the piezoelectric component is subjected to. When the implant is in contact with the fractured bone the electrical output is transmitted to the fractured bone.

Abstract: The variable or adjustable depth medical implants disclosed herein are cable of depth adjustment prior to implantation. The variable depth implants permit a single implant to provide multiple footprint configurations, allowing a surgeon adjustability in the operating room. The implants can comprise a metallic lattice designed for specific physical properties, such as an elastic modulus. In some examples, the main body of the implant is taller than the adjustable portion of the implant so that the physical properties of the main body of the implant are controlling at the implant site. In some embodiments, the variable implant is constructed in an additive process as a single unit. Disclosed herein is, in some embodiments, a multi-segment bone anchor configured to allow variable bone ingrowth or attachment between each segment.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a system for removing bone from vertebrae to relieve stenosis is provided. In one embodiment, the surgical tool includes a drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive shaft having a proximal rod portion and a distal tubular portion, the drill bit and the drive shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis in a clockwise direction; and an engagement system disposed between the drill bit and the drive shaft; wherein the engagement system is configured to selectively engage the drill bit to the drive shaft for powered rotation when the drill bit contacts a first material at a first predetermined resistance and to disengage the drill bit from the drive shaft when the drill bit engages a second material at a second predetermined resistance; and wherein the first predetermined resistance is greater than the second predetermined resistance.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a system for removing bone from vertebrae to relieve stenosis is provided. In one embodiment, the surgical tool includes a drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive shaft having a proximal rod portion and a distal tubular portion, the drill bit and the drive shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis in a clockwise direction; and an engagement system disposed between the drill bit and the drive shaft; wherein the engagement system is configured to selectively engage the drill bit to the drive shaft for powered rotation when the drill bit contacts a first material at a first predetermined resistance and to disengage the drill bit from the drive shaft when the drill bit engages a second material at a second predetermined resistance; and wherein the first predetermined resistance is greater than the second predetermined resistance.

Abstract: The variable or adjustable depth medical implants disclosed herein are cable of depth adjustment prior to implantation. The variable depth implants permit a single implant to provide multiple footprint configurations, allowing a surgeon adjustability in the operating room. The implants can comprise a metallic lattice designed for specific physical properties, such as an elastic modulus. In some examples, the main body of the implant is taller than the adjustable portion of the implant so that the physical properties of the main body of the implant are controlling at the implant site. In some embodiments, the variable implant is constructed in an additive process as a single unit. Disclosed herein is, in some embodiments, a multi-segment bone anchor configured to allow variable bone ingrowth or attachment between each segment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-core processing system comprising: a first input/output interface (312) configured to transmit data over a first network (313) based on a first network protocol; a second input/output interface (314) configured to transmit data over a second network (315) based on a second network protocol; a plurality of processing cores; and one or more memory devices storing software enabling virtual processing resources of the plurality of processing cores and virtual memory to be assigned to support: a first compartment (303) implementing one or more first virtual machines; a second compartment (304) implementing one or more second virtual machines; and a programmable virtual switch (302) configured to provide an interface between the first and second virtual machines and the first and second input/output interfaces (312, 314).

Abstract: A spinal fixation and fusion assembly includes a bone anchoring member, a cylindrical rod and a cap. The bone anchoring member comprises an elongated body that is made entirely of bone type material. The elongated body includes a main shaft, a conical shaped distal end, a flared out proximal end, and a through-opening extending along an axis from the proximal end to the distal end. The cylindrical rod is shaped and dimensioned to be received within the through-opening and is made entirely of metal. The cap is made entirely of metal and is attached to a proximal end of the cylindrical rod.