Abstract: A percutaneous surgical tool comprises a cannula with an open slot at the distal end and a closed tip. A variety of articulated and solid tamps with different tip geometries are used to push bone aside to open up a void for filling. Bone pellets are rammed down the hollow interior, lumen, of the cannula by a tamper. A ramp inside the closed end causes the bone pellets to eject out to the side into a void to-be-filled. Variations in the shapes of the pellets and the ends of the tampers vary the orientations of the pellets as they are ejected through the end slot out from the cannula. One tamper with a sharp flat diagonal cut end can be twisted to push the rear end of the pellet harder sideways and out parallel to the cannula. Curved cannulas allow better access to all parts of the void to-be-filled.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement embodiment of the present invention comprises a rounded shaped ceramic domed body with a receptacle in its bottom side. A keeled base of biocompatible metal is press-fit into the receptacle at any relative angle to complete a two-piece assembly. A keel part of the base especially is finished in porous coated metal and shaped to promote natural in-growth of bone from the inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement embodiment of the present invention comprises a rounded shaped ceramic domed body with a receptacle in its bottom side. A keeled base of biocompatible metal is press-fit into the receptacle at any relative angle to complete a two-piece assembly. A keel part of the base especially is finished in porous coated metal and shaped to promote natural in-growth of bone from the inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement comprises a modular two-part body formed into an oval disk. The top part has a domed surface with a crest and is made of a high molecular weight polyethylene or ceramic. The bottom part is made of biocompatible metal like titanium and locks into an underlying vertebrae with a peg or brace molding that extends down into a socket. The prosthetic nucleus replacement is surgically implanted into the hollowed out intervertebral space through a flap cut in the natural annulus fibrosis. The lower vertebra is prepared to receive the peg by clearing the material covering the top of the bone matrix. Bone cement is used around the peg to ensure a tight fit and immobile attachment of the disc to the lower vertebrae.

Abstract: An arthroplasty prosthesis cement restrictor comprises a cylinderlike body having a hexagonal lateral outside cross section. A set of corresponding longitudinal external ridges are disposed along the points of the hexagonal lateral cross section. A spiraling machine-thread is formed in the set of corresponding longitudinal ridges and provides for a threaded positive lock of the cylinderlike body into the walls of a long-bone intramedullary canal. A capped end is disposed at one end of the cylinderlike body and provides for the stoppage of cement injected during arthroplasty into the more distal parts of the intramedullary canal. A number of corresponding longitudinal fenestrations are disposed between the set of corresponding of longitudinal ridges which can be flooded with cement to allow cement contact with the adjacent bone.

Abstract: A heart prosthesis comprises a pulsating mechanism that is surgically placed inside the chest cavity between the sternum and pericardial sac. The mechanism's surfaces expand outward and contract inward to knead the heart in step with its natural rhythms. Electromagnetic repulsion and attraction is used to pulse the mechanism surfaces, and a control circuit is connected to drive an electromagnet.

Abstract: A method for installing spine-stabilization components comprises directing a long plastic flexible tool through a sublaminar space of a human spine vertebrae inside the spinal canal. Such tool enters the sublaminar space of a particular one of the human spine vertebrae posteriorly from the intervertebral gap with an adjacent vertebrae. It exits the sublaminar space of the particular one of the human spine vertebrae posteriorly from the intervertebral gap with another opposite-side adjacent vertebrae. A suture is threaded through an eye of the tool. The suture is pulled back through the sublaminar space by withdrawing the long plastic flexible tool. The suture is detached from the long plastic flexible tool. A pulled-through part of the suture is attached to a spinal-fixation wire or cable. The suture is then usable as a pilot-line to draw the spinal-fixation wire or cable through the sublaminar space. The spinal-fixation wire or cable is used to anchor a spinal-fixation system.

Abstract: A spinal-fixation system comprises a dual parallel bridging that runs along a posterior length of the spine and is anchored with cables looped through a dorsal corner of the spinal canals of respective adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement comprises a solid flattened oval disk. The top surface of the disc is domed and has a crest that is about three times higher than the crest on the domed bottom surface. Both top and bottom surfaces are therefore convex. A peg extends down from the middle of the bottom domed surface and is used to pin the disc to the lower of two vertebrae it fits between. Metal markers are inserted into the peg and an outside edge of the disc so that radiographs can be used to determine the disc's in situ position. The prosthetic nucleus replacement is surgically implanted into the hollowed out intervertebral space through a flap cut in the natural annulus fibrosis. The lower vertebrae is prepared to receive the peg by clearing the material covering the top of the bone matrix. Bone cement is used around the peg to ensure a tight fit and immobile attachment of the disc to the lower vertebrae.

Abstract: A spine-stabilization implant has a one-piece shell with bone-tapping screw threads on its outside surface. The screw threads are longitudinally interrupted by several end-to-end flutes distributed in parallel around the circumference. Bone-growth access windows are provided at several locations through the flutes. Such construction gives the spine-stabilization implant a hexagonal cross-section with a hollow central core. A drive tool can be slipped into the back end. After spreading two adjacent vertebrae as much as the interconnecting tissues will allow, a bore is made by a surgeon during an operation into the inter-vertebral space of a patient's spine, e.g., deep into the disc. The drive tool is then used to push the spine-stabilization implant down the bore and into the inter-vertebral space. The tool is then twisted such that the bone-tapping screw threads cut into and lock onto the opposite surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae. The tool is then withdrawn.