Abstract: A fluid collection system for collecting fluid, such as urine through a series of valves and bags that isolate urine from the input to reduce risk of infection includes an input tube connected removably to a fluid supply tube, first and second valves separate from one another and each having flow-on and flow-off states and each fluidically connected to the input tube, respectively, to receive the input fluid and to output the input fluid when in the flow-on state, and at least one hollow collection container defining a water-tight interior and comprising a removable connector configured to removably connect to one of the first and second valves and, responsive to connection thereto, configured to receive the input fluid. The bags also contain a hydrogel to absorb the fluid. Input fluid pressure can be controlled and calibrated to maintain backpressure on the bladder.

Abstract: A screw and rod fixation assembly includes a body member including a screw seat for seating a screw head therein and a rod seat for seating a rod therein. An adjustable locking ring applies a locking force against the screw head seated in the screw seat and a locking cap adjustably applies a locking force against a rod seated in the rod seat. The adjustable screw locking ring and locking cap function independent of each other. A method of fixing the rod to the screw includes the steps of inserting a screw head into a screw seat in one end of a body member and inserting a rod into a rod seat in a second end of a body member and selectively and independently adjusting a locking force on both the screw head and the rod within the screw seat and rod seat, respectively.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly utilizing at least one bone screw for fixation of adjacent bones of a spine including a base plate having at least one aperture extending therethrough and screw retaining mechanism mounted and movable on the plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to the aperture for preventing the bone screw from backing out from the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly includes a housing for containing a bearing member therein and seating within an intervertebral space and a bearing member disposed within the housing for enabling disc-like movement between vertebrae defining the intervertebral space. The combination of the housing and bearing member provide a distracting mechanism disposed within the housing halves 12, 14 for distracting the housing halves 12, 14 from a first condition in which the housing halves 12, 14 are floatable into the intervertebral space to a second condition in which the housing halves 12, 14 are distracted to fixedly engage the opposing vertebral services defining the intervertebral space.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: A screw and rod fixation assembly includes a body member including a screw seat for seating a screw head therein and a rod seat for seating a rod therein. An adjustable locking ring applies a locking force against the screw head seated in the screw seat and a locking cap adjustably applies a locking force against a rod seated in the rod seat. The adjustable screw locking ring and locking cap function independent of each other. A method of fixing the rod to the screw includes the steps of inserting a screw head into a screw seat in one end of a body member and inserting a rod into a rod seat in a second end of a body member and selectively and independently adjusting a locking force on both the screw head and the rod within the screw seat and rod seat, respectively.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly utilizing at least one bone screw for fixation of adjacent bones of a spine including a base plate having at least one aperture extending therethrough and screw retaining mechanism mounted and movable on the plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to the aperture for preventing the bone screw from backing out from the base plate. Furthermore, a device for placement into an aperture of a base plate including a screw retaining mechanism mountable and movable on a plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to an aperture for preventing a bone screw from backing out from the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: A spring member for an artificial intervertebral disc includes a substantially annular body including an axially extended bore therethrough defining a passageway. A seat extends radially inward towards the bore for seating therein a bearing member for adjusting and compensating vertebral disc motion. An engagement member extends radially outwardly from the bore for engaging a housing member and securing the spring member within the housing member. The spring member absorbs compressive loads between the bearing member and the housing member while controlling motion and position of the bearing member.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc includes housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart vertebral surfaces. Bearing surfaces extend from each of the inner surfaces for engaging each other while allowing for low friction and compression resistant movement of the housing members relative to each other while under compression. Load sharing pads are disposed between the inner surfaces and about at least a portion of the bearing surfaces for sharing absorption compressive loads with the bearing surfaces while limiting the relative movement of the housing members.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc includes housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart vertebral surfaces. Bearing surfaces extend from each of the inner surfaces for engaging each other while allowing for low friction and compression resistant movement of the housing members relative to each other while under compression. Load sharing pads are disposed between the inner surfaces and about at least a portion of the bearing surfaces for sharing absorption compressive loads with the bearing surfaces while limiting the relative movement of the housing members.

Abstract: The invention is a rod to rod connector that can be used to interconnect two generally parallel spinal rods of a spinal rod and anchor system. The connector comprises a transverse rod and two pairs of clamping bodies, one for each spinal rod. Each pair connects one of the longitudinal spinal rods to the transverse rod in infinitely adjustable angular relationship. One of the two clamping bodies of each pair comprises a C-shaped channel for accepting the spinal rod. The channel is in communication with a slot that defines a hinge. A threaded screw hole passes transversely through the slot and permits a screw to squeeze the hinge, thereby causing the C-shaped channel to close around and clamp the rod. The second clamping body is similar to the first except that there is no slot or hinge and the screw hole preferably is not threaded, but includes a countersink for seating a chamfered screw head. Also, an angular portion of the screw hole intersects the C-shaped channel.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly includes a housing for containing a bearing member therein and seating within an intervertebral space and a bearing member disposed within the housing for enabling disc-like movement between vertebrae defining the intervertebral space. The combination of the housing and bearing member provide a distracting mechanism disposed within the housing halves 12, 14 for distracting the housing halves 12, 14 from a first condition in which the housing halves 12, 14 are floatable into the intervertebral space to a second condition in which the housing halves 12, 14 are distracted to fixedly engage the opposing vertebral services defining the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A screw and rod fixation assembly includes a body member including a screw seat for seating a screw head therein and a rod seat for seating a rod therein. An adjustable locking ring applies a locking force against the screw head seated in the screw seat and a locking cap adjustably applies a locking force against a rod seated in the rod seat. The adjustable screw locking ring and locking cap function independent of each other. A method of fixing the rod to the screw includes the steps of inserting a screw head into a screw seat in one end of a body member and inserting a rod into a rod seat in a second end of a body member and selectively and independently adjusting a locking force on both the screw head and the rod within the screw seat and rod seat, respectively.

Abstract: A spring member for an artificial intervertebral disc includes a substantially annular body including an axially extended bore therethrough defining a passageway. A seat extends radially inward towards the bore for seating therein a bearing member for adjusting and compensating vertebral disc motion. An engagement member extends radially outwardly from the bore for engaging a housing member and securing the spring member within the housing member. The spring member absorbs compressive loads between the bearing member and the housing member while controlling motion and position of the bearing member.

Abstract: A self-contouring spinal rod assembly. The assembly has a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A plurality of rod elements extend along the length, such that each of the plurality of rod elements is in contact with an adjacent rod element. The plurality of rod elements are fixed against movement relative to each other at the distal end. The plurality of rod elements are movable relative to each other along a length proximal the distal end. A method of assembling the spinal rod assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart intervertebral surfaces; self-adjusting bearing mechanisms operatively disposed between the inner surfaces for moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and positioning ring for controlling motion and position of the bearing mechanisms and for absorption of compressive loads. An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members having an oval recess on the inner surfaces; oval bearing mechanisms operatively disposed within the oval recess between the inner surfaces for moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and oval positioning ring. A spring member for an artificial intervertebral disc including a substantially annular body having an axially extended bore therethrough defining a passageway.