Abstract: A system includes a screw tower, an instrument, and a housing. The instrument includes a driver shaft extendable longitudinally through the screw tower, and a threaded sleeve mounted on a proximal portion of the driver shaft. The housing includes one or more retention members coupleable to the screw tower, and a threaded button threadably coupleable to the threaded sleeve. The threaded sleeve is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to urge the driver shaft longitudinally relative to the screw tower.

Abstract: A critter-proof bird feed apparatus includes a critter deterrent barrier/deflector assembly that attaches to the top of a bird feeder and prevents critters from accessing the bird feeder when the combined apparatus is hung up. The critter deterrent barrier/deflector assembly includes a connecting cable having a first end attached to the bird feeder and a second end for attaching to a pole, bracket, or other support structure above. The critter deterrent barrier/deflector assembly includes a deflector plate that extends in a lateral/horizontal direction. The deflector plate has a larger width than the bird feeder and block a view of the bird feeder from above the deflector plate. The critter deterrent barrier/deflector assembly includes a plurality of inverted, overlapping cones extending above the deflector plate, and preventing a critter from gripping onto the cones.

Abstract: A method for retracting body tissue providing a retractor system that includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices, assemblies, and methods for securing a spinal rod. The orthopedic fixation device may include a tulip head, a bone fastener, a rotatable saddle, and a threaded locking cap. The saddle may be insertable into the tulip head in an unlocked position with a rod seat offset relative to a rod slot of the tulip head. The saddle may be rotated into a locked position with the rod seat aligned with the rod slot such that a rod is positionable through the rod slot and into the rod seat. The threaded locking cap may secure the rod and bone fastener.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inserting a vertebral stabilization member, such as a rod. The insertion device includes an outer guide tube, a pin assembly including a pin and a pusher member extending therethrough. The insertion device is configured to actuate a rod between a first orientation and a second orientation angled with respect to the first orientation in order to position the rod in an appropriate location for attachment to bone.

Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.

Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices, assemblies, and methods for securing a spinal rod. The orthopedic fixation device may include a tulip head, a bone fastener, a rotatable saddle, and a threaded locking cap. The saddle may be insertable into the tulip head in an unlocked position with a rod seat offset relative to a rod slot of the tulip head. The saddle may be rotated into a locked position with the rod seat aligned with the rod slot such that a rod is positionable through the rod slot and into the rod seat. The threaded locking cap may secure the rod and bone fastener.

Abstract: A spinal screw for positioning within bone for use in surgical procedures, the spinal screw having a head and a shaft, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A through-hole extends from the head through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft. The through-hole defines a longitudinal axis of the spinal screw and a spring is positioned within the shaft. A retractable tip element is also positioned within the through hole of the shaft and is operationally coupled to the spring.

Abstract: Retractor systems and methods for retracting body tissue during surgery. The retractor system includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for securing a spinal rod are provided. A clamp assembly may include a tulip comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein an inner surface of the first opening comprises threads; a saddle movably disposed within the tulip between the first and second openings, the saddle comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a portion configured to receive a spinal rod, the second end comprising a cavity configured to receive a pedicle screw, the saddle comprising slots configured to receive a rotating tool; and a threaded locking cap disposed in the first opening.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for securing a spinal rod are provided. A clamp assembly comprises a tulip comprising an opening comprising an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is threaded; and a threaded locking cap disposed in the opening, wherein threads of the locking cap and the inner surface include various geometries.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process fixation system capable of restoring spinal stability and facilitating fusion. In one embodiment, the expandable interspinous process fixation system includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. Each endplate supporting fixed and/or adjustable spinous process engaging plates.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process fixation system capable of restoring spinal stability and facilitating fusion. In one embodiment, the expandable interspinous process fixation system includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. Each endplate supporting fixed and/or adjustable spinous process engaging plates.

Abstract: A method for retracting body tissue providing a retractor system that includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.

Abstract: A method for retracting body tissue providing a retractor system that includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.

Abstract: A joint spacer therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the frame, and rotatably connected to the carriage, to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. First and second endplates engage the bones of the joint, and each has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage, whereby when the carriage is slideably moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates ramped surface slides against the carriage ramped surface to cause the endplates to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, to increase the height of the spacer. Piercing elements are connected to the carriage to pierce bone of the joint when the carriage is moved.

Abstract: A method for retracting tissue in a surgical procedure includes inserting a first blade of a retractor system into an incision in a body of a patient. The retractor system includes a first articulating arm and a second articulating arm. The first articulating arm is coupled to a retractor assembly blade. The retractor assembly blade has a handle portion and the first blade. The second articulating arm is coupled to a bracket securing a second blade. The method includes retracting tissue using the first blade, inserting the second blade into the incision in the body of the patient and retracting tissue using the second blade.

Abstract: A method for retracting tissue in a surgical procedure includes inserting a first blade of a retractor system into an incision in a body of a patient. The retractor system includes a first articulating arm and a second articulating arm. The first articulating arm is coupled to a retractor assembly blade. The retractor assembly blade has a handle portion and the first blade. The second articulating arm is coupled to a bracket securing a second blade. The method includes retracting tissue using the first blade, inserting the second blade into the incision in the body of the patient and retracting tissue using the second blade.

Abstract: A joint spacer therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the frame, and rotatably connected to the carriage, to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. First and second endplates engage the bones of the joint, and each has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage, whereby when the carriage is slideably moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates ramped surface slides against the carriage ramped surface to cause the endplates to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, to increase the height of the spacer. Piercing elements are connected to the carriage to pierce bone of the joint when the carriage is moved.