Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve which includes a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and receive at least a portion of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform, in fixed increments of about 1.5 mm, upon rotation of the displacement element. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve.

Abstract: A catheter system with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. The system can include a catheter in fluid communication with a shunt for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires and one or more transmission wires. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion, or other anomaly, in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable shunt system is disclosed that, in one example implementation, includes a resilient member and a connected fluid regulating device. The fluid regulating device selectively permits fluid flow through an opening valve of an implantable shunt according to an adjustable opening pressure. The opening pressure is proportional to an amount of tension on the resilient member. One or more tension sensors that are connected to the resilient member measure an amount of tension on the resilient member. The tension sensors generate tension data that corresponds to the measured amount of tension. The system further includes a communication unit with a transmitting unit that transmits the measured data over a communication link. The system also includes a reading unit that receives the transmitted tension data over the communication link. The reading unit includes a connector that electrically connects the reading unit to the transmission unit.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: A catheter system with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. The system can include a catheter in fluid communication with a shunt for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires and one or more transmission wires. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion, or other anomaly, in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.

Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve which includes a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and receive at least a portion of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform, in fixed increments of about 1.5 mm, upon rotation of the displacement element. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable shunt system is disclosed that, in one example implementation, includes a resilient member and a connected fluid regulating device. The fluid regulating device selectively permits fluid flow through an opening valve of an implantable shunt according to an adjustable opening pressure. The opening pressure is proportional to an amount of tension on the resilient member. One or more tension sensors that are connected to the resilient member measure an amount of tension on the resilient member. The tension sensors generate tension data that corresponds to the measured amount of tension. The system further includes a communication unit with a transmitting unit that transmits the measured data over a communication link. The system also includes a reading unit that receives the transmitted tension data over the communication link. The reading unit includes a connector that electrically connects the reading unit to the transmission unit.

Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a living being. The locator can include a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and can approximate at least a portion of the shape of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve. Two or more recesses can be disposed in the foot and the recesses can be aligned with the valve cut-out. The displacement element can maintain the alignment of the recesses and the cut-out while moving the foot.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable shunt system is disclosed that, in one example implementation, includes a resilient member and a connected fluid regulating device. The fluid regulating device selectively permits fluid flow through an opening valve of an implantable shunt according to an adjustable opening pressure. The opening pressure is proportional to an amount of tension on the resilient member. One or more tension sensors that are connected to the resilient member measure an amount of tension on the resilient member. The tension sensors generate tension data that corresponds to the measured amount of tension. The system further includes a communication unit with a transmitting unit that transmits the measured data over a communication link.

Abstract: A catheter system with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. The system can include a catheter in fluid communication with a shunt for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires and one or more transmission wires. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion, or other anomaly, in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a living being. The locator can include a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and can approximate at least a portion of the shape of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve. Two or more recesses can be disposed in the foot and the recesses can be aligned with the valve cut-out. The displacement element can maintain the alignment of the recesses and the cut-out while moving the foot.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable shunt system is disclosed that, in one example implementation, includes a resilient member and a connected fluid regulating device. The fluid regulating device selectively permits fluid flow through an opening valve of an implantable shunt according to an adjustable opening pressure. The opening pressure is proportional to an amount of tension on the resilient member. One or more tension sensors that are connected to the resilient member measure an amount of tension on the resilient member. The tension sensors generate tension data that corresponds to the measured amount of tension. The system further includes a communication unit with a transmitting unit that transmits the measured data over a communication link.

Abstract: A catheter system with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. The system can include a catheter in fluid communication with a shunt for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires and one or more transmission wires. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion, or other anomaly, in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.

Abstract: A valve unit capable of being implanted in a patient and having adjustable performance settings, such as pressure settings and/or flow control, to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. A casing defines a port for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of arcuate, radially flat cam surfaces. Each cam surface occupies an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit is disposed at a second location in the casing having a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and having a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the movable valve member to establish a performance setting for the valve unit.

Abstract: A valve unit capable of being implanted in a patient and having adjustable performance settings, such as pressure settings and/or flow control, to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. A casing defines a port for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of arcuate, radially flat cam surfaces. Each cam surface occupies an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit is disposed at a second location in the casing having a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and having a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the movable valve member to establish a performance setting for the valve unit.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use with a spinal stabilization system including a plurality of bone anchors and a plurality of anchor extensions. The surgical retractor includes a frame positionable between a first anchor extension connected to a first bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra and a second anchor extension connected to a second bone anchor implanted in a second vertebra and a first retractor blade connectable to the frame for retracting tissue between the first anchor extension and the second anchor extension.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use with a spinal stabilization system including a plurality of bone anchors and a plurality of anchor extensions. The surgical retractor includes a frame positionable between a first anchor extension connected to a first bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra and a second anchor extension connected to a second bone anchor implanted in a second vertebra and a first retractor blade connectable to the frame for retracting tissue between the first anchor extension and the second anchor extension.