Abstract: A rotating grooming brush comprising a brush hub having grooming elements and shroud elements, and method for grooming a surface having an unwanted material thereon. The elements extend from the brush hub and may be positioned near its outer periphery. The elements may be grooming elements forming an array and shroud elements forming a shroud array. A rigid or elastomeric shroud extending from the brush hub surface may optionally be included about the edge of the brush hub, to the outside of the grooming elements. Rotation of the grooming attachment brush causes a low pressure region to build in the central area of the brush. This low pressure region creates a resulting force that forcefully attracts the grooming attachment brush to the surface to be groomed. The resulting force is controlled by the diameter of the brush hub, arrangement, of the elements and the speed of rotation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for coupling first and second adjacent vertebrae. The device includes a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The first coupling element has a first body portion for receiving a first bone fastener and an elongate rod portion extending transversely from the first body portion. The second coupling element has a second body portion for receiving a second bone fastener and an extension portion extending transversely from the second body portion. The extension portion defines a recess sized and configured to receive the rod portion of the first coupling element. When unlocked, the rod portion is moveable in the recess to allow for rotational and translational movement of the first and second coupling elements. When locked, the relative position of the first and second coupling elements is fixed.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and devices including drivers, inserters, and reducers. The driver includes a ratcheting mechanism configured to provide uni-directional motion when engaged. The inserter includes a rack, pinion, and cam system designed to secure an implant and release an implant in-situ. The reducer includes a geared system for persuading together surgical components and aligning misaligned vertebrae.

Abstract: An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and devices including drivers, inserters, and reducers. The driver includes a ratcheting mechanism configured to provide uni-directional motion when engaged. The inserter includes a rack, pinion, and cam system designed to secure an implant and release an implant in-situ. The reducer includes a geared system for persuading together surgical components and aligning misaligned vertebrae.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Systems for securely connecting a spinal implant to a bone anchor by using an offset connection assembly. The variable angle connection assembly is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. The connection assembly will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.

Abstract: Techniques and structures for protecting etched features during etch mask removal. In embodiments, a mask is patterned and a substrate layer etched to transfer the pattern. Subsequent to etching the substrate layer, features patterned into the substrate are covered with a sacrificial material backfilling the etch mask. At least a top portion of the mask is removed with the substrate features protected by the sacrificial material. The sacrificial material and any remaining portion of the mask are then removed. In further embodiments, a gate contact opening etched into a substrate layer is protected with a sacrificial material having the same composition as a first material layer of a multi-layered etch mask. A second material layer of the etch mask having a similar composition as the substrate layer is removed before subsequently removing the sacrificial material concurrently with the first mask material layer.

Abstract: An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

Abstract: A seating device includes a training device connected to a component of the base of the seating device. The training device is configured to tilt the seating device to help a user learn how to use the seating device to help the user avoid losing the user's balance while sitting or leaning on the seat of the seating device when the user initially starts to use the seating device. The training device can be releasable from the base of the seating device after the user has learned how to balance on the seating device. The training device can also be reattachable to the seating device to facilitate the training of other users.

Abstract: A connection assembly configured to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, a variable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, a connection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components.

Abstract: Foamable formulations of agriculturally active ingredients are provided, as well as methods for using them. The formulations allow improved delivery active ingredients by the ability to deliver high amounts of active ingredient with a low volume of formulation used.

Abstract: A connection assembly configured to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, a variable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, a connection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components.

Abstract: An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.