Abstract: The invention features an implant assembly for stabilization of a facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body. The U-shaped body has a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body that serves as a locking mechanism.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a bone marrow aspiration device comprising a plurality of syringes, each of which operates in a series of sequential steps to obtain bone marrow of high quality and therapeutic value, i.e., having a high MSC/ml number. An embodiment of the invention preferably comprises three syringes, wherein a first syringe is used to aspirate bone marrow from a subject, a second syringe contains an anticoagulant, and the third syringe contains a mixture of the bone marrow aspirate and the anticoagulant.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anchor for fixing a tendon or a ligament in a bone comprising: an elongated tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising first and second independent parts slidably contacting each other, the first and second independent parts each having an outer circumferential surface along a length thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis, and each having an elongated partial inner bore, such that the tubular body is capable of mounting a tendon or ligament within the partial inner bore.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: A blending scale for dosing and blending two products. The blending scale includes an auxiliary product dosing device, and an auxiliary product dispenser receiving the auxiliary product from the auxiliary product dosing device and releasing the auxiliary product within a dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product to produce and maximize a blend of the auxiliary and main products. A blend collector measures a quantity of the blend of the auxiliary and main products. A controller controls release of the auxiliary product in a synchronized manner with the dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product, based on the defined quantity of the auxiliary product measured by the auxiliary product dosing device. The dynamic stream of the main product is terminated once a targeted quantity of the blend measured by the blend collector is obtained. A method for accurately dosing and homogeneously blending two products is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: Apparatus for the moving and spreading of loose materials, such as dirt. A frame attaches to the three point hitch on a tractor. A bucket is rotatably attached to the frame, and a blade is attached to the frame and positioned within the bucket so as to substantially span the height and width of the bucket interior. In a first position, the bottom wall of the bucket is positioned substantially horizontally. The tractor moves so as to insert the open mouth of the bucket into a quantity of loose material, then raises the bucket and moves to a desired location. The bucket is lowered so that drag members on the bucket contact the ground; forward movement of the tractor causes the bucket to rotate, creating an opening between the bucket and the blade and causing the loose material to flow out of the bucket onto the ground.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a bone marrow aspiration device comprising a plurality of syringes, each of which operates in a series of sequential steps to obtain bone marrow of high quality and therapeutic value, i.e., having a high MSC/ml number. An embodiment of the invention preferably comprises three syringes, wherein a first syringe is used to aspirate bone marrow from a subject, a second syringe contains an anticoagulant, and the third syringe contains a mixture of the bone marrow aspirate and the anticoagulant.

Abstract: The invention features an implant assembly for stabilization of a facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body. The U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body that serves as a locking mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anchor for fixing a tendon or a ligament in a bone comprising: an elongated tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising first and second independent parts slidably contacting each other, the first and second independent parts each having an outer circumferential surface along a length thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis, and each having an elongated partial inner bore, such that the tubular body is capable of mounting a tendon or ligament within the partial inner bore.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer is dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: A blending scale for dosing and blending two products. The blending scale includes an auxiliary product dosing device, and an auxiliary product dispenser receiving the auxiliary product from the auxiliary product dosing device and releasing the auxiliary product within a dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product to produce and maximise a blend of the auxiliary and main products. A blend collector measures a quantity of the blend of the auxiliary and main products. A controller controls release of the auxiliary product in a synchronized manner with the dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product, based on the defined quantity of the auxiliary product measured by the auxiliary product dosing device. The dynamic stream of the main product is terminated once a targeted quantity of the blend measured by the blend collector is obtained. A method for accurately dosing and homogeneously blending two products is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the moving and spreading of loose materials, such as dirt. A frame attaches to the three point hitch on a tractor. A bucket is rotatably attached to the frame, and a blade is attached to the frame and positioned within the bucket so as to substantially span the height and width of the bucket interior. In a first position, the bottom wall of the bucket is positioned substantially horizontally. The tractor moves so as to insert the open mouth of the bucket into a quantity of loose material, then raises the bucket and moves to a desired location. The bucket is lowered so that drag members on the bucket contact the ground; forward movement of the tractor causes the bucket to rotate, creating an opening between the bucket and the blade and causing the loose material to flow out of the bucket onto the ground.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer is dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. A reducer may be used to achieve reduction of one or more vertebral bodies coupled to a spinal stabilization system.