Abstract: A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (12) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical bearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: An adjustable implant (10, 60, 70, 80, 90) has a base (12) and a displaceable element (16) providing opposing tissue contact surfaces (14, 18). A linkage (20, 26) is pivotally connected to the displaceable element. A linkage mover (38, 40), engaged so as to be displaceable along the base, is associated with the linkage (20, 26) so as to define a displaceable pivot location (24, 30) for pivotal motion of the linkage relative to the base, in certain preferred embodiments, the base (12) has an internally threaded track (42, 44) in which a threaded segment of the linkage mover (38, 40) is engaged, so that rotation of the threaded segment about its central axis advances the linkage mover along the threaded track, thereby displacing the displaceable pivot locations and adjusting a separation between the first contact surface and at least part of the second contact surface.

Abstract: An adjustable implant includes a telescopic body with first and second portions in sliding engagement, and a deflectable linkage formed from a first linking segment, an intermediate segment and a second linking segment pivotally interconnected so that adjustment of a length of the telescopic body causes a corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage. The first linking segment and the second linking segment are formed with projecting features that provide a partial gear engagement between the first and second linking segments such that, during adjustment of a length of the telescopic body and corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage, pivotal motion of the first and second linking segments relative to the intermediate segment about the first and second pivot axes occurs in a fixed ratio defined by the partial gear engagement.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant has at least one arm (14) pivotally connected to a base (10). At least one worm gear configuration includes a worm in (18) mounted within the base (10) so as to be rotatable, and a set of gear teeth (20) associated with the arm (14). When the worm (18) is rotated about its central axis, the arm (14) is driven through a range of pivotal motion relative to the base so as to change an angle of inclination between a direction of elongation (16) of the arm and the direction of elongation (12) of the base. Embodiments of the invention include devices with a hollow proximal worm allowing access into the implant via the worm, distally deployed worms, and devices with a pair of worm gear assemblies that operate synchronously or independently.

Abstract: An expanding implant (10, 10?, 10?) includes a base (12) having a contact surface (14) for contacting a first region of tissue and a displaceable portion. (24) having a contact surface (26) for contacting a second region of tissue. The base (12) has a proximal portion (16) in sliding engagement with, a distal portion (18) so as to define an arcuate path of relative motion between the proximal and distal portions. The base assumes an initial state with a first arcuate extent and is adjustable towards a second State by changing an: extent of overlap between the proximal and distal portions to vary an. arcuate extent of the base. First and second rigid linking segments (20, 22) are in articulating connection with the distal and proximal portions of the base, and with the displaceable portion such that adjustment of the base from the initial state towards the second state causes an increase in a distance between the contact surfaces of the base and the displaceable portion.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant has at least one arm (14) pivotally connected to a base (10). At least one worm gear configuration includes a worm in (18) mounted within the base (10) so as to be rotatable, and a set of gear teeth (20) associated with the arm (14). When the worm (18) is rotated about its central axis, the arm (14) is driven through a range of pivotal motion relative to the base so as to change an angle of inclination between a direction of elongation (16) of the arm and the direction of elongation (12) of the base. Embodiments of the invention include devices with a hollow proximal worm allowing access into the implant via the worm, distally deployed worms, and devices with a pair of worm gear assemblies that operate synchronously or independently.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a medical implant includes a conduit assembly having a second conduit portion rigidly attached to a distal end of a first conduit portion such that inner channels of the two conduit portions are contiguous. The second conduit portion provides first and second opposing tissue contact surfaces rigidly interconnected by a rigid bridging structure. An implant insert is deployed along the inner channel of the first conduit portion to a deployed position engaging the second conduit portion. The second conduit portion is selectively detachable from the first conduit portion so as to leave the second conduit portion and the implant insert together defining an implant.

Abstract: An adjustable implant (10, 60, 70, 80, 90) has a base (12) and a displaceable element (16) providing opposing tissue contact surfaces (14, 18). A linkage (20, 26) is pivotally connected to the displaceable element. A linkage mover (38, 40), engaged so as to be displaceable along the base, is associated with the linkage (20, 26) so as to define a displaceable pivot location (24, 30) for pivotal motion of the linkage relative to the base, in certain preferred embodiments, the base (12) has an internally threaded track (42, 44) in which a threaded segment of the linkage mover (38, 40) is engaged, so that rotation of the threaded segment about its central axis advances the linkage mover along the threaded track, thereby displacing the displaceable pivot locations and adjusting a separation between the first contact surface and at least part of the second contact surface.

Abstract: Deflectable implants, systems and methods for implanting deflectable implants are disclosed. The deflectable implant includes at least one sequence of segments, the sequence includes at least two segments, the segments being interconnected at effective hinges, the sequence assuming a straightened or low curvature insertion state for insertion into the body, the sequence being deflectable to a fully deflected state defined by abutment of abutment features of adjacent of the segments.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a first or suction tube, through which suction forces are applied through a tube-end opening along a longitudinal axis, and a second or irrigation tube, extending along Inc first tube, the second tube, through which irrigation fluid, typically liquids, travels, the second tube including apertures. through which irrigation fluid is expelled in an axial orientation different from the longitudinal axis. The suction and irrigation tubes form a circulation pathway for the introduced irrigation fluid and particulates, which are drawn into the suction tube by suction forces, tot properly clearing (flushing) the surgical site.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: A hot-water-actuated espresso coffee maker has a chamber receiving a quantity of hot water and a piston. An actuator forces the piston through at least part of the chamber so as to deliver hot water under pressure through ground coffee. The actuator includes a shape-memory element configured such that, when a temperature of the element is raised above a transition temperature, the shape-memory element undergoes a phase change so as to become biased towards a predefined spring configuration, thereby applying force to the piston. A flow-guide element helps define a flow path at least partially blocking an inflow of hot water from reaching the shape-memory element until at least a majority of the chamber has been filled. The inflow of hot water sequentially fills the chamber and then heats the shape-memory element above the transition temperature.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.