Abstract: A protective member for a medical instrument includes a body portion having an inner side wall defining an interior, configured to receive at least a portion of the medical instrument. The body portion also includes a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to at least partially close the respective first end and/or second end of the body portion. The at least partially closed first end and/or second end is configured to be opened for use of the medical instrument, such that the medical instrument can pass through both the first and second ends of the body portion during use, while the inner side wall surrounds a portion of the medical instrument. The body portion is configured for use during a medical procedure using the medical instrument, for example, as a tissue protector or a drilling guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for interrogating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an RFID module, a first assembly comprising a processor, a second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the RFID module, and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and second assembly such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first configuration and second configuration. The processor may be configured to interrogate RFID tags via the RFID module and RFID radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration, and not interrogate RFID tags when the second assembly is in the first configuration. In addition, both the first assembly and the second assembly may comprise attachment components configured to removably couple its respective assembly to one or more surfaces of an enclosure.

Abstract: A method for delivering a substance to bone includes placing a stabilizing wire in a bone, creating a hole in the bone around the stabilizing wire, and providing a multichannel cannula. The multichannel cannula includes a first channel having an open proximal end and distal end, the first channel being configured to receive the stabilizing wire, and a second channel having an inlet portal and an exit portal that are in fluid communication. The cannula further includes a cap having a delivery port in fluid communication with the inlet portal and a channel for receiving the cannula therein, and a distal tip. The method further includes inserting the multichannel cannula into the hole in the bone such that the first channel receives the stabilizing wire, and delivering the substance into the bone by introducing the substance into the second channel such that the substance exits through the exit portal.

Abstract: A method for delivering a substance to bone includes placing a stabilizing wire in a bone, creating a hole in the bone around the stabilizing wire, and providing a multichannel cannula, comprising. The multichannel cannula includes a first channel having an open proximal end and an open distal end, the first channel being configured to receive the stabilizing wire, and a second channel having an inlet portal and an exit portal that are in fluid communication. The method further includes inserting the multichannel cannula into the hole in the bone such that the first channel receives the stabilizing wire, and delivering the substance into the bone by introducing the substance into the inlet portal of the second channel such that the substance exits the second channel through the exit portal.

Abstract: An intraosseous needle assembly includes a needle having a first cylindrical shaft. The shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a wall defining an inner channel. The first cylindrical shaft includes threading protruding from the wall along a proximal portion of the first cylindrical shaft. The needle further includes a needle head extending from the proximal end of the first cylindrical shaft. The needle assembly may further include a stylet, the stylet having a second cylindrical shaft having a first end and a second end and a stylet head extending from the second end. The stylet head includes a proximal surface and a distal surface, a pair substantially parallel second side walls, a pair of rounded end sections joining the second side walls, a protrusion extending from the distal surface, and a tapered section extending from the distal surface to the second cylindrical shaft.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for implantation within a fractured bone. The intramedullary nail includes two or more nail modules. Each nail module has an elongated body with a first end and a second end. For each nail module, at least one of the first end or the second end is a connecting end configured to connect to a second connecting end on a second nail module.

Abstract: A method for delivering multiple substances in a delay fashion to a bone of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a cannulated bone screw, creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, and inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture. The method further includes delivering a first substance into the bone through the bone screw, wherein the first substance changes over time into a solid hardened material, and then delivering a second substance into the bone through the bone screw after the first substance changed into a solid hardened material. The solid hardened material of the first substance may be a permeable material that allows the second substance to transport through, or the second substance may transport through the first substance by diffusion, or may reach a desired location in the bone through pores or cracks in the hardened solid material.

Abstract: A medical device identification system includes a medical device including an identifier and a sensor device configured to read the identifier of the medical device. The system further includes an output device configured to provide feedback related to the medical device and a monitoring system communicably coupled to the sensor device and the output device. The monitoring system is configured to identify the medical device based on the identifier of the medical device read by the sensor device and transmit feedback to the output device specific to the medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an incentive system are provided. One embodiment relates to a system including a processing circuit and a communications interface. The processing circuit includes an inventory module configured to track an inventory of medical devices, a usage module configured to generate usage data in response to use of one or more of the medical devices, an ordering module configured to generate a purchase order based on the usage data, the purchase order involving two or more parties, and a billing module configured to determine whether each party is eligible to use an incentive system, determine incentive options available to each eligible party, provide the associated incentive options to each eligible party, receive at least one incentive option selection, and generate transaction details for the purchase order based on the at least one selection.

Abstract: A method for the long-term delivery of fluids to a bone of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone screw and an insert configured to be coupled to the bone screw. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture, and coupling the insert to the bone screw. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the insert, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source to the insert.

Abstract: A guidewire having a first end and a second end, and comprising two or more guidewire modules. Each guidewire module has a first end and a second end. Each guidewire module is configured to be attachable to a second guidewire module by at least one of: attaching the first end of the guidewire module with the second end of the second guidewire module, and attaching the second end of the guidewire module with the first end of the second guidewire module.

Abstract: A vertebral prosthesis and spinal fixation system includes a vertebral prosthesis having a height adjustable shaft and an anchoring mechanism coupled to the shaft. The system further includes a spinal fixation device and a number of bone screws. The bone screws attach the fixation device to the vertebral prosthesis via the anchoring mechanism.

Abstract: A method for the long-term delivery of fluids to a bone of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone screw and an insert configured to be coupled to the bone screw. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture, and coupling the insert to the bone screw. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the insert, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source to the insert.