Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific portion and a guiding element having a through opening. The patient-specific portion has a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate as a negative of a portion of an iliac crest of a pelvis of a specific patient and mate to the iliac crest only in one position. The guiding element has a preoperatively configured orientation and location relative to the patient-specific portion for preparing a bore in the bone of the patient to direct a bone screw at the preoperatively configured orientation and location for sacroiliac fixation.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly and associated method. The bone fixation assembly includes a bone fastener having a head and a bone-engaging portion, a receiver defining an opening along a first axis for receiving the bone fastener at a variable angle, and at least one supporting augment coupled to the bone fastener. The receiver has an inner articulation surface at a lower portion of the opening and matingly articulates with the supporting augment.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly and associated method. The bone fixation assembly includes a bone fastener having a head and a bone-engaging portion, a receiver defining an opening along a first axis for receiving the bone fastener at a variable angle, and at least one supporting augment coupled to the bone fastener. The receiver has an inner articulation surface at a lower portion of the opening and matingly articulates with the supporting augment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: A system and method that determines when fraudulent activity, such as relates to a credit card, etc., may be imminent. The system and method of the invention allows for warning a credit issuer of probable fraudulent activity at an early stage. Probable fraudulent activity is determined by: receiving at a receiving center an authorization request from a user for a dollar amount; and determining, using a fraud test, if the authorization request is likely to be indicative of fraudulent activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: The present invention has a plate and rod assembly for implantation in the cervical region of the spine which includes an occipital plate having an angled anchor bridging area that is attached to the lower posterior curve of the skull. On either side the bridging area is connected to offset legs which join flanged areas having a high friction surface and which include tethered rod anchors having rod-receiving channels. These flanges include undercut slots longer in one direction than the other to capture the side plates integral to the open U-shaped members including the rod-receiving channels. The side plates extend longer in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rod when it is in the channel so that they can thus be lowered into the slot and rotated by 90 degrees to capture the channels in the flanges. The channels are closed by a capnut which has a bottom annular flange that also helps to lock the rod in place.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly and associated method. The bone fixation assembly includes a bone fastener having a head and a bone-engaging portion, a receiver defining an opening along a first axis for receiving the bone fastener at a variable angle, and at least one supporting augment coupled to the bone fastener. The receiver has an inner articulation surface at a lower portion of the opening and matingly articulates with the supporting augment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system.

Abstract: The invention provides a rod assembly for implantation into the spine which includes a bone anchor assembly providing two points of angulation for the connection between the point of fixation and the rod. Further, the distance of offset between the point of fixation and the rod can be varied. The invention uses a bone screw having a pronged cage with a recess that accommodates the head of a post member. The cage can be tightened around the head by the camming surfaces of a locking cap that is drawn down around the compressible cage as the head is screwed upward in the recess by the engagement of the threads of the post by a locking nut. Further, the locking cap has a slotted bushing that is positionable in the elongated slot of a rod connector member. The locking nut includes an external taper that expands the bushing outward to lock it into position in the slot.

Abstract: The invention provides a rod assembly for implantation into the spine which includes a bone anchor assembly providing two points of angulation for the connection between the point of fixation and the rod. Further, the distance of offset between the point of fixation and the rod can be varied. The invention uses a bone screw having a pronged cage with a recess that accommodates the head of a post member. The cage can be tightened around the head by the camming surfaces of a locking cap that is drawn down around the compressible cage as the head is screwed upward in the recess by the engagement of the threads of the post by a locking nut. Further, the locking cap has a slotted bushing that is positionable in the elongated slot of a rod connector member. The locking nut includes an external taper that expands the bushing outward to lock it into position in the slot.

Abstract: The invention provides a bone screw for use in an implant assembly having a member including a hole through which the screw extends. The member preferably includes socket that receives a rounded bottom portion of the screw head in order to form a ball and socket connection. The screw has a necked area below the rounded bottom portion which projects through the hole and below that on the longitudinal axis of the screw, it includes a knurled collar that is sized so as to allow the anchor to be inserted onto the screw but which subsequently restrains the anchor from falling downward onto the threaded area of the screw.

Abstract: The invention provides a rod assembly for implantation into the spine which includes a bone anchor assembly providing two points of angulation for the connection between the point of fixation and the rod. Further, the distance of offset between the point of fixation and the rod can be varied. The invention uses a bone screw having a pronged cage with a recess that accommodates the head of a post member. The cage can be tightened around the head by the camming surfaces of a locking cap that is drawn down around the compressible cage as the head is screwed upward in the recess by the engagement of the threads of the post by a locking nut. Further, the locking cap has a slotted bushing that is positionable in the elongated slot of a rod connector member. The locking nut includes an external taper that expands the bushing outward to lock it into position in the slot.