Abstract: An infant head cradle assembly including a bed rest that includes a groove in a bottom surface of the bed rest, a head rest that includes a housing component extending from a bottom of the head rest, and a receptacle at a center of the housing component, a base extending from the bed rest to provide support to the head rest. The base includes a receptacle that includes a hole, and a bed rest attachment adjacent to the receptacle. The assembly further includes a bearing retainer assembly that includes a plurality of ball bearings that facilitate a rotational movement of the head rest while the head rest is seated on the bearing retainer assembly. The housing component restricts movement of the head rest from extending further than a range of approximately 20 degrees from front to back and approximately 40 degrees from left to right.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure includes providing an implant inserter comprising radiolucent materials; engaging a surgical implant with the radiolucent implant inserter; inserting the surgical implant in a body with the radiolucent implant inserter; and taking X-ray photography of the surgical implant with the radiolucent implant inserter operatively connected thereto, wherein the radiolucent implant inserter is at least partially within the body during the taking of the X-ray photography. The implant inserter may comprise a body portion comprising the radiolucent materials; and a tip portion operatively connected to the tip portion. The tip portion may comprise radiolucent materials. The tip portion may comprise steel. The radiolucent materials may comprise any of plastic carbon fibers, and thin aluminum. The implant inserter may comprise a torque capacity of at least 6 Nm. The implant inserter may comprise a screwdriver. The method may further comprise disposing the implant inserter after use.

Abstract: An infant head cradle assembly including a bed rest that includes a groove in a bottom surface of the bed rest, a head rest that includes a housing component extending from a bottom of the head rest, and a receptacle at a center of the housing component, a base extending from the bed rest to provide support to the head rest. The base includes a receptacle that includes a hole, and a bed rest attachment adjacent to the receptacle. The assembly further includes a bearing retainer assembly that includes a plurality of ball bearings that facilitate a rotational movement of the head rest while the head rest is seated on the bearing retainer assembly. The housing component restricts movement of the head rest from extending further than a range of approximately 20 degrees from front to back and approximately 40 degrees from left to right.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a surgical implant in a body and a method of performing a surgical procedure, wherein the tool is composed of materials consisting essentially of radiolucent materials. In one embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise plastic. In another embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise carbon fibers. In still another embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise thin aluminum. The tool has a torque capacity of at least 6 Nm.

Abstract: A rod-to-rod connector assembly comprising a longitudinal member, which may be straight or S-shaped or have some other configuration; and a connecting member connected to a first end of the longitudinal member, wherein the connecting member comprises a pair of threaded opposed ends defining a channel therebetween. The assembly may further comprise a threaded blocking mechanism that engages the pair of threaded opposed ends of the connecting member. Preferably, the longitudinal member connects to only one of the opposed ends of the connecting member. The longitudinal member may comprise a first elongated portion comprising a first longitudinal axis; a second elongated portion comprising a second longitudinal axis; and a curved portion connecting the first elongated portion to the second elongated portion, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A head-restraint system includes a rotatable base portion; a stationary platform positioned underneath the base portion, wherein the platform supports the base portion; a rotatable head cradle positioned within an open region of the base portion; a first pivoting mechanism that allows the head cradle to rotate with respect to the base portion; and a second pivoting mechanism that allows the base portion to rotate with respect to the platform.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a surgical implant in a body and a method of performing a surgical procedure, wherein the tool is composed of materials consisting essentially of radiolucent materials. In one embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise plastic. In another embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise carbon fibers. In still another embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise thin aluminum. The tool has a torque capacity of at least 6 Nm.