Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, an implant that anchors into bone may have a bone-facing region that comprises a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts may define local features such as engagement ridges, fins, crests, a macroscopic surface-interrupting feature, a divertor structure, and sawteeth in any combination. Such features may help resist translation or rotation of the implant, and may be conducive to bone ingrowth. Parameters such as local empty volume fraction and local average strut length can be varied, even within the features, by the design of the network of struts. Struts may be tapered. Cantilever struts may also be provided, which may point in a desired direction. The pattern of struts may be specified to the level of dimensions and location of individual struts. The implant may be manufactured by additive manufacturing methods. The mesh of struts may be generated by an algorithm using Voronoi tessellation.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, an implant that anchors into bone may have a bone-facing region that comprises a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts may define local features such as engagement ridges, fins, crests, a macroscopic surface-interrupting feature, a divertor structure, and sawteeth in any combination. Such features may help resist translation or rotation of the implant, and may be conducive to bone ingrowth. Parameters such as local empty volume fraction and local average strut length can be varied, even within the features, by the design of the network of struts. Struts may be tapered. Cantilever struts may also be provided, which may point in a desired direction. The pattern of struts may be specified to the level of dimensions and location of individual struts. The implant may be manufactured by additive manufacturing methods. The mesh of struts may be generated by an algorithm using Voronoi tessellation.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, an implant that anchors into bone may have a bone-facing region that comprises a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts may define local features such as engagement ridges, fins, crests, a macroscopic surface-interrupting feature, a divertor structure, and sawteeth in any combination. Such features may help resist translation or rotation of the implant, and may be conducive to bone ingrowth. Parameters such as local empty volume fraction and local average strut length can be varied, even within the features, by the design of the network of struts. Struts may be tapered. Cantilever struts may also be provided, which may point in a desired direction. The pattern of struts may be specified to the level of dimensions and location of individual struts. The implant may be manufactured by additive manufacturing methods. The mesh of struts may be generated by an algorithm using Voronoi tessellation.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, an implant that anchors into bone may have a bone-facing region that comprises a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts may define local features such as engagement ridges, fins, crests, a macroscopic surface-interrupting feature, a divertor structure, and sawteeth in any combination. Such features may help resist translation or rotation of the implant, and may be conducive to bone ingrowth. Parameters such as local empty volume fraction and local average strut length can be varied, even within the features, by the design of the network of struts. Struts may be tapered. Cantilever struts may also be provided, which may point in a desired direction. The pattern of struts may be specified to the level of dimensions and location of individual struts. The implant may be manufactured by additive manufacturing methods. The mesh of struts may be generated by an algorithm using Voronoi tessellation.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, an implant that anchors into bone may have a bone-facing region that comprises a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts may define local features such as engagement ridges, fins, crests, a macroscopic surface-interrupting feature, a divertor structure, and sawteeth in any combination. Such features may help resist translation or rotation of the implant, and may be conducive to bone ingrowth. Parameters such as local empty volume fraction and local average strut length can be varied, even within the features, by the design of the network of struts. Struts may be tapered. Cantilever struts may also be provided, which may point in a desired direction. The pattern of struts may be specified to the level of dimensions and location of individual struts. The implant may be manufactured by additive manufacturing methods. The mesh of struts may be generated by an algorithm using Voronoi tessellation.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.

Abstract: A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises a ledge and an undercut. When the fastener is installed into the plate, the locking ring resides within the undercut and is prevented from backing out by the ledge. The locking ring has a leading surface that may be chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that may be flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with the through-hole. After installation, the trailing surface contacts the ledge.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: An instrument guide and implant holding device is provided which releasably secures an implant to the instrument guide. The device provides a convenient guide for surgeons to perform various operative techniques on the subject bone without the need for separate devices, and allows all these operative techniques to be performed without removing the instrument guide from the dissected area until all operative techniques have been completed. The releasable mechanism allows the surgeon to easily hold the instrument to an implant using a simple press-fit approach, and easily releases from the implant with a minimal amount of force. An embodiment also allows the surgeon to releasably lock the cannula in a given orientation about the centroidal axis of the implant fastener hole.

Abstract: An instrument guide and implant holding device is provided which releasably secures an implant to the instrument guide. The device provides a convenient guide for surgeons to perform various operative techniques on the subject bone without the need for separate devices, and allows all these operative techniques to be performed without removing the instrument guide from the dissected area until all operative techniques have been completed. The releasable mechanism allows the surgeon to easily hold the instrument to an implant using a simple press-fit approach, and easily releases from the implant with a minimal amount of force. An embodiment also allows the surgeon to releasably lock the cannula in a given orientation about the centroidal axis of the implant fastener hole.

Abstract: A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for securing the head of a screw in a bone plate is disclosed in which bone fasteners or screws snap-fit into an undercut of fastener receiving openings of the bone plate. The bone fasteners or screws are designed such that they may be removed or repositioned from the snap-fit undercuts with the aid of a driver instrument. An embodiment is also disclosed in which a fusion cage is utilized in connection with bone plate and fasteners.

Abstract: An internal bone fixation system for the treatment of bone anomalies, such as thoraco-lumbar spinal instability. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the fixation system includes a plate anatomically contoured to match the profile of lateral aspects common to thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, as well as the anterior profile. The contour of the plate allows for quicker implantation time, a lower profile, and a fit which allows for biomechanical load-sharing which increases the mechanical properties of the construct (i.e., stiffness, strength, and fatigue life). Moreover, the fixation system includes a fastener screw-plate interface which forces proper alignment between fastener screws and the plate, provides “pull-out” resistance and evenly distributes stresses on both the screw and the plate. Ledges are located on the medial surface at either end of the plate. The fixation system also includes set screws which effectively turn the screw construct into a bolt construct.

Abstract: Mobile storage cabinets which are "slide-by" cabinets, that is, the cabinets ride on a carriage in a longitudinal direction on a cabinet track to allow access to the contents of a posterior cabinet. The top surface of the posterior cabinet includes an anti-tip track which is substantially parallel to the cabinet track. The anti-tip track has a cylindrical groove with a longitudinally extending top opening which forms a slot. A football-shaped is captured in the groove to form a journaled follower which optionally includes roller bearing surfaces, vertical link extends through the slot and is joined at a fixed angle to a horizontal link which is pivotally joined to a bracket member attached to the back surface of a front cabinet. The bracket extends beyond the top of the cabinet. If multiple rows of cabinets are used, the anti-tip assemblies for the cabinets of each row are stepped so that they clear the top of posterior cabinets.