Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant is disclosed. The load sensing assembly may include: a set screw having a drive interface, a lower cavity for receiving a cover, the cover including a protrusion that may engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly may further include an antenna, and at least one sensor having an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is positioned within a sealed cavity of the set screw. In some embodiments, a connecting wire extends through a through hole of the set screw and into the sealed cavity to connect the antenna with the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the cap is welded to the set screw, the through hole is filled with an insulative material, and the sealed cavity of the set screw is hermitically sealed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns spinal fixation systems, and particularly systems utilizing pedicle screws, connectors and elongated members positioned adjacent to the spinal column. More specifically, the invention concerns improvements to spinal connectors having set screws used to connect to the elongate members, such as spinal rods, that include a means for inhibiting rotational movement of a partially inserted set screw before such connectors are implanted by the surgeon.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to multiple implant locations in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant. The implants can be sequentially engaged using the delivery instrument to the patient or to receptacles of one or more receiving members secured to the patient.

Abstract: An implant holder and driver for use in implanting orthopedic implants is disclosed. The instrument includes a distal retaining member that affirmatively holds the orthopedic implant and allows significant force to be applied by the driver without dislodging the engagement. An actuation mechanism is provided to move the retaining member between the open and closed positions. The actuation mechanism utilized in one aspect of the present invention may be operated in an ergonomic and efficient fashion.

Abstract: A C-glucosyl ether lipid of the following formula: wherein R1 is a C12-C20 alkyl or C12-C20 alkenyl; R2 is a C1-C3 alkyl or C3 cycloalkyl; and X nitrogen-containing group.

Abstract: A regulating A.C. power controller regulates the selected levels of power to be applied to a plurality of loads by producing a digital signal directly from the A.C. voltage with a pulse duration representative of load power which can be applied as an input to the microprocessor without the need for prior analogue to digital conversion. The load power level is displayed in terms of percentage of power source. Remote control units, such as a computer, can be connected with the power controller to program it for power level settings and warm up time.

Abstract: When correlating a reference representation with current representations the scales of which are changing, errors occur. In order to reduce the errors, a normal current representation is stored in a store (7), and a scaled current representation is stored in a store (8). Both representations are correlated in a correlator (11) with a normal reference representation stored in a store (9). The reference representation is updated by a control processor unit 5 when the correlation of it with the current representation reaches a peak. Instead of using two current representations a single current representation could be correlated with normal and scaled reference representations.