Abstract: This invention gives the directions for the design and building of a vehicle which will be supported in water by the installation of a Floatation Material. The design is so that the vehicle, occupants, and cargo will be supported so that the vehicle will come to rest in the upright position and with the water level below the upper torso of the occupants. There are several demonstrations presented on a regular basis which show how to escape from a vehicle that has suddenly become immersed in water: a lake, river, etc. Escaping is portrayed as a fairly simple procedure when performed by someone who is coached through the process, and by an individual who knows the vehicle is supported by a crane. The design presented in this invention provides a vehicle that will float while requiring no effort from the occupants, nor does it depend on the performance of some mechanism, i.e. switches, relays, or some mechanically activated procedure that requires intervention by the occupant.

Abstract: Devices for insertion within a facet joint formed between adjacent vertebral members. The devices include an intermediate section sized to fit within the facet joint. The devices may also include one or more mounting sections that extend across the face of one or both vertebral members to receive a fastener for mounting the device. Methods of using the devices may include positioning the intermediate section within the facet joint and connecting the device to one or both vertebral members.

Abstract: Devices and methods to prevent a screw from backing out of a plate. The plate includes an aperture for receiving a screw that is attached to the bone. A mount is positioned adjacent to the aperture and extends out from a face of the plate. A locking mechanism is attached to the mount and sized to extend over at least a portion of the inserted screw to prevent the screw from backing out of the aperture. One method comprises inserting a screw into the aperture to attach the plate to the bone. A locking mechanism is then attached to the mount. The locking mechanism is sized to extend over bone screw and prevent the screw from backing out.

Abstract: Embodiments for a spinal construct system including a spinal fixation plate attachable to fixture element in end-to-end fashion with a coupling mechanism that axially and torsionally constrains the first and second rods to one another. In one form, the end-to-end attachment arrangement is aligned along a common axis of the rods. In another form, the axes of the rods are offset laterally relative to one another.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal fixation employ at least first and second plates that are configured to allow progressive sliding advancement of the plate members toward one another and limit movement of the plate members away from one another after installation. A spring member associated with one bone plate may engage toothed section(s) on the other bone plate. The bone plates may each have arms that are spaced from one another and engaged by corresponding arms on the other bone plate. There may be more than two bone plates, with multiple restricted movement regions.

Abstract: A spinal rod connection system includes a first rod for attachment to the spinal column and a second rod for attachment to the skull releasably engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion by a coupling mechanism wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of each of said first and second rods is variable.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws, a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate according to the invention can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. The invention further contemplates a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is held to the plate by a staked locking screw.

Abstract: A surgical head fixation and positioning system includes a helmet member positionable about the head of the patient and selectively conformable to the head of the patient to provide a snug fit. The system can maintain the head in position during surgery, and also allow repositioning during surgery as may be desired for placement of surgical instruments and implants.

Abstract: A switched telephone network is arranged in a manner to enable packet voice communication between telephone terminals via multiple redundant packet switched networks. The packet switched networks may utilize different protocols, be operated by different entities, and have primary functions other than voice communication. One example of such a network may be internetworked networks, such as the Internet. One example of an alternate packet switched network may be a network whose primary function is control of a circuit switched telephone network. The common channel interoffice switching system (CCIS) of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is a preferred example. A voice communication link may be established from telephone terminal to telephone terminal via the Internet, the quality of voice communication may be monitored, and the link may be transferred to the common channel interoffice signaling network if and when the quality of voice communication deteriorates beneath a pre-established norm.

Abstract: A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.

Abstract: A orthopedic fixation system comprising a plate with an outwardly-extending member. A saddle may be mounted on the member and includes spaced-apart arms that form a channel to receive a rod. An engagement member may be mounted within the saddle to prevent escape of the rod. In one embodiment, the engagement member is attached to the saddle to apply a downward force on the rod and an upward force on the saddle to lift the saddle relative to the plate. A method of attaching an orthopedic rod is also included. In one embodiment, a rod is positioned within a channel in the saddle and a downward force is applied against the anchor which results in an upward force on the saddle to lift the saddle relative to the anchor.

Abstract: A posterior fixation system includes a saddle member and an anchoring member. The anchoring member anchors the saddle member to bone. The saddle member includes a pair of upright portions that define a channel. The saddle member further has a hole therethrough bounded by an inner wall, and the hole forms a lower opening in the saddle member. The lower opening in the saddle member may contain angular cutouts placed symmetrically about the axis of the saddle to increase the allowable angulation of the bone screw in relationship to the axis of the saddle. The channel is adapted to receive an orthopedic rod, and the hole in the saddle member is adapted to receive the anchoring member. The saddle member and the anchoring member can be coupled so as to allow multi-axial movement of the members.

Abstract: A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. The first and second rods include rod portions with differing characteristics, and a coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods.

Abstract: A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. A coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods.

Abstract: Embodiments of an orthopedic implant device and system, and methods for implanting them, are disclosed. The implant may include a receiver member having a channel for accommodating an elongated rod or other longitudinal member, a bone anchoring member such as a screw or hook, and a base member rotatable with respect to the receiver member for retaining the bone anchoring member in the receiver member. The base member is configured to allow at least two different degrees of maximum angulation of the bone anchoring member with respect to the receiver member. The number and relative direction of such angulations are independent of the orientation of the channel or other part of the receiving member.

Abstract: A computer controlled laser machine tool is provided wherein the machine tool work zone is smaller than the size of the workpiece that can be processed. The machine tool has an apparatus to register the workhead guidance system to the workpiece without requiring a hole in the workpiece. The machine tool is adapted with an image sensor, a form of a digital camera, to measure the position of targets etched in or affixed to the surface of the workpiece. Registration of the workhead guidance system relative to the workpiece is checked before and after the workpiece support is indexed.