Abstract: A cage device for harvesting bone graft material for use in bone fusion surgery, e.g., a spinal fusion. The device has a chamber configured to contain a slurry of morselized bone and blood that effuses from adjacent bones when the device is placed in a space between the bones, and a bone cutter assembly is inserted into the chamber and operated. In one embodiment, the cutter assembly includes an elongated cannula having a bend at a distal end, and a wire arranged to slide inside the cannula so that a cutting tip of the wire can be set to project a desired distance from the distal end. When the cannula is driven to rotate about its long axis, the wire cutting tip strikes and cuts grooves in the facing surfaces of the bones to produce the mentioned slurry which remains inside the chamber to promote a solid and healthy fusion.

Abstract: A cage device for harvesting bone graft material for use in bone fusion surgery, e.g., a spinal fusion. The device has a chamber configured to contain a slurry of morselized bone and blood that effuses from adjacent bones when the device is placed in a space between the bones, and a bone cutter assembly is inserted into the chamber and operated. In one embodiment, the cutter assembly includes an elongated cannula having a bend at a distal end, and a wire arranged to slide inside the cannula so that a cutting tip of the wire can be set to project a desired distance from the distal end. When the cannula is driven to rotate about its long axis, the wire cutting tip strikes and cuts grooves in the facing surfaces of the bones to produce the mentioned slurry which remains inside the chamber to promote a solid and healthy fusion.

Abstract: A cage or spacer device for harvesting bone graft material for use in bone fusion surgery, e.g., spinal fusion. The device is inserted between facing surfaces of the bones to be fused, and a chamber is formed in the device for containing a slurry of morselized bone and blood to be effused from the bones. In one embodiment, a bone cutter assembly including a cannula having a bend at a distal end is inserted in the chamber for operation. A wire having a cutting tip is passed inside the cannula so that the tip projects a determined distance from the distal end of the cannula. Accordingly, the cutting tip strikes and cuts grooves in the facing surfaces of the bones when the cannula is rotationally driven about its axis. The mentioned slurry effuses from the grooved surfaces and remains in the chamber to promote a solid and healthy fusion.

Abstract: A procedure for harvesting graft material for use during bone fusion surgery. A generally U-shaped cutting blade is inserted to a certain position inside a defined space between adjacent bones to be fused, and the cutting blade is rotated so that it cuts into the adjacent bones and forms a solid bone segment within each one of the bones. Each bone segment is displaced so that a first end portion of the segment enters the bone opposite the bone within which the segment was formed, an intermediate portion of the segment spans the space between the bones, and a second end portion of the segment remains in the bone within which the segment was formed. Each bone segment thereby acts as a strut graft for promoting a fusion of the adjacent bones to one another.

Abstract: A technique for harvesting bone graft material for spinal and other fusion surgeries. In the disclosed embodiment, a bone cutting blade is placed in a disc space between two vertebrae to be fused. The blade cuts into the vertebrae and forms solid segments of autologous bone inside each vertebra. Each bone segment is urged out of its associated vertebra until a first portion of the segment enters the opposite vertebra, an intermediate portion spans the disc space, and a second portion remains in the associated vertebra. Each segment thus forms a strut graft to promote a healthy and permanent fusion. In another embodiment, a wire is placed in the disc space and rotated to cut grooves in the vertebrae, causing a slurry of morselized cortical and cancellous bone to ooze into a cage that is placed in the disc space. The slurry heals to fuse the vertebrae solidly and permanently.

Abstract: A procedure for harvesting graft material for use during bone fusion surgery. A generally U-shaped cutting blade is inserted to a certain position inside a defined space between adjacent bones to be fused, and the cutting blade is rotated so that it cuts into the adjacent bones and forms a solid bone segment within each one of the bones. Each bone segment is displaced so that a first end portion of the segment enters the bone opposite the bone within which the segment was formed, an intermediate portion of the segment spans the space between the bones, and a second end portion of the segment remains in the bone within which the segment was formed. Each bone segment thereby acts as a strut graft for promoting a fusion of the adjacent bones to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: A cage or spacer device for harvesting bone graft material for use in bone fusion surgery, e.g., spinal fusion. The device is inserted between facing surfaces of the bones to be fused, and a chamber is formed in the device for containing a slurry of morselized bone and blood to be effused from the bones. In one embodiment, a bone cutter assembly including a cannula having a bend at a distal end is inserted in the chamber for operation. A wire having a cutting tip is passed inside the cannula so that the tip projects a determined distance from the distal end of the cannula. Accordingly, the cutting tip strikes and cuts grooves in the facing surfaces of the bones when the cannula is rotationally driven about its axis. The mentioned slurry effuses from the grooved surfaces and remains in the chamber to promote a solid and healthy fusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: A system for harvesting bone graft material for use during bone fusion surgery. In one embodiment, a bone cutting tool has a blade fixed on a distal end of a shaft. The distal end of the shaft is pivoted on a cage set between two bones to be fused, and the blade is activated to cut into the bones and form a solid bone segment in each bone as the tool shaft turns. A paddle is arranged to be inserted between the bones, and to displace the cut bone segments so that a leading portion of each segment enters the bone opposite the bone from which the segment was cut, a central portion of the segment spans across the bones, and a trailing portion of the segment remains in the bone from which it was cut. The displaced segments act as strut grafts to fuse the bones to one another.

Abstract: A facet joint is exposed at one side of the spine during surgery. An inclinometer is mounted on an elongated probe, and a pin is fixed on a spinous process near the exposed joint. The probe is swivelled about the pin so that a distal end of the probe contacts the joint and the inclinometer indicates a corresponding first trajectory. A second trajectory from the pin to an unexposed facet joint on the opposite side of the spine is defined as being symmetrical with the first trajectory about the spine axis. The inclinometer is mounted on a guide sleeve, and the sleeve is swivelled about the pin into the second trajectory. A wire is inserted through the sleeve until a tip of the wire penetrates the unexposed joint percutaneously. A facet screw is advanced over the wire and threaded percutaneously into the unexposed facet joint after the sleeve is withdrawn.

Abstract: A system for harvesting bone graft material for use during bone fusion surgery. In one embodiment, a bone cutting tool has a blade fixed on a distal end of a shaft. The distal end of the shaft is pivoted on a cage set between two bones to be fused, and the blade is activated to cut into the bones and form a solid bone segment in each bone as the tool shaft turns. A paddle is arranged to be inserted between the bones, and to displace the cut bone segments so that a leading portion of each segment enters the bone opposite the bone from which the segment was cut, a central portion of the segment spans across the bones, and a trailing portion of the segment remains in the bone from which it was cut. The displaced segments act as strut grafts to fuse the bones to one another.

Abstract: A technique for harvesting bone graft material for spinal and other fusion surgeries. In the disclosed embodiment, a bone cutting blade is placed in a disc space between two vertebrae to be fused. The blade cuts into the vertebrae and forms solid segments of autologous bone inside each vertebra. Each bone segment is urged out of its associated vertebra until a first portion of the segment enters the opposite vertebra, an intermediate portion spans the disc space, and a second portion remains in the associated vertebra. Each segment thus forms a strut graft to promote a healthy and permanent fusion. In another embodiment, a wire is placed in the disc space and rotated to cut grooves in the vertebrae, causing a slurry of morselized cortical and cancellous bone to ooze into a cage that is placed in the disc space. The slurry heals to fuse the vertebrae solidly and permanently.

Abstract: A procedure and system for determining and placing spinal implants or prostheses includes measuring a change in position of vertebrae at an affected level of a patient's spine from a first position where the patient reports greatest pain at the affected level, to a second position where the patient reports least pain at the affected level. Spinal implants or prostheses are selected so as to urge the affected level of the spine toward the second position and away from the first position when the implants are placed at the affected level. In one embodiment, an implant device is formed by one or more inflatable balloons that are placed at determined locations inside a disc space at the affected level. When the balloons are inflated, vertebrae above and below the balloons are urged toward the second position and away from the first position at the affected level.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: A procedure and system for determining and placing spinal implants or prostheses includes measuring a change in position of vertebrae at an affected level of a patient's spine from a first position where the patient reports greatest pain at the affected level, to a second position where the patient reports least pain at the affected level. Spinal implants or prostheses are selected so as to urge the affected level of the spine toward the second position and away from the first position when the implants are placed at the affected level. In one embodiment, an implant device is formed by one or more inflatable balloons that are placed at determined locations inside a disc space at the affected level. When the balloons are inflated, vertebrae above and below the balloons are urged toward the second position and away from the first position at the affected level.

Abstract: A method of managing restaurant information and service by restaurant customers. A point-of-sale (POS) device at a restaurant identifies a customer at the restaurant, links with a network server associated with a restaurant customer service to which the customer belongs, and transmits an amount owed by the customer for food or other items to a financial services provider. A server associated with the restaurant customer service allows the customer to create a personal file accessible only by the customer and others designated by the customer. Each personal file includes certain entries including a rating, review, or other information concerning restaurants patronized by the members of the customer service. The POS device prompts the customer for such entries after the financial services provider approves payment of the amount owed. The entries are then transmitted to the customer service for entry in the customer's personal file.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to rotationally operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system stop rotation of the tool portion.

Abstract: A surgical bone screw includes an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, a threaded portion on the circumference of the body, and a passage extending between the proximal and the distal ends of the body. An electrical conductor is disposed in the passage between the proximal and the distal ends of the screw body. The conductor has a first terminal at the proximal end and a second terminal at the distal end. The conductor and both of the terminals are electrically insulated from surrounding portions of the screw body. When the screw is driven into bone tissue and a stimulating current is applied to the first terminal, the current is directed substantially through the conductor to flow into tissue adjacent to the second terminal at the distal end, without shunting by other tissue that surrounds the screw body.

Abstract: A nerve stimulating drill bit is provided and can include a shank and a body attached to the shank. The body can include a plurality of flutes and a cutting tip. Further, a first conductor can extend through the shank and the body. The first conductor can be insulated and can provide a signal at the cutting tip. Further, the signal can be configured to provide nerve stimulation at the cutting tip of the nerve stimulating drill bit.