Abstract: A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft, material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft, material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

Abstract: A method of housing a gerbil or like pet. Sections of cardboard are formed into a first housing structure for the pet, and the structure is placed in a container whose walls are transparent or have openings through which the container's interior can be viewed. The container is closed after placing the pet in the housing structure, and pieces of the cardboard sections start to accumulate at the bottom of the container as the pet chews on the sections. Some of the chewed pieces form bedding for the pet while other pieces absorb pet waste. Once the housing structure is substantially chewed into pieces, the container is opened and the chewed pieces are removed. A second housing structure formed of cardboard sections is placed in the container, and the container is closed after the pet is placed in the second housing structure.

Abstract: A device that releases an operating collar from an open position on the mast of an opened beach or patio umbrella in the presence of a strong wind, allowing the umbrella canopy to close thereby diminishing the wind force acting on the umbrella. The device includes a locking pin and an associated biasing mechanism. In a working configuration of the device, the pin is exposed for insertion through certain holes in the mast. A distal end of the mechanism faces the mast while a proximal end of the mechanism applies a bias force to a proximal end of the pin. The collar rests on the inserted pin with enough force to overcome the bias force tending to eject the pin. When the collar is urged to rise because of a strong wind acting on the umbrella, the pin ejects thus freeing the collar to move downward as the umbrella canopy closes.

Abstract: A surgical bone wax applicator includes one or more layers of absorbent material such as cotton, and a mass of bone wax adhered on the material. A heating device such as, for example, a resistive electrical conductor is fixed on or within the absorbent material. The heating device has associated electrical contact terminals and operates to heat and soften the bone wax in response to an electric potential applied across the terminals. The potential may be applied through blades of bipolar forceps after the forceps are connected to a bipolar generator, and the forceps blades are placed in contact with the terminals of the heating device. When the wax softens, the surgeon may continue to grip the applicator with the forceps and manipulate the applicator over the pores of bone tissue to effect hemostasis.

Abstract: An instrument for locating defects adjacent neural elements in bone tissue includes a handle member with a rotatable coupling member and a probe member coupled to the coupling member. The probe member extends distally from the handle member and includes a longitudinal shaft portion along a longitudinal axis and a distal angled portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The angled portion has a probe end that carries an electrical signal. The handle member operates to rotate the probe member and the probe end about the longitudinal axis to sweep holes in the bone tissue to locate possible defects in the bone tissue.

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 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 change an operative mode of the tool portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool for probing bone tissue includes an elongate member coupled to a handle assembly. The handle assembly is electrically coupled to a electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the elongate member, and insulated portion extending from the tip along the elongate member and handle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical towel useful for preventing unintentional hypothermia induced by a prolonged surgical procedure. The towel includes a body heat retaining layer portion of thermally insulative flexible material, and a soft absorbent covering layer portion which is adhered to the outside major surfaces of the heat retaining layer portion. The covering and the heat retaining layer portions together are capable of being wrapped or draped about an exposed organ to prevent loss of body heat through the organ while surgery is in progress.