Abstract: Impact-cushioning particles contain a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin component. The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin component contains a copolymer component (A), and the copolymer component (A) includes a copolymer (A-1) and/or a copolymer (A-2). The impact-cushioning particles are suitable for use in artificial turf or a paved structure. Copolymer (A-1) is a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate units and other hydroxyalkanoate units, in which the content of the other hydroxyalkanoate units is from 1 to less than 10 mol %. Copolymer (A-2) is a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate units and other hydroxyalkanoate units, in which the content of the other hydroxyalkanoate units is 24 mol % or more.

Abstract: An access instrument system that can identify tissue type and a bone fusion assessment system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bone fusion assessment system includes a smart implant including: an implant body adapted to be affixed to a bone of a patient and to provide a therapeutic benefit thereto; and a bone fusion measurement system. The bone fusion measurement system includes a processing element; a sensor in electrical communication with the processing element and adapted to measure health data of the patient; and a wireless interface adapted to receive power and transmit the health data.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a belt member, a heating roller stretching the belt member, a steering roller stretching the belt member and a cover member. The steering roller controls a position of the belt member with respect to a rotation axis direction of the heating roller by tilting with respect to the rotation axis direction. The cover member is disposed with a gap from the belt member in such a manner as to cover a part of an outer side of the belt member. A distance between the cover member and the belt member in a first stretched region stretched by the steering roller is larger than a distance between the cover member and the belt member in a second stretched region stretched by the heating roller in a case where the steering roller is parallel to the heating roller.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt, a stretching roller, a stretching member, a pressing member, a rubbing member, a moving unit configured to move the rubbing member between a first position at which the rubbing member is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the belt and a second position at which the rubbing member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the belt, and a steering roller. In a case where the rubbing member is located at the second position, a region of the belt rubbed by the rubbing member is sandwiched between the stretching roller and the rubbing member. In a case where the rubbing member is located at the first position, the region of the belt rubbed by the rubbing member is separated from the stretching roller and the rubbing member.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt configured to heat a recording material, a pressure member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a nip portion, and a pad, wherein a length of the endless belt is larger than a length of the pad in a width direction of the endless belt, and the pad includes a first surface forming the nip portion, a second surface facing the first surface, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface in the width direction and formed in a conveyance direction of the recording material, and wherein the third surface has a curved shape in a cross section orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.

Abstract: An example system includes an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) implant that has a curved inferior surface that allows the vertebral body to rotate at the correct instantaneous center of rotation. An example system may include a one or more surgical instruments to access the cervical facet joint and perform either an osteotomy (partial removal of bone) or a facetectomy (total removal of the facet joint) in order to provide space to move the spinal column and correct kyphotic deformity.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: A spinal fixation access and delivery system is disclosed. In some aspects, the system is used to access the cervical facet joint via a posterior access approach. The system may include an access device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a chamfered or beveled end feature positioned at the distal portion of the body and configured for insertion at the cervical facet joint. The system may further include a guide device having access device engagement features and a spinal fixation member. The access device includes at least one guide device receiving feature complementary to or keyed to the engagement feature of the guide device.