Abstract: An interspinous process brace is disclosed and can include a superior component and an inferior component. The superior component can include a superior spinous process bracket that can engage a superior spinous process. The inferior component can include an inferior spinous process bracket that can engage an inferior spinous process. Further, the interspinous process brace can be moved between a bent configuration and a straight configuration. In the bent configuration, an overall height of the interspinous process brace can be minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second anchor engaging end portions and a length along a longitudinal axis between the first and second anchor engaging end portions sized for positioning between and engaging each of the first and second anchor assemblies when the first and second anchor assemblies are engaged to the respective vertebrae. The connecting element further includes a support portion between the first and second anchor engaging end portions. The support portion includes first and second support members spaced from one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, and a stabilizing member extending between the support members in a transverse orientation to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An adjustable interspinous process brace is disclosed and can include a superior component. The superior component can include a superior spinous process bracket that can engage a superior spinous process. Further, the adjustable interspinous process brace can include an inferior component. The inferior component can include an inferior spinous process bracket that can engage an inferior spinous process. Further, the inferior component can be movably engaged with the superior component from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position, a distance between the superior spinous process bracket and the inferior spinous process bracket can be increased.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process implant is disclosed and can include a body and an injection tube extending from the body. The expandable interspinous process implant can be moved from a relaxed configuration to an expanded configuration in which the body is at least partially inflated around a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.

Abstract: A molding device is disclosed and can include a first mold component and a second mold component substantially opposite the first mold component. The first mold component and the second mold component can fit around a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.

Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly and method of implanting same, according to which a least one rod is secured to the spinal column. A spacer engages the spinous process of a vertebrae of the spinal column. The rod is connected to the spacer via an adapter.

Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.

Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.

Abstract: Connection devices and methods for connecting a rod to a vertebral member. The device may include a receiver mounted to a proximal end of an anchor. The receiver includes a receiving section size to accommodate the rod and adjustable between open and closed orientations. One or more members are mounted to the receiver to adjust the size of the receiving section. In some embodiments, the movable members may be rotated and/or are rotatable to accommodate a rod at different angular positions relative to the anchor.

Abstract: An in-series, dual locking mechanism device for securing at least one implant having a clamp, a locking mechanism and a bone fastener. The clamp is configured to include a channel for receiving the implant and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is structured to secure the implant within the clamp by applying a force in at least two locations that are configured to be adjacent and in-series relative to each other. The locking mechanism functions to reduce the resultant internal stresses realized by the implant that may lead to implant fracture or fatigue. The implant is generally continuous and is preferably rod shaped. The shape of the implant thereby allowing it to be utilized in various surgical procedural applications. The clamp is further configured for the attachment of a bone fastener. The bone fastener functioning to rigidly fix the clamp to the bone.

Abstract: Devices and methods for attaching a support to the sacrum. One device may include first and second anchors that mount to the sacrum, and first and second lateral extensions coupled to the anchors to secure the device to the sacrum. A bearing face having a width is positioned between the lateral extensions. The face may have a height in an anterior-posterior direction greater than the spinous process of the sacrum. Further, the bearing face may be oriented in a superior direction when the device is mounted to the sacrum. An implant may be supported by the device to space the sacrum and L5 vertebrae. The implant may be an interspinous device and positioned between the L5 spinous process and the bearing face. The implant is supported at least in part by the bearing face.

Abstract: A method of injection molding an orthopedic device comprising: injection molding a polymeric orthopedic device having a length along a longitudinal axis; and deliberately inducing, in the device, a material property change along the longitudinal axis by varying a molding parameter during the injection molding. The material property may be, for example, elastic modulus and/or density. The molding parameter varied during the injection molding may be a supply material pressure. The orthopedic device may be an elongated rod-shaped element, such as a spinal fixation rod, which may or may not have a substantially uniform cross-section, and may or may not have a metallic core. A corresponding apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a spinal condition includes attaching an anterior spinal motion device in an anterior region of a motion segment associated with the pair of vertebrae and attaching a posterior motion preservation device in a second region of the motion segment. The anterior spinal motion device may include an elastic material or a motion preserving disc prosthesis having at least one articulating surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and method, according to which a member of a relatively flexible, soft material is connected with a member of a relatively stiff material and the connected members are implanted in a spinal column using a non-rigid and a rigid connection.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and method of inserting same between adjacent vertebrae, according to which a first member of a relatively flexible material is adapted to extend between the vertebrae; and at least one second member of a relatively stiff material is supported by the first member.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic device and method for spinal stabilization, according to which a prosthetic device is implanted relative to two vertebrae and is positioned so that it makes a rigid connection with one of the vertebra and a non-rigid connection with the other vertebra.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and a method of implanting same between two vertebrae of a vertebral column to stabilize the column, according to which each vertebrae is engaged by a spacer, and the spacers are connected to permit relative movement between the spacers so that the distance between the spacers can vary to conform with the distance between the vertebrae and accommodate bending movements of the vertebral column.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes: performing a medical procedure on a segment of a patient's spine. This segment includes two vertebrae each in contact with a spinal disk positioned in an intervertebral disk space. A passage is formed that follows a pathway through the vertebrae and the intervertebral disk space. This passage extends from an extradiscal opening through one of the vertebrae along a path that turns to change direction. The tubular device is inserted in the passage and extends through the intervertebral disk space. A fluid material is introduced into the tubular device to at least partially fill it to provide a spinal prosthetic structure. Other embodiments and inventive aspects include other prosthetic device arrangements, implantation methods, systems, and techniques.

Abstract: Novel polymer blends are provided comprising a linear low density copolymer of ethylene with an olefin containing 4 to 10 carbon atoms (LLDPE) compounded with a minor amount of an at least partially isotactic, partially crystalline butene-1 polymer comprising at least about 80 wt. % of polymerized butene-1. The blends can be fabricated with better processability and reduced blocking into blown films having improved impact properties.