Abstract: A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).

Abstract: An end effector of a robotic surgery system that includes a fixed plate for attaching an end of a robotic arm, a shaft extending from the fixed plate, a sliding plate moveable relative to the fixed plate along an axial direction of the shaft, a hub assembly mounted to the sliding plate and operatively engaged with the shaft. The hub assembly includes an idler hub, and an inner bearing moveable relative to the idler hub and operatively engaged with the shaft, whereby rotation of the inner bearing moves the sliding plate along the axial direction of the shaft. The end effector further includes a pulley that includes a driven wheel connected to the inner bearing operatively engaged with a motor, whereby rotation of the driven wheel drives rotation of the inner bearing.

Abstract: Testable, redundant pneumatic control assemblies and related systems and methods are described herein. An example pneumatic control assembly described herein includes first, second, and third parallel supply channels between a compressed air supply and valve header, first, second, and third parallel vent channels between a vent and the valve header, and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth logic valves. The first and sixth logic valves are disposed in the first parallel supply channel and the first parallel vent channel, the second and third logic valves are disposed in the second parallel supply channel and second parallel vent channel, and the fourth and fifth logic valves are disposed in the third parallel supply channel and third parallel vent channel. The pneumatic control assembly also includes a first, second, and third solenoid valves to control certain ones of the logic valves.

Abstract: A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).

Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.

Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.

Abstract: An end effector of a robotic surgery system that includes a fixed plate for attaching an end of a robotic arm, a shaft extending from the fixed plate, a sliding plate moveable relative to the fixed plate along an axial direction of the shaft, a hub assembly mounted to the sliding plate and operatively engaged with the shaft. The hub assembly includes an idler hub, and an inner bearing moveable relative to the idler hub and operatively engaged with the shaft, whereby rotation of the inner bearing moves the sliding plate along the axial direction of the shaft. The end effector further includes a pulley that includes a driven wheel connected to the inner bearing operatively engaged with a motor, whereby rotation of the driven wheel drives rotation of the inner bearing.

Abstract: Expandable implant devices including first and second endplates, wherein a first side of the first endplate is moveably attached to a first side of the second endplate; and an expansion mechanism is disposed between the first and second endplates adjacent the second side of the endplates opposite the first side, wherein actuating the expansion mechanism changes an angle between the first endplate and the second endplate.

Abstract: A trip control system for use with, for example, turbines, includes a porting manifold that supports and provides fluid to two or more trip manifolds, each of which includes a bleed circuit having two or more bleed valves connected in parallel between a trip header line and a return or dump line to bleed the hydraulic fluid pressure from the trip header line to thereby cause a trip. The trip control system includes redundant trip manifolds operating in parallel, wherein each trip manifold is able to independently engage a trip of the turbine and each of the trip manifolds includes redundant sets of valves and other trip components that enable the trip manifold to operate to engage a trip of the turbine in the presence of a failure of one of the sets of components on a trip manifold, or while various components of the trip manifold are being tested.

Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.

Abstract: A trip control system for use with, for example, turbines, includes a porting manifold that supports and provides fluid to two or more trip manifolds, each of which includes a bleed circuit having two or more bleed valves connected in parallel between a trip header line and a return or dump line to bleed the hydraulic fluid pressure from the trip header line to thereby cause a trip. The bleed valves of each of the tripping manifolds are actuated by one or more control valves under control of a controller.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient includes inserting an access port into the body of the patient. A transverse connector is moved through the access port. A first end of the transverse connector is connected to the first longitudinal member. A second end of the transverse connector is connected to the second longitudinal member.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values.

Abstract: A tripping control system for use with, for example, turbines, includes a block circuit having two or more redundant blocking valves disposed or connected in series within a pressure supply line to block the supply of hydraulic fluid within the pressure supply line and a bleed circuit having two or more bleed valves connected in parallel between the pressure supply line and a return or dump line to bleed to the hydraulic fluid from the pressure supply line. The blocking valves and the bleed valves are actuated by one or more control valves under the control of a process or safety controller which trips the turbine by first performing a bleed function using the bleed valves, which then causes the block function to automatically actuate. Pressure sensors disposed at various locations in the tripping control system provide feedback to the controller to enable the controller to test each of the block and bleed valves individually, during operation of the turbine, without causing an actual trip of the turbine.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient includes inserting an access port into the body of the patient. A transverse connector is moved through the access port. A first end of the transverse connector is connected to the first longitudinal member. A second end of the transverse connector is connected to the second longitudinal member.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient includes inserting an access port into the body of the patient. A transverse connector is moved through the access port. A first end of the transverse connector is connected to the first longitudinal member. A second end of the transverse connector is connected to the second longitudinal member.

Abstract: A transitional dilator including: a dilator body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the dilator body defines a sleeve orifice configured to receive an implant placement tube; and a round tip formed on the distal end of the dilator body, wherein the round tip defines a converging orifice terminating at an exit orifice configured to closely mate with a serial dilator; in which the round tip including a converging orifice further includes a wall split configured to receive the implant placement tube and expand to accommodate passage of the implant placement tube through the exit orifice.

Abstract: An interspinous spacer configured to be implanted using minimally invasive techniques wherein the interspinous spacer is configured to deploy a first wing member on the distal side of an interspinous process and a second wing member on the proximal side of the interspinous process.

Abstract: A adjustable portable belt device for providing decompression support and therapeutic heating and/or cooling while preventing pressure against an incision or injured portion of the body. The support device being adjustable to enable the person to adjust the comfort level of the belt device.