Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.

Abstract: The systems, assemblies, devices and methods described herein provide a variety of ways to intra-operatively select and/or configure a pedicle screw system. The pedicle screw system components described herein may be readily interchangeable and may be made available to the surgeon as a kit, thus giving the surgeon greater options on structurally fusing, correcting, or otherwise operating on a patient's vertebrae. In one embodiment, a modular pedicle screw kit includes a pedicle screw having a threaded shaft coupled to a head portion and a plurality of tulip assemblies that may be intra-operatively assembled with the pedicle screw. Each tulip assembly includes a tulip body, a rod receiving portion, and a pedicle screw head coupling member that releasably couples the tulip body to the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.

Abstract: Percutaneous tooling and methods are used to perform a minimally invasive surgery. The tool includes an elongated driver and a number of blade members. The blades are movable from a retracted position to an expanded position. The percutaneous method includes inserting a wire selectively through the tissue surrounding a surgical site. The wire is then used as a guide for other tools, such as a drill and/or screw tap to prepare an opening in the bone. The other tools may be selectively guided over the wire and through a passageway formed within the tissue by the wire. The passageway may be formed through interstices present in the tissue, which at least minimizes damage and trauma to the tissue in vicinity of the surgical site.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a read-only type disc and a pre-grooved disc bonded back-to-back to the read-only type disc is provided. Content from the read-only type disc side of the optical recording medium can be reproduced through a standards-compliant optical media player. Content can be recorded by a standards-compliant optical media recorder on the pre-grooved disc side of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.

Abstract: An active compression orthopedic screw includes a first shaft member positioned at a distal end of the screw, a second shaft member positioned at a proximal end of the screw, and an elastic member having a first and a second end. According to one exemplary embodiment, the first end of the elastic member is coupled to the first shaft member and said second end of the elastic member is coupled to the second shaft member, the elastic member being configured to exert a force drawing the first and second shaft members together.

Abstract: A trip manifold assembly is disclosed which includes a manifold body connected to a header shaft. The header shaft passes through a plurality of rotary valves. Each rotary valve is connected to a pressure transmitter. The header shaft comprises two passages including a transmitter input passage and a drain passage. The rotary valves each comprise a through passage. A manifold body provides fluid communication between an input source and the transmitter input passage of the header shaft. The manifold also provides communication between the drain passage of the header shaft and a drain vent. The rotary valves are each independently rotatable between two positions including a transmit position where the through passage of each valve provides communication between the transmitter input passage of the header shaft and their respective pressure transmitters.

Abstract: An exemplary connection member for percutaneously coupling to one or more orthopedic fasteners includes a tulip assembly, and, a rod, wherein the rod is permanently coupled to the tulip assembly. According to another embodiment, a connection member for percutaneously coupling to one or more orthopedic fasteners includes a fastener head securing member including a fastener head securing orifice having an axis defined by a wall member terminating in a seating member, an adjustable compression member coupled to a surface of the wall member, a rod coupled to the wall member, and a fastener head receiving orifice formed in the wall member, wherein the fastener head receiving orifice is formed transverse to and intersects the screw head securing orifice axis.

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 less invasive access port for use in minimally invasive surgery allows for manipulation of the viewing angle into the working site in a transverse plane. According to one exemplary embodiment, the less invasive access port is designed to minimize the need for muscle retraction. Additionally, the less invasive access portal provides sufficient light, irrigation, suction and space for sundry medical instruments. According to one exemplary embodiment, a less invasive access port device includes a two-piece retractor having locking arms secured by a latch. The latch is located outside a wound during operation for ease of access. A cannula includes integrated interfaces for light, irrigation and suction. A housing forms a collar around a top of the cannula and houses the light, irrigation and suction mechanisms. Instruments and implants may be passed through the cannula and into the working space created by the two-piece retractor. Visualization of the working site can be attained under direct vision.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to rod-coupling assemblies for coupling rods from separate pedicle screw systems. The rod-coupling assemblies generally include at least one rod-receiving body and at least one cam mechanism. The rod-receiving body and cam mechanism cooperate to capture and retain a distraction rod therewith. The cam mechanism includes a helical cam surface that mates with the rod and urges the rod into a retained position by rotation of the cam mechanism. In one embodiment, the assembly is configured to capture and retain two rods with one rod-receiving body. In another embodiment, the assembly is configured to capture and retain a rod and a head portion of a pedicle screw in one rod-receiving body. In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes a lever that is actuated to fix a first rod-receiving body to a second rod-receiving body.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a modular disc that is insertable by sections into a disc space located between vertebral bodies. The primary segments of the modular disc are one or more middle members engageable with first and second side members. The first and second side members are successively inserted into and positioned in the disc space one at a time. The middle member is then slidably engaged on rails extending from the respective first and second side members. Eventually, the middle member is moved along the guides and positioned between the respective first and second side members and the guides or rails are detached. Optionally, a cushioning and/or biasing member may be located between upper and lower portions of the side members and/or middle member.

Abstract: A trip manifold assembly is disclosed which includes a manifold body connected to a header shaft. The header shaft passes through a plurality of rotary valves. Each rotary valve is connected to a pressure transmitter. The header shaft comprises two passages including a transmitter input passage and a drain passage. The rotary valves each comprise a through passage. A manifold body provides fluid communication between an input source and the transmitter input passage of the header shaft. The manifold also provides communication between the drain passage of the header shaft and a drain vent. The rotary valves are each independently rotatable between two positions including a transmit position where the through passage of each valve provides communication between the transmitter input passage of the header shaft and their respective pressure transmitters.

Abstract: A method for enhancing recording yields by monitoring dye polymer formation on a glass substrate is provided. After the glass substrate is coated with a dye polymer layer and before pits are formed on the dye-polymer coated glass, the dye polymer coated glass substrate is scanned to detect defects. The dye-polymer coated glass is discarded on the one hand if the defects detected through the scanning are at or above an unacceptable threshold level, and on the other hand data is written on the dye-polymer coated glass if the defects detected through the scanning are below the unacceptable threshold level.

Abstract: The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising a tulip body, a inner member, an expansion member, and a cap assembly. Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine, coupling a partial assembly comprising the tulip body, inner member, and expansion member to the pedicle screw, placing a rod in the tulip assembly, and then coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body. Coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body includes initially locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw and then locking the rod in the tulip assembly.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting the gait of an individual using an orthopedic device, wherein the orthopedic device includes an upper anchor device, a lower anchor device and a connecting member and wherein the connecting member is associated with the upper anchor device and the lower anchor device to resiliently connect to the upper anchor device with the lower anchor device.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing registration errors when mounting a plate cylinder in an optical disc printing system is provided. The apparatus comprises a locating member attached to an end of an imaging drum in the printing system, facing away from a drive member in the printing system, and a clamping tool including spring-loaded handles, a plurality of arms, and a locating sleeve integrally attached to an outer surface of one of the clamping tool arms. The apparatus allows an operator to maneuver the plate cylinder in radial and axial directions into a final, aligned position, and the clamping tool holds the plate cylinder in place in the final position while the operator secures the plate cylinder in the system.

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.