Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical retraction with a minimally invasive, maximum access surgical system. The surgical system can include anchor extensions that can be attached to bone screws. The bone screws can be inserted into a pedicle of a vertebral body. A retractor can be attached to anchor extensions connected to adjacent vertebrae on an operational side, and the retractor can be attached to anchor extensions connected to adjacent vertebrae on a contralateral side. The retractor can be used to distract the vertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A system for implanting a catheter in a urethra. The system includes a catheter having a valve disposed at a distal portion of the catheter. The valve may be operable in response to an external magnetic field. The system also includes a tool having a tip member extending into an opening at the distal portion of the catheter to couple the tool to the catheter. the system also includes an element extending from the tool. The catheter has an internal path that provides a conduit for the element to be extended through the valve to engage a proximal portion of the catheter. The tool is adapted use the element to stress the catheter and stiffen the catheter along the length of the catheter. Stiffening the catheter facilitates implantation of the catheter in the urethra by enabling pull forces, push forces, and torque forces to be transmitted from the tool through the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter without undue stress on the urethra.

Abstract: A system for implanting a catheter in a urethra. The system includes a catheter having a valve disposed at a distal portion of the catheter. The valve may be operable in response to an external magnetic field. The system also includes a tool having a tip member extending into an opening at the distal portion of the catheter to couple the tool to the catheter. the system also includes an element extending from the tool. The catheter has an internal path that provides a conduit for the element to be extended through the valve to engage a proximal portion of the catheter. The tool is adapted use the element to stress the catheter and stiffen the catheter along the length of the catheter. Stiffening the catheter facilitates implantation of the catheter in the urethra by enabling pull forces, push forces, and torque forces to be transmitted from the tool through the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter without undue stress on the urethra.

Abstract: A system for implanting a catheter in a urethra. The system includes a catheter having a valve disposed at a distal portion of the catheter. The valve may be operable in response to an external magnetic field. The system also includes a tool having a tip member extending into an opening at the distal portion of the catheter to couple the tool to the catheter. the system also includes an element extending from the tool. The catheter has an internal path that provides a conduit for the element to be extended through the valve to engage a proximal portion of the catheter. The tool is adapted use the element to stress the catheter and stiffen the catheter along the length of the catheter. Stiffening the catheter facilitates implantation of the catheter in the urethra by enabling pull forces, push forces, and torque forces to be transmitted from the tool through the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter without undue stress on the urethra.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical retraction with a minimally invasive, maximum access surgical system. The surgical system can include anchor extensions that can be attached to bone screws. The bone screws can be inserted into a pedicle of a vertebral body. A retractor can be attached to anchor extensions connected to adjacent vertebrae on an operational side, and the retractor can be attached to anchor extensions connected to adjacent vertebrae on a contralateral side. The retractor can be used to distract the vertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A platform comprising a planar member having a top face and a bottom face and at least one pivoting member approximately in the center of said top face or bottom face, such that when a pivoting member is placed on a surface a distance depending on the shape of the pivoting member is created between the planar member and the surface and the platform is unstable. Thus the unstable platform encourages a user to expend energy, and is quickly height adjustable by choosing which pivoting member is placed on the surface.

Abstract: Devices that facilitate insertion of tube-like structures, e.g., catheters and other medical devices, into passages in mammalian bodies, e.g. in the human body. Devices according to various embodiments of the invention provide greater stiffness and/or rigidity to elongated tube-like structures. According to some embodiments, a portion or the entire insertion facilitation device can be removed from the tube-like structure after insertion thereof. According to some embodiments of the invention, an insertion facilitation device comprises a releasable engagement arrangement to releasably engage the stiffener and a tube-like structure to inhibit or prevent relative motion between the stiffener and tube-like structure.

Abstract: A system for implanting a catheter in a urethra. The system includes a catheter having a valve disposed at a distal portion of the catheter. The valve may be operable in response to an external magnetic field. The system also includes a tool having a tip member extending into an opening at the distal portion of the catheter to couple the tool to the catheter. the system also includes an element extending from the tool. The catheter has an internal path that provides a conduit for the element to be extended through the valve to engage a proximal portion of the catheter. The tool is adapted use the element to stress the catheter and stiffen the catheter along the length of the catheter. Stiffening the catheter facilitates implantation of the catheter in the urethra by enabling pull forces, push forces, and torque forces to be transmitted from the tool through the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter without undue stress on the urethra.