Abstract: A battery includes a first chamber with a first electrode and a second chamber with a second electrode. An intercalation membrane between the first chamber and the second chamber is configured to retain an electrolyte in the first chamber and to accept therein migrating ions of the electrolyte in the presence of an electrical field and lose mechanical integrity permitting the electrolyte to enter the second chamber in order to activate the battery.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of fascia, deep fascia or a fascia mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively fascia lata.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of fascia, deep fascia or a fascia mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively fascia lata.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of fascia, deep fascia or a fascia mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively fascia lata.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of collagen, porous collagen or a collagen mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively collagen.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of collagen, porous collagen or a collagen mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively collagen.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of fascia, deep fascia or a fascia mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively fascia lata.

Abstract: A composition of a bone repair mixture has a quantity of allograft particulate bone having a bone particle distribution of particle sizes less than 700 micron and a quantity of biologic carrier material intermixed with the particulate bone. The biologic carrier material is one of collagen, porous collagen or a collagen mixture. Preferably, the carrier material is exclusively collagen.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601 or 1601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602 or 1602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.