Abstract: A surgical device includes an inner stylet component and an outer stylet component. The inner stylet component includes a first handle and an elongated rod having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the first handle and a distal end comprising a needle tip. The outer stylet component includes a second handle and an elongated cannula having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the second handle and a distal open end comprising cutting elements formed on an outer surface. The elongated rod is sized to removably fit and slide within the elongated cannula, and the first handle is configured to interlock with the second handle. Rotating the interlocked first and second handles moves forward the elongated cannula and the needle tip and cuts a profile in an insertion site with the cutting elements of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool.

Abstract: A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool.

Abstract: A bone fusing implant device includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal direction, and has one or more elongated grooves extending along the longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the elongated body and one or more elongated ridges alternating with the one or more elongated grooves and extending along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first segment having an outer surface with cortical threads, a second segment having an outer surface with cancellous threads, a top segment and a bottom segment. The first segment is configured to engage a cortical bone with the cortical threads and the second segment is configured to engage a cancellous bone with the cancellous threads. The cortical threads and the cancellous threads are formed on the one or more elongated ridges and do not extend into the one or more elongated grooves.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant assembly includes and inserter tool and an implant having a U-shaped body shaped and dimensioned to be placed between two adjacent vertebras. The U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and at least one rigid strut extending from and connecting opposite inner side surfaces of the first and second elongated components. A first through-opening is formed in the space between the front end, the rigid strut and the opposite inner side surfaces of the front portions of the first and second elongated components and a second through-opening is formed in the space between the open back end, the rigid strut and the opposite inner side surfaces of the back portions of the first and second elongated components. The inserter tool comprises a shaft, a middle sleeve and an outer sleeve that work together to attach and lock to the implant.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a dispenser device and container for mixing a chemical concentrate and a diluent to produce a diluted mixture. The dispenser device may include a housing, a slide, and an eductor. The container holds the chemical concentrate. The dispenser device communicates with the chemical concentrate and with the diluent.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a dispenser device and container for mixing a chemical concentrate and a diluent to produce a diluted mixture. The dispenser device may include a housing, a slide, and an eductor. The container holds the chemical concentrate. The dispenser device communicates with the chemical concentrate and with the diluent.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion assembly includes an interbody cage, planar metal pins and bone fasteners. The interbody cage includes a metal cage and a PEEK insert. The PEEK insert is inserted into a slot of the metal cage and is secured to the metal cage with a pin. The assembled interbody cage is inserted in the space between two adjacent vertebras and is secured in placed with the planar metal pins and the bone fasteners.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for providing percutaneous access in minimally invasive spinal surgeries, includes an outer cannula, a nerve probe dilator and a multistage dilator system comprising a first dilator, a second dilator, a third dilator and a fourth dilator. The outer cannula and the dilators are slidable relative to each other and are arranged sequentially so that the fourth dilator surrounds the nerve probe dilator, the third dilator slides over a surface of the fourth dilator, the second dilator slides over a surface of the third dilator, the first dilator slides over a surface of the second dilator, and the outer cannula surrounds the first dilator.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion assembly includes an interbody cage, planar metal pins and bone fasteners. The interbody cage includes a metal cage and a PEEK insert. The PEEK insert is inserted into a slot of the metal cage and is secured to the metal cage with a pin. The assembled interbody cage is inserted in the space between two adjacent vertebras and is secured in placed with the planar metal pins and the bone fasteners.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a dispenser device and container for mixing a chemical concentrate and a diluent to produce a diluted mixture. The dispenser device may include a housing, a slide, and an eductor. The container holds the chemical concentrate. The dispenser device communicates with the chemical concentrate and with the diluent.

Abstract: An implantable cervical plate assembly includes a cervical plate, one or more bone fasteners and a driver tool. The cervical plate comprises an elongated asymmetric body having one or more through-openings extending from the front surface to the back surface of the elongated asymmetric body. The one or more bone fasteners are configured to be inserted through the one or more through-openings, respectively. The bone fasteners comprise a threaded main body and a head that includes one or more flexible structures configured to be flexed and inserted into a groove and then unflex and remain captured within the groove. The driver tool includes an elongated shaft, a handle and a bone fastener-engaging. The bone fastener-engaging component comprises one or more structures that complement and engage at least one of grooves and lobes of the bone fastener opening.

Abstract: Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for providing percutaneous access in minimally invasive spinal surgeries, includes an outer cannula, a nerve probe dilator and a multistage dilator system comprising a first dilator, a second dilator, a third dilator and a fourth dilator. The outer cannula and the dilators are slidable relative to each other and are arranged sequentially so that the fourth dilator surrounds the nerve probe dilator, the third dilator slides over a surface of the fourth dilator, the second dilator slides over a surface of the third dilator, the first dilator slides over a surface of the second dilator, and the outer cannula surrounds the first dilator.

Abstract: Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.

Abstract: A method of removing a filtrate storage bottle from a water bath includes inserting at least two finger underneath a radially protruding lip of a filtrate storage bottle sealing cap and raising the at least two fingers to lift the bottle from the water bath. A side wall portion of the filtrate storage bottle sealing cap is smaller in perimeter than a circle surrounding the radially protruding lip. The cap creates a liquid tight seal with the filtrate storage bottle.

Abstract: A method provides a fantasy sport contest having rules wherein a plurality of participants are permitted to populate respective fantasy rosters with actual athletes for purposes of competing with each other based on corresponding real-life field-of-play performances of the actual athletes. The method includes restricting a population of each of a first and second fantasy roster for respective first and second participants to actual athletes who are teammates on respective first and second real-life team, and measuring corresponding real-life field of play performance of the actual athletes on the first and second fantasy rosters. A ranking is established as between the first participant and the second participant based on the respective performance measurements, and is further displayed. The first real-life team and the second real-life team may be the same real-life team, or different real-life teams.

Abstract: Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.

Abstract: A method of removing a filtrate storage bottle from a water bath includes inserting at least two finger underneath a radially protruding lip of a filtrate storage bottle sealing cap and raising the at least two fingers to lift the bottle from the water bath. A side wall portion of the filtrate storage bottle sealing cap is smaller in perimeter than a circle surrounding the radially protruding lip. The cap creates a liquid tight seal with the filtrate storage bottle.