Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for implanting a motion segment repair system. In particular, exemplary methods and devices are provided for implanting a spinal disc implant and/or a PDS device using a posterior surgical approach, including methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae using a posterior surgical approach, methods and devices for posteriorly introducing a spinal implant into a disc space between adjacent vertebrae, and methods and devices for coupling a PDS device to the adjacent vertebrae to provide a complete motion segment repair system that is implanted using a posterior surgical approach.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microcapsules containing polymerization initiators, a process for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are effective to mimic the natural function of the spine by allowing flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine, while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and rotation of the spine.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are effective to mimic the natural function of the spine by allowing flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine, while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and rotation of the spine.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a posterior implant is provided and it can be adapted to control movement of two or more adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the implant can be adapted to control extension, flexion, and lateral bending of the adjacent vertebrae. The implant can also be adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the adjacent vertebrae. In another exemplary embodiment, the implant can have an envelope of motion that is within an envelope of motion of a disc, either natural or artificial, that is disposed between the adjacent vertebrae. In other words, the implant can be configured to allow flexion, extension, lateral bending of the vertebrae to within the amount of flexion, extension, and lateral bending allowed by the particular disc.

Abstract: A posterior stabilization device is provided for controlling movement between adjacent vertebrae. In one exemplary embodiment, the stabilization device can include one or more joints that rely on rotational or sliding movement to allow flexion of adjacent vertebrae, and that control extension, lateral bending, axial rotation, and anterior-posterior shear, preferably by providing one or more flexible connectors and/or a flexible central spacer for connecting to the adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for repairing and/or restoring function to a damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy facet joint, lamina, posterior ligament, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are effective to mimic the natural function of the posterior elements, preferably without necessarily mimicking the anatomy, by allowing a high degree of flexibility between two adjacent vertebrae when the vertebrae are moved within a first range of motion, and by controlling movement of the adjacent vertebrae within a second range of motion beyond the first range of motion.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, a four bar linkage mechanism can be used to construct spinal stabilization devices and methods for restoring function to adjacent vertebrae. In particular, spinal stabilization devices can be provided that kinematically form a four-bar linkage mechanism with adjacent vertebrae and a disc or other element disposed between the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An interspinous spacer having a memory metal extension.

Abstract: A facet joint replacement system having an elongate rod and a polyaxial screw having a groove therein, wherein the rod is slidably received within the groove of the polyaxial screw.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for spinal fixation, in particular, for joining a bone anchor with spinal stabilizers such as a spinal rod or spinal plate in a polyaxial fashion. The invention is also directed to polyaxial connectors which incorporate arcuate washers. The polyaxial features of this invention are achieved preferably with snap-in washers which minimize the numbers of parts that a surgeon may have to handle during surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for spinal fixation especially to those used for joining a bone anchor with spinal stabilizers such as a spinal rod or spinal plate in a polyaxial fashion. More specifically, the invention is directed to polyaxial washer assemblies which incorporate arcuate washers and which may be used to retrofit spinal stabilizers that may not have been designed for polyaxial application since the washer assemblies of this invention may be used across a number of differing aperture sizes.

Abstract: A limiting feature in spacecraft such as communication satellites is becoming the amount of surface such as 5, 6 available for dissipating waste heat from the electrical equipment in the satellite. The invention provides a deployable radiator 11 which carries a number of capillary pumped loops consisting of an evaporator, an outward limb and a return limb. The panel 11 is rolled up to coil the elements prior to launch, and unrolled when in orbit. The outward and return lengths of tube act as condenser for the capillary pumped loop, transport the heat over the radiating panel 11 and also provide the spring force for the panel to unroll.

Abstract: In a capillary evaporator for use in a capillary pumped loop, in which capillary action in a porous wick 7 causes cold liquid to be drawn across the wick and vaporized by a heat input structure 6 and in particular fin 8 of that structure so that the vapour passes around a loop and rejects heat at a condenser in order to cool equipment in the vicinity of the evaporator, the vapour generated in the wick 7 from the liquid/vapor interface (meniscus) 11 is subject to a lower pressure drop than hitherto by virtue of a spacer 14 of greater permeability and thermal conductivity than the wick 7 without the necessity for the meniscus 11 to recede from the fin 8 which would cause an undesirable temperature drop of the meniscus, thereby improving the capacity of the evaporator to pump liquid/vapor around the loop and thus transport heat.