Abstract: The invention relates to a trajectory guidance instrument that is securable to a surgical tool for use in conjunction with X-ray machines. More particularly, the device includes a radiolucent outrigger having radiodense indicia disposed on the outrigger so that the radiodense indicia is visible via an X-ray machine to provide an angular trajectory for the instrument. The outrigger is securable to various surgical tools for the purpose of providing real time trajectory guidance to surgeons during a procedure. In general, the precision trajectory guidance instrument comprises a substantially rigid outrigger device which it securable to a portion of the surgical tool for trajectory guidance. The trajectory guidance instrument may be attached with clips, fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop or the like.

Abstract: An RFID tag device is associated with a mobile device to facilitate wireless transactions and identification. The RFID tag device includes two RF interfaces; one can communicate with RF tag readers, and one can communicate with the mobile device. The RFID tag device can be operated in a passive mode and stores transaction information for later retrieval by the mobile device, or it can be operated in an active mode where it is powered by the mobile device through the RF interface for communicating with the mobile device so that it can be read via the RFID interface. The RFID tag device can further detect and ignore communications between the mobile device and another device using the same communications mode and used by the RFID tag device to communicate with the mobile device.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention is directed to methods and instrumentation for performing surgery on the spine along its lateral aspect (side) and generally by a lateral, anterior or an anterolateral surgical approach, such that the instruments enter the body from an approach that is other than posterior and make contact with the spine along its lateral aspect. The present invention provides for the entire surgical procedure to be performed through a relatively small incision and may be performed in either the thoracic or lumbar spine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and instrumentation for performing surgery on the spine along its lateral aspect (side) and generally by a lateral, anterior or an anterolateral surgical approach, such that the instruments enter the body from an approach that is other than posterior and make contact with the spine along its lateral aspect. The present invention provides for the entire surgical procedure to be performed through a relatively small incision and may be performed in either the thoracic or lumbar spine.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention is directed to methods and instrumentation for performing surgery on the spine along its lateral aspect (side) and generally by a lateral, anterior or an anterolateral surgical approach, such that the instruments enter the body from an approach that is other than posterior and make contact with the spine along its lateral aspect. The present invention provides for the entire surgical procedure to be performed through a relatively small incision and may be performed in either the thoracic or lumbar spine.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system suitable for guiding a cross-connector to a target area, such as spinal implants including spinal implant rods, within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member being constructed of, or having a steering material, which can be coupled to the cross-connector. The system further includes one or more devices which are used to maneuver the targeting member into position prior to attachment of the cross-connector. The cross-connector is traversed into position through the passageway created by the targeting member and secured to one or more spinal implant members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a distance traveled by a vehicle for the purpose of assessing and settling a road usage charge allows a mobile device to determine distance traveled with a vehicle while paired with a PAN transceiver of the vehicle by using GPS location information. The mobile device can also capture odometer images that are reported to a system that processes the images to obtain the odometer values and find the difference between the odometer values. Once the actual distance traveled by the vehicle is determined by the system, a road usage charge can be determined. Fuel excise taxes paid by the vehicle operator for fuel used by the vehicle can be subtracted from the road usage charge to determine a road usage settlement amount that can be paid from, or refunded to a financial account associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a Jamshidi assembly which can be used for surgical procedures, such as inserting a pedicle screw within a patient. The Jamshidi assembly comprises an inner cannulated member sized and shaped to receive a sharp pointed medical device and slidably disposed within an outer sleeve member. When engaged with the inner cannulated member, the outer sleeve member is constructed to rotate and move about a longitudinal axis of the Jamshidi assembly. Coupled to the outer sleeve member is a working end adapted to contact and be driven into an anatomical structure, such as a vertebral body. Depending on the working end, configurations, such as threading may be formed within the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system, mobile device, backend server, and RFID toll module work in cooperation to automatically pay vehicular tolls to a toll agency that operates toll stations along a roadways traveled by the user of the mobile device. Upon approaching a toll station the mobile device enables the RFID toll module. The toll reader at the toll station transmits a toll reader signal that is received by the RFID toll module, which responds by transmitting a unique identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the mobile device at a toll account maintained by a toll service backend server. Upon completion of a toll transaction, the RFID toll module indicates the transaction to the mobile device, which forwards toll transaction information to the toll service backend server for payment from the toll account to the toll agency.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire or guide wire has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire or guide wire while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire or guide wire has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire or guide wire while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: A precision depth guided instrument, such as a Jamshidi needle, is provided for use in various surgeries related to the vertebrae. The instrument includes an outer cannula, an inner cannula and a stylet. After the cortical bone of a vertebra is penetrated by the outer cannula of the instrument, the depth of penetration of the inner cannula is adjusted by rotation of a stop mounted to the outer cannula. The inner cannula is then moved further into the vertebrae, and a stop mounted on the outer cannula controls the depth of penetration of the inner cannula. The correct depth of penetration is determined by radiography prior to the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire or guide wire has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire or guide wire while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.