...that a workman who left the soap mixing machine on too long was responsible for making Ivory Soap? He was so embarrassed by his mistake that he threw the mess in a stream. Imagine his dismay when the evidence of his error floated to the surface! Result: Ivory soap, the soap that floats.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8137664 | Method and kit for repairing a defect in bone Methods and devices are provided for the repair of bone defects. The bone defect repair may be accomplished by minimally invasive means. The bone defect repair may utilize a bone growth promoting substance. The bone growth promoting substance may comprise a carrier ... | 03/20/2012 |
| 7955279 | Device for evaluating a position of balance for the human body According to the invention, the patient (4) is placed upon a patient support (3) between an X-ray source (1) and a support for the target plate (2) sensitive to the X-rays. The patient support (3) is connected to a device for detec... | 06/07/2011 |
| 7517359 | Vertebral rod assemblies and methods A vertebral rod assembly comprises first and second members that may rotate about a first axis. Each of the first and second members includes a base and a vertebral support rod extending from the base. An extension extends from the base on the first member into an o... | 04/14/2009 |
| 7427293 | Osteochondral plug graft, kit and method Each of an osteochondral plug graft and a kit comprises a trapezoid shaped construct configured for osteochondral implanting. An osteochondral regeneration method comprises forming a recipient socket in a chondral area of an articular joint in need of repair; harves... | 09/23/2008 |
| 7331995 | Method for inserting an articular disc prosthesis via the transforaminal approach A prosthetic device for transforaminal insertion into an intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first curved flange for engaging a first vertebra from a transforaminal approach, the first component having a first ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7331263 | Surgical screwdrivers with torque control and methods of use The present application is directed to screwdrivers and methods of use for applying a controlled amount of torque to a fastener. In one embodiment, the screwdriver includes a shaft constructed of a material that is deformable upon the application of an excessive amo... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7329282 | Revision methods for a vertebral device Embodiments of devices and methods for correcting a vertebral member and/or repositioning a vertebral device relative to the vertebral member. A vertebral device has been previously positioned relative to a vertebral member. Due to subsidence or other factors, the v... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7326251 | Interbody fusion device An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer mid... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7320708 | Cervical interbody device An interbody spacer assembly includes a pair of end pieces spaced apart by a connector extending between them. The end pieces extend generally parallel to the end plates of adjoining vertebral bodies. Fasteners connect the end pieces to the vertebral bodies. Bone gr... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7318840 | Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. I... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7318826 | Transpedicular intervertebral disk access methods and devices A flexible drill and method of drilling a material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a flexible drill includes a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly, where the lower sub-assembly comprises a retainer tube and the upper sub-assembly compri... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7303563 | Orthopedic fixation system and method of use A orthopedic fixation system comprising a plate with an outwardly-extending member. A saddle may be mounted on the member and includes spaced-apart arms that form a channel to receive a rod. An engagement member may be mounted within the saddle to prevent escape of ... | 12/04/2007 |
| 7303562 | Pedicle screws with inclined channels to hold support rods This invention is a pedicle screw (1), comprising a threaded rod (2) having a longitudinal axis (XX) and a head (4) in which there is a channel (5) adapted to receive a spinal support rod, and a means for blocking the rod; the channel is ... | 12/04/2007 |
| 7300441 | Technique and instrumentation for preparation of vertebral members Instrumentation and techniques for preparing vertebral members for insertion of an implant. Foundation instruments provide a reference relative to the vertebral members. The foundation devices guide the placement of one or more instruments that prepare the vertebral... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7288094 | System and method for retaining screws relative to a vertebral plate Devices and methods for maintaining the position of a screw relative to a vertebral plate. The device includes a plate having one or more screw holes each sized to receive a screw for attaching the plate to the vertebral member(s). A cap may be movably coupled to th... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7270665 | Variable offset spinal fixation system A bone fixation system for locking a longitudinal member, such as a spinal rod, to a bone anchor element allowing a variable orientation of the axis of the longitudinal member relative to the axis of the bone anchor. A one-piece body element split along a substantia... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7268684 | Workstation RFID reader for surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and methods of using same A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays. The method, appara... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7264621 | Multi-axial bone attachment assembly A posterior fixation system includes a saddle member and an anchoring member. The anchoring member anchors the saddle member to bone. The saddle member includes a pair of upright portions that define a channel. The saddle member further has a hole therethrough bound... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7261715 | Grommet assembly A connecting device is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod and a vertebral screw or hook. The connector generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, and an grommet member for receiving a bone fixatio... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7256699 | Button-type RFID tag An RFID tag that is integrated into button-type, substantially cylindrically-shaped housing with a portion for attaching the tag to an object to be identified through radio frequency identification techniques. ... | 08/14/2007 |
| 7253736 | RFID tag for instrument handles Disclosed are exemplary implementations of an instrument having an RFID tag formed in or on the material of its handle. One or more antenna segments of the RFID tag may be formed from conductive material printed on or otherwise applied to a surface of the material o... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7252685 | Fusion implant and method of making same The present invention provides an implant for use in fusing adjacent bony structures. The implant comprises at least one structural member combined with at least one flexible planar member to retain the at least one structural member to form the implant. ... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7252670 | Multi-axial bone anchor system A multi-axial bone fixation implant includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members fitted within the elongated member. A bolt having a bone-threaded end and a machine-threaded end and an enlarged medial portion is also provi... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7250060 | Hybrid intervertebral disc system A vertebral implant for interposition between two vertebral endplates comprises a first endplate assembly for engaging a first vertebral endplate, a second endplate assembly for engaging a second vertebral endplate, and a first flexible core component interposed bet... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7241297 | Transpedicular intervertebral disk access methods and devices Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to ac... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7230039 | Bioactive nanocomposites and methods for their use Orthopedic compositions are provided that include a homogeneous mixture of a biocompatible polymer and a bioactive particulate ceramic wherein the ceramic has an average particle size of not more than 500 nm are provided. The compositions may be used to form bone ce... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7227469 | Surgical instrument tray shipping tote identification system and methods of using same A surgical instrument tray shipping tote identification system is provided. During transit to or from a medical facility, processing center, distribution center or other location, multiple surgical instruments trays are placed in an instrument tray shipping tote. Ea... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7220262 | Spinal fixation system and related methods Pedicle screws are secured in two columns, one along each side of the spine. Cross support rods have ends connected to pedicle screw heads. A longitudinally extending rod is supported on the cross supports and recessed in the cavity created by removal of portions of... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7213767 | Sleeve-type RFID tag An RFID tag that is integrated into a substantially cylindrically-shaped structure that can be attached to an object to be identified through radio frequency identification techniques by sliding the substantially cylindrically-shaped structure over at least a portio... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7204810 | Autogenous bone collection and delivery system A selective filtering collection and delivery system for collecting and delivering autogenous bone to and from a surgical site is provided. The selective filtering collection device includes a suction nozzle, suction nozzle assembly and a vacuum source. Disposed in ... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7204851 | Method and apparatus for delivering an intervertebral disc implant A method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus in an intervertebral disc nucleus space generally includes: (a) making a hole in the annulus of a disc, with the hole having an undilated size that is smaller than the cross-sectional size of a folded prosthet... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7182783 | Selectively expandable composite structures for spinal arthroplasty Embodiments include selectively expandable composite structures useful as spinal arthroplasty devices such as intervertebral disc prostheses. The structures may comprise an outer shell comprised of a non-hydrogel polymer material. The structures also may comprise at... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7179263 | Methods and instruments for laparoscopic spinal surgery Surgical techniques and instruments are provided for performing surgical procedures in a disc space. The instrument includes a sleeve having a distal end and an opposite proximal end and a working channel extending therebetween. The working channel includes a first ... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7179262 | Method and apparatus for stereotactic implantation The invention relates to a technique for precisely locating a line containing a predetermined point within the surgical site using a series of levels and plumb lines and internal anatomical features of the surgical site, using this location to precisely position and... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7172629 | Osteogenic paste compositions and uses thereof Described are osteogenic paste compositions with enhanced osteoinductive properties for use in bone repair. Compositions comprising a quickly resorbable paste carrier, a more slowly resorbed mineral matrix, and Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) or other osteogenic fa... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7172593 | Non-metallic implant devices and intra-operative methods for assembly and fixation This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants ... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7169152 | Methods and instruments for interbody surgical techniques This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of fl... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7153303 | Guide and blade for contouring vertebral bodies A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7147665 | Threaded cylindrical multidiscoid single or multiple array disc prosthesis A small profile, cylindrically shaped prosthetic disc device is provided. The device housing is comprised of two longitudinally split hollow halves, between which are contained multiple discoid shaped resilient bodies which may be of a polymeric type, or they may co... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7125425 | Systems and techniques for restoring and maintaining intervertebral anatomy Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be se... | 10/24/2006 |