Did You Know...
...that the x-ray was discovered purely by accident? When German physicist Wilhelm Konrad von Roentgen was experimenting with cathode rays in 1895, he put an activated Crookes tube in a book and went out to lunch. When he returned, he discovered that a key that had also been placed in the book showed up as an image on the developed film!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8133235 | One-way bearing cable tensioning tool An orthopedic tool having a one-way lock bearing and a one-way actuator bearing for tensioning surgical cables around a bone and a method for using the same. ... | 03/13/2012 |
| 8128635 | Bone fixation tensioning tool and method A tensioning tool and method for tensioning a conformable ligature of a bone fixing system are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature can be passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and t... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8109936 | Cap device for use in the fixation of bone structures The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In particular, the invention relates to a cap that has an inside surface comprising an interface component that is operable to engage a flexible wire. The flexible wire is connected to a head component that e... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8096998 | External fixation tensioner A tensioner for tensioning a wire/cable coupled to an external orthopedic device. The tensioner can include a housing, an outer sleeve movable relative to the housing, a movable tension actuator handle operable to move the outer sleeve relative to the housing, and a... | 01/17/2012 |
| 8080016 | Wire retainer for surgical device A wire retainer (10) for securing wire under tension comprising a body (11) having an exterior surface and a far end (11a) and a near end (11b) and a bore (12) extending therebetween in the general direction of a firs... | 12/20/2011 |
| 8029513 | Tightly binding device for bone joining cable A bone-tying cable tightening device with improved easiness of handling of is disclosed. The device comprises a grip portion, a rod-like member extending forward, a knot supporter at the tip, a cable holder to grip and hold the tow arms together, and a sliding block... | 10/04/2011 |
| 7947064 | Stabilization system and method The disclosure relates to systems and methods of spinal stabilization. Embodiments include methods of delivering a rod having a non-circular cross-sectional profile using a wire having an accommodating non-circular cross-sectional profile to inhibit movement of a ro... | 05/24/2011 |
| 7938832 | Method and apparatus for spinal fixation Fusion of cervical spinal vertebrae with one or more fixation devices can be accomplished with the described tools and methods. For example, a guidewire introducer can include a tubular introducer cannula and a handle. The handle can be angularly offset from the int... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7931677 | Rod reducer method A method of operating a rod reducer includes connecting a cam coupling rod reducer to a screw head of a pedicle screw assembly, wherein spaces in between prongs at a second end of an inner tube of the rod reducer are positioned parallel to a rod of the pedicle screw... | 04/26/2011 |
| 7901412 | Method for the fixation of bone structures The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In a particular embodiment, a method for fixing bone fractures comprises the steps of: inserting a head component coupled to a wire through a first bone portion and anchoring the head component in a second bo... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7892238 | Methods and apparatus for access to and/or treatment of the spine Systems, devices, and methods suitable for use with procedures performed at least partially percutaneously are provided. In some procedures, two or more access devices for providing access to adjacent surgical locations within a patient are used. Certain embodiments... | 02/22/2011 |
| 7749232 | Electromagnetically guided spinal rod system and related methods An electronically guided spinal rod system for the placement of a spinal rod into the heads of pedicle screws and other types of bone fixation systems includes a bone screw inserter having rod access slots extending longitudinally for a length along the screw insert... | 07/06/2010 |
| 7645282 | Method and device for cutting surgical wire or cable A method and device for cutting orthopedic cable including tensioning and crimping the cable in a desired position within a surgical cavity. A free end of the cable is inserted a device with two coaxial members having coordinating shearing faces. The shearing faces ... | 01/12/2010 |
| 7608081 | Rod reducer A cam coupling rod reducer and method of operation comprises an inner tube comprising a first end having a hole and a second end having a plurality of prongs extending therefrom. The rod reducer further includes a lever cam connected to the first end, wherein the le... | 10/27/2009 |
| 7604642 | Interchangeable instrument A system and associated method for delivering to an internal body site a selected one of a plurality of instruments including fluid-dispensing instruments. An instrument storage chamber is providing having passages for separately accommodating the plurality of instr... | 10/20/2009 |
| 7591823 | System and method for the fixation of bone fractures The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In a particular embodiment, the head component includes a tip, cutting threads and mating threads which are inserted into the far cortex of the bone. A wire extends from the head component and exits from the ... | 09/22/2009 |
| 7491207 | Rod persuader A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a top-loading spinal implant. The instrument may comprise a holder assembly having a pair of fingers sized and configured to engage the underside of an edge of the spinal implant, a relea... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7452360 | Method and apparatus for clamping surgical wires or cables Disclosed is a clamp for securing cables or other elongate members used in surgical fastening procedures. The clamp advantageously applies a clamping force to the cable without direct contact with the cable, thereby reducing abrasion and shear forces applied to the ... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7422594 | Drilling tool guide wire alignment device A device for installation of a guide wire for a drilling tool in a correct positional arrangement in a bone. The device includes a tissue protection sleeve, which has at one end a laterally projecting grip or handle. A trocar is provided, which trocar can be introdu... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7410489 | Internal cord fixation device Methods and apparatuses for fixing a bone fragment or a bone prosthesis onto a bone. To affix a bone fragment to the bone, an internal fastener is attached from within the interior of the bone to a bone fragment with a length of flexible, inelastic cord extending wi... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7371239 | Spinal rod insertion instrument A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a bone fastener. The surgical instrument may include a holder assembly for engaging a bone fastener, the holder assembly preferably comprising a pair of pivotably connected members arrang... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7361178 | Cranial flap clamp and instrument for use therewith The disclosed cranial flap clamp includes first and second clamping members and an extension member. A portion of the first member is positionable against inferior surfaces of a bone flap and skull and a portion of the second member is positionable against superior ... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7351301 | Catheter and method for making the same The invention is generally directed to an intraluminal catheter with an improved transition between a proximal shaft portion and a more flexible distal shaft portion and a method for making the same. The improvement provides enhanced flexibility, reduced bunching, a... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7338527 | Artificial spinal disc, insertion tool, and method of insertion An artificial spinal disc is provided for unilateral insertion from the posterior side of the patient and includes a pair of plate members with a bearing associated with one plate member and a depression associated with the other for permitting limited flexibility o... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7326222 | Suture tensioning device A device for tensioning suture which includes two telescopically slidable cannulated tubes. An adjustment wheel is coupled to and turns a threaded post which is threadingly engaged with the proximal end of one of the slidable tubes. A suture end is passed through th... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7316688 | Cutting and forming device A cutting and forming device includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a housing. The outer sleeve has a longitudinal axis, a front end, a rear end, and a borehole having an borehole axis. The inner sleeve, can be rotated in the outer sleeve's borehole and incl... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7273482 | Internal cord fixation device Methods and apparatuses for fixing a bone fragment or a bone prosthesis onto a bone. To affix a bone fragment to the bone, an internal fastener is attached from within the interior of the bone to a bone fragment with a length of flexible, inelastic cord extending wi... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7270671 | Semi-automatic suture device for using surgical thread The present invention provides an implantable device for semiautomatic suturing using a surgical thread, the suturing enabling biological and/or artificial tissues to be united, the device comprising: blocking means enabling two strands of the thread of a suture to ... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7250054 | Systems, methods, and apparatuses for clamping and reclamping an orthopedic surgical cable Systems, methods, and apparatuses for clamping and reclamping an orthopedic surgical cable used in conjunction with an orthopedic implant device, a bone, and/or bone implant or structure. Systems and methods provide a clamping body, a clamping mechanism, and a force... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7250052 | Spinal stabilization systems and methods A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may includ... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7235077 | Bone fixation device and method An apparatus and method of reducing and fixating bone fragments during osteosynthesis is disclosed. An internal fixation plate has first and second arms forming an acute angle. Attachment locations adapted to secure the plate to bone are located at distal portions o... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7229441 | Flexible systems for spinal stabilization and fixation Systems for spinal stabilization and fixation replace, reconstruct or augment the spinal ligamentous and/or bony tissues resected during surgical procedures. The spinal stabilization system includes at least an implant configured to span the intervertebral disc spac... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7214225 | Connector A connector comprising at least one pair of apertures for receiving a fastener, such as a screw, a load bearing filament extending continuously along a predefined circuitous path which extends between and around each of the apertures of said pair of apertures. The l... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7172595 | Bone fixation systems and related methods A bone fixation system includes a bone fixation element adapted for mounting on a bone of a patient. The bone fixation element has a body with a channel extending through a portion thereof. A line extends through the channel of the bone fixation element. A tubular c... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7160310 | Surgical device for pushing together a thread loop To avoid a maximum displacing force being exceeded in the case of a device for pushing together a thread loop which is formed by a slip knot at the distal free end of the thread which can be displaced along the thread, with a displacing element which can be displace... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7150757 | Adjustable line locks and methods A line lock includes a body at least partially bounding a primary passageway, a secondary passageway, and a working passageway. In one embodiment at least a portion of the working passageway is disposed between the primary passageway and the secondary passageway suc... | 12/19/2006 |
| 7144378 | Quick-release torquer apparatus for delivering and maintaining a medical guideware The present invention provides a torquer for maneuvering a medical guidewire during endovascular surgical procedures or the like, which can be easily positioned and re-positioned along the length of the wire. A clamp-like device is formed with a top arm and a bottom... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7137985 | Marking and guidance method and system for flexible fixation of a spine A method and system for marking and guiding the insertion of securing members (e.g., pedicle screws) of a spinal fixation device. In one embodiment, the marking and guidance method and system includes the use of a guide tube configured to be inserted into a patient'... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7101376 | Interlocking IM Nails with threaded guidewire A new method for locking Intramedullary Nails (IM Nails) with Threaded Guidewire. The present invention is practiced in conjunction with specifically designed tapered screws with segmented threads. This new design uses the screws to begin locking the IM Nail, follow... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7094240 | Flexible member tensioning instruments and methods An instrument for tensioning a flexible elongate member in a surgical procedure includes a tensioning mechanism engageable to a portion of the flexible elongate member and operable to apply a tensioning force to the elongate member. The instrument includes a distal ... | 08/22/2006 |
