Abstract: A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.

Abstract: A dynamic subsidence plate is described having a first plate member and a second plate member in sliding engagement that may infinitely subside between a first and second assembled position. The plate includes a lock assembly associated with the first and second plate members. The lock assembly includes a ramp portion, an interference portion, and a bearing member situated between the ramp portion and the interference portion. The lock assembly of the plate is configured to allow movement of the first member with respect to the second member in a first direction in an infinite number of positions between a first assembled position and a second assembled position. Further, the lock assembly alternatively prevents movement of the first member with respect to the second member in an opposite second direction between the first and second assembled positions.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a magnifier, a spring biased leadscrew and a mechanism to allow the user to easily reset the dose on the medication delivery pen if the user requires a smaller dose than has been set.

Abstract: A luer connector assembly is provided for enhancing the frictional engagement between medical devices such as syringes and needle assemblies. The assembly needle includes a female luer fitting having a passageway and a relatively soft, resilient member bounding the passageway. The passageway is also bounded by the body of the fitting, which is harder than the soft, resilient member. A male luer fitting inserted into the passageway engages both the soft, resilient member and the body of the female luer fitting. A method of manufacturing such a connector assembly is further provided. A first material is injected into a mold to form the body of a female luer fitting, the fitting including a passageway and a recess extending into the body. A second material is then injected such that is extends into the recess and bounds the passageway. The second material, when cool, is softer than the first material.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the distal end projects distally outwardly. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the receiver to provide a bias. There is a hollow sleeve sized to fit within the receiver over the elongate spring with a proximal sharpened end facing the flange.

Abstract: A syringe has a retractable needle and a barrel having an open proximal end and an open distal end defining a receiver with an inward shoulder. The barrel has a hollow bore, an elongate plunger with a proximal end and a distal open end with a cavity therewithin. A stopper occludes the open end of the cavity. The syringe has an elongate hub with a proximal flange. The hub is within and sized for slidable movement within the receiver at the distal end of the barrel with the flange defining a distal end of a chamber. There is a sleeve sized to fit with a clearance about the hub disposed between the shoulder and the flange when the hub is in the receiver, the sleeve having a sharpened proximal end disposed against the flange. The needle has a pointed distal end and a proximal end connected to the passageway of the hub with the pointed end of the needle extending outwardly.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable needle includes an elongate barrel defining a receiver and a hollow bore. The syringe has a plunger with an elongate cavity open to the proximal end. The plunger is sized to fit within the bore of the barrel for a slidable movement to define a chamber for receiving and expelling fluids. The inside diameter of the cavity in the plunger is sufficient to accept telescopically at least a part of a first portion of the plunger. A second portion and the first portion are joined at an attachment to form a shoulder extending outwardly from the first portion, with the plunger being telescopically collapsible by movement of the second portion into the cavity by of sufficient distal force to frangibly disrupt the attachment. The syringe includes an elongate sleeve sized to fit over the first portion of the plunger and extend from the shoulder. The plunger includes a stopper to a form fluid tight seal with the barrel.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver with an inwardly projecting shoulder. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. There is an elongate plug extending distally into the hollow plunger from the open proximal end forming an enclosed cavity within the plunger. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the sharpened distal end projects. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the inwardly projecting shoulder of the receiver to provide a bias.

Abstract: An improved medication delivery pen is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The medication delivery pen includes a mechanism that prevents the removal of a cartridge unless an injector button on the medication pen is in a predefined position, a bayonet attachment and an improved clutch assembly in a dose setting mechanism that provides improved control over the torque necessary to rotate a units counter ring in the medication delivery pen using a dose setting knob.

Abstract: An improved medication delivery pen is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The medication delivery pen includes a mechanism that prevents the removal of a cartridge unless an injector button on the medication pen is in a predefined position, a bayonet attachment and an improved clutch assembly in a dose setting mechanism that provides improved control over the torque necessary to rotate a units counter ring in the medication delivery pen using a dose setting knob.