Abstract: A bone fixation system for bone repair, the system comprising a bone fixation plate with upper and lower surfaces and at least one opening formed on the upper and lower surfaces to form a passage extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to receive a bone screw. The passage is defined by one or more non-threaded inner walls extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. At interference portions, the passage has a width between the walls smaller than the diameter of the head of the bone screw to achieve interference between the head of the bone screw and the inner walls at interference portions to lock the bone screw within the passage upon its insertion into the passage at a variable angle of rotation relative to a longitudinal axis of the passage.

Abstract: A bone fixation system for bone repair, the system comprising a bone fixation plate with upper and lower surfaces and at least one opening formed on the upper and lower surfaces to form a passage extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to receive a bone screw. The passage is defined by one or more non-threaded inner walls extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. At interference portions, the passage has a width between the walls smaller than the diameter of the head of the bone screw to achieve interference between the head of the bone screw and the inner walls at interference portions to lock the bone screw within the passage upon its insertion into the passage at a variable angle of rotation relative to a longitudinal axis of the passage.

Abstract: A surgical handle for interfacing with a replaceable tool for use during a surgical procedure includes a head that is held in the palm of the hand and a gripping member held by the fingers. Turning of the gripping member results in a shaft of the replaceable tool being driven. Between the head and the gripping member is a movable sleeve that is pulled upwards in order to uncouple the handle from the shaft and is released in order to couple the shaft with the handle. The coupling between the shaft and the handle includes a circumferentially positioned retaining member that is pushed by the sleeve into engagement with a detent on the shaft.

Abstract: A method (100) for calibrating a sound delivery system (1) having a processing assembly, a data communications assembly (9) coupled to the processing assembly, and at least one audio transducer (21a, 21b) mounted with at least one processor (11) of the processing assembly and responsive thereto for delivering sound to a user (3), the method including the steps of: transmitting from a remote user interface device (6) for the sound delivery system, a sequence of command codes for specifying predetermined characteristics of test sounds; receiving the command code sequence at the communications assembly of the sound delivery system; providing the command code sequence to the processing assembly of the sound delivery system; reproducing by a selected at least one audio transducer, the predetermined test sounds under control of said at least one processor according to the command code sequence; measuring with a reference SPL meter (70) proximate to the audio transducer, characteristics of test sounds reproduced by

Abstract: A method (100) for calibrating a sound delivery system (1) having a processing assembly, a data communications assembly (9) coupled to the processing assembly, and at least one audio transducer (21a, 21b) mounted with at least one processor (11) of the processing assembly and responsive thereto for delivering sound to a user (3), the method including the steps of: transmitting from a remote user interface device (6) for the sound delivery system, a sequence of command codes for specifying predetermined characteristics of test sounds; receiving the command code sequence at the communications assembly of the sound delivery system; providing the command code sequence to the processing assembly of the sound delivery system; reproducing by a selected at least one audio transducer, the predetermined test sounds under control of said at least one processor according to the command code sequence; measuring with a reference SPL meter (70) proximate to the audio transducer, characteristics of test sounds reproduced by

Abstract: A synthetic bead is for implantation within the body of an animal or human body. The bead includes a surface defining a shape having a bulk volume of the bead. The surface of the bead is coated with at least a first therapeutic agent to form an inner layer; and an outer layer includes a biodegradable polymer and a second therapeutic agent positioned above the inner layer.

Abstract: A method (100) for calibrating a sound delivery system (1) having a processing assembly, a data communications assembly (9) coupled to the processing assembly, and at least one audio transducer (21a, 21b) mounted with at least one processor (11) of the processing assembly and responsive thereto for delivering sound to a user (3), the method including the steps of: transmitting from a remote user interface device (6) for the sound delivery system, a sequence of command codes for specifying predetermined characteristics of test sounds; receiving the command code sequence at the communications assembly of the sound delivery system; providing the command code sequence to the processing assembly of the sound delivery system; reproducing by a selected at least one audio transducer, the predetermined test sounds under control of said at least one processor according to the command code sequence; measuring with a reference SPL meter (70) proximate to the audio transducer, characteristics of test sounds reproduced by

Abstract: A sound delivery system includes a processing assembly with a user interface coupled to the at least one processing assembly. At least one audio transducer is provided for delivering sound to a user. The audio transducer is responsive to the processing assembly. Typically the audio transducer is a loudspeaker of a pair of headphones or earbuds, though it may also be a bone conduction transducer. The at least one processing assembly is arranged to determine compensatory weights at each of a number of audio frequencies for the user on the basis of user responses via the interface to sounds delivered via the audio transducer and to deliver audio signals to the user modified in accordance with the determined weights via the audio transducer.