Abstract: An orthopedic fastener is designed to attach an implant to bone in such a manner that, until the fastener is tightened, the implant may be rotationally adjusted against the bone. The implant may have a semispherical bone apposition surface that permits polyaxial rotation of the implant against the bone. The orthopedic fastener has an interpositional member and a compression member. The interpositional member may be a split ring with a conical exterior surface that mates with a conical surface of the implant. The compressing member has a threaded bore that engages a proximal end of a fixation member implanted in the bone such that, in response to rotation of the compression member, the interpositional member is sandwiched securely between the implant and the compression member. The conical surface of the implant compresses the interpositional member about a semispherical surface of the compression member, thereby restricting rotation of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides umbrella anchors and accessories that facilitate the use of umbrellas over a wide variety of ground surfaces. An anchor may have a generally tubular shape with a bore that receives the bottom end of a pole of an umbrella. The anchor may have a tip that penetrates the ground in response to application of linear force, and a flange that limits the depth of penetration of the anchor into the ground and adds stability. Alternatively, an anchor may have a flange positioned distally to lie underneath a deck or other man-made surface. An anchor may have a flange that is angled relative to the remainder of the anchor to facilitate placement of the umbrella at a angle relative to ground level. A cover may prevent entry of debris into the anchor bore. Modular tables or accessory trays may be attached around the pole of the umbrella.

Abstract: A trochlear groove implant includes a body having a first side with an articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface, the articular surface and the bone apposition surface each extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end of the body. An elongated channel is recessed on the articular surface and longitudinally extends between the opposing ends of the body. An elongated ridge outwardly projects from the bone apposition surface and longitudinally extends between the opposing ends of the body.

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener is designed to attach an implant to bone in such a manner that, until the fastener is tightened, the implant may be rotationally adjusted against the bone. The implant may have a semispherical bone apposition surface that permits polyaxial rotation of the implant against the bone. The orthopedic fastener has an interpositional member and a compression member. The interpositional member may be a split ring with a conical exterior surface that mates with a conical surface of the implant. The compressing member has a threaded bore that engages a proximal end of a fixation member implanted in the bone such that, in response to rotation of the compression member, the interpositional member is sandwiched securely between the implant and the compression member. The conical surface of the implant compresses the interpositional member about a semispherical surface of the compression member, thereby restricting rotation of the implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener is designed to attach an implant to bone in such a manner that, until the fastener is tightened, the implant may be rotationally adjusted against the bone. The implant may have a semispherical bone apposition surface that permits polyaxial rotation of the implant against the bone. The orthopedic fastener has an interpositional member and a compression member. The interpositional member may be a split ring with a conical exterior surface that mates with a conical surface of the implant. The compression member has a threaded bore that engages a proximal end of a fixation member implanted in the bone such that, in response to rotation of the compression member, the interpositional member is sandwiched securely between the implant and the compression member. The conical surface of the implant compresses the interpositional member about a semispherical surface of the compression member, thereby restricting rotation of the implant.

Abstract: A medication infusion system may include a controller and a reservoir module including a reservoir containing medication to be delivered to an internal wound site via the controller. The controller may have a peristaltic pump driven by a motor to urge medication to flow toward the internal wound site, through a conduit. When the conduit is not tensioned via engagement with the pump, a valve blocks fluid flow to prevent unrestricted flow of medication. The valve may have a tapered plunger separated from an annular valve seat by a portion of the conduit that elongates under tension to enable withdrawal of the plunger from the valve seat. Alternatively, the valve may have features such as a spherical plunger between two annular valve seats, a rigid tubular member biased with respect to the conduit, or an opening in the conduit that moves axially or radially to enable fluid flow.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a camera secured to an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism removably secures the camera to a screen portion of a display screen such that the camera is disposed between the display screen and a person engaged in videoconferencing. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a suction cup. In one alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism takes the form of first and second strips of double-sided tape. In another alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes first and second magnets removably secured to front and back sides of a flat panel display. Magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the camera to a screen portion of the flat panel display.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a flexible coupling that removably disposes a camera between a screen portion of a display and a person viewing the screen portion. The camera may be attached to a camera portion of the flexible coupling, and a fixation portion of the flexible coupling may be secured to the display. According to one example, the flexible coupling is an elastic or inelastic flexible loop that encircles the display. According to another example, the flexible coupling is a flexible line suspended from a base attached to a top side of the display.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a motion coupling that positions a strut at least partially across a screen, near the eye level of the viewer. A camera may be mounted on a camera portion of the strut to obtain a video image of the viewer. The motion coupling may permit translation or rotation of the strut to reposition the camera. The motion coupling may be selectively lockable through internal,friction or through the use of a locking device. The camera may be movable along the camera portion via a camera translational coupling.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a bendable coupling that removably disposes an image receiving device between a screen portion of a display and a person viewing the screen portion. According to one example, the image receiving device comprises a lens that conveys light into the distal end of a coherent fiber optic bundle. The light then moves through the cable to reach a camera offset from the screen portion. Alternatively, the image receiving device may be a miniature camera that provides a video signal via a video cable connected to the camera. As another alternative, the camera may be coupled to a miniature wireless transmitter. A wireless receiver offset from the screen portion may then receive the video signal and convey it to a display or communications network.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a motion coupling that positions a strut at least partially across a screen, near the eye level of the viewer. A camera may be mounted on a camera portion of the strut to obtain a video image of the viewer. The motion coupling may permit translation or rotation of the strut to reposition the camera. The motion coupling may be selectively lockable through internal friction or through the use of a locking device. The camera may be movable along the camera portion via a camera translational coupling.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a camera secured to an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism removably secures the camera to a screen portion of a display screen such that the camera is disposed between the display screen and a person engaged in videoconferencing. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a suction cup. In one alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism takes the form of first and second strips of double-sided tape. In another alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes first and second magnets removably secured to front and back sides of a flat panel display. Magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the camera to a screen portion of the flat panel display.