Abstract: A surgical device and method is used in attaching a tendon or a ligament to bone. In a preferred form, the device is a crimp configured to reduce the thickness of the free end of the tendon or the ligament to facilitate insertion of the tendon or the ligament into an opening formed in the bone.

Abstract: The system and method serves in facilitating replacement of comminuted bone fractures or portions thereof adjacent bone joints. The system and method employs a prosthesis to replace at least a portion of the comminuted bone fractures. The prosthesis serves in reproducing the articular surface of the portion or portions of the comminuted bone fractures that are replaced. In doing so, the prosthesis serves in restoring joint viability and corresponding articulation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixation and reduction of a fractured distal portion of a bone. A bone plate includes an elongated body portion adapted for attachment to a shaft portion of the bone, the body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a head portion connected to the body portion, and projecting therefrom at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the head portion adapted for attachment to the fractured distal portion of the bone; an alignment tab projecting from the perimeter of one of the head portion in the body portion; and a flex tab connected to a surface of an opening defined in the head portion, the flex tab being pivotable into contact with, and attachable to, the shaft portion of the bone at one of the shaft portion of the bone proximate the fractured distal portion of the bone and the fractured distal portion of the bone.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus for adding extra geometries to a model of a physical system. The apparatus is configured to modify a geometry of a model of a physical system represented in terms of a combined set of equations. Instructions on the apparatus cause one or more processors to perform, upon execution, acts comprising: (i) receiving a base geometry of the physical system, (ii) receiving one or more extra geometries associated with the base geometry, (iii) determining first geometric entities of the base geometry and second geometric entities of the extra geometry, (iv) adding the extra geometries to the base geometry by computing a product geometry of the determined first geometric entities and the second geometric entities, (v) generating an updated combined set of equations including representations of the product geometry, and (vi) generating a graphical representation of the product geometry, the graphical representation configured for display on the display device.

Abstract: The invention provides embodiments of a bone fixation system having a bone plate and a specialized screws system. The bone plate includes one or more bi-directional combination holes that can accommodate two bone screws in the same hole, the screws being oriented in non-parallel direction. In accommodating two screws in the same hole, one of the screws has a by-pass head.

Abstract: A fixation device serves in facilitating reduction and repair of a fractured bone such as a clavicle or a pelvis. The fixation device includes a bone plate adapted to overlie and contact bone fragments of a fractured bone. The bone plate can include tines extending outwardly from the edge thereof to contact the exterior of and support the bone fragments.

Abstract: A bone plate and method for use thereof affords use of at least two surgical approaches to attach the bone plate to a fractured bone to facilitate reduction and repair thereof. The bone plate includes two domains extending in different directions from a transition zone. The directions in which each of the two domains extend are generally opposite, and the transition zone is configured to afford portions of the two domains to be substantially disposed in planes that are transverse to one another.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to measuring test effects using adjusted outlier data. Test data and control data may include some outlier data (i.e., right-side tails of distribution curves), which may bias the resultant data. The outlier data may be adjusted to reduce bias. A cutoff point is selected along the distribution of data. Data below the cutoff is maintained and used to determine an effect of the data below the cutoff point. The effect of the data above the cutoff may be processed as follows. Predictor data is identified from the data below, but near, the cutoff point. The predictor data may then be used determine the effect of the outlier data that is above the cutoff point. In some embodiments, the predictor data may be weighted and combined with a weighted portion of the outlier data to determine an effect of the data above the cutoff point.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating replacement of comminuted bone fractures or portions thereof adjacent bone joints. The system and method employs a prosthesis to replace at least a portion of the comminuted bone fractures. The prosthesis serves in reproducing the articular surface of the portion or portions of the comminuted bone fractures that are replaced. In doing so, the prosthesis serves in restoring joint viability and corresponding articulation thereof.

Abstract: A bone joint repair and replacement assembly. A first portion comprising a bone plate is configured to attach to a distal or proximal end of a bone proximate the joint, generally coaxially with an axis defined by the bone. A second portion comprising an articular surface is configured to attach to the first portion, generally normal with respect to the axis, and inserted into the joint. Although versions of the assembly can be configured for use with several different pivotal joints, the invention is particularly suitable for full or partial replacement of an elbow, wherein the articular surface is pivotally attached to the first portion. Another embodiment of the invention is provided to repair a fractured bone head proximate the joint, and still another embodiment of the invention is provided to repair rotator cuff-related shoulder injuries.

Abstract: A suture attachment clip and method for assisting in the attachment or re-attachment of soft tissue to bone. The clip generally comprises a head having a shape suitable for allowing the passage of a suture during attachment of soft tissue to bone. One or more clips can be secured to a bone plate through a variety of means, including a snap configuration, a screw configuration, and a bendable prong configuration. The clip can also be continuous with an adjacent clip, thus forming a multi-clip assembly that can either be secured to a bone plate or secured directly to a bone without a bone plate.

Abstract: A tool serves to facilitate one or more of dilation of a flexor tendon sheath and corresponding pulleys, attachment of a severed flexor tendon thereto, passage of the severed flexor tendon through the flexor tendon sheath and the corresponding pulleys, and reattachment of the severed flexor tendon. The tool includes a tip portion, a shaft portion, and a handle portion. During use of the tool, the tip portion and at least a part of the shaft portion can be passed through the flexor tendon sheath, and the handle portion is can be used to control such passage. The tip portion and the shaft portion can be used to dilate the flexor tendon sheath. The severed flexor tendon can be attached to the tip portion, and the tool can be withdrawn from flexor tendon sheath to pass the severed flexor tendon to a repair site.

Abstract: A method for repairing a fractured bone includes providing a bone fracture fixation assembly including a plate, an elongated shaft, and a rod. At least a portion of the shaft is threaded, and the shaft has a hole extending therethrough. The hole has an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The method further includes positioning the plate adjacent the surface of the fractured bone, extending the shaft into the bone, cooperatively engaging the threaded portion of the shaft with a screw receiving aperture of the plate, extending the rod into the bone, and inserting the rod into the hole of the shaft.

Abstract: A suture attachment clip and method for assisting in the attachment or re-attachment of soft tissue to bone. The clip generally comprises a head having a shape suitable for allowing the passage of a suture during attachment of soft tissue to bone. One or more clips can be secured to a bone plate through a variety of means, including a snap configuration, a screw configuration, and a bendable prong configuration. The clip can also be continuous with an adjacent clip, thus forming a multi-clip assembly that can either be secured to a bone plate or secured directly to a bone without a bone plate.

Abstract: A tool serves to facilitate one or more of dilation of a flexor tendon sheath and corresponding pulleys, attachment of a severed flexor tendon thereto, passage of the severed flexor tendon through the flexor tendon sheath and the corresponding pulleys, and reattachment of the severed flexor tendon. The tool includes a tip portion, a shaft portion, and a handle portion. During use of the tool, the tip portion and at least a part of the shaft portion can be passed through the flexor tendon sheath, and the handle portion is can be used to control such passage. The tip portion and the shaft portion can be used to dilate the flexor tendon sheath. The severed flexor tendon can be attached to the tip portion, and the tool can be withdrawn from flexor tendon sheath to pass the severed flexor tendon to a repair site.

Abstract: A suture attachment clip and method for assisting in the attachment or re-attachment of soft tissue to bone. The clip generally comprises a head having a shape suitable for allowing the passage of a suture during attachment of soft tissue to bone. One or more clips can be secured to a bone plate through a variety of means, including a snap configuration, a screw configuration, and a bendable prong configuration. The clip can also be continuous with an adjacent clip, thus forming a multi-clip assembly that can either be secured to a bone plate or secured directly to a bone without a bone plate.

Abstract: A system for fixing fractured bone portions of a distal humerus in position with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the system includes a plate portion, a projection portion, and a fixation post. The plate portion includes a surface for contacting a posterior portion of the distal humerus adjacent one of a lateral side and a medial side thereof. The projection portion extends outwardly from the plate portion and includes an aperture for receiving the fixation post. The fixation post includes at least one fenestration, and extends from adjacent the one of the lateral and medial sides of the distal humerus to adjacent the other of the lateral and medial sides of the distal humerus.

Abstract: A toilet seat vacuum comprising: a tubing secured around an underside of an inner rim of a toilet seat; a plurality of suction holes arranged around the tubing, facing towards an inner portion of a toilet bowl, where the plurality of suction holes extract air from the toilet bowl area; a power box to control connected to the tubing, where the power box activates the plurality of suction holes to extract the air; a hose to connect the tubing to the power box; and a wall hose to attach the power box to a portal in a wall wherein the wall hose expels air from the toilet bowl area.

Abstract: A surgical device and method is used in attaching a tendon or a ligament to bone. In a preferred form, the device is a crimp configured to reduce the thickness of the free end of the tendon or the ligament to facilitate insertion of the tendon or the ligament into an opening formed in the bone.

Abstract: A method for repairing a fractured bone includes providing a bone fracture fixation assembly including a plate, an elongated shaft, and a rod. At least a portion of the shaft is threaded, and the shaft has a hole extending therethrough. The hole has an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The method further includes positioning the plate adjacent the surface of the fractured bone, extending the shaft into the bone, cooperatively engaging the threaded portion of the shaft with a screw receiving aperture of the plate, extending the rod into the bone, and inserting the rod into the hole of the shaft.