Abstract: A graft fixation device comprising: a graft separator comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a cavity disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, and at least one guide rib disposed radially outboard of the cavity and extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and an interference screw rotatably mountable within the cavity, the interference screw comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a screw thread disposed intermediate thereof, the screw thread disposed radially outboard of at least a portion of the graft separator and radially inboard of the at least one rib.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstructing a ligament, the apparatus comprising a fixation device for maintaining a graft ligament in a bone hole, the fixation device comprising a fixation screw comprising a body having screw threads formed thereon; and a ligament spacer mounted to the fixation screw, the ligament spacer comprising a canted face disposed opposite the fixation screw; such that the fixation screw and ligament spacer may be advanced into the bone hole with the graft ligament so that the fixation screw and the ligament spacer maintain the graft ligament within the bone hole and the canted face of the ligament spacer is aligned with the adjacent surface of the bone.

Abstract: A graft fixation device comprising: a graft separator comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a cavity disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, and at least one guide rib disposed radially outboard of the cavity and extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and an interference screw rotatably mountable within the cavity, the interference screw comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a screw thread disposed intermediate thereof, the screw thread disposed radially outboard of at least a portion of the graft separator and radially inboard of the at least one rib.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstructing a ligament, the apparatus comprising: a fixation device for maintaining a graft ligament in a bone hole, the fixation device comprising: a fixation screw comprising a body having screw threads formed thereon; and a ligament spacer mounted to the fixation screw, the ligament spacer comprising a canted face disposed opposite the fixation screw; such that when a graft ligament is disposed within a bone hole, the fixation screw and ligament spacer may be advanced into the bone hole alongside the graft ligament so that the fixation screw creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, and the ligament spacer creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, with the canted face of the ligament spacer being aligned with the adjacent surface of the bone.

Abstract: A graft fixation device comprising: a graft separator comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a cavity disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, and at least one guide rib disposed radially outboard of the cavity and extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and an interference screw rotatably mountable within the cavity, the interference screw comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a screw thread disposed intermediate thereof, the screw thread disposed radially outboard of at least a portion of the graft separator and radially inboard of the at least one rib.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstructing a ligament, the apparatus comprising: a fixation device for maintaining a graft ligament in a bone hole, the fixation device comprising: a fixation screw comprising a body having screw threads formed thereon; and a ligament spacer mounted to the fixation screw, the ligament spacer comprising a canted face disposed opposite the fixation screw; such that when a graft ligament is disposed within a bone hole, the fixation screw and ligament spacer may be advanced into the bone hole alongside the graft ligament so that the fixation screw creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, and the ligament spacer creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, with the canted face of the ligament spacer being aligned with the adjacent surface of the bone.

Abstract: A graft fixation device comprising: a graft separator comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a cavity disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, and at least one guide rib disposed radially outboard of the cavity and extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and an interference screw rotatably mountable within the cavity, the interference screw comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a screw thread disposed intermediate thereof, the screw thread disposed radially outboard of at least a portion of the graft separator and radially inboard of the at least one rib.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstructing a ligament, the apparatus comprising: a fixation device for maintaining a graft ligament in a bone hole, the fixation device comprising: a fixation screw comprising a body having screw threads formed thereon; and a ligament spacer mounted to the fixation screw, the ligament spacer comprising a canted face disposed opposite the fixation screw; such that when a graft ligament is disposed within a bone hole, the fixation screw and ligament spacer may be advanced into the bone hole alongside the graft ligament so that the fixation screw creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, and the ligament spacer creates an interference fit between the graft ligament and the wall of the bone hole, with the canted face of the ligament spacer being aligned with the adjacent surface of the bone.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstructing a ligament, the apparatus comprising a fixation device for maintaining a graft ligament in a bone hole, the fixation device comprising a fixation screw comprising a body having screw threads formed thereon; and a ligament spacer mounted to the fixation screw, the ligament spacer comprising a canted face disposed opposite the fixation screw; such that the fixation screw and ligament spacer may be advanced into the bone hole with the graft ligament so that the fixation screw and the ligament spacer maintain the graft ligament within the bone hole and the canted face of the ligament spacer is aligned with the adjacent surface of the bone.

Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises at least one key for disposition in at least one corresponding keyhole formed in the tibia adjacent to the wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein each of the at least one keys comprises an interior bore for receiving a fixation screw, at least one fixation screw for disposition in the interior bore of the at least one key, and further wherein the apparatus is configured so that when the at least one fixation screw is received in the interior bore, the at least one fixation screw terminates within the bore.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: In a computer-controlled, automated method, a nucleic acid amplification procedure is performed within a prescribed incubation temperature range within an instrument that comprises at least one thermal element situated at a first location of the instrument and an amplification incubator situated at a second, spaced-apart location of the instrument. A receptacle and its contents are exposed to the thermal element for a predetermined period of time at the first location, such that the temperature of the contents of the receptacle is adjusted to approximate the incubation temperature. The receptacle is then moved from the first location and into the amplification incubator, and, in the amplification incubator, a nucleic acid contained in the contents of the receptacle is subjected to the nucleic acid amplification procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an open wedge osteotomy utilizing a keyed, wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a keyed, wedge-shaped opening created in a bone. The keys may be disposed in vertical or horizontal arrangements. In addition, a shear rib key hole may be formed adjacent the wedge-shaped opening in the bone.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. As a result of the nucleic acid amplification, amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. A label associated with the probe is detected as an indication of the formation of the hybrid, and the formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: An automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid in a self-contained analyzer.