Abstract: A lamp having a front surface from which light is emitted and that includes a high efficiency light source assembly producing a beam having a 3 dB beamwidth of greater than 100°, and which includes a substrate, a high efficiency light source supported by the substrate; and a dome-lens that contains the high efficiency light source. Also, an optical assembly is positioned to receive light from the light emitting diode assembly and to produce a headlamp light beam emitted from the front surface of the lamp. Further, an annular light block defines an annulus and is placed about the lens, so that the lens protrudes through the annulus, thereby creating a sharp boundary for the output light beam.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: A battery headlamp assembly that includes a light engine bezel, an adjustable linkage supporting the bezel and including an electrically conductive system terminating at the bezel. Also, a headband assembly supports the adjustable linkage and includes a longitudinal rigid-flex circuit assembly. This assembly has a strip of rigid-flex circuit having two longitudinally opposed ends and including battery contacts on the ends. Also, two networks of electrical components are each supported by and electrically connected together, and to one of the battery contacts, by the strip of rigid-flex circuit, which includes conductive traces connecting both the networks to the electrically conductive system and to each other, to power the bezel from the battery contacts and to permit communications between the networks. In addition, a further electrically conductive element, electrically connects at least one conductive trace of the rigid-flex circuit to the electrically conductive system of the adjustable linkage.

Abstract: A lamp having a front surface from which light is emitted and that includes a high efficiency light source assembly producing a beam having a 3 dB beamwidth of greater than 100°, and which includes a substrate, a high efficiency light source supported by the substrate; and a dome-lens that contains the high efficiency light source. Also, an optical assembly is positioned to receive light from the light emitting diode assembly and to produce a headlamp light beam emitted from the front surface of the lamp. Further, an annular light block defines an annulus and is placed about the lens, so that the lens protrudes through the annulus, thereby creating a sharp boundary for the output light beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a suture tape assembly having a visually distinguishable midpoint includes weaving a longitudinally central portion of a length of round suture material together with other strands of material to form a length of suture tape. This suture tape has a longitudinal first end and a longitudinal second end, and the length of round suture material extends from both the first end and second end. Next, a center part of the length of the round suture material is grasped and pulled outwardly from the suture tape, to form a partial loop extending outwardly from the suture tape. This partial loop is cut from the suture tape, thereby leaving a longitudinally medial segment of the suture tape without the round suture material, and thereby being made visibly distinguishable from neighboring suture tape, which includes the round suture material.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a suture into a pilot hole in bone utilizing a suture anchor. A lumen-defining circular soft wall, having a first and second end, is slidably engaged to a piece of suture, a first length of which extends from the first end of the wall and is threaded through the lumen from the second end, and a second length of which extends from the second end and is threaded through the lumen from the first end. The suture anchor is introduced into the pilot hole so that the first length and second length of suture material extend out of the pilot hole. The first length and second length are pulled on alternately, thereby permitting the suture anchor structure to slide on the piece of suture material, and to be compacted evenly by the pulling, until the suture anchor is set in the pilot hole.

Abstract: A medical headlamp assembly, having a headband subassembly, including an electrical network, including a battery and an electrical jack, and a headlamp mount. Also, an electrical headlamp subassembly, has a mounting element matingly and removably engaged to the headlamp mount, and an electrical plug, matingly and removably engaged to the jack and an electrical headlamp, electrically connected to the plug. Further, the headband subassembly produces an electrical input for the headlamp subassembly and the headband subassembly includes a key resistor, the resistance value of which sets a characteristic of the electrical input.

Abstract: A method of repairing a stifle, including a first stifle bone and a second stifle bone in engaged opposition to the first stifle bone. The method begins with screwing a first bone screw into the first stifle bone and screwing a second bone screw, having an aperture in its shank, into the second stifle bone. Next, a tension member is used to pull a suture loop, to engage a portion of the suture loop about the shank of the first bone screw. Then, the tension member is used to pull the suture loop through the aperture of the second bone screw and then into engagement about the shank of the second bone screw.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a suture into a pilot hole in bone, utilizing a suture anchor. A lumen-defining circular soft wall, having a first and second end, is slidably engaged to a piece of suture, a first length of which extends from the first end of the wall and is threaded through the lumen from the second end, and a second length of which extends from the second end and is threaded through the lumen from the first end. The suture anchor is introduced into the pilot hole so that the first length and second length of suture material extend out of the pilot hole. The first length and second length are pulled on alternately, thereby permitting the suture anchor structure to slide on the piece of suture material, and to be compacted evenly by the pulling, until the suture anchor is set in the pilot hole.

Abstract: A battery headlamp assembly that includes a light engine bezel, an adjustable linkage supporting the bezel and including an electrically conductive system terminating at the bezel. Also, a headband assembly supports the adjustable linkage and includes a longitudinal rigid-flex circuit assembly. This assembly has a strip of rigid-flex circuit having two longitudinally opposed ends and including battery contacts on the ends. Also, two networks of electrical components are each supported by and electrically connected together, and to one of the battery contacts, by the strip of rigid-flex circuit, which includes conductive traces connecting both the networks to the electrically conductive system and to each other, to power the bezel from the battery contacts and to permit communications between the networks. In addition, a further electrically conductive element, electrically connects at least one conductive trace of the rigid-flex circuit to the electrically conductive system of the adjustable linkage.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: A battery headlamp assembly that includes a light engine bezel, an adjustable linkage supporting the bezel and including an electrically conductive system terminating at the bezel. Also, a headband assembly supports the adjustable linkage and includes a longitudinal rigid-flex circuit assembly. This assembly has a strip of rigid-flex circuit having two longitudinally opposed ends and including battery contacts on the ends. Also, two networks of electrical components are each supported by and electrically connected together, and to one of the battery contacts, by the strip of rigid-flex circuit, which includes conductive traces connecting both the networks to the electrically conductive system and to each other, to power the bezel from the battery contacts and to permit communications between the networks. In addition, a further electrically conductive element, electrically connects at least one conductive trace of the rigid-flex circuit to the electrically conductive system of the adjustable linkage.

Abstract: A medical headlamp having a front from which light is selectively emitted. The headlamp includes a beam origination portion that produces a light beam and an iris assembly, positioned in front of the beam origination portion, having a user accessible actuator and an iris, responsive to the actuator to block a user selectable portion of the light beam. The iris is also responsive to the actuator to block none of the light beam, for maximum efficiency, when a user so selects.

Abstract: A medical headlamp having a front from which light is selectively emitted. The headlamp includes a beam origination portion that produces a light beam and an iris assembly, positioned in front of the beam origination portion, having a user accessible actuator and an iris, responsive to the actuator to block a user-selectable portion of the light beam. The iris is also responsive to the actuator to block none of the light beam, for maximum efficiency, when a user so selects.

Abstract: A method of forming a suture tape assembly having a visually distinguishable midpoint includes weaving a longitudinally central portion of a length of round suture material together with other strands of material to form a length of suture tape. This suture tape has a longitudinal first end and a longitudinal second end, and the length of round suture material extends from both the first end and second end. Next, a center part of the length of the round suture material is grasped and pulled outwardly from the suture tape, to form a partial loop extending outwardly from the suture tape. This partial loop is cut from the suture tape, thereby leaving a longitudinally medial segment of the suture tape without the round suture material, and thereby being made visibly distinguishable from neighboring suture tape, which includes the round suture material.

Abstract: A medical headlamp assembly, having a headband subassembly, including an electrical network, including a battery and an electrical jack, and a headlamp mount. Also, an electrical headlamp subassembly, has a mounting element matingly and removably engaged to the headlamp mount, and an electrical plug, matingly and removably engaged to the jack and an electrical headlamp, electrically connected to the plug. Further, the headband subassembly produces an electrical input for the headlamp subassembly and the headband subassembly includes a key resistor, the resistance value of which sets a characteristic of the electrical input.