Abstract: A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a bearing-housing structure provided to the housing and adapted to rotatably support a rotor, a motor provided to the bearing-housing structure and adapted to drive the rotor, and an impeller provided to the rotor. The bearing-housing structure includes a bearing shaft having a bearing surface that rotatably supports the rotor. The bearing shaft provides only a single bearing of the non-ball bearing type for the rotor.

Abstract: A prosthetic cardiac valve comprises an anchor having an atrial skirt, an annular region, and a ventricular skirt. The prosthetic valve also has a plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets each having a first end and a free end. The first end is coupled with the anchor and the free end is opposite the first end. The prosthetic cardiac valve has an open configuration in which the free ends of the prosthetic valve leaflets are disposed away from one another to allow antegrade blood flow therepast, and a closed configuration in which the free ends of the prosthetic valve leaflets engage one another and substantially prevent retrograde blood flow therepast. The anchor has a collapsed configuration for delivery to the heart and an expanded configuration for anchoring the prosthetic cardiac valve to a patient's heart.

Abstract: Fracture distractor pliers comprising: a first arm with a first end and an opposing second end, where the first end of the first arm terminates in a slot capable of engaging a screw head; and a second arm with a first end and an opposing second end, where the first end of the second arm terminates in a recess capable of engaging a plate. The first arm and the second arm may be pivotally joined. The fracture distractor pliers may facilitate precise distraction of fracture fragments of the larger long bones, assist provisional fracture stabilization to facilitate final fixation, and ergonomically overcome compressive forces at a fracture site.

Abstract: Bone harvesting system including methods and devices for obtaining and/or removing osseous debris from a bone using an auger having a flexible, helical fin projecting from a shaft. In an exemplary method, a leading end region of the auger is placed into a reamed portion of a bone's medullary cavity via an entry site extending into the bone. Osseous debris is driven toward the entry site with the auger. At least a portion of the osseous debris that has passed through the entry site is collected outside the bone. In some embodiments, the leading end region of the auger is deformed by contact between the helical fin and a wall of the medullary cavity, to conform the helical fin in the leading end region to a portion of the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Bone harvesting system including methods and devices for obtaining and/or removing osseous debris from a bone using an auger having a flexible, helical fin projecting from a shaft. In an exemplary method, a leading end region of the auger is placed into a reamed portion of a bone's medullary cavity via an entry site extending into the bone. Osseous debris is driven toward the entry site with the auger. At least a portion of the osseous debris that has passed through the entry site is collected outside the bone. In some embodiments, the leading end region of the auger is deformed by contact between the helical fin and a wall of the medullary cavity, to conform the helical fin in the leading end region to a portion of the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Device and method for reaming bone. In exemplary embodiments, the device may comprise a shaft configured to be rotated about a long axis thereof. The device also may comprise a plurality of cutting members connected to a distal end region of the shaft, rotationally offset from one another about the long axis, and forming a portion of an expandable cutting head. The device further may comprise an inner member configured to be moved with respect to the shaft to change a diameter of the cutting head. In exemplary methods, the device may be utilized to ream a medullary cavity while being pushed or pulled along the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Device and method for reaming bone. In exemplary embodiments, the device may comprise a shaft configured to be rotated about a long axis thereof. The device also may comprise a plurality of cutting members connected to a distal end region of the shaft, rotationally offset from one another about the long axis, and forming a portion of an expandable cutting head. The device further may comprise an inner member configured to be moved with respect to the shaft to change a diameter of the cutting head. In exemplary methods, the device may be utilized to ream a medullary cavity while being pushed or pulled along the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Bone harvesting system including methods and devices for obtaining and/or removing osseous debris from a bone using an auger having a flexible, helical fin projecting from a shaft. In an exemplary method, a leading end region of the auger is placed into a reamed portion of a bone's medullary cavity via an entry site extending into the bone. Osseous debris is driven toward the entry site with the auger. At least a portion of the osseous debris that has passed through the entry site is collected outside the bone. In some embodiments, the leading end region of the auger is deformed by contact between the helical fin and a wall of the medullary cavity, to conform the helical fin in the leading end region to a portion of the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Bone harvesting system including methods and devices for obtaining and/or removing osseous debris from a bone using an auger having a flexible, helical fin projecting from a shaft. In an exemplary method, a leading end region of the auger is placed into a reamed portion of a bone's medullary cavity via an entry site extending into the bone. Osseous debris is driven toward the entry site with the auger. At least a portion of the osseous debris that has passed through the entry site is collected outside the bone. In some embodiments, the leading end region of the auger is deformed by contact between the helical fin and a wall of the medullary cavity, to conform the helical fin in the leading end region to a portion of the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Bone harvesting system including methods and devices for obtaining and/or removing osseous debris from a bone using an auger having a flexible, helical fin projecting from a shaft. In an exemplary method, a leading end region of the auger is placed into a reamed portion of a bone's medullary cavity via an entry site extending into the bone. Osseous debris is driven toward the entry site with the auger. At least a portion of the osseous debris that has passed through the entry site is collected outside the bone. In some embodiments, the leading end region of the auger is deformed by contact between the helical fin and a wall of the medullary cavity, to conform the helical fin in the leading end region to a portion of the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Device and method for reaming bone. In exemplary embodiments, the device may comprise a shaft configured to be rotated about a long axis thereof. The device also may comprise a plurality of cutting members connected to a distal end region of the shaft, rotationally offset from one another about the long axis, and forming a portion of an expandable cutting head. The device further may comprise an inner member configured to be moved with respect to the shaft to change a diameter of the cutting head. In exemplary methods, the device may be utilized to ream a medullary cavity while being pushed or pulled along the medullary cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a substantially tubular body sub, a substantially planar base plate having one or more receiving cavities disposed therein, one or more gussets, a fluid chamber, and a plurality of leg/cone assemblies having a leg end and a cone end; wherein the base plate is disposed around the body sub and stabilized by the gussets, and each leg end comprises an exterior surface geometry complementary to the interior surface geometry of a base plate receiving cavity and is insertable into and affixable therein. The receiving cavities are constructed in defined locations and orientations in the base plate and the leg/cone assemblies are precisely formed such that insertion of the leg end into the receiving cavity accurately and precisely disposes the cutting component about the reamer. Embodiments of methods of providing and using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A stable surgical platform table attachment for fixation of upper extremity trauma. The surgical platform assembly may comprise a stable platform for the patient's upper arm. The platform may be attached to a frame assembly, which may be capable of being supported by a surgical peg board. The surgical platform assembly may be radiolucent and height adjustable. The surgical platform assembly may provide an extension platform for the patient's lower arm, where the angle of the extension platform may be easily changed as needed or the entire extension platform easily removed, as desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a substantially tubular body sub, a substantially planar base plate having one or more receiving cavities disposed therein, one or more gussets, a fluid chamber, and a plurality of leg/cone assemblies having a leg end and a cone end; wherein the base plate is disposed around the body sub and stabilized by the gussets, and each leg end comprises an exterior surface geometry complementary to the interior surface geometry of a base plate receiving cavity and is insertable into and affixable therein. The receiving cavities are constructed in defined locations and orientations in the base plate and the leg/cone assemblies are precisely formed such that insertion of the leg end into the receiving cavity accurately and precisely disposes the cutting component about the reamer. Embodiments of methods of providing and using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A borehole reaming cutter retention and fastening/locking system enable field replacement of borehole reaming cutter assemblies utilized in infrastructure emplacement horizontal drilling (HDD) applications. The borehole reaming cutter assembly retention/fastening system can withstand borehole drilling forces without the necessity of permanent welding, thereby allowing cutter interchangeability/replacement in the field. The borehole cutter retention assembly shape and design, coupled with the fastening/locking mechanism design, may be robust enough to replace permanent welding and may allow field cutter interchangeability and replacement. Current designs and devices utilize permanent welding of component/cutter assemblies, thereby requiring workshop/welding construction and deconstruction to enable the interchangeability and replacement of cutter assemblies.

Abstract: A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.

Abstract: A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the greater trochanter.

Abstract: A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the olecranon.

Abstract: A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the greater trochanter.

Abstract: A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of the olecranon.