Abstract: A bone plate includes at least one variable angle locking hole that is configured to threadedly mate with a variable angle locking screw oriented so as to define any angle among a range of angles with respect to a central axis of the VA locking hole at which a threaded head of the locking screw is configured to threadedly purchase with the bone plate in the variable angle locking hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for assessing medical risks of a patient includes an analytics engine and equipment that provides data to the analytics engine. The analytics engine analyzes the data from the equipment to determine a sepsis risk score, a falls risk score, and a pressure injury score. The apparatus further include displays that are communicatively coupled to the analytics engine and that display the sepsis, falls, and pressure injury risk scores. The displays include a status board display located at a master nurse station, an in-room display provided by a room station of a nurse call system, an electronic medical records (EMR) display of an EMR computer, and a mobile device display of a mobile device of a caregiver assigned to the patient.

Abstract: An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.

Abstract: An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.

Abstract: A sternal closure system for closing an opening in a sternum includes an implant and a plate pair comprised of first and second plates. The first and second plates secure with the sternum across the opening. The implant, in an insertion shape, inserts through the first and second plates and into the sternum across the opening, and then, upon a movement toward a natural shape, holds the opening closed while interconnecting the first and second plates. The sternal closure system alternatively includes an implant with a bridge having first and second apertures and first and second legs extending from the bridge. The implant, in an insertion shape, inserts into the sternum across the opening, and then, upon a movement toward a natural shape, holds the opening in the sternum closed. The implant, at the first and second apertures, receives fixation devices therethrough that engage the sternum.

Abstract: A bone plate includes at least one variable angle locking hole that is configured to threadedly mate with a variable angle locking screw oriented so as to define any angle among a range of angles with respect to a central axis of the VA locking hole at which a threaded head of the locking screw is configured to threadedly purchase with the bone plate in the variable angle locking hole.

Abstract: A bone plate includes at least one variable angle locking hole that is configured to threadedly mate with a variable angle locking screw oriented so as to define any angle among a range of angles with respect to a central axis of the VA locking hole at which a threaded head of the locking screw is configured to threadedly purchase with the bone plate in the variable angle locking hole.

Abstract: A bone plate includes locking holes that reconfigured to threadedly mate with locking screws to fix the bone plate to an underlying bone. Some of the locking holes are standard-type locking holes. Alternatively or additionally, some of the locking holes are variable-angle locking holes. The bone plate defines a collection cavity in the locking holes that are configured to collect shavings that can be produced if the bone screw is cross threaded in the locking hole.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, an opposed lower surface configured to face a bone, and at least one aperture extending through the bone plate from the upper to the lower surface along a central aperture axis. The aperture is defined by an interior surface of the bone plate. The interior surface defines a plurality of columns sequentially located about a circumference of the interior surface and a plurality of recesses located circumferentially between the columns. Each of the columns is configured to undergo deformation at least in a radial direction perpendicular to the central aperture axis responsive to engagement with a head of a locking bone screw that is receivable within the at least one aperture so as to lock the head to the bone plate. The plurality of columns comprises at least five columns.

Abstract: A bone plate includes locking holes that re configured to threadedly mate with locking screws to fix the bone plate to an underlying bone. Some of the locking holes are standard-type locking holes. Alternatively or additionally, some of the locking holes are variable-angle locking holes. The bone plate defines a collection cavity in the locking holes that are configured to collect shavings that can be produced if the bone screw is cross threaded in the locking hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for assessing medical risks of a patient includes an analytics engine and equipment that provides data to the analytics engine. The analytics engine analyzes the data from the equipment to determine a sepsis risk score, a falls risk score, and a pressure injury score. The apparatus further include displays that are communicatively coupled to the analytics engine and that display the sepsis, falls, and pressure injury risk scores. The displays include a status board display located at a master nurse station, an in-room display provided by a room station of a nurse call system, an electronic medical records (EMR) display of an EMR computer, and a mobile device display of a mobile device of a caregiver assigned to the patient.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, an opposed lower surface configured to face a bone, and at least one aperture extending through the bone plate from the upper to the lower surface along a central aperture axis. The aperture is defined by an interior surface of the bone plate. The interior surface defines a plurality of columns sequentially located about a circumference of the interior surface and a plurality of recesses located circumferentially between the columns. Each of the columns is configured to undergo deformation at least in a radial direction perpendicular to the central aperture axis responsive to engagement with a head of a locking bone screw that is receivable within the at least one aperture so as to lock the head to the bone plate. The plurality of columns comprises at least five columns.

Abstract: A bone plate includes at least one variable angle locking hole that is configured to threadedly mate with a variable angle locking screw oriented so as to define any angle among a range of angles with respect to a central axis of the VA locking hole at which a threaded head of the locking screw is configured to threadedly purchase with the bone plate in the variable angle locking hole.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a superior vertebra relative to an inferior vertebra includes a plate having a first surface for mating with the superior and inferior vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate has a first hole configured for overlying the superior vertebra and a second hole configured for overlying the inferior vertebra. An alignment instrument has a leading portion and a trailing portion. The leading portion has a securing mechanism configured for removable attachment to a fastening mechanism of the plate. The alignment instrument also includes an alignment prong extending past the first surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the fastening mechanism. The alignment prong provides tactile information to the trailing portion of the alignment instrument for use in positioning the plate with respect to the superior and inferior vertebra.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a superior vertebra relative to an inferior vertebra includes a plate having a first surface for mating with the superior and inferior vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate has a first hole configured for overlying the superior vertebra and a second hole configured for overlying the inferior vertebra. An alignment instrument has a leading portion and a trailing portion. The leading portion has a securing mechanism configured for removable attachment to a fastening mechanism of the plate. The alignment instrument also includes an alignment prong extending past the first surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the fastening mechanism. The alignment prong provides tactile information to the trailing portion of the alignment instrument for use in positioning the plate with respect to the superior and inferior vertebra.

Abstract: A thermometry apparatus includes a housing that receives a probe having at least one temperature responsive element within an isolation chamber that is preferably removable from the housing. A switch assembly determines the presence of the isolation chamber in the housing wherein the apparatus is enabled only if the isolation chamber is attached to the housing and a probe is removed from the attached isolation chamber.