Abstract: An elongate rigid suture anchor is provided which is driven and impacted directly into bone. It has two ends: a distal end, which forms a hole in the bone, and a proximal end that penetrates the sidewall of the bone hole as the anchor is displaced proximally in the hole. A proximal force is applied to the suture anchor to displace the anchor proximally and cause tilting of the anchor. As the anchor is displaced proximally, the proximal end of the anchor enters obliquely into the sidewall of the hole.

Abstract: A suture anchor of a T-type is inserted into and through a small-diameter hole formed in a bone and, when deployed, is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the small-diameter hole. Prior to deployment, the suture anchor is coupled to an insertion shaft through a deformable portion and is aligned with the shaft axis so that the insertion shaft and the suture anchor can be inserted into the small-diameter hole.

Abstract: A rotator cuff tendon injury is repaired using a flexible fastener and an anchor. The flexible fastener is attached to the rotator cuff tendon and also secured to the anchor. The anchor is attached to or supported by various locations on the humerus other than the humeral head, to provide a robust means for holding the rotator cuff tendon in the desired position against the humeral head.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a polishing system is disclosed. The retaining ring has a process-resistant coating over a portion thereof. The process-resistant coating is a thin, smooth, conformal layer that is resistant to wear and chemical attack. The process-resistant coating is formed by a method that includes vapor deposition from a precursor gas mixture, which may deposit polyparaxyxylene from a gas mixture comprising paracyclophane. Adhesion of the process-resistant coating to the retaining ring may be enhanced by treating the surface of the ring prior to forming the coating. Resistance of the coating to the process may be further enhanced by treating the surface of the coating with an etching or deposition gas to impart texture.

Abstract: A method of suturing includes: (1) wrapping a first segment of a suture through a traction loop; (2) pulling the traction loop and the first segment through an opening in a suture lock; (3) continuing to pull the traction loop such that a second segment of the suture extends through the opening, wherein the second segment has a greater denier than the first segment such that the second segment more nearly fills an entire dimension of the opening than the first segment; and (4) locking the suture in place with the second segment in the opening.

Abstract: A flexible bone screw for insertion into the intramedullary cavity of a fractured bone facilitates enduring fixation of the fracture. The flexible bone screw includes a substantially smooth shaft and a threaded portion positioned at one end of the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion is greater than the shaft diameter and the length of the threaded portion is about 20% of the overall length of the flexible bone screw or less.

Abstract: A textile yarn includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment includes a plurality of first strands and has a substantially constant first denier. The second segment includes a plurality of second strands integrated together and has a substantially constant second denier. There are more second strands in the second segment than first strands in the first segment such that the second denier is greater than the first denier. A first portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a first plurality of yarn elements that extend through the first and second segments. A second portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a second plurality of yarn elements present in the second segment and not the first segment. The yarn elements in the second plurality of yarn elements terminate in a transition zone between the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A flexible bone screw for insertion into the intramedullary cavity of a fractured bone facilitates enduring fixation of the fracture. The flexible bone screw includes a substantially smooth shaft and a threaded portion positioned at one end of the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion is greater than the shaft diameter and the length of the threaded portion is about 20% of the overall length of the flexible bone screw or less.

Abstract: A gas nozzle measurement apparatus comprises a controllable gas source to provide across a gas plate having gas nozzles, a flow of gas at a constant pressure or constant flow rate, and a sensor plate sized to cover an area comprising at least a portion of the front face of the gas plate. The sensor plate comprises gas flow sensors arranged in locations that correspond to positions of individual gas nozzles of the gas nozzles of the gas plate such that each gas flow sensor can measure a pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of a gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle that faces the gas flow sensor, and generate a signal indicative of, or display, the pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of the gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle.

Abstract: A textile yarn includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment includes a plurality of first strands and has a substantially constant first denier. The second segment includes a plurality of second strands integrated together and has a substantially constant second denier. There are more second strands in the second segment than first strands in the first segment such that the second denier is greater than the first denier. A first portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a first plurality of yarn elements that extend through the first and second segments. A second portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a second plurality of yarn elements present in the second segment and not the first segment. The yarn elements in the second plurality of yarn elements terminate in a transition zone between the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A secure, comfortable, lightweight, and adjustable mounting platform to suspend miniature image displays in front a viewer's eyes without contacting the viewer's nose bridge, cheeks or ears. The mounting platform maintains airflow so as not to cause localized heating or fogging near the retained display devices. The mounting is to be flexible to allow the user to adjust the line of sight of the retained device along at least 4 degrees of freedom—lateral, elevation, depth and entering viewing angle for personal viewing preference, while being rigid enough to securely hold the imaging device when the user moves their head.

Abstract: The intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis (5), a near end (1) with means (8) for coupling to an insertion device and a far end (2) with a tip (7) for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a long bone. The far end (2) is provided with at least two traversing through holes (3) with axes (6), all of said through holes (3) being grouped in said far end (2) within a distance x measured from said tip (7) to the axis (6) of the most distant hole (3). The nail is provided with at least a third through hole (3) with axis (6) in said far end (2) which contains the first and second holes (3) and the projection of the hole axis (6) of said through holes (3) in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (5) is such that at least two of said projected hole axis (6) are at an angle ? greater than zero and less than 90° with respect to each other.

Abstract: A gas nozzle measurement apparatus comprises a controllable gas source to provide across a gas plate having gas nozzles, a flow of gas at a constant pressure or constant flow rate, and a sensor plate sized to cover an area comprising at least a portion of the front face of the gas plate. The sensor plate comprises gas flow sensors arranged in locations that correspond to positions of individual gas nozzles of the gas nozzles of the gas plate such that each gas flow sensor can measure a pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of a gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle that faces the gas flow sensor, and generate a signal indicative of, or display, the pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of the gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle.

Abstract: A suture anchor of a T-type is inserted into and through a small-diameter hole formed in a bone and, when deployed, is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the small-diameter hole. Prior to deployment, the suture anchor is coupled to an insertion shaft through a deformable portion and is aligned with the shaft axis so that the insertion shaft and the suture anchor can be inserted into the small-diameter hole.

Abstract: A rotator cuff tendon injury is repaired using a flexible fastener and an anchor. The flexible fastener is attached to the rotator cuff tendon and also secured to the anchor. The anchor is attached to or supported by various locations on the humerus other than the humeral head, to provide a robust means for holding the rotator cuff tendon in the desired position against the humeral head.

Abstract: A flexible bone screw for insertion into the intramedullary cavity of a fractured bone facilitates enduring fixation of the fracture. The flexible bone screw includes a substantially smooth shaft and a threaded portion positioned at one end of the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion is greater than the shaft diameter and the length of the threaded portion is about 20% of the overall length of the flexible bone screw or less.

Abstract: A device for repairing a rotator cuff tendon injury provides a robust means for reattaching the rotator cuff tendon to the underlying humeral head. The device includes a suture-retaining device and an anchor that is mechanically coupled to a cortex of the humerus and the suture-retaining device. The anchor is attached to the cortex of the humerus to provide a robust means of holding the rotator cuff tendon in the desired position against the humeral head. The suture-retaining device, which is positioned in the intramedullary cavity of the humerus, allows a plurality of sutures that are sewn into the rotator cuff tendon to be tied thereto, and allows any suture knots to be located inside the intramedullary cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tibial tray assembly for attaching within a cavity formed in a tibia. The tibial tray assembly includes a main body, an anchor, and a compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor. The main body includes a tibial tray that is operable to engage a prepared tibia surface. The anchor is operable to be retained within the cavity formed in the tibia and includes an attachment mechanism located within the cavity and operable to fixedly attach the anchor within the cavity formed within the tibia. The compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor is operable to be expanded and contracted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tibial tray assembly for attaching within a cavity formed in a tibia. The tibial tray assembly includes a main body, an anchor, and a compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor. The main body includes a tibial tray that is operable to engage a prepared tibia surface. The anchor is operable to be retained within the cavity formed in the tibia and includes an attachment mechanism located within the cavity and operable to fixedly attach the anchor within the cavity formed within the tibia. The compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor is operable to be expanded and contracted.

Abstract: A bone attachment assembly for a remaining portion of a long bone diaphysis following resection is provided. The assembly includes a main body, means for anchoring the device with respect to the remaining bone portion, such as an anchor body, and means for attaching the main body to the means for anchoring. The means for attaching the main body may preferably be in the form of one or more washer springs retained upon a connecting rod attached to the means for anchoring. The assembly may be connected to an orthopedic appliance, an interposed orthopedic appliance connected to a second bone attachment assembly, or a transcutaneous bar for attaching an external appliance. A reaming device for creating an intramedullary cavity, a guide device for guiding an aperture-forming procedure in a remaining bone portion, and a milling device for shaping an interface surface of the bone in a preselected geometry are also provided.