Abstract: A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. A medical device is used to secure the fastener to the elongate fastening member. The medical device includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate fastening member. As crimping mechanism is used to secure the fastener to the elongated member, where a cutting mechanism cut the excess portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. A medical device is used to secure the fastener to the elongate fastening member. The medical device includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate fastening member. As crimping mechanism is used to secure the fastener to the elongated member, where a cutting mechanism cut the excess portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. A medical device is used to secure the fastener to the elongate fastening member. The medical device includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate fastening member. As crimping mechanism is used to secure the fastener to the elongated member, where a cutting mechanism cut the excess portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: In one aspect, an orthosis for increasing range of motion of a body joint generally includes first and second dynamic force mechanisms for simultaneously applying a dynamic force to body portions on opposite sides of a body joint.

Abstract: The guidance and positioning device may be a system for creating a passage in tissue, positioning fasteners or other implants, and tensioning an elongated fastening member, like a suture, thread, wire, or pin. In some embodiments, the device may allow for the implantation of multiple sutures and fasteners in tissue. A fastener may be positioned at the distal end of a flexible pushrod. The fastener may be connected with the pushrod or may be loosely fitted with the distal end of the pushrod. A suture may be looped through or connected with the fastener such that one, two, or more sections, legs, strands, or portions of the suture extend from the fastener.

Abstract: The guidance and positioning device may be a system for creating a passage in tissue, positioning fasteners or other implants, and tensioning an elongated fastening member, like a suture, thread, wire, or pin. In some embodiments, the device may allow for the implantation of multiple sutures and fasteners in tissue. A fastener may be positioned at the distal end of a flexible pushrod. The fastener may be connected with the pushrod or may be loosely fitted with the distal end of the pushrod. A suture may be looped through or connected with the fastener such that one, two, or more sections, legs, strands, or portions of the suture extend from the fastener.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a virtual professionals community for conducting virtual consultations with suggested professionals includes receiving, in a server, data associated with a plurality of professionals, including a specialty descriptive of one or more of the plurality of professionals. The server can receive a peer performance rating for one of the plurality of professionals generated by a second of the plurality of professionals. A client can submit, to the server, a search request that includes user-defined search criteria. The server can then search the received data based on the search criteria to select relevant professionals associated with the client's search request. The server can rank the selected relevant professionals based on peer performance ratings and the relevancy of the relevant professional to the search criteria. After ranking the selected professionals, the server can transmit a report of the relevant professionals ordered in the ranking determined by the server.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. A medical device is used to secure the fastener to the elongate fastening member. The medical device includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate fastening member. As crimping mechanism is used to secure the fastener to the elongated member, where a cutting mechanism cut the excess portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: The guidance and positioning device may be a system for creating a passage in tissue, positioning fasteners or other implants, and tensioning an elongated fastening member, like a suture, thread, wire, or pin. In some embodiments, the device may allow for the implantation of multiple sutures and fasteners in tissue. A fastener may be positioned at the distal end of a flexible pushrod. The fastener may be connected with the pushrod or may be loosely fitted with the distal end of the pushrod. A suture may be looped through or connected with the fastener such that one, two, or more sections, legs, strands, or portions of the suture extend from the fastener.

Abstract: In one aspect, an orthosis for increasing range of motion of a body joint generally includes first and second dynamic force mechanisms for simultaneously applying a dynamic force to body portions on opposite sides of a body joint.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stabilizing spinal anatomical structures. Some example methods may include introducing a curved segment of an elongate fastener placement rod adjacent to a bone, providing a fastener at the leading end of the curved segment, and/or securing the fastener in place with respect to the bone.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. The fastener is provided with a groove that accommodates at least a portion of the fastening member to reduce the profile during the movement through the passage. The fastener is then pivoted to change its orientation. A second fastener can then be connected with the fastening member. While tension is maintained in the fastening member, the fasteners are secured against relative movement. This may be done by deforming the fastening member, either the first or second fasteners, or a bushing placed against the second fastener.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. A third arm member including a third extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom is interposed between the first and second arm members. The third arm member is operatively connected to the first and second arm members, such that the first and third arm members travel along an arcuate path defined by the second extension member when the third arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the second arm member.

Abstract: An orthosis configured to stretch tissue around an ankle joint of a patient and methods for assembling and using the same are provided. The orthosis includes a first member affixable to a lower leg of the patient, a second member affixable to a foot of the patient, the second member including a second extension member having an arcuate shape configured to move along an arcuate path relative to the first member when the second member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first member, and a drive assembly coupled to the first member and the second member, the drive assembly configured to move the second member with respect to the first member.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stabilizing spinal anatomical structures. Some example methods may include introducing a curved segment of an elongate fastener placement rod adjacent to a bone, providing a fastener at the leading end of the curved segment, and/or securing the fastener in place with respect to the bone.

Abstract: An orthosis for supination and/or pronation of a forearm of a wearer, the orthosis including a base, an upper arm support coupled to the base and configured to secure an upper arm of the wearer, a rotation assembly coupled to the base and including an output member rotatable relative to the base within a rotation plane, and a forearm support member coupled to the output member of the rotation assembly and configured to releasably engage a wrist and the forearm of the wearer.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. A third arm member including a third extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom is interposed between the first and second arm members. The third extension member is slidably connected to the first arm member and the second extension member is operatively connected to the third arm members, such that the second arm members travel along an arcuate path defined by the second extension member when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first and third arm members.

Abstract: An orthosis configured to stretch tissue around an ankle joint of a patient and methods for assembling and using the same are provided. The orthosis includes a first member affixable to a lower leg of the patient, a second member affixable to a foot of the patient, the second member including a second extension member having an arcuate shape configured to move along an arcuate path relative to the first member when the second member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first member, and a drive assembly coupled to the first member and the second member, the drive assembly configured to move the second member with respect to the first member.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. A third arm member including a third extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom is interposed between the first and second arm members. The third arm member is operatively connected to the first and second arm members, such that the first and third arm members travel along an arcuate path defined by the second extension member when the third arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the second arm member.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for connecting a device to an automotive diagnostic port of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of sampling a signal on each pin of a plurality of pins of the automotive diagnostic port to generate a signal map corresponding with the automotive diagnostic port, selecting a configuration from a list of configurations for the automotive diagnostic port based on the signal map, establishing communication with the vehicle via the automotive diagnostic port based on the selected configuration. The method may be performed by a system that includes at least one of a device connected to the automotive diagnostic port of a vehicle, a mobile device, and/or a server.