Abstract: A system for attaching first and second bone segments together may include a first component and a second component. The first component may have a first component bone engagement end implantable into a first bore formed in the first bone segment, and a first component attachment end. The second component may have a second component bone engagement end implantable into a second bore formed in the second bone segment, and a second component attachment end with a first projection that is movable, in response to a temperature change of the first projection, between insertion and locking configurations. In the insertion configuration, the first projection may be positioned to avoid interference with withdrawal of the second component attachment end from the first component attachment end. In the locking configuration, the first projection may be positioned to interfere with withdrawal of the second component attachment end from the first component attachment end.

Abstract: The surgical retractors and methods disclosed herein are designed to retract tissues in an ergonomic and anatomically correct manner by matching tissue curvatures in order to minimize tissue damage and reduce incision sizes. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor may include a first blade with proximal and distal ends, and a second blade with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first blade may be pivotally coupled to the distal end of the second blade. The surgical retractor may also include a ratcheting mechanism that is configured to maintain a selected distance between the proximal end of the first blade and the proximal end of the second blade.

Abstract: A system for attaching a middle phalanx and a proximal phalanx together may include a middle component and a proximal component. The middle component may have a middle component bone fastener implantable into a first bore formed in the middle phalanx, and a middle component attachment end with a first engagement feature with a first shape. The proximal component may have a proximal bone fastener implantable into a second bore formed in the proximal phalanx, and a proximal component attachment end with a second engagement feature with a second shape. The first engagement feature may be movable into engagement with the second engagement feature along an engagement direction that is generally perpendicular to the middle phalanx and/or the proximal phalanx. The second shape may be complementary to the first shape such that the first engagement feature interlocks with the second engagement feature.

Abstract: A system for attaching first and second bone segments together may include a first component and a second component. The first component may have a first component bone engagement end implantable into a first bore formed in the first bone segment, and a first component attachment end. The second component may have a second component bone engagement end implantable into a second bore formed in the second bone segment, and a second component attachment end with a first projection that is movable, in response to a temperature change of the first projection, between insertion and locking configurations. In the insertion configuration, the first projection may be positioned to avoid interference with withdrawal of the second component attachment end from the first component attachment end. In the locking configuration, the first projection may be positioned to interfere with withdrawal of the second component attachment end from the first component attachment end.

Abstract: The surgical retractors and methods disclosed herein are designed to retract tissues in an ergonomic and anatomically correct manner by matching tissue curvatures in order to minimize tissue damage and reduce incision sizes. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor may include a first blade with proximal and distal ends, and a second blade with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first blade may be pivotally coupled to the distal end of the second blade. The surgical retractor may also include a ratcheting mechanism that is configured to maintain a selected distance between the proximal end of the first blade and the proximal end of the second blade.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for retracting tissue in a patient is anatomically designed for particular muscles and includes a light source the light beam of which is positionable relative to the surgical retractor. The surgical retractor has a pair of retraction blades carried on separate retraction portions held open by ratchet assemblies. Blades are manually retracted and held open by automatically engaging ratchet fingers and are designed to match muscle curvature, minimizing various risks and incision size. The first retraction portion carries the first blade and includes tines each with ratchet grooves, while the second retraction portion carries the second blade on a carriage that is movably carried on the tines. Resilient spring actuated fingers associated with the carriage has ratchet grooves that co-act with the ratchet grooves of the tines to provide the ratchet assemblies between the retraction portions that regulates movement of the carriage and the second blade relative to the first blade.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for retracting tissue in a patient is anatomically designed for particular muscles and includes a light source the light beam of which is positionable relative to the surgical retractor. The surgical retractor has a pair of retraction blades carried on separate retraction portions held open by ratchet assemblies. Blades are manually retracted and held open by automatically engaging ratchet fingers and are designed to match muscle curvature, minimizing various risks and incision size. The first retraction portion carries the first blade and includes tines each with ratchet grooves, while the second retraction portion carries the second blade on a carriage that is movably carried on the tines. Resilient spring actuated fingers associated with the carriage has ratchet grooves that co-act with the ratchet grooves of the tines to provide the ratchet assemblies between the retraction portions that regulates movement of the carriage and the second blade relative to the first blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a heat exchanger includes a dispenser head that dispenses heat exchanger components onto a receiving fixture as the dispenser head traverses across the receiving fixture. The components are dispensed at predetermined positions along the fixture. The components are ejected from the dispenser head at a predetermined velocity. The dispenser is quickly reloaded with the next component. The rate of reloading, predetermined velocity, and predetermined positions measured and controlled by an electronic controller.