Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for aiding a user in ceasing or at least ameliorating sleep or awake bruxism, or apnea, or snoring. The unit is fully enclosed against fluid incursion and placeable between a user's teeth and adjacent cheek, such as while the user is sleeping or awake. A flange extends from a lateral side of the unit, so as to fit between the user's upper and lower teeth and locate the unit in place. The unit includes a circuit that, when completed, such as by the user clenching his/her teeth, causes a mild vibration mechanism to activate and cause a sensation which signals the user to stop clenching his/her teeth. The vibration is preferably such that, if the user is sleeping, the user is not fully awakened but mildly startled to break whatever condition has set off the unit.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A disclosed fastener guide includes first and second longitudinal body portions that include, respectively, first and second distal segments. These body portions are connected together to form a fastener through-bore therebetween into which a fastener can be received for guiding the fastener into a hole in a bone plate. This connection can be flexible to allow the fastener guide to move between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a spacing of the first and second distal segments relative to one another is such that a combination of the two can be received in the hole in the bone plate for attaching the fastener guide to the plate; however, in the open position, this combination can no longer be received in the hole due to the segments being spaced relatively further apart from one another in comparison to the spacing in the closed position of the fastener guide.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices for use with and assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). An implant positioning device may include a body that has a fastener guide with slits in a first end of the fastener guide that form a retaining arm proximal to the first end of the fastener guide. The implant positioning device may also be coupled to a bone plate by a retaining beam positioned within the implant positioning device to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: A driven fastener guide for guiding a fastener into a hole of a bone plate. The driven fastener guide includes an elongated driver configured for connecting to a drill and a fastener guide member operably connected to the elongated driver. The fastener guide member includes a split body and a through-bore configured for receiving the fastener. The fastener guide member is configured for aligning the fastener relative to the hole of the bone plate.

Abstract: A handheld closing device for closing a bone closure device. The handheld closing device includes a main body portion with an end and a receiving member located at the end of the main body portion. The receiving member is configured for receiving the securing member of the bone closure device. The handheld closing device further includes a tightening member rotatably connected to the main body portion. The tightening member includes a receiving hole configured for receiving the strap of the bone closure device. The tightening member is configured for tightening the strap. The handheld closing device further includes a lever pivotally connected to the main body portion. The lever is configured for operably engaging with the securing member to position the securing member in its locked position.

Abstract: A driven fastener guide for guiding a fastener into a hole of a bone plate. The driven fastener guide includes an elongated driver configured for connecting to a drill and a fastener guide member operably connected to the elongated driver. The fastener guide member includes a split body and a through-bore configured for receiving the fastener. The fastener guide member is configured for aligning the fastener relative to the hole of the bone plate.

Abstract: A fastener guide that includes a body. The body includes a through-bore configured for receiving a fastener and an end configured for contacting a bone plate. The fastener guide further includes at least one member configured for contacting and retaining the fastener within the body.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices for use with and assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). An implant positioning device may include a body that has a fastener guide with slits in a first end of the fastener guide that form a retaining arm proximal to the first end of the fastener guide. The implant positioning device may also be coupled to a bone plate by a retaining beam positioned within the implant positioning device to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: Implantable fixation devices for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The devices include plates that may be affixed to a rib and realign separated portions of the rib or other body part. The devices may also include various locking mechanisms that receive a cable that may be used to realign and bring together separated portions of a bone or other body part. The devices may further include plates that may be affixed to a sternum and realign separated portions of the sternum or other body part.

Abstract: A bone closure assembly that includes a buckle and a strap having a first end fixedly attached to the buckle. The strap is configured for looping around bone portions. The bone closure assembly also includes a locking cap removably connected to the buckle. The locking cap is configured for securing the strap within the buckle to secure the bone portions together.

Abstract: A driven fastener guide for guiding a fastener into a hole of a bone plate. The driven fastener guide includes an elongated driver configured for connecting to a drill and a fastener guide member operably connected to the elongated driver. The fastener guide member includes a split body and a through-bore configured for receiving the fastener. The fastener guide member is configured for aligning the fastener relative to the hole of the bone plate.

Abstract: A fastener guide that includes a body. The body includes a through-bore configured for receiving a fastener and an end configured for contacting a bone plate. The fastener guide further includes at least one member configured for contacting and retaining the fastener within the body.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices for use with and assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). An implant positioning device may include a body that has a fastener guide with slits in a first end of the fastener guide that form a retaining arm proximal to the first end of the fastener guide. The implant positioning device may also be coupled to a bone plate by a retaining beam positioned within the implant positioning device to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices and fastener guides for implant positioning devices are disclosed for assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). A fastener guide may include a body with slits in a first end of the body that form a guide arm proximal to the first end of the body. The guide arm is configured to releasable hold a fastener in the fastener guide. The fastener guide may also be coupled to a bone plate to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices and fastener guides for implant positioning devices are disclosed for assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). A fastener guide may include a body with slits in a first end of the body that form a guide arm proximal to the first end of the body. The guide arm is configured to releasably hold a fastener in the fastener guide. The fastener guide may also be coupled to a bone plate to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A ratchet fastener includes a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth and a ratchet wheel disposed in mating arrangement with the teeth. The ratchet fastener is configured to receive a tether. The ratchet wheel is configured to be rotated to tighten the tether.