Abstract: A bracket assembly is configured to join a first board and a second board. The bracket assembly includes an angled bracket having a first segment configured to be inserted into the first board and a second segment forming a nonzero angle with the first segment and configured to be inserted into the second board. The bracket assembly also includes a clamping bracket configured to press against a first kerf on the first board and a second kerf on the second board, and a fastener coupled to the angled bracket and extending through the clamping bracket.

Abstract: Procedures for the fusion of the sacroiliac joint advantageously make use of an implant selected to distract the joint upon insertion and to maintain or increase tension upon insertion. The implant can have a varying structure along its length. In some method described herein for fusing the sacroiliac joint using an implant, an implant is screwed into the sacroiliac joint between the sacrum bone and the iliac bone. The implant comprises a shaft, a tool engagement flange at top end of the shaft, a pointed tip comprising no more than about 20 percent of the length of the screw, and threads spiraling around the shaft. For screws of particular interest, the volume displacement perpendicular to the shaft increases at least about 5 percent from a point adjacent the tip to a point near the top of the shaft. Some of the desirable screw designs can be used in other orthopedic application, especially situations involving varying bone hardness.

Abstract: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint.

Abstract: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint.

Abstract: Improved tools and procedures relate to the immobilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of pain associated with the joint. Kits comprise, for example, a guide element and an immobilization element of a biocompatible material with a size and shape suitable for placement within the sacroiliac joint. Suitable immobilization elements include, for example, pins, nails, screws, darts, wedges, shims and hardening material. A bioactive agent can be delivered into the joint to compliment the immobilization and promote healing. Suitable procedures can be done in a less invasive procedure through a cannula or the like.

Abstract: Improved tools and procedures relate to the immobilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of pain associated with the joint. Kits comprise, for example, a guide element and an immobilization element of a biocompatible material with a size and shape suitable for placement within the sacroiliac joint. Suitable immobilization elements include, for example, pins, nails, screws, darts, wedges, shims and hardening material. A bioactive agent can be delivered into the joint to compliment the immobilization and promote healing. Suitable procedures can be done in a less invasive procedure through a cannula or the like.

Abstract: Improved tools and procedures relate to the immobilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of pain associated with the joint. Kits comprise, for example, a guide element and an immobilization element of a biocompatible material with a size and shape suitable for placement within the sacroiliac joint. Suitable immobilization elements include, for example, pins, nails, screws, darts, wedges, shims and hardening material. A bioactive agent can be delivered into the joint to compliment the immobilization and promote healing. Suitable procedures can be done in a less invasive procedure through a cannula or the like.

Abstract: Procedures for the fusion of the sacroiliac joint advantageously make use of an implant selected to distract the joint upon insertion and to maintain or increase tension upon insertion. The implant can have a varying structure along its length. In some method described herein for fusing the sacroiliac joint using an implant, an implant is screwed into the sacroiliac joint between the sacrum bone and the iliac bone. The implant comprises a shaft, a tool engagement flange at top end of the shaft, a pointed tip comprising no more than about 20 percent of the length of the screw, and threads spiraling around the shaft. For screws of particular interest, the volume displacement perpendicular to the shaft increases at least about 5 percent from a point adjacent the tip to a point near the top of the shaft. Some of the desirable screw designs can be used in other orthopedic application, especially situations involving varying bone hardness.

Abstract: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint.

Abstract: Procedures for the fusion of the sacroiliac joint advantageously make use of an implant selected to distract the joint upon insertion and to maintain or increase tension upon insertion. The implant can have a varying structure along its length. In some method described herein for fusing the sacroiliac joint using an implant, an implant is screwed into the sacroiliac joint between the sacrum bone and the iliac bone. The implant comprises a shaft, a tool engagement flange at top end of the shaft, a pointed tip comprising no more than about 20 percent of the length of the screw, and threads spiraling around the shaft. For screws of particular interest, the volume displacement perpendicular to the shaft increases at least about 5 percent from a point adjacent the tip to a point near the top of the shaft. Some of the desirable screw designs can be used in other orthopedic application, especially situations involving varying bone hardness.

Abstract: An Aerator/Digester for treating wastewater comprises cylindrical chamber having a centrally disposed air pipe supported from the chambers closed bottom end and extending along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical chamber and beyond the upper end. The air pipe includes at least one aperture pattern comprising plural interleaved rows of relatively small diameter holes and larger diameter holes. When air under pressure, is introduced through the air pipe, a Venturi effect is created to draw wastewater into the chamber via ports formed near the closed bottom end and out via one or more outlet ports proximate to the upper end. The apertures are drilled through the air pipe at an angle to the vertical with the small diameter apertures inclined at an upward angle and the larger diameter apertures at a downward angle which has been found to enhance the circulation of the wastewater.

Abstract: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint.

Abstract: Implants and procedures far joint fusion make use of implants comprising cortical bone. The implants have lamellae that are generally aligned. In some embodiments, the implants can have indicia that indicate the alignment of the lamellae within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants comprise a plurality of implant elements, with the implant elements oriented so that the lamellae of the elements are aligned with each other. The implants can be inserted into a joint with the lamellae aligned across the joint to resist compression or deforming forces of the joint and to provide for improved implant strength. In some embodiments, the implants can be inserted into a joint over a pin and/or through a cannula to help guide the implant to the implant site within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants can be desirably formed from bone plugs harvested from long bones.

Abstract: Implants and procedures for joint fusion make use of implants comprising cortical bone. The implants have lamellae that are generally aligned. In some embodiments, the implants can have indicia that indicate the alignment of the lamellae within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants comprise a plurality of implant elements, with the implant elements oriented so that the lamellae of the elements are aligned with each other. The implants can be inserted into a joint with the lamellae aligned across the joint to resist compression or deforming forces of the joint and to provide for improved implant strength. In some embodiments, the implants can be inserted into a joint over a pin and/or through a cannula to help guide the implant to the implant site within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants can be desirably formed from bone plugs harvested from long bones.

Abstract: Orthoses with microprocessor control placed around the joint of a patient are used to perform and to monitor isometric, range-of-motion, proprioception and isotonic exercises of the joint. A variety of improved hardware elements result in an orthosis that is easier to use and interacts more efficiently with the controller to allow the monitoring of a greater range of motions while holding down cost and provide suitable accurate evaluation of the exercises. Efficient ways of programming the exercises, monitoring the exercises and evaluating the exercise provide a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of an injured or weakened joint.

Abstract: An Aerator/Digester for treating wastewater comprises cylindrical chamber having a centrally disposed air pipe supported from the chambers closed bottom end and extending along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical chamber and beyond the upper end. The air pipe includes at least one aperture pattern comprising plural interleaved rows of relatively small diameter holes and larger diameter holes. When air under pressure, is introduced through the air pipe, a Venturi effect is created to draw wastewater into the chamber via ports formed near the closed bottom end and out via one or more outlet ports proximate to the upper end. The apertures are drilled through the air pipe at an angle to the vertical with the small diameter apertures inclined at an upward angle and the larger diameter apertures at a downward angle which has been found to enhance the circulation of the wastewater.

Abstract: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint.

Abstract: Orthoses with microprocessor control placed around the joint of a patient are used to perform and to monitor isometric, range-of-motion, proprioception and isotonic exercises of the joint. A variety of improved hardware elements result in an orthosis that is easier to use and interacts more efficiently with the controller to allow the monitoring of a greater range of motions while holding down cost and provide suitable accurate evaluation of the exercises. Efficient ways of programming the exercises, monitoring the exercises and evaluating the exercise provide a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of an injured or weakened joint.

Abstract: Implants and procedures for joint fusion make use of implants comprising cortical bone. The implants have lamellae that are generally aligned. In some embodiments, the implants can have indicia that indicate the alignment of the lamellae within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants comprise a plurality of implant elements, with the implant elements oriented so that the lamellae of the elements are aligned with each other. The implants can be inserted into a joint with the lamellae aligned across the joint to resist compression or deforming forces of the joint and to provide for improved implant strength. In some embodiments, the implants can be inserted into a joint over a pin and/or through a cannula to help guide the implant to the implant site within the joint. In some embodiments, the implants can be desirably formed from bone plugs harvested from long bones.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating joint immobilization or fusion using selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) such as raloxifene are disclosed. The SERM may be administered systemically or locally. In conjunction with SERM, other therapeutic agents such as calcium, vitamin D, bone morphogenetic protein may be administered simultaneously. The method can similarly be applied to facilitate bone repair, bone healing, and connective tissue healing processes in a patient.