Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A single use beverage pod for use in producing a beverage comprises: a body defining a cavity; a beverage medium contained within the cavity; and a protective barrier coupled to the body and at least partially sealing the beverage medium from a surrounding environment to provide at least one of an oxygen barrier and a moisture barrier, the protective barrier having a dissolvable region that is configured to dissolve during production of the beverage to provide a passageway through the protective barrier. The oxygen barrier and/or moisture barrier provided by the protective barrier can reduce the need for, and/or complexity of, packaging for the beverage pod. The dissolvable region dissolves during production of the beverage, allowing the beverage pod to be used with conventional brewing machines without modification thereof.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: An aiming guide aligns a surgical tool with a hole in a bone plate. The aiming guide includes an arm portion having a longitudinal axis, top and bottom surfaces, and first and second ends. The aiming guide further includes a handle portion having upper and lower ends. The handle portion is, at its lower end, connected to the bone plate. The handle portion is, at its upper end, connected to the arm portion. Bores extend from the top surface to the lower surface of the arm portion. Each bore is configured and dimensioned to receive a tool guide in at least two different preset positions which locates the channel in at least two different hole positions. The bore includes two diametrically opposed slots extending along at least a portion of a length of the bore, the slots configured and dimensioned to mate with diametrically opposed knobs extending radially outward from a tool guide. The tool guide has a head and a sleeve portion, which has a centered channel.

Abstract: A bone plate for fixation of a fractured bone comprises a first portion having a first longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface and a second portion having a second longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface. The second portion is angled with respect to the first portion such that the lower surface of the first portion and the lower surface of the second portion define an included angle therebetween. The first portion has at least one hole for receiving a bone anchor having a shaft. The hole has a first hole portion defining a first central axis substantially perpendicular to the lower surface and the first hole portion is configured to receive the bone anchor.

Abstract: A bone plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one first hole extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The first hole has two or three vertically separate regions, each region communicating with or abutting the adjacent region. The first hole has a first upper region, which is unthreaded and which, from the plate's upper surface to the plate's lower surface, has a curved inward taper. The first hole has a second middle region, which is threaded and which, from the plate's upper surface to the plate's lower surface, has a conical inward taper. The first hole has a third lower region, which is unthreaded and which, from the plate's upper surface to the plate's lower surface, has a conical outward taper. The bone plate is straight, curved, or both straight and curved. The bone plate may have at least one second hole, different from the first hole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bone plate and its method of use for reducing a bone fracture, the bone plate having a longitudinal axis, the bone plate comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first hole for engaging a head of a first bone anchor. The first hole is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the first bone anchor along a first axis. A second hole is spaced apart from the first hole along the longitudinal axis. The second hole is for engaging a head of a second bone anchor, and is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the second bone anchor along a second axis. The first hole and the second hole are configured such that the first axis and the second axis define a single plane and intersect at a point below the lower surface. The shafts of the first and second bone anchors may touch or nearly touch at the point of intersection, such that the first and second bone anchors form a truss.

Abstract: Portable folding tables which are particularly adapted for massage and other body therapy uses wherein each table includes two top sections which are hingedly connected at one end and which are supported by legs which are pivotally connected thereto. Each leg is reinforced by either a longitudinal pivotally folding brace, a guide assembly or a positive stop member. The legs, and reinforcing braces when used, are automatically deployed and stabilized by cable systems which extend both longitudinally and diagonally relative to the table legs.