Abstract: Single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are disclosed. Methods of making and using single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are disclosed. Methods of making and using single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A helmet/hood assembly includes a housing, a headband support assembly configured to hold the assembly on a human head, a face shield, and a flexible hood attached to the housing and to the face shield, with the assembly being received, stored, used, and disposed as a single unit. The headband support assembly pivots on the housing between a configuration suitable for shipping and storing the assembly and a configuration in which the assembly is worn. An accessory light powered by a battery may be held in place on the housing by magnetic attraction through the hood.

Abstract: A helmet/hood assembly includes a housing, a support ring subassembly configured to hold the assembly on a human head, a face shield, and a flexible hood attached to the housing and to the face shield, with the assembly being received, stored, used, and disposed as a single unit. The support ring subassembly pivots on the housing between a position suitable for shipping and storing the assembly and a position in which the assembly is worn. An accessory light powered by a battery may be held in place on the housing by magnetic attraction through the hood.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of pin mounting structures, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two pin mounting structures, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments are formed by fastening together a group of elements to form different housing configurations.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include pin holders arranged so that bone pins, extending from a linearly extending or arcuate surface are concentrated in a region.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include such pin holders arranged with elements including an array of pin holding positions for fixing fragments at a fractured end of a bone, such as a fractured distal radius.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of pin mounting structures, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two pin mounting structures, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments are formed by fastening together a group of elements to form different housing configurations.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include pin holders arranged so that bone pins, extending from a linearly extending or arcuate surface are concentrated in a region.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member.

Abstract: A straw is held within a beverage container in a manner providing for the upper end of the straw to be deployed upward, through an opening provided within the top of the container when an opening tab in the top of the container is pivoted downward. An upper end of the straw is held in a straw holding portion of a straw supporting structure within the beverage container, with the straw supporting structure including a cantilever portion that is deflected downward by contact with an edge of the opening tab as the opening tab is pivoted downward.

Abstract: A device for opening a container having a screw-on lid includes a rotating turntable for holding the container and a non-rotating lid engaging member that, after being driven in a first direction into the lid by an axial drive, is disengaged from the axial drive by deflection occurring within a coupling between the axial drive and the lid engaging member.

Abstract: A device for external fixation of a fracture of the proximal end of the ulna includes an frame having a distal elongated portion extending below the ulna, holding a number of pins extending upward into the shaft portion, and a proximal portion extending rearward, and upward around the proximal end of the ulna, holding a medullar pin extending into a medullar channel and a number of pins extending into fragments of the fractured ulna.

Abstract: A fixture is configured to provide external fixation of a fractured end portion of a bone by including a first number of holes for pins extending from the fixture into one or more fragments in the end portion and a second number of holes for pins extending from the fixture into the bone shaft. The second number of holes includes a hole within a sliding structure allowing a single pin to be moved with a fixture to provide extension between the fragments and the shaft. A first version of the fixture includes a sliding block through which rods extend to hold pins directed laterally into the fragments(s), and a sliding for clamping pins within the first number of holes. A second version of the fixture includes an arcuate portion in which the first number of holes extend in radial directions.

Abstract: A support fixture for setting a fractured distal radius includes a pair of lower support plates extending in opposite directions and a central support bracket movable away from the support plates. The support plates are pivotable relative to one another. To set a fractured distal radius, the forearm of the patient is attached to one of the support plates and his hand is attached to the other of the support plates. Then, the support plates are pivoted and clamped to achieve a desired positioning of bones adjacent to the fracture. Next, the central support bracket is moved away from the support plates, moving the patient's wrist until another desired positioning of these bones is achieved.

Abstract: A suction probe system for cleaning debris from a surgical site includes a probe tip, a cylindrical filter with inner and outer chambers in fluid communication with the probe tip, and a suction source in fluid communication with the filter unit. In a first version, the inner chamber is attached to the suction source, and an outer surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by a cleaning cylinder sliding along the outer surface of the filter as a distal portion of the probe system is slid along a proximal portion thereof. In a second version, the outer chamber is attached to the suction source, and a inner surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by rotation of a paddle within the filter as the distal portion of the probe system is rotated on the proximal portion thereof.

Abstract: A plug for stopping the flow of bone cement in a bone channel, such as the intramedullary bone canal, or a previously prepared channel, includes an actuator and a number of flexible beams extending around the bone plug. The actuator is removably attached to a rod within an insertion tool used to deploy the bone plug at a predetermined location within the channel. Within the tool, the rod is pulled to move the actuator into a position applying a compressive force to act between the ends of each of the flexible beams. This compressive force causes each beam to buckle outward, into contact with the channel. The rod is then released from the actuator, and the tool is withrawn from the channel so that bone cement can be applied to hold a prosthesis in place within the channel in a proximal direction from the bone plug.

Abstract: A plug for stopping the flow of bone cement in a channel within bone, such as the intramedullary bone canal or a previously prepared channel, includes an elastomeric inflatable structure protected from bone fragments and sharp edges by a shield extending around distal and peripheral sides of the inflatable structure. This inflatable structure is preferably formed as a sleeve extending around a core. The shield includes a distal end fastened to the core and a flexible portion expandable with inflation of the inflatable structure. The core is also removably connected to an insertion tool, with passageways in the insertion tool and in the core being used to insert a fluid into the inflatable structure. A valve extends as a sleeve around the core, and over the passageway, allowing fluid to flow into the inflatable structure, but preventing it from flowing out of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A floating light includes a lower base section, in which a battery holder is mounted, an electrically-driven light source, and an upper housing including an illuminated portion transmitting light. In one version, the upper housing is a translucent hemisphere, and the lower base portion includes a hemispherical internal reflector. In another version, the upper housing includes flexible transparent tubes in which LEDs are illuminated. In yet another version, upper housing includes optical fibers illuminated by a bulb. A plug filling an outer hole in the lower base section is preferably movable to turn the light on and off and removable to provide for battery replacement.

Abstract: A suction probe system for cleaning debris from a surgical site includes a probe tip, a cylindrical filter with inner and outer chambers in fluid communication with the probe tip, and a suction source in fluid communication with the filter unit. In a first version, the inner chamber is attached to the suction source, and an outer surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by a cleaning cylinder sliding along the outer surface of the filter as a distal portion of the probe system is slid along a proximal portion thereof. In a second version, the outer chamber is attached to the suction source, and a inner surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by rotation of a paddle within the filter as the distal portion of the probe system is rotated on the proximal portion thereof.