Abstract: Devices, systems, implants and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant includes a head member and an anchor member coupled to the head member. The implant includes tension member that couples the head member to the anchor member. The head member and the anchor member include a cannulation that receives the tension member therein. The implant may include a coupling member positioned between and coupling the head member and the anchor member, the coupling member including a cannulation that receives the tension member therethrough. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants, devices, systems, and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant comprises a cap member comprising an internally threaded opening extending from a first end thereof, an anchor portion comprising a first end that defines a tip of the implant and external threads, and a coupling portion extending between the cap member and the anchor portion. The coupling portion of the implant includes an externally threaded portion threadably coupled within the internally threaded opening of the cap member. The cap member of the implant is longitudinally moveable along the coupling portion. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Guides, devices, instruments, and systems for fixing a fractured bone are disclosed. An insertion guide includes a handle member and a guide member coupled to a second end of the handle member. The guide member being curved relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle member. A bone fixation system including an insertion guide, a guide wire and a fastener. The insertion guide including a handle member and a guide member coupled to an end of the handle member. The guide member being curved and including a through hole for receiving the guide wire. The fastener including a cannulation for receiving the guide wire. Methods of using a bone fixation systems for fixing fractured bones are also disclosed.

Abstract: Alignment guide systems, fixation guide devices, and methods for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail are disclosed. The alignment guide system includes a targeting guide with a first end and a second end, an alignment wire rotatably engaging a second end of the targeting guide, and a guide sleeve insert engaging an opening in the first end of the targeting guide. The fixation guide device including a frame including a first end and a second end, a compression device slidingly coupled to the first end of the frame, and the intramedullary nail secured to a nail attachment apparatus of the frame. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decelerator device for apples or the like is disclosed. The apples are delivered to the decelerator device by a tube which can be provided with either a positive pressure upstream of the transported objects or a downstream of the transporter device. In one embodiment of the invention, the decelerator is provided with an area of reduced pressure in communication with the distal end of the transport tube. A receiving device such as a plurality of inter-engaged wheels receives the apples of other objects in the area of reduced pressure. The wheels or conveyors receive objects between opposed sealing surfaces, reduce the traveling speed of the object, and transport the object to an area of ambient pressure. The sealing surfaces are disengaged from the transported objects in the area of ambient pressure, and the objects are delivered to a transport path, dry bin, or other desired structure. In another embodiment of the invention, a counter flow of air reduces the speed of the object traveling along the tube.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to create at least a partial momentary seal to encourage article movement through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential. The tube and the baffle apertures can have non-circular cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A decelerator comprising a deceleration tank and an extraction conveyor is disclosed. The decelerator is adapted for use with apples or similar objects. These objects are delivered to the tank from a pneumatic tube transport system. The tank contains a quantity of liquid such as water. In one embodiment, the objects splash into the water and are extracted from the water by an extraction conveyor. In a second embodiment, a baffle gate divides the tank between a forward section and a rear section. The delivered objects splash into the water in the forward section, travel under the baffle gate, and are extracted from the water by an extraction conveyor in communication with the rear tank section. In another embodiment, the tank is divided into first, second and third sections by selectively appeasable gate which provides an air lock arrangement. The extraction conveyor can comprise a plurality of side belts and a plurality of foraminous, flexible cradles hung between the belts.

Abstract: A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.

Abstract: A mobile system for improving the picking and preliminary processing of apples, citrus, stone fruit and the like is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises a mobile chassis upon which can be mounted picking stations, pneumatic tube transport subsystems, receiving and conveying subsystems, object scanning subsystems, cull diverter subsystems, labeling subsystems, and subsystems for relatively gently placing the objects in a predetermined location in a receiving bin. The system can also include a subsystem for gently placing diverted objects in a receiving bin.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to create at least a partial momentary seal to encourage article movement through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential. The tube and the baffle apertures can have non-circular cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A mobile system for improving the picking and preliminary processing of apples, citrus, stone fruit and the like is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises a mobile chassis upon which can be mounted picking stations, pneumatic tube transport subsystems, receiving and conveying subsystems, object scanning subsystems, cull diverter subsystems, labeling subsystems, and subsystems for relatively gently placing the objects in a predetermined location in a receiving bin. The system can also include a subsystem for gently placing diverted objects in a receiving bin.

Abstract: A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.

Abstract: A mobile system for improving the picking and preliminary processing of apples, citrus, stone fruit and the like is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises a mobile chassis upon which can be mounted picking stations, pneumatic tube transport subsystems, receiving and conveying subsystems, object scanning subsystems, cull diverter subsystems, labeling subsystems, and subsystems for relatively gently placing the objects in a predetermined location in a receiving bin. The system can also include a subsystem for gently placing diverted objects in a receiving bin.

Abstract: An implantable endoprosthesis is adapted to articulate with one or more prosthesis surfaces, and is at least partially formed from a material having high wear resistance, which may be a polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyetherether ketone (PEEK), and the like, or a metallic material, such as a cobalt-chrome alloy, or a ceramic material, such as alumina or zirconia. The body member of the endoprosthesis may be formed from a composite material, and includes at least a first component formed from a first material having increased wear resistance as compared to that of a second material forming a second component of the body member. The second material is generally more resilient as compared to the first material.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.

Abstract: A vertebral stabilizing device for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae includes a jacket formed of a biocompatible material and configured for implantation between the vertebrae. The jacket may be configured to encompass a hardenable material. A reaction activator may be encompassed by the jacket.

Abstract: Devices for measuring the parameters of an intervertebral disc space are provided. The devices may comprise one or more flexible internal members positioned in an axially concentric bore of a longitudinal element. When activated, the flexible internal member(s) may protrude out of one or more apertures in the longitudinal element and impinge on an adjacent surface of the intervertebral disc space. The device may be useful to determine at least one dimension of an intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing a spinal disc space to receive an implant include an annulus template, a footprint template, a distractor for distracting adjacent vertebrae, and a guide member for guiding a chisel. The instruments and methods can be employed in an oblique approach to the spinal disc space.