Abstract: A suture passer device for passing a length of suture through an object. The suture passer device includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and a curved distal tube portion extending to a distal end. The suture passer device also includes a handle attached to the proximal end of the hollow tube, an actuator on the handle movable between first, second, and third positions, and an internal arm within the curved distal tube portion and connected to the actuator. The internal arm is movable between first, second, and third configurations. When the actuator is in the first position, the internal arm extends out from the distal tube portion at an angle from the distal tube portion in the first configuration. When the actuator is in the second position, the internal arm is retracted within the distal tube portion in the second configuration.

Abstract: A suture passer device for passing a length of suture through an object. The suture passer device includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and a curved distal tube portion extending to a distal end. The suture passer device also includes a handle attached to the proximal end of the hollow tube, an actuator on the handle movable between first, second, and third positions, and an internal arm within the curved distal tube portion and connected to the actuator. The internal arm is movable between first, second, and third configurations. When the actuator is in the first position, the internal arm extends out from the distal tube portion at an angle from the distal tube portion in the first configuration. When the actuator is in the second position, the internal arm is retracted within the distal tube portion in the second configuration.

Abstract: A tip for a bone anchor having cutting edges that converge at an end of the body to form a point and thus define a series of cutting faces. The cutting faces can be planar or curved, and can also be multi-faceted. The tip may include a broach that extends parallel or at an angle relative to tip. The broach may be partially or fully interrupted by one of the cutting faces. The tip is designed to be coupled to any variety of bone anchor types, including those with mechanical retention structures, that change shape in response to insertion into a bone, or that have threads for advancing the anchor into a bone. The anchor and the body may be integrally formed together, and the anchor and the body may be formed from different materials.

Abstract: A broaching punch for creating osteotomies that has a tip with helical broaching features extending along the outer surface to a tip. The helical broaching features are each formed by an edge that extends outwardly from and around the body of the tip and characterized by a predetermined angle, depth, spacing, and arrangement of various dimensional combinations that slowly and progressively broaching more and more bone material away during insertion, thereby slowly growing the diameter of the osteotomy until it reaches the desired diameter. Tapping features may be included proximately to the broaching features to allow for a newly formed hole to be tapped with threads.

Abstract: A traction tower trap assembly with straps and finger traps that are easily adjustable and releasable. The traction tower assembly includes straps for parts of the arm, such as the patient's bicep or forearm, and finger traps to traction parts of the arm and fingers for surgical procedures. The forearm traction tower assembly includes a tower having first and second sides. The tower is connected to a base plate with a first and second slots extending partially therethrough. The assembly includes a strap made of a length of material attached to first and second adjustment mechanisms. The first adjustment mechanism is slidable within the first slot of the base plate and the second adjustment mechanism is slidable within the second slot of the base plate.

Abstract: A method for suspension of the CMC joint that minimizes patient irritation/discomfort and damage to the surrounding tissue. Specifically, the method is a method for suspending a first metacarpal in relative position to a second metacarpal. The method includes the steps of: (i) drilling a hole through the first metacarpal; (ii) inserting a drill guide through the hole in the first metacarpal; (iii) advancing the drill guide to a surface of the second metacarpal, and drilling a hole in the second metacarpal; (iv) inserting an anchor into the hole formed in the second metacarpal, wherein the anchor is attached to suture; (v) deploying the anchor within the second metacarpal; (vi) tensioning the suture attached to the anchor; and (vii) fixing the position of the first metacarpal relative to the second metacarpal using the suture.

Abstract: A traction tower assembly and traction tower scale. The traction tower assembly includes a tower assembly including a first tower having a first side surface and a second tower having a second side surface positioned adjacent to the first side surface, wherein the second tower is movable with respect to the first tower in a first direction and in a second direction; and an elongated arm assembly attached to and extending from the tower assembly.

Abstract: A surgical cutting device for cutting and removing cartilage from a diseased area. The surgical cutting device includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected between a proximal end and a distal end. A central longitudinal axis extends through the elongated shaft. The proximal portion has a first diameter and the distal portion has a second diameter. The first diameter being larger than the second diameter. The cutting device also includes a cutting tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The cutting tip extends along a second axis at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis and includes a curved blade. The curved blade includes an inner wall extending to a base of the cutting tip.

Abstract: A suture backstop system for loading an all-suture backstop on a suspension system in a bone tunnel. The suture backstop system has a backstop with a first and second end both extending in a distal direction. The system includes a first passing longitudinal element woven through the backstop such that a first loop is created in the first passing longitudinal element and extends from the first end of the backstop. Similarly, the system also includes a second passing longitudinal element woven through the backstop such that a second loop is created in the second passing longitudinal element and extends from the second end of the backstop. The first and second passing longitudinal elements are attached to a distal end of a handle. The first and second ends of the backstop are positioned in a first direction in an undeployed configuration and positioned in a second direction, different from the first direction, in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A suture passer device for passing a length of suture through an object. The suture passer device includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and a curved distal tube portion extending to a distal end. The suture passer device also includes a handle attached to the proximal end of the hollow tube, an actuator on the handle movable between first, second, and third positions, and an internal arm within the curved distal tube portion and connected to the actuator. The internal arm is movable between first, second, and third configurations. When the actuator is in the first position, the internal arm extends out from the distal tube portion at an angle from the distal tube portion in the first configuration. When the actuator is in the second position, the internal arm is retracted within the distal tube portion in the second configuration.

Abstract: A handgun sear has a sear body extending between a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The sear defines a first engagement surface adjacent the proximal end portion and a second engagement surface positioned distally of the first engagement surface. The sear can pivot about the distal end portion between a cocked position and a displaced position. The second engagement surface can be used to arrest forward movement of the striker in the event of an impulse that causes the striker to disengage from the first engagement surface. The sear may be incorporated into a fire control assembly of a semiautomatic handgun or other firearm.

Abstract: A polished surface of an arthroscopic instrument for improving visualization of the portion of an ankle joint under repair known as the gutter. The instrument has a handle, a shaft, and a head, at least a portion of the head is polished to provide a mirrored surface for viewing the gutter. Alternatively, the arthroscopic instrument may have a handle, a shaft, and a head, where the head is cylindrical and includes a plurality of apertures extending along the axis of the cylindrical head to define a plurality of guides.

Abstract: A method for suspension of the CMC joint that minimizes patient irritation/discomfort and damage to the surrounding tissue. Specifically, the method is a method for suspending a first metacarpal in relative position to a second metacarpal. The method includes the steps of: (i) drilling a hole through the first metacarpal; (ii) inserting a drill guide through the hole in the first metacarpal; (iii) advancing the drill guide to a surface of the second metacarpal, and drilling a hole in the second metacarpal; (iv) inserting an anchor into the hole formed in the second metacarpal, wherein the anchor is attached to suture; (v) deploying the anchor within the second metacarpal; (vi) tensioning the suture attached to the anchor; and (vii) fixing the position of the first metacarpal relative to the second metacarpal using the suture.

Abstract: A handgun sear has a sear body extending between a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The sear defines a first engagement surface adjacent the proximal end portion and a second engagement surface positioned distally of the first engagement surface. The sear can pivot about the distal end portion between a cocked position and a displaced position. The second engagement surface can be used to arrest forward movement of the striker in the event of an impulse that causes the striker to disengage from the first engagement surface. The sear may be incorporated into a fire control assembly of a semiautomatic handgun or other firearm.

Abstract: A device and method for forming bone tunnels. The device has a conical tip with a spiral cutting edge intended to be pushed into the bone. After penetrating the bone to the desired depth the device is able to be rotated back out of the tunnel without excessive strain on the wall of the bone tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and magnetic material composites capable of withstanding one or more loads without the need for a substructure to provide structural support thereto. The magnetic composites are formable from composites such as epoxies, resins, plastics and the like together with rare earth or other magnetic or magnetizable compounds, or magnetic nano-particles to form structural magnetic composites. The magnetic composites have one or more portions with an aggregation of the magnetic material and one or more portions free of or substantially free of the magnetic material. The magnetic composites are suitable for use to form components of electrical motors, generators, pumps, fans, paints, coatings and parts or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A rotational apparatus with one or more passive magnetic bearing(s) is described. The rotational apparatus includes a rotor with a tapered magnetic ring and a stator with a tapered array of shorted conducting circuits. A repulsive force between the tapered magnetic ring and the tapered array of shorted conducting circuits acts a passive magnetic bearing that centers the rotor radially in a stator cavity and that repels the rotor axially away from an end of the stator cavity.

Abstract: An integrated material transfer and dispensing system for storing, transferring and dispensing materials, such as fluids, and liquids, for example, liquid applied sound deadener (LASD). The system includes at least one vessel having a force transfer device. Each vessel may be removably enclosed in cabinet to form an automated station. Each vessel may be configured with a data logger, cleanout port, a sample valve at least one sight window and an access port for introducing a compound such as a biocide. Each vessel may be configured with instruments including sensors for measuring process variables, such as material volume, level, temperature, pressure and flow. The system may further include a metering device system and a robotic material dispenser system without a pump interface. The robotic system may further include a computer control system connected to flow and pressure sensors. The system may directly feed an applicator without an intervening pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for processing receivables data, such as medical receivables, to provide the receivables as an asset with a qualified financial value for a financial services domain. The medical receivables data may include an identifier of a health care related service for which a claim for payment is requested. The present invention describes systems and methods for assigning a predictive financial value for the service identified by the claim to create an asset with a qualified financial value and to create an agreement or financial instrument to pay the qualified financial value by a payer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses having a stator and a rotor configured to provide both a magnetic drive means and a magnetic bearing means for a rotatable element. The stator and rotor are configured to operate in unison to provide a magnetic force to rotate a rotatable element associated with the rotor about an axis and to control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element about the axis. The rotor and stator assemblies are configured with complementary surface shapes to produce shapeable magnetic drive forces and shapeable magnetic bearing forces to drive and control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of an associated rotatable element.