Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for reducing or limiting slack in stitching or suture constructs secured to tissues in a manner that limits the need for surgeons to physically pull on patients' muscles to remove such slack and that may ultimately reduce recovery time for patients. In one aspect, a method of creating or anchoring a suture construct (e.g., a method of stitching) in tissue in a manner that produces first and second opposite portions of the construct that can be pulled apart in any appropriate manner to apply a tension in the construct to remove slack therein substantially free of pulling on patients' muscles to remove such slack is disclosed. The present utilities also describe a tool that can be used to automatically apply a predetermined level of tension to a suture construct to remove slack therein.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for reducing or limiting slack in stitching or suture constructs secured to tissues in a manner that limits the need for surgeons to physically pull on patients' muscles to remove such slack and that may ultimately reduce recovery time for patients. In one aspect, a method of creating or anchoring a suture construct (e.g., a method of stitching) in tissue in a manner that produces first and second opposite portions of the construct that can be pulled apart in any appropriate manner to apply a tension in the construct to remove slack therein substantially free of pulling on patients' muscles to remove such slack is disclosed. The present utilities also describe a tool that can be used to automatically apply a predetermined level of tension to a suture construct to remove slack therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing items and storing the sterilized items prior to use includes a container configured to receive items to be sterilized, a trap door coupled with the container, and a mechanism operatively coupled with the trap door and the container. The trap door is reconfigurable between an open configuration providing a fluid passage into the apparatus and a closed configuration in which the items are hermetically sealed within the apparatus. The mechanism is configured for selective reconfiguration of the trap door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to automatically reconfigure the trap door from the open configuration to the closed configuration after completion of a sterilization of items disposed within the apparatus.

Abstract: A toy doll with insertable teeth comprising: a toy doll figure, a pouch or compartment built into the doll to hold a child's real primary tooth until it is removed by the imaginary “tooth fairy” (understood to be an adult), specially-formed jaw pieces (upper and lower) with receptacles to receive simulated teeth, and specially-formed simulated teeth pieces that include a mechanical faster to allow for the one-time insertion of each tooth into the jaw pieces. The toy doll can be used with an evolving story media, that provides an imaginative and tangible conclusion to the “tooth fairy” tradition via a tangible physical representation that a child has given their expelled real primary teeth to the toy doll.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing items and storing the sterilized items prior to use includes a container configured to receive items to be sterilized, a trap door coupled with the container, and a mechanism operatively coupled with the trap door and the container. The trap door is reconfigurable between an open configuration providing a fluid passage into the apparatus and a closed configuration in which the items are hermetically sealed within the apparatus. The mechanism is configured for selective reconfiguration of the trap door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to automatically reconfigure the trap door from the open configuration to the closed configuration after completion of a sterilization of items disposed within the apparatus.