Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member comprising a first head portion and a first threaded shaft portion extending from the first head portion that define a cannulated opening extending therethrough, and a second member comprising a second head portion and a second threaded shaft portion extending from the second head portion that define a cannulated opening that extends therethrough. The inner sides of the first and second head portions includes a row of teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The first head portion also includes a plurality of through holes positioned between the first threaded shaft portion and the row of teeth. The outer sides of the first and second head portions include non-circular drive openings. The instrumentation comprise a handle portion with a through aperture that allows for a user's finger to extend therethrough during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member comprising a first head portion and a first threaded shaft portion extending from the first head portion that define a cannulated opening extending therethrough, and a second member comprising a second head portion and a second threaded shaft portion extending from the second head portion that define a cannulated opening that extends therethrough. The inner sides of the first and second head portions includes a row of teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The first head portion also includes a plurality of through holes positioned between the first threaded shaft portion and the row of teeth. The outer sides of the first and second head portions include non-circular drive openings. The instrumentation comprise a handle portion with a through aperture that allows for a user's finger to extend therethrough during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: A bone plate system includes, for example, a bone plate and at least one bone plate hole cap. The bone plate includes a body having a first surface, a bone-engaging surface, and a plurality of through-openings. The bone plate hole cap includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface. The bone plate hole cap is securable in at least one of the through-openings in the bone plate. When the bone plate hole cap is secured in the through opening, the second surface of the bone plate hole cap is disposed adjacent to the bone-engaging surface of the bone plate. The bone plate with the bone plate hole cap secured in the through-hole increases the bending strength of a portion of the bone plate across the bone plate hole cap compared to the portion of the bone plate without the bone plate hole cap.

Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member having a first head portion and a first shaft portion, the first head portion and the first shaft portion defining a cannulated opening that extends at least partially through the first member, and a second member having a second head portion and a second shaft portion extending from an inner side of the second head portion, the second head portion and the second shaft portion defining a cannulated opening that extends at least partially through the second member.

Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member comprising a first head portion and a first threaded shaft portion extending from the first head portion that define a cannulated opening extending therethrough, and a second member comprising a second head portion and a second threaded shaft portion extending from the second head portion that define a cannulated opening that extends therethrough. The inner sides of the first and second head portions includes a row of teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The first head portion also includes a plurality of through holes positioned between the first threaded shaft portion and the row of teeth. The outer sides of the first and second head portions include non-circular drive openings. The instrumentation comprise a handle portion with a through aperture that allows for a user's finger to extend therethrough during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member comprising a first head portion and a first threaded shaft portion extending from the first head portion that define a cannulated opening extending therethrough, and a second member comprising a second head portion and a second threaded shaft portion extending from the second head portion that define a cannulated opening that extends therethrough. The inner sides of the first and second head portions includes a row of teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The first head portion also includes a plurality of through holes positioned between the first threaded shaft portion and the row of teeth. The outer sides of the first and second head portions include non-circular drive openings. The instrumentation comprise a handle portion with a through aperture that allows for a user's finger to extend therethrough during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: Soft tissue retention devices, instrumentation and related methods are disclosed. The devices include a first member comprising a first head portion and a first threaded shaft portion extending from the first head portion that define a cannulated opening extending therethrough, and a second member comprising a second head portion and a second threaded shaft portion extending from the second head portion that define a cannulated opening that extends therethrough. The inner sides of the first and second head portions includes a row of teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The first head portion also includes a plurality of through holes positioned between the first threaded shaft portion and the row of teeth. The outer sides of the first and second head portions include non-circular drive openings. The instrumentation comprise a handle portion with a through aperture that allows for a user's finger to extend therethrough during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: A method for evaluating reading comprehension is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one printed passage of text; providing a test subject, the test subject wearing a device for measuring brain frontal lobe usage; requiring the test subject to read the printed passage; providing a question based on the printed passage for the test subject to answer; and determining whether the device measures brain frontal lobe usage. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system of optimally recharging a battery cell while powering a device connected to the battery pack, in which an electronic switch connects a battery pack power-output either to the battery cells or to a second power-input contact. When not recharging, the battery-pack power-output contact is connected to the battery cells, thereby powering the device from the cells. When recharging via a charging unit, the battery pack's power-output terminal is uncoupled from the cells and coupled to a power source of the charging unit, thereby powering the device from the charging unit. At the same time, a voltage is supplied to the battery cells, thereby recharging them. The switching may be activated by a voltage supplied by the charging unit to a temperature monitoring thermistor in the battery pack. In this way, the battery pack's power output may be automatically switched whenever it is placed in the charging unit.

Abstract: A battery charger and method for charging a battery are provided. The method includes comparing a battery temperature with an environmental temperature, charging the battery in a normal charge state if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature and charging the battery in a warm charge state if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature. The method further includes monitoring a difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature when charging in the warm charge state, and switching from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and storing a status of a rechargeable battery pack in which the battery pack status is monitored by a device while the battery pack is functionally connected to that device, and then periodically updated to a non-volatile memory in the battery pack. The non-volatile memory may be connected in power isolation from the rechargeable cells, thereby ensuring that the battery is not drained during long periods of storage. The battery pack may also have a latch, which has to be released in order to remove the battery pack from any device to which it can be functionally connected. Releasing the latch may cause the battery status to be written to the non-volatile memory, ensuring that the battery's memory has up-to-date battery status information, whenever the battery is removed from the device regardless of any scheduled data writes.

Abstract: A system of optimally recharging a battery cell while powering a device connected to the battery pack, in which an electronic switch connects a battery pack power-output either to the battery cells or to a second power-input contact. When not recharging, the battery-pack power-output contact is connected to the battery cells, thereby powering the device from the cells. When recharging via a charging unit, the battery pack's power-output terminal is uncoupled from the cells and coupled to a power source of the charging unit, thereby powering the device from the charging unit. At the same time, a voltage is supplied to the battery cells, thereby recharging them. The switching may be activated by a voltage supplied by the charging unit to a temperature monitoring thermistor in the battery pack. In this way, the battery pack's power output may be automatically switched whenever it is placed in the charging unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and storing a status of a rechargeable battery pack in which the battery pack status is monitored by a device while the battery pack is functionally connected to that device, and then periodically updated to a non-volatile memory in the battery pack. The non-volatile memory may be connected in power isolation from the rechargeable cells, thereby ensuring that the battery is not drained during long periods of storage. The battery pack may also have a latch, which has to be released in order to remove the battery pack from any device to which it can be functionally connected. Releasing the latch may cause the battery status to be written to the non-volatile memory, ensuring that the battery's memory has up-to-date battery status information, whenever the battery is removed from the device regardless of any scheduled data writes.