Abstract: An automated analyzer can include a plate sealer and a drawer assembly. The plate sealer can include a heated press plate configured to apply heat and pressure to a seal material, wherein the seal material is configured to seal against a top surface of an amplification plate. The plate sealer can include a knife assembly configured to cut the seal material, wherein the heated press plate and the knife assembly are configured to be lowered simultaneously to cut and seal the seal material. The drawer assembly can include a two lane drawer comprising a pipette tip station configured to house two pipette tip holders, an extraction container station configured to house two extraction container holders, and an amplification plate station configured to house two amplification plates.

Abstract: Orthopedic instalments for removing bone including along an intramedullary canal and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. In one example, the orthopedic instrument can include a body having an exterior surface and can define an interior cavity. The body can have a plurality of channels communicating with the interior cavity from the exterior surface.

Abstract: A system can form a pilot hole to secure a securable element, such as an acetabular cup. A saddle can removably attach to the securable element. The saddle can confine a translator and allow the translator to move along a translator axis between a first translator position and a second translator position. A punch element can be movably coupled to the saddle and the translator such that when the saddle is removably attached to the securable element, moving the translator from the first translator position toward the second translator position can advance a tip of the punch element from the saddle through the securable element along a punch axis that is angled with respect to the translator axis. An impaction stem can be coupled to the translator by a joint, such as a ball-and-socket joint, and can impart motion to the translator.

Abstract: An implant can be implantable into a human body and can include a metallic substrate and a ceramic layer. The metallic substrate can be formed by additive manufacturing. The metallic substrate can be engageable with a bone. The metallic substrate can include an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of retention features. The inner surface can define a plurality of pores configured to promote bone ingrowth into the metallic substrate. The plurality of retention features can include a proximal portion connected to the outer surface and the proximal portion can define a proximal width. The ceramic layer can be a bearing surface that can be spray coated to the metallic substrate and formed around the retention features to interlock the ceramic layer with the metallic substrate.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of orthopedic reamer heads for preparing a bone to receive an implant, as well as methods of assembling reamer heads. An illustrative example of a modular reamer head can include a body and a cutting system. The body can include a generally dome shape having an outer surface extending from an apex region to a base. The outer surface can have a recess including one or more arcuate channels that extend from the apex region towards the base of the dome. The cutting system can have one or more arcuate elements having cutting elements. One or more arcuate elements can extend from first end portions in the apex region towards second end portions proximate the base. At least a portion of the one or more arcuate elements can be located in the one or more arcuate channels to extend outward beyond the outer surface.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of adjustable orthopedic reamer heads and methods for preparing a bone to receive an implant. The adjustable reamer heads and methods can include changing a cutting characteristic such as the size of an adjustable reamer head. In an illustrative example of an adjustable reamer head, the reamer head can include a housing, an actuator and a plurality of cutting elements. The plurality of cutting elements can be retained by the housing and can be operably coupled to the actuator. The plurality of cutting elements can include a first size cutting element and a second size cutting element. When the actuator is actuated, the first size cutting element and the second size cutting element can move relative to one another to change from a first cutting size to a second cutting size.

Abstract: A system can form a pilot hole to secure a securable element, such as an acetabular cup. A saddle can removably attach to the securable element. The saddle can confine a translator and allow the translator to move along a translator axis between a first translator position and a second translator position. A punch element can be movably coupled to the saddle and the translator such that when the saddle is removably attached to the securable element, moving the translator from the first translator position toward the second translator position can advance a tip of the punch element from the saddle through the securable element along a punch axis that is angled with respect to the translator axis. An impaction stem can be coupled to the translator by a joint, such as a ball-and-socket joint, and can impart motion to the translator.

Abstract: Illustrative methods of manufacturing flexible drive shaft assemblies for preparing bone can include steps such as providing, receiving or manufacturing a mold. Injecting a first polymeric material into the mold to form a coupling member, the coupling member adapted for attachment to a torque-providing driving tool. Injecting a second polymeric material into the mold to form a work member, the work member adapted to interface with the bone to prepare the bone. The method can further include injecting a third polymeric material into the mold in an overmolding process to form a flexible shaft extending from the coupling member to the work member. The assemblies resulting from such methods can include a flexible shaft that is adapted to transmit a majority of a torque received from a torque-providing driving tool through the flexible shaft. In some examples, the flexible shaft can include a solid polymeric shaft.

Abstract: A tool body having a first clamp element positioned on a first tool arm and a drill guide positioned on a second tool arm. The surgical tool can also have a slider element slidable on the tool body, the slider element having a depth probe and a second clamp element. The second clamp element can be engaged with the first clamp element such that the first and second elements cooperate to define a clamp opening for receiving a supplemental screw.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver can be configured to selectively transmit a torque to a fastener. The driver can include a handle, a geared body, and a shaft. The handle can include a housing, a pawl, and a biasing element. The housing can include a central bore and a shaft bore extending through a distal portion of the housing. The pawl can extend radially inward from the housing into the central bore. The biasing element can engage the housing. The geared body can be rotatably engageable with the pawl to allow rotation of the geared body relative to the handle in a first direction and to limit rotation of the geared body relative to the handle in a second direction, where the biasing element can be engageable with the geared body to bias the geared body distally.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of adjustable orthopedic reamer heads and methods for preparing a bone to receive an implant. The adjustable reamer heads and methods can include changing a cutting characteristic such as the size of an adjustable reamer head. In an illustrative example of an adjustable reamer head, the reamer head can include a housing, an actuator and a plurality of cutting elements. The plurality of cutting elements can be retained by the housing and can be operably coupled to the actuator. The plurality of cutting elements can include a first size cutting element and a second size cutting element. When the actuator is actuated, the first size cutting element and the second size cutting element can move relative to one another to change from a first cutting size to a second cutting size.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of orthopedic reamer heads for preparing a bone to receive an implant, as well as methods of assembling reamer heads. An illustrative example of a modular reamer head can include a body and a cutting system. The body can include a generally dome shape having an outer surface extending from an apex region to a base. The outer surface can have a recess including one or more arcuate channels that extend from the apex region towards the base of the dome. The cutting system can have one or more arcuate elements having cutting elements. One or more arcuate elements can extend from first end portions in the apex region towards second end portions proximate the base. At least a portion of the one or more arcuate elements can be located in the one or more arcuate channels to extend outward beyond the outer surface.

Abstract: A tool body having a first clamp element positioned on a first tool arm and a drill guide positioned on a second tool arm. The surgical tool can also have a slider element slidable on the tool body, the slider element having a depth probe and a second clamp element. The second clamp element can be engaged with the first clamp element such that the first and second elements cooperate to define a clamp opening for receiving a supplemental screw.

Abstract: Illustrative methods of manufacturing flexible drive shaft assemblies for preparing bone can include steps such as providing, receiving or manufacturing a mold. Injecting a first polymeric material into the mold to form a coupling member, the coupling member adapted for attachment to a torque-providing driving tool. Injecting a second polymeric material into the mold to form a work member, the work member adapted to interface with the bone to prepare the bone. The method can further include injecting a third polymeric material into the mold in an overmolding process to form a flexible shaft extending from the coupling member to the work member. The assemblies resulting from such methods can include a flexible shaft that is adapted to transmit a majority of a torque received from a torque-providing driving tool through the flexible shaft. In some examples, the flexible shaft can include a solid polymeric shaft.

Abstract: A computer based scheduling and rescheduling method, apparatus and system for an electronic calendar. The electronic calendar illustrates a time progression of scheduled tasks in a horizontally or vertically oriented view of time. The electronic calendar and its graphical user interface (GUI) provide a viewing pattern for the user. Direction in the viewing pattern is synonymous with increasing/decreasing dates-times in the time progression of scheduled tasks. A scheduling-rescheduling engine schedules into the calendar user requested tasks and automatically reschedules impacted previously scheduled tasks. The scheduling-rescheduling engine also schedules user selected resources (e.g., people, robots, tools, etc.) per scheduled task.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver can be configured to selectively transmit a torque to a fastener. The driver can include a handle, a geared body, and a shaft. The handle can include a housing, a pawl, and a biasing element. The housing can include a central bore and a shaft bore extending through a distal portion of the housing. The pawl can extend radially inward from the housing into the central bore. The biasing element can engage the housing. The geared body can be rotatably engageable with the pawl to allow rotation of the geared body relative to the handle in a first direction and to limit rotation of the geared body relative to the handle in a second direction, where the biasing element can be engageable with the geared body to bias the geared body distally.

Abstract: A multiplayer game method provides an editing graphical user interface (GUI) for display to the players of the multiplayer game on computing devices to edit a plurality of digital object holders for use in game states of a multiplayer game session. The method receives a digital object placement request to place a digital object at a position on an object holder of the game state, where the first digital object is associated with a visual representation and a ruleset for using the digital object. The method applies the ruleset to the digital object placement request to generate a validation result indicating whether a placement of the digital object on the digital object holder is valid. The further method includes receiving the game states and providing a GIU based on the received game states to enable the players to select digital objects from the plurality of digital object holders.

Abstract: A computer based scheduling and rescheduling method, apparatus and system for an electronic calendar. The electronic calendar illustrates a time progression of scheduled tasks in a horizontally or vertically oriented view of time. The electronic calendar and its graphical user interface (GUI) provide a viewing pattern for the user. Direction in the viewing pattern is synonymous with increasing/decreasing dates-times in the time progression of scheduled tasks. A scheduling-rescheduling engine schedules into the calendar user requested tasks and automatically reschedules impacted previously scheduled tasks. The scheduling-rescheduling engine also schedules user selected resources (e.g., people, robots, tools, etc.) per scheduled task.

Abstract: A system and a process are provided for positioning a tool relative to a surface. The system may include a mount fixed in location relative to the surface. A positioning assembly may be coupled to the mount that holds the tool adjacent the surface and moves the tool relative to the surface. The positioning assembly may move the tool to a reference location, identify such location, and then move to the tool to an operating position defined at a specified distance from the reference position. The positioning assembly may include a strain gauge to identify contact of the tool with the surface at the reference location via an indicator coupled to the strain gauge. The positioning assembly may also include a micrometer attached at its body to the mount and a spindle operable to move the tool. Fixtures couple the micrometer, strain gauge and tool to maintain fixed relative positions except for calibrated movement of the tool.

Abstract: A tool is provided for compressing and inserting a pliable member past a rim of a channel and into the channel. The tool may be used to install o-rings in a segmented fashion. The tool may include a handle for the user to hold and operate the tool. A support for a press may be coupled to the handle. The support may be a shaft mounted partially within, and movable relative to, the handle. The shaft may include a slot adjacent the press to receive and be aligned with the pliable member. The handle and the press may be movable between a nominal position and a compressing position. The press may include pivoting arms with opposing faces, each having a beveled portion, that are operable, when moved to the compressing position, to compress the pliable member and push it into the channel. An actuator, such as a collar on the handle, may operate on the press arms as the handle is moved downwardly, to move them inwardly to the compressed position.