Abstract: Syringe plunger rods comprising an elongate body formed from a composition comprising one or more of virgin material, a sterilization-stable recycled resin and a biobased compositions are described. Plunger rods comprising a plurality of ribs, some of which may have a plurality of openings, are also described. The plunger rods requiring less material while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to function properly.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.

Abstract: A control system indicates whether a module should be inserted into a module holder. The control system includes a sensor which is configured to attach to one of a module and the module holder. The sensor is further configured to (i) read an identifier of an element attached to the other of the module and the module holder when the module begins insertion into the module holder and (ii) provide a sensor signal in response to reading the identifier. The sensor signal denotes the identifier. The control system further includes a controller which couples to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor and output a control signal based on the sensor signal. The control signal indicates whether the module is authorized to substantially insert into the module holder.

Abstract: A control system indicates whether a module should be inserted into a module holder. The control system includes a sensor which is configured to attach to one of a module and the module holder. The sensor is further configured to (i) read an identifier of an element attached to the other of the module and the module holder when the module begins insertion into the module holder and (ii) provide a sensor signal in response to reading the identifier. The sensor signal denotes the identifier. The control system further includes a controller which couples to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor and output a control signal based on the sensor signal. The control signal indicates whether the module is authorized to substantially insert into the module holder.