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Lobbyists representing Northwest Kidney Centers, 2012:
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|Subsidiary (Lobbied For)
|Denny Miller Assoc
|Northwest Kidney Centers
Eckert, Josephine
Greif, Judson
Hancock, Shay Michael
Mathiesen, Sandra Windsor
Miller, Chris J
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Multi-Camera Networks
1st Edition
Principles and Applications
- eBook ISBN 9780080878003
- Print ISBN 9780123746337
Print book
Principles and Applications
Print book
This book is the definitive reference in multi-camera networks. It gives clear guidance on the conceptual and implementation issues involved in the design and operation of multi-camera networks, as well as presenting the state-of-the-art in hardware, algorithms and system development. The book is broad in scope, covering smart camera architectures, embedded processing, sensor fusion and middleware, calibration and topology, network-based detection and tracking, and applications in distributed and collaborative methods in camera networks.
This book will be an ideal reference for university researchers, R&D engineers, computer engineers, and graduate students working in signal and video processing, computer vision, and sensor networks.
Hamid Aghajan is a Professor of Electrical Engineering (consulting) at Stanford University. His research is on multi-camera networks for smart environments with application to smart homes, assisted living and well being, meeting rooms, and avatar-based communication and social interactions. He is Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments, and was general chair of ACM/IEEE ICDSC 2008.
Andrea Cavallaro is Reader (Associate Professor) at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL). His research is on target tracking and audiovisual content analysis for advanced

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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Shuttle bus service
- Suites
- Free High-Speed Internet
- Room service
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
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Historical Traveler Reviews DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center
Perfect stay with all the perks!
Everything went perfect during my trip to Spokane, WA and the Doubletree Hotel in downtown. I found the rooms to be very spacious, well-kept, and offered quite a bit. I have to say the bed was probably the most comfortable one I've slept in....and that is saying a lot! The steakhouse in the hotel was to die for, cooked my meal to perfection and a sinful dessert to go with. The customer service levels were much more than I expected, each person making sure I was well taken care of. I don't think I could even dream up a complaint of his hotel. I know where I'll be staying when I come to Spokane again.
Washed Up City Hotel
A passable, run-down property in a good location. I have stayed at this property countless times, back when it was a Sheraton - a much classier incarnation than the present. Today, not much is done to keep the place's standards up. A convention centre addition has stolen almost all of the hotel's parking, which was remedied by TEARING DOWN THE POOL, and paving over a narrow strip of land directly next to the river. Aside from this supposed luxury hotel of 350 rooms no longer having a pool, the parking was so woefully inadequate that when we left mid-afternoon and returned around dinner there were no spaces to be found, so we had to PAY to park across the street, in addition to the $5/night hotel charge. Totally unacceptable. Upon returning to our room, we discovered black crust/powder in our tub. Immediately, I called housekeeping for them to clean it up, not being certain what it was. A snide housekeeper showed up and had a look, knew exactly what it was (sewer back up), and called "engineering" to look at the tub. A big, rude oaff of a man hunkered in, had a look, and promptly said, "Was it like this when you came back? I find that hard to beleive. All rooms are inspected by a manager." I couldn't beleive it! He went on to blame us for doing it. "If you made a mistake, we will still clean it up for you." He left, and I was furious! What?!?! Housekeeping came and cleaned up the mess, which apparently is common at this hotel. I called down to the front desk to complain and they were very apologetic, offering a free in-room movie and a chocolate bar. We had a good nights sleep - the beds are very nice, pillowtop with duvets and feather pillows. We awoke the next morning ready to shower, only to find the tub had 'burped' again and there was black crud all over again! This time housekeeping was prompt to clean it out so we could shower and leave. Really, an annoying experience that probably means I won't be returning. We didnt bother to check out, we just left. This hotel has a long way to go before being a great hotel...top to bottom renovations, a parking garage, pool, and regular maintenance! I don't reccomend this washed-up city hotel.
My rate was $104, including the heavy bed-tax in Spokane, double room although I was only a single. I was told this was a rate for a convention I was attending at the time. Room was on 14th floor with nice view (overlooking the Spokane River). Room was spacious and very well maintained. While I didn't have a car, parking was free and easily available. A lot of construction was going on as the Spokane Convention Center is building a second structure. The DoubleTree is between them but I heard no noise from the construction.
Didn't eat in the hotel's restaurant except for breakfast, so-so. Service good. Overall, I'd rate the DoubleTree 3-Star or half ways between a 3 and 4 (3 plus or 4-minus). Staff OK, nothing special. I saw no surliness as reported in other reviews by what appears to have been disgruntled guests. Again, experienced nor observed no discourtesies over a 4-day stay. A plus is that the DoubleTree provides free transportation to and from the airport on a when-you-need-to-go basis. Safe and accommodating drivers. Spokane's bus terminal is an easy walk and the bus network is excellent. Has two computers for guests' usage in lobby.
For walking along the Riverfront Park, walking into downtown Spokane and other matters, the Doubletree is excellent. Was in the Davenport Hotel. Saw a friend's room there (for the same convention I was attending). No doubt, it is a 5-star place, 5-star location but you are further away from the Riverfront Park. Parking appears not so good and valet only. The Davenport is 50% more expensive but worth it if you want luxury. The Davenport charges an outrageous $18 to and from the airport each trip, even if in a Lincoln Town Car (versus a common van at the DoubleTree).
Food at the Davenport's restaurant is outstanding but expensive. The Davenport is across the street from the bus terminal if you want to take self tours of Spokane.
I thought it was a great freindly place to stay
I stayed there for 2 nights on business and was treated great by there staff, old story you be nice and kind to someone and they return the favor. The bonus is behind the hotel is Shinnangans resturnant dont miss happy hour and 1/2 priced meals, I ate dinner on there appetisers each night under $12.00 great food. Also walking distance to most all downtown activities, and if your board catch a ride with one of the buses going to the airpport to pick up the flight crews that stay there too normally 10 trips back and forth just for them each day. I wouldnt bother witht the Gold room on the 15th floor it sucks they had little smokies for snack and drinks cost a lot. I never ate there at any time and more than likley woudnt next time I stay there cuz there is better priced and bettter food close by for all meals breakfast and dinner. Typical hotel overpricing. It was fun to sit in loby each morning and just watch the Dunces coming and going chekcing in and checking out. Great entertainment like most places. The BEST of all was the beds I have NEVER slept in a better bed in my life I have a sleep disporder and I went out like a light and slept the whole night 8 hours, with 14th floor window open. Highly recommernd. Ed
Could have been better...
We were in Spokane for a graduation. It was our first time there, and we chose the Doubletree because of the location. The location is very convenient, as it is adjacent to the Opera House and the river runs behind the hotel. There are many things within walking distance, which is a plus. We ate dinner at Spencer's, which is a steakhouse in the hotel. It was a bit pricey, but the food was very good. The service was excellent, too.
We did have some problems during our stay. The first thing we found was that parking was a problem. The parking lot was small due to construction next door, it seems. We would have just had the car valet parked, but there were no valet to be found (despite signs indicating otherwise). After finally locating parking, we checked in and headed for the room. The hotel is somewhat dated, but they have made an attempt to take care of it. When we arrived at our room, the key didn't work. I proceeded back to the front desk, where they reprogrammed the card and told me to "Call down if I have problems again". Naturally, I did have problems again. I used the courtesy phone down the hall and they sent someone up right away. He literally beat on the key card device, and said, "Must be the batteries". However, he managed to jar it back into place so it worked. He assured me he would be returning later on to replace the batteries.
The room was very small, and the bathroom had only one sink. There was a coffee pot on the tiny bathroom counter, though. The bed was comfortable, but again, everything was old.
The following day, we were to attend graduation. Upon returning and before our dinner reservation down the street, the key card didn't work (again). This time, security happened to wander by, and I asked him for assistance. He tried about 10 things, none of which worked. He called "engineering" who came up and stated, "Must be the batteries". I told him that the exact same thing occurred the day before. He said he was sorry. He finally got me into the room (about 25 minutes later) where I had planned on changing clothes. However, because of the battery problem, he told me he was going to fix it right then. I asked him how long it would take; he said around 30 minutes. I didn't have time to wait around and didn't want to change clothes in the tiny bathroom with a strange man outside the door. I had to leave him there, door wide open, and hope that he was an honest fellow (he was, fortunately).
Finally, last but not least, remember the tiny parking lot that was overcrowded and almost impossible to find space in? Well, they charged us $5/night for SELF-PARKING. We're not talking about New York City here. This is downtown Spokane, WA.
Now, I'm relatively easy to please, but when things don't work right, they should be fixed. This hotel was one inconvenience after another. Good thing it's well-located, or they wouldn't have any guests.
Good service
Service was good & staff was extremely friendly. Reasonably close to attractions in city. Accomodations were ok. For the money I would like better accomodations.
Very good deal
We stayed at the Doubletree Spokane-City Center over New Years Eve via a Priceline deal and found service and room to be excellent. I've heard reports that "discount" customers get short shrift sometimes, this wasn't the case. We got a nice room, two beds, easy chair with ottoman, desk, appeared to be recently redecorated. The front desk was courteous, check in was easy, valet parking a nice touch. Housekeeping was efficient, room service prompt, even on New Year's Eve. I'd unconditionally recommend the Doubletree.
Treated terribly!!!!
I wanted to treat my son and grandson to a 4th of July they would never forget. I made my reservations 3+ weeks in advance and requested an upper room facing Riverfront Park so they could be close to the festivities and see the firework display. When they arrived the room they were offered did not face the park. Nor was it on an upper level. Luckily I had sent my son the confirmation that I received on line and they then offered him an upper room that was in a corner and very small!!!! but did face the park. They were not allowed to check in till 5:30p.m. (room had to be cleaned) not very convenient. All in all not a very good experiece
Very nice, good loaction, highly recommend!
The hotel is located adjacent to the Riverfront Park and Spokane River area in addition to the Opera House and a variety of shops and boutiques in the downtown area. The Executive Accommodations were very nicely appointed elegant rooms that were spotless and included very nice views seeing as they begin on the 15th floor of the hotel.
Included in the price was a complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails in their private 15th-Floor Executive Lounge. The price to upgrade to the Executive Accommodations was very reasonable and if you can swing it, I'd highly recommend it. The staff was VERY friendly and VERY helpful - I cannot say enough good things about them. Overall, we had a GREAT experience at the Doubletree!!
TripAdvisor Reviews DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center
Travel Blogs from Spokane
Week Six -- Heading East and Choppy Visiting
... but the people of United welcomed us back with open arms. They made it still feel like home.
Getting together and visiting people looks very different for us now than it did before Teddy came along. When we eat (either at "home" or out at a restaurant) he sits still and eats for about four minutes and then he wants to run. So then Annie and I take turns eating, and if we're with someone else, we take turns visiting too. This reality has made ...
Last Call
October 5, 2014. D day. D... as in Done. We are high in the air somewhere over Pennsylvania, I think. I'm pretty sure I see an Amish buggy navigating a hair pin turn down there. How do I know that, you ask? Because I have a window seat, that's why! This trip has been quite an experience for this old farm boy. Lots of memories. Lots to process. I must begin with proper recognition and acknowledgements: To the Good Lord - for ...
Day 1 - Into the East, and two times the falls!
... to cooking. She said hi to Christy and I and we smiled and said hi back. I joked about her monopoly on food services out here. She commented on how nice we were and that we must not be from around here (which I found hilarious BTW).
I really should have snagged a picture of this place. They even had picnic tables with bear cutouts on them. Google that and you will see pics.
I honestly hope DudeBro choked on his ...
Mark Mickelson flew out of Accra evening of 21st April, back home to family and friends in Spokane after a two weeks trip to serve, encourage and strengthen the brethren in Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo. He visited three congregations in the two countries and met with several brethren in their homes. We ...
Getting ready for tomorrow!
Since I went to the athlete's meeting last night and felt that I still had some logistical questions, I spent a lot of time this morning trying to find answers online, which thankfully I did. I still felt really unsure about whether I'd be able to get to my bike in the morning, have access to my run and bike gear bags, and things like that, so I spent a lot of time reassuring myself that I knew ...


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text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Feb 14, 2012
|Filing date
|Dec 22, 2005
|Priority date
|Jun 22, 2004
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Hugh S. West, Jr.
|Original Assignee
|Hs West Investments, Llc
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (71), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (59), Classifications (11), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/873,987, filed Jun. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,978 entitled "Bone Anchors For Use In Attaching Soft Tissue To Bone," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to soft tissue repair surgery, such as rotator cuff repair surgery. More specifically, the present invention relates to bone anchors for attaching soft tissue to bone using a suture.
2. Related Technology
Soft tissue injuries, especially rotator cuff injuries, can occur from repeated stress or acute trauma. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that attach to the humerus bone of the arm. The rotator cuff allows a person to rotate the arm and raise it above the head. A common injury to the rotator cuff occurs when repeated stress or acute trauma causes the rotator cuff to partially or complete tear away from the humerus bone. These and similar types of injuries may require surgery to correctly reattach the soft tissue to the bone.
Various devices have been used to reattach soft tissue to bone. Known methods include staples, wedges, inserts, screws, and sutures alone. Threaded suture anchors, such as bone screws, have recently been developed to provide a particularly firm location where a suture can be anchored to bone. In these systems, a suture is tied between the bone anchor and soft tissue. Providing a firm attachment point for the suture is important because of the relatively strong forces that are experienced in a flexing muscle.
Despite recent advances in bone anchors, existing bone anchors and rotator cuff repairs can fail and have other disadvantages. Typically, a rotator cuff repair fails either because the bone anchor dislodges or the suture tears through the soft tissue. As force is applied to the suture, the suture can cut through the soft tissue like a cheese wire, leaving the rotator cuff detached from the humerus bone. When one suture fails, it can place more stress on the surrounding sutures, thus increasing the likelihood that other sutures will fail in like manner.
Using a greater number of sutures per unit area of soft tissue can minimize suture attachment failure. However, the number of sutures that can be used in a particular procedure is limited by the number of bone anchors that can be used and the number of sutures per anchor. During a surgical procedure, the bone anchors are placed in the humerus bone where the tissue has torn away. Thus, the number of bone anchors is limited to the number of anchors that will fit in the repair area without compromising the integrity of the humerus bone. In most rotator cuff repair surgeries, this number is two or three anchors.
The number of sutures that can be attached to each bone anchor depends on the configuration of the bone anchor. Double loading of bone anchors has been achieved for some bone anchors and is currently preferred over single loading. Typically these bone anchors have an eyelet or loop and the sutures are attached by threading the sutures through the eyelet or loop.
Loading multiple sutures on an eyelet or loop is problematic because it can cause "suture capture." During a rotator cuff repair procedure, a practitioner typically ties a knot that can be adjusted by sliding. To properly tie and adjust the knot, the suture must be able to slide in the bone anchor. Multiple sutures loaded on an eyelet or loop create friction and/or pinching that can prevent the suture from sliding in the bone anchor (i.e. causes "suture capture"). Suture capture occurs most often at the point where the sutures are sliding on the eyelet or loop of the bone anchor and after the first suture has been tied. If a first suture is tied with it crossing over an untied suture the first suture can cause friction and/or pinch the second suture against the eyelet or loop, thereby causing suture capture. As the number of sutures increases the likelihood of suture capture also increases.
Suture capture can be particularly disruptive to a surgical procedure. In many cases, if a suture becomes captured the suture can break when the practitioner attempts to adjust the knot. Because the bone anchors are small and the bone anchor is in the bone of a human when the suture breaks, it is not possible for the practitioner to thread the bone anchor with a new suture. Furthermore, it is very undesirable to remove the bone anchor once it is in place, especially if one of the sutures in the anchor has already been tied. In such cases, the bone anchor is typically left in place with only one suture. The reduced number of sutures places more strain on the soft tissue, which can increase the risk of tissue failure.
Recently, bone anchors that are less likely to cause suture capture have been developed. These anchors have two separate attachment sites inside a longitudinal bore. Attaching sutures within a longitudinal bore is particularly advantageous because it allows the bone anchor to be fully threaded (fully threaded bone anchors have threads near the proximal end that can be embedded in hard cortical bone). However, attaching sutures at different locations inside a longitudinal bore is very difficult due to size restraints. The outer diameter of a bone anchor is typically between 5.0 mm and 7.0 mm. This maximum outer diameter limits the bore diameter to between about 2.5 and 4.0 mm. Due to these size restraints, exiting bone anchors have been limited to a maximum load of two sutures.
The bone anchors of the present invention overcome the disadvantages of the prior art discussed above by providing improved suture attachment sites for engaging bone tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the bone anchors of the present invention have an anchor body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The anchor body has a longitudinal bore that opens at the proximal end of the anchor body. At least three attachment sites are positioned within the bore. Each attachment site is capable of slidably receiving a respective suture thereon. The three attachment sites are spaced apart and configured such that the portions of the respective sutures that are in contact with the three attachment sites are maintained separated during use.
In a first embodiment, the three attachment sites are formed by placing two or more transverse pins (e.g. an upper pin and a lower pin) across the longitudinal bore. The pins are placed offset from one another such that two pins together provide three separate attachment sites. To load three sutures on the two pins, a first suture is looped on the lower pin with both ends of the suture passing by one side of the upper pin. A second suture is looped on the lower pin with both ends of the suture passing on the opposite side of the upper pin. The lower pin provides two separate attachments sites when used in combination with an upper pin because the upper pin can maintain separation between the two sutures looped on the lower pin (i.e. by passing the ends of respective sutures on opposite sides of the upper pin. A third suture attachment site is provided by the upper pin.
In a second embodiment the bone anchor comprises an anchor body having a bore that opens at a distal end of a threaded portion (in addition to the opening at the proximal end of the anchor body). A longitudinal pin is configured to be inserted into the opening at the distal end. The portion of the longitudinal pin that is inserted into the bore includes three or more suture attachment sites. In one embodiment, the inserted portion (i.e. the insert) of the longitudinal pin has two or more protrusions and one or more holes to provide three or more attachment sites for attaching sutures. The three or more attachment sites are configured to maintain the sutures separated at the point where the sutures are in contact with their respective attachment sites.
In the first and second embodiments, the attachment sites are typically formed deep within the bore to allow room for a socket to be formed in the proximal end of the anchor body. This feature allows a driver tool to be inserted for driving the bone anchor into a bone. Because the driver tool is placed on the interior of the bone anchor, the anchor body can be threaded to the proximal end. Threading the proximal end of the anchor body provides the bone anchor with the ability to better engage the cortical bone near the surface of the bone.
Providing three separate attachment sites within the bore of the bone anchors of the present invention provides several advantages not available to bone anchors with one or two sutures. Importantly, the use of three sutures can improve the success of reparatory surgery on tissue that is weak and susceptible to tearing by increasing the number of sutures per unit area. The use of a three sutures allows forces per unit area to be reduced by 67% compared to a single suture and 33% compared to a two suture anchor.
It has also been found that the use of three sutures can be beneficial even in the case where a patient's tissue is adequate to hold with only two sutures per bone anchor. The third suture can be advantageously used as a reserve in case there is a problem with one of the first two sutures. (e.g. the suture breaks, the suture is poorly placed, or a knot is loose). If the third suture is not needed, it can be easily removed. A third suture can be beneficial if a practitioner decides during an operation that the tissue needs one additional suture. If the bone anchor has a reserve suture, the practitioner can place the additional suture without adding an additional anchor. In some cases, the practitioner may want to place an odd number of sutures. Bone anchors that provide three sutures allow the practitioner to place 5 sutures, for example, using two anchors.
In another aspect of the present invention, the bone anchors can have a non-threaded portion at the distal end to form a stabilizing extension. The extension provides additional stability to the bone anchor by reducing the tendency of the anchor body to move or rotate laterally. Bone anchors are often placed in a bone at an angle. Much like a longer tent stake is less likely to give out, the extension of the bone anchor of the present invention helps prevent the bone anchor from becoming dislodged. Stabilizing the bone anchor reduces the likelihood that the bone anchor will fail and allows the bone anchor to be safely loaded with more sutures.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the anchor body is a screw that includes a portion of fine threads and a portion of coarse threads. The fine threads are configured to engage hard bone tissue, such as cortical bone, and the coarse threads are configured to engage soft bone tissue, such as cancellous bone. A portion of the threads are made finer by increasing the root diameter and increasing the surface angle of the thread. The pitch of the coarse threads and fine threads is kept the same such that the proximal threads can follow the impression created by the distal threads as the bone anchor is driven into a bone.
Optimizing the thread pattern for engaging different types of bone tissue allows the bone anchor to better engage adjacent bone tissue. Because the bone anchor can better engage adjacent bone tissue, the bone anchor can be loaded with additional sutures without compromising stability of the bone anchor. The additional sutures per anchor reduce the stress placed on each individual suture through the soft tissue, which helps prevent the sutures from cutting through the soft tissue.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
With reference to
Proximal end 14 includes an opening 30, which provides access to a hollow interior bone 30 of anchor body 12. A hex socket 22 is formed in bore 30 of anchor body 12, which allows bone anchor 10 to be driven into a bone using a hex driver. It will be appreciated that bore 30 of anchor body 12 can have nay other desired shape, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, star-shaped, oval, etc. Transverse pins 23 a and 23 b are disposed through anchor body 12 and provide attachment points for looping sutures thereon.
Bone anchor 10 has threads 20 that wrap continuously around anchor body 12 in a desired (e.g., clockwise) direction. The pattern of threads 20 determines in part how bone anchor 10 engages surrounding bone tissue. In one embodiment, threads 20 make about six turns around anchor body 12 and extend toward proximal end 16.
As shown in
Anchor body 12 also has a non-threaded portion at distal end 16, which forms stabilizing extension 18. Stabilizing extension 18 is generally cylindrical and typically has a width less than root diameter 26. In one embodiment, the length of extension 18 is more than about 20% of the length of the threaded portion of anchor body 10. In another embodiment, extension 18 is more than 100% the length of the threaded portion and in yet another embodiment, more than about 200% of the length of the threaded portion.
In one embodiment, extension 18 is configured to be inserted into a pilot hole drilled into the bone where bone anchor 10 is to be placed. Preparing a pilot hole reduces the risk that insertion of the screw in a bone will cause damage to bone anchor 10 and/or fracture bone tissue as the bone anchor 10 is inserted into the bone. Preventing damage to bone anchor 10 and surrounding bone tissue reduces the chances that bone anchor 10 will become loosened or fail during use. In another embodiment, the bone anchor can have a self drilling distal end.
Anchor body 12 is advantageously made from a strong biocompatible material, such as a titanium alloy or stainless steel. Alternatively, anchor body 12 can be made from a biodegradable material, such as poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) that can be absorbed into adjacent bone tissue over time as the repair site heals. Other biocompatible and/or biodegradable materials suitable for use in bone anchors are known to those skilled in the art.
Bore 30 opens at proximal end 14 to provide access to the interior of anchor body 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a proximal portion of bore 30 is hexagonally shaped to form a hex socket 22 for receiving a hex driver. This female type driver tool engagement mechanism eliminates the need to have a protruding proximal end 16. Instead, proximal end 16 is substantially flat and can be placed at or just below a bone surface, as discussed more fully below.
As shown in
The distal portion of bore 30 also contains one or more transverse pins for looping sutures thereon. Pins 23 a and 23 b are formed or inserted in anchor body 12 lying across bore 30. The diameter of pins 23 a and 23 b are selected such that there is sufficient space between pin 23 a and pin 23 b and interior surface 28 for passing a suture around the pins 23 a and 23 b. In addition to providing a location for looping sutures, pins 23 a and 23 b provide additional structural support (i.e., an endoskeleton) to anchor body 12.
Pins 23 a and 23 b are disposed in bore 30 substantially non-parallel to each other. As illustrated in
Bone anchor 10, in
Another advantageous feature of pins 23 a and 23 b is their position distal to hex socket 22 and within bore 30. Pins 23 a and 23 b are placed within bore 30 such that the forces applied by sutures 36 are transferred to a more central location within anchor body 12. Forces applied to bone anchor 10 below the surface of a bone are less likely to cause bone anchor 10 to become loosened or dislodged. Pins 23 a and 23 b are placed below hex socket 22 so a hex driver can be inserted without hitting the pins. This placement also allows sutures to be threaded through a hole in a driver tool (not shown) so that bone anchor 10 can be installed pre-loaded with sutures.
While bone anchor 10 has been illustrated with two pins (i.e., pins 23 a and 23 b), bone anchor 10 may have more or fewer pins depending on the required number of sutures and/or the space available within bore 30 for placing more sutures. For instance, in another embodiment, the anchor body 10 may have a single post with one or more sutures loaded thereon. Furthermore, a second pin can be disposed in bore 30 even where sutures are to be placed only on one pin, with the second pin being used solely to separate sutures. In addition, a second pin can be placed in anchor body 12 for structural support only.
Pins 23 a and 23 b are made from a strong metal or synthetic fiber so as to provide a ridged attachment point for sutures 36. In an exemplary embodiment, pins 23 a and 23 b are cylindrical to provide a smooth surface for sutures 36 to slide against. While pins 23 a and 23 b are illustrated as straight, pins 23 a and 23 b can be bent or have shapes other than cylindrical. Straight pins, however, can be more easily placed in anchor body 12 and therefore can reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing bone anchor 10. The foregoing and similar attachment devices are examples of rigid attachment means for attaching a suture to an anchor.
In one embodiment, one or both of pins 23 a and 23 b are made from a radioopaque material such as titanium or stainless steel. A radioopaque pin can be used with a radiotransparent anchor body, such as an anchor body made from a biodegradable material such as PLLA. This configuration of materials allows a practitioner to identify and locate bone anchor 10 in a radiograph when bone anchor 10 is made mostly of biodegradable materials.
The bone anchor according to the present invention need not be formed as a threaded device, but can also be formed as a tap-in type anchor. Also, the measurements, angles and ratios between the dimensions of the bone anchor can be varied from those described above and in the following alternative embodiment so as to be suitable for the conditions and applications in which the bone anchor is to be used.
Fine threads 38 are finer because they have a wider root diameter 46. Root diameter 46 of fine thread 38 is wider than root diameter 48 of coarse threads even after subtracting out the increase in width due to the overall taper of anchor body 12 as illustrated by lines 44 a and 44 b. Fine threads 38 have root diameter 46 and a major diameter 42 that are configured to engage harder bone. Coarse threads 40 have a root diameter 48 and major diameter 42 that are configured to engage soft bone. In an exemplary embodiment, major diameter 42 is about 5.3 mm, root diameter 46 is about 4.8 mm and root diameter 48 is about 3.3 mm. Fine threads 38 can have a similar shape as coarse threads 40 or a different shape as desired. For example, fine threads 38 can have a larger or smaller thread angle.
In one embodiment, fine threads 38 have the same pitch as coarse threads 40. By keeping the pitch the same between thread sections, the finer threads 38 will be able to use the same impression cut by coarse threads 40.
In manufacturing bone anchor 10, in accordance with the present invention, anchor body 12 and posts 23 can be cast and formed in a die. Alternatively anchor body 12 can be cast or formed and posts 23 a and 23 b inserted later. For instance, anchor body 12 can be cast and formed from PLLA. Anchor body 12 can then be drilled to prepare holes for stainless steel pins 23 a and 23 b.
The suture anchors according to the present invent can be distributed to practitioners with one or more of sutures 36 threaded through bore 30 and looped to pins 23 a and/or 23 b. In one method of manufacturing bone anchor 10, sutures 36 are looped on pins 23 a and 23 b as pins 23 a and 23 b are inserted into anchor body 12.
An example of a type of suture suitable for use in conjunction with the bone anchor of the present invention is #2 braided polyester. If more than one strand of sutures 36 is used, the sutures can be a different color such that a practitioner can more easily pair the ends of the sutures during a surgical operation.
Because bone anchor 10 is placed in humerus bone 54 at an angle, extension 18 provides a mechanical advantage against bone anchor 10 moving laterally and opening the angle to the tangent. By preventing lateral movement, extension 18 prevents sutures 36 from loosening once sutures 36 have been properly tied. In addition, if bone anchor 10 were to move within bone 54, bone anchor 10 can become dislodged and fail. Extension 18 does not have threads thereon, which reduce friction as bone anchor 10 is driven into a pilot hole.
Proximal end 14 of bone anchor 10 is substantially flat or non-protruding such that bone anchor 10 can be placed at or just below the surface of bone 54. Threads extend to proximal end 14 such that bone anchor 10 has maximum engagement with bone 54. The opening at proximal end 14 also allows for sutures 36 to exit the bore. The opening of the bore is smooth such that sutures 36 can easily slide thereon.
Sutures 36 exit bone anchor 10 at proximal end 14 and are drawn through the soft tissue of rotator cuff 56. Sutures 36 can be spaced to more evenly distribute the load exerted by rotator cuff 56. As shown in
Longitudinal pin 162 includes a portion that forms an insert 166 that is configured to be received in the opening of distal end 164. Insert 166 of pin 162 includes three attachment sites for looping three respective sutures thereon. Two attachment sites are provided by protrusions 168 a and 168 b (collectively protrusions 168). A third attachment site is provide by a transverse hole 170.
While protrusions 168 have been shown having a diameter smaller than the diameter of bore 130 at distal end 164, protrusions 168 can be made wider by providing a keyway that receives the protrusions as the insert 166 is received into bore 130.
Longitudinal pin 162 is also configured to engage threaded portion 160 to prevent the insert 166 from being pulled completely through bore 130. In the embodiment shown in
If desired, longitudinal pin 162 can be permanently or temporarily fixed to threaded portion 160 so as to prevent pin 162 from falling out of bore 130 (i.e. movement in the longitudinal direction) and/or from rotating within bore 130. Any mechanism can be used for preventing such movement so long as it does not disrupt the spacing in bore 130 that allows sutures 136 to freely slide. In one embodiment, pin 162 can be fixed using an adhesive. Alternatively the distal end of threaded portion 160 can interlock with tip 178 to provide a mechanical restriction to rotation.
Protrusion 168 b is also spaced apart from tip 178 and central portion 178 provides a barrier between protrusion 168 a and 168 b. If desired, spacers 172 can be placed between protrusions 168 a and 168 b to prevent sutures 136 a and 136 b from coming into contact.
The spacing and arrangement of central portion 178, protrusions 168, wall 174 and tip 176 allow sutures 136 a and 136 b to freely slide in bore 130 and maintain the sutures separated from one another along the portion of the sutures that are in contact with protrusions 168. As can be seen in
If desired, a second transverse hole can be made through central portion 174 to allow for placement of a fourth suture. In a preferred embodiment, this transverse hole is placed at a 90 degree angle to hole 170 such that the exits of this hole are positioned over spacers 172.
Protrusions 168 and spacers 172 can take any desired shape so long as the combination of protrusions and spacers allows sufficient space for a suture to be looped on the protrusion 168 and slide without being captured.
Bone anchor 100 can also include any of the features described above with respect to bone anchor 10. For example, bone anchor 100 can have fine and coarse threads, and extension, be made of a bioabsorbable material, and or have other similar features.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
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|Apparatus for rigidly fixing craniomaxillofacial tissue grafts and bone plates
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|Device for repairing a soft-tissue tear and method
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|Threaded suture anchor
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|Orthopedic screw and method
|May 24, 2002
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|Sep 28, 2001
|Apr 3, 2003
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|Self-tapping resorbable two-piece bone screw
|Oct 12, 2001
|Apr 17, 2003
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|Interference screws having increased proximal diameter
|Dec 17, 2002
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|Surgical system for tissue fixation
|Oct 8, 2002
|Jul 3, 2003
|Bio One Tech Inc.
|Bone-fixing device
|Jan 25, 2002
|Jul 31, 2003
|Medicinelodge, Inc.
|Threaded suture anchor and method of use
|Feb 15, 2002
|Aug 21, 2003
|Roy Sanders
|Surgical screw and tool for its insertion
|Mar 29, 2002
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|Ethicon, Inc.
|Threaded cable anchor
|Mar 28, 2002
|Oct 2, 2003
|David Lintner
|Suture anchor
|Jan 6, 2005
|Jun 2, 2005
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|Suture screw
|Apr 4, 2005
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|Fully threaded suture anchor with transverse anchor pin
|Aug 13, 1996
|Feb 27, 1997
|Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
|Suture anchor assembly
|Nov 24, 2003
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|Triage Medical
|Soft tissue anchor and method of using same
|Apr 18, 2005
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|Apparatus and methods for securing tissue to bone
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|Office Action dated Apr. 17, 2007 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/873,987.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|May 21, 2012
|May 14, 2013
|Stryker Corporation
|Suture anchor having a suture engaging structure and inserter arrangement
|May 28, 2013
|Arthrocare Corporation
|Graft pulley and methods of use
|May 27, 2010
|Aug 6, 2013
|Biomet Manufacturing, Llc
|Knee prosthesis assembly with ligament link
|Oct 25, 2011
|Aug 13, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for interosseous membrane reconstruction
|Jul 13, 2011
|Oct 8, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to bone
|May 2, 2011
|Oct 22, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop
|Oct 29, 2010
|Oct 22, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone
|May 19, 2011
|Nov 5, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method for trochanteric reattachment
|Nov 3, 2010
|Dec 3, 2013
|Biomet Manufacturing, Llc
|Method and apparatus for sternal closure
|Oct 21, 2011
|Dec 17, 2013
|Biomet Sports Medicine
|Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Dec 20, 2012
|Jan 21, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
|Jul 6, 2011
|Feb 18, 2014
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|Flexible anchors for tissue fixation
|Feb 8, 2010
|Mar 18, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method for implanting soft tissue
|Oct 7, 2011
|Mar 18, 2014
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|Fracture fixation device
|Mar 5, 2012
|May 13, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling anatomical features
|Mar 5, 2012
|Jul 8, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling anatomical features
|May 17, 2011
|Jul 8, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for tibial fixation of an ACL graft
|Aug 16, 2012
|Jul 15, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Chondral defect repair
|May 27, 2010
|Aug 12, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Prosthetic ligament system for knee joint
|Feb 17, 2012
|Sep 23, 2014
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Mar 20, 2012
|Oct 14, 2014
|Stryker Corporation
|Suture anchor having a suture engaging structure
|Dec 19, 2012
|Dec 2, 2014
|Biomet Manufacturing, Llc
|Method of implanting a prosthetic knee joint assembly
|Mar 5, 2012
|Jan 13, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to bone
|Nov 3, 2011
|Jan 20, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop
|May 17, 2011
|Mar 3, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for fixation of an ACL graft
|Aug 16, 2006
|Apr 7, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Soft tissue conduit device
|May 18, 2007
|Apr 14, 2015
|Arthrex, Inc.
|Swivel anchor and method for knotless fixation of tissue
|Nov 4, 2013
|Apr 14, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method for bone reattachment
|Apr 10, 2007
|Apr 28, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Adjustable knotless loops
|Oct 9, 2008
|Jul 7, 2015
|Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
|Toggle bolt suture anchor kit
|Mar 8, 2010
|Jul 14, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Fracture fixation device
|Jul 15, 2011
|Sep 22, 2015
|Tarsus Medical Inc.
|Methods and devices for treating a syndesmosis injury
|Nov 10, 2011
|Oct 6, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Nov 16, 2011
|Oct 20, 2015
|Hugh S. West, Jr.
|Bone anchors for use in attaching soft tissue to bone
|Oct 22, 2012
|Nov 3, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
|May 8, 2013
|Dec 22, 2015
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for tibial fixation of an ACL graft
|Dec 16, 2014
|Jan 26, 2016
|Valeris Medical, Llc
|Bone anchor delivery system device with sutures
|Apr 2, 2015
|Jan 26, 2016
|Valeris Medical, Llc
|Bone anchor delivery system device with sutures
|Apr 2, 2015
|Feb 2, 2016
|Valeris Medical, Llc
|Bone anchor delivery system device and method
|Nov 14, 2011
|Mar 1, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for tensioning a suture
|Oct 29, 2014
|Mar 1, 2016
|Valeris Medical, Llc
|Bone anchor delivery system device and method
|Feb 1, 2013
|Apr 19, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Jan 17, 2012
|Apr 26, 2016
|Hs West Investments, Llc
|Bone anchors with thread pattern optimized for attachment to hard and soft bone tissue
|Dec 19, 2012
|Jun 7, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and apparatus for stitching tendons
|Feb 1, 2013
|Jun 7, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Mar 8, 2013
|Jun 21, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Mar 8, 2013
|Jul 5, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method for coupling soft tissue to a bone
|Sep 14, 2012
|Aug 2, 2016
|Hs West Investments, Llc
|Suture anchors and assemblies for attaching soft tissue to bone
|Sep 24, 2012
|Aug 2, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC.
|Method for tissue fixation
|Feb 14, 2013
|Aug 16, 2016
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Soft tissue repair assembly and associated method
|Aug 5, 2013
|Aug 16, 2016
|Biomet Manufacturing, Llc
|Method of implanting a knee prosthesis assembly with a ligament link
|May 18, 2007
|Jan 3, 2008
|Arthrex, Inc.
|Swivel anchor and method for knotless fixation of tissue
|Apr 10, 2007
|Oct 16, 2008
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Inc.
|Adjustable knotless loops
|Oct 29, 2010
|Apr 28, 2011
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and Apparatus for Securing Soft Tissue to Bone
|May 5, 2011
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and Apparatus for Sternal Closure
|Nov 16, 2009
|May 19, 2011
|George Delli-Santi
|Graft pulley and methods of use
|Aug 25, 2011
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Method and Apparatus for Forming a Self-Locking Adjustable Loop
|Oct 7, 2011
|Apr 12, 2012
|Biomet Sports Medicine, Llc
|Fracture Fixation Device
|Jul 14, 2011
|Jul 19, 2012
|Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
|Toggle bolt assembly and method of assembly
|U.S. Classification
|606/232, 606/306
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|May 29, 2008
Owner name: HS WEST INVESTMENTS, LLC, UTAH
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WEST, JR., HUGH S., M.D.;REEL/FRAME:021014/0640
Effective date: 20080527
|Sep 11, 2012
|Surcharge for late payment
|Sep 11, 2012
|Certificate of correction
|Jul 29, 2015
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4


text:
Tomoki Kameda-Alejandro Hernandez Eyes Purse Bid
Mexico City, Mexico: The team for WBO Bantamweight interim champion Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez of Mexico will request purse bids for the mandatory fight against Champion Tomoki "El Mexicanito" Kameda.
The WBO had given the parties involved a 30 day period in order to negotiate and make the fight happen within 90 days. If there is no agreement they will call for purse bids.
"After receiving the letter from the WBO, I have tried to reach out to Kameda´s team with no success, we will request the WBO to call for purse bids" said Promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr. "We want to fulfill our obligations with the organization, and after talking with "Payasito" and my partner Ricardo Maldonado Jr we have the same goal which is bringing the fight to our hometown of Mexico City. We know him very well after sparring many times in Mexico and we are sure of the victory" he added.
Tomorrow Hernandez will be given the recently acquired belt by WBO ratings chairman Luis Perez at the Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford show at El Plaza Condesa, which is headlined by David "Severo" Carmona who faces Ricardo Rodriguez for the WBO World Youth super flyweight title.
Sounds like a good fight. I was impressed with kameda in the undercard for canelo vs lara. Also saw some weaknesses. Don't know much about HernandezComment by dinero fan on 07-25-2014
Good to see Hernandez getting a shot. Good luck to Hernandez.Post a Comment - View More User Comments (2)


text:
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text:
Former major leaguer and Hanahan High star Bryce Florie's first season as the head baseball coach at Northwood Academy had its share of ups and downs this spring.
The season came to an end on Monday night as the Chargers lost a first-round doubleheader to Laurence Manning Academy in the SCISA Class AAA state playoffs. Northwood lost the first game, 6-3, and dropped Game 2, 10-0.
The Chargers finish with an 11-7 record, and Florie came away pleased overall.
"I thought with the level of talent and experience that we had when we started this season, we had a pretty good season," said Florie. "We ran into a better team tonight. They were more experienced, bigger and stronger. We had three seniors, and our two starting pitchers tonight were a sophomore and a freshman.
"We have to become better at everything, but mainly we have to find baseball players who are serious about the game and who will work year-round to become better baseball players. If we can do that, we have a chance to compete here."
Laurence Manning senior Mark Pipkin proved to be nearly a one-man wrecking crew, blasting a game-changing grand slam in Game 1 and pitching four shutout innings in Game 2.
The Chargers had command of the opener behind sophomore starter Jon Glee, but the Swampcats used a five-run fifth inning to take a 6-3 victory.
Pipkin delivered the big blow with a grand slam high to left after the Swampcats loaded the bases with only hit.
Northwood scored single runs in the first, third and fourth, but left eight runners on base through the first four innings.
Glee was effective through the first four innings, allowing only three hits, but led off the fifth by hitting pinch-hitter Buddy Bleasdale. Shortstop J.T. Eppley followed with a bunt single and Glee walked Cagney Brunson. After an error on a grounder to short allowed one run to score, Pipkin's blast made it 6-3.
"The difference, in my mind, was we had our chances early to score some runs against a very good pitcher and we left them out there," said Florie. "We left eight guys on base in the first four innings. If we manage to score a few of those early, who knows? They get the bases loaded and their big guy delivers a big hit."
Laurence Manning starter Linc Powell went the distance, facing the minimum over the final three innings. Powell allowed two earned runs on six hits while fanning five.
Northwood junior third baseman Will Lloyd led the Chargers' offensive attack with three hits in four at-bats.
Game two was all Laurence Manning as the Swampcats scored eight runs in the first three innings and Pipkin dominated on the mound. The 6-4, 230-pound right-hander, headed to The Citadel in the Fall, allowed one hit and struck out seven in four innings of work.
Right fielder Davis Martin had a pair of two-run doubles to highlight the offensive attack for Laurence Manning but Northwood committed seven errors leading to five unearned runs.
Laurence Manning (12-6) advances to play defending state champion Hammond on Friday.
For Northwood, the season ended the playing careers of three seniors - outfielder Noah Hammond, infielder Drew Duncan and catcher Daniel Duncan.


text:
Queen mother
|Prince / Infante
|Sovereign Prince / Fürst
|Marquess / Marquis /
Margrave / Landgrave
|Count / Earl
|Viscount / Vidame
A Queen mother is a dowager queen who was the mother of the reigning monarch (or an empress mother in the case of an empire).[1] The term has been used in English since at least 1577.[2] It arises in hereditary monarchies in Europe and is also used to describe a number of similar yet distinct monarchical concepts in non-European cultures around the world.
"The Queen Mother" usually refers to Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 1900–2002 (queen, 1936–1952; queen mother, 1952–2002), who was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II, and held the status of queen mother for 50 years.
A widowed queen consort, or dowager queen, has an important royal position (regardless whether or not she is the mother of the reigning sovereign) but does not normally have any rights to succeed a king as monarch on his death unless she happens to be next in line to the throne (one possibility would be if the King and Queen were also cousins and childless, the King had no other siblings, and she in her other position as his cousin was also his heiress presumptive).
A new reigning king would have (at accession or eventually) a wife who would be the new queen consort; and, of course, a queen regnant would also be called 'queen'. More to the point, there may be more than one queen dowager at any given time.
The title 'queen mother' evolved to distinguish a queen dowager from all other queens when she is also the mother of the reigning sovereign. Thus, upon the death of her husband, George V, Mary of Teck became a queen mother, retaining the status throughout the reigns of her sons, Edward VIII and George VI.
The title also distinguishes former queen consorts from those who are simply the mother of the current monarch. For example, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was "the Queen's mother" when her daughter Victoria became queen regnant, but she was not "queen mother." It should be noted, however, that the title in British usage is purely a courtesy title. Whereas the wife of a king must be "queen", there is no constitutional or statutory recognition of the "Queen Mother" as a "real" title.
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother served as a Counsellor of State several times.
Ottoman Empire[edit]
In the Ottoman Empire, "Valide sultan" (Ottoman Turkish: والده سلطان, literally "mother sultan") was the title held by the empress mother of a ruling Sultan.[3] The title was first used in the 16th century for Ayşe Hafsa Sultan, consort of Selim I and mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, superseding the previous title of mehd-i ülya ("cradle of the great").[3] The Turkish pronunciation of the word Valide is [vaː.liˈde].
The position was perhaps the most important position in the Ottoman Empire after the sultan himself. As the mother to the sultan, by Islamic tradition ("A mother's right is God's right"),[4] the valide sultan would have a significant influence on the affairs of the empire. She had great power in the court and her own rooms (always adjacent to her sons) and state staff.[3] In particular during the 17th century, in a period known as the "Sultanate of Women", a series of incompetent or child sultans raised the role of the valide sultan to new heights.[5]
Other oriental monachies[edit]
In India, a queen (often styled rani and/or beghum) who becomes queen-mother is known in Hindi as rajmata
African monarchies[edit]
In Swaziland, for example, the queen mother, or Ndlovukati, reigns alongside her son. She serves as a ceremonial figurehead, while her son serves as the administrative head of state. He has absolute power. She is important at festivals such as the annual reed dance ceremony.
In many matrilineal societies of West Africa, such as the Ashanti, the queen mother is the one through whom royal descent is reckoned and thus wields considerable power. One of the greatest leaders of Ashanti was Nana Yaa Asantewaa (1840–1921), who led her subjects against the British Empire during the War of the Golden Stool in 1900.
In more symbolically driven societies such as the kingdoms of the Yoruba peoples, the queen mother may not even be a blood relative of the reigning monarch. She could be a female individual of any age who is vested with the ritual essence of the departed queens in a ceremonial sense, and who is practically regarded as the monarch's mother as a result. A good example is Oloye Erelu Kuti of Lagos, who has been seen as the iya oba or queen mother of every succeeding king of that realm, due to the activities of the three successors to her noble title that have reigned since her demise.
Recent British Queens Mother[edit]
The following queens became queens mother, though not all chose to use that style.
- Queen Alexandra (1844–1925): widow of King Edward VII and mother of King George V.
- Queen Mary (1867–1953): widow of King George V and mother of kings Edward VIII and George VI. Queen Mary never used the title Queen Mother, because she thought it implied advancing years,[6] choosing instead to be known as "Queen Mary" and that style was used to describe her in the Court Circular. But she was a queen mother just the same.
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900–2002): the widow of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. In some of the British media, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was often referred to as the Queen Mum, and the term "Queen Mother" remains associated with her after her death.
Other notable mothers of kings[edit]
These mothers of monarchs, and others, albeit not always officially so titled have also been considered equal to queen mothers:
- Amarindra (1810–1826) Siam
- Anna Pavlovna of Russia (1849–1865) Netherlands
- Anne of Austria (1643–1666) France and Navarre
- Ayşe Hafsa Sultan (1520–1534) Ottoman Empire
- Bathsheba (11th century BC) Israel and Judah
- Blanche of Castile (1226–1252) France
- Bona Sforza (1548–1557) Poland and Lithuania
- Catherine de Medici (1559–1589) France
- Catherine of Valois (1401–1437) England
- Debsirindra (1834–1861) Siam (Thailand)
- Desideria (1844–1859) Sweden and Norway
- Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1890–1934) Netherlands
- Elizabeth, Queen Dowager of England (1483–1483) (1486–1492) England
- Frederica of Hanover (1964–1981) Greece
- Gayatri Devi (1919−2009) Jaipur (India)
- Gayatri Rajapatni (1309–1350) Majapahit (Indonesia)
- Handan Valide Sultan (1574–1605) Ottoman Empire
- Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (1636–1715) Sweden
- Helen of Greece and Denmark (1940–1948) Romania
- Kosem Valide Sultan (1623–1648) Ottoman Empire
- Ingrid of Sweden (1972–2000) Denmark
- Josephine of Leuchtenberg (1859–1872) Sweden and Norway
- Jijabai (1598–1674) Maratha Empire (India)
- Keōpūolani (1778–1823) Hawaii (United States)
- Margaret of Savoy (1900–1926) Italy
- Maria Christina of Austria (1906–1929) Spain
- Maria of Romania (1934–1961) Yugoslavia
- Marie de' Medici (1610–1642) France
- Queen Mother Moore (1972–1996) Ashanti people (Ghana)
- Nazli Sabri (1936–1950) Egypt
- Norodom Monineath (from 1936) Cambodia
- Nurbanu Sultan(1574–1583)Ottoman Empire
- Safiye Sultan (1595–1603) Ottoman Empire
- Saovabha Phongsri (1910–1919) Thailand
- Sri Suriyendra (1767–1836) Siam (Thailand)
- Tiye (14th century BC) Egypt
- Turhan Hatice Sultan (1651–1681) Ottoman Empire
- Zein al-Sharaf Talal (1952–1994) Jordan
Exceptional cases[edit]
- Ingeborg of Norway (1301–61), Duchess of Sweden, acted and ranked as if she were a queen regnant for a year before the Swedish reign of her son, King Magnus IV, and thereafter as if she were his queen mother, serving intermittently on his board of regents. However, she was never officially recognized as queen or queen mother.[7]
- Her granddaughter-in-law Margaret (1353–1412), who ruled all of Scandinavia as the mother of one king and the adoptive mother of another, held a similar complicated unofficial position, but much longer and in traditional history given the title of Queen. Early in her career, she had been Queen consort of Norway for 17 years and of Sweden for one year.
- Jijabai: She was neither consort of a ruling king nor a ruling queen/regent. In practical terms her husband Shahaji was nobleman under other rulers. But her son founded an independent empire and became a sovereign emperor. Hence she is given the status of Queen Mother - Rajmata.
- Helen of Greece and Denmark: wife, from 1921 to 1928, of the future Carol II of Romania, and mother of King Michael of Romania. In circumstances that read like a soap opera, Michael first ruled 1927–30, before his father was king (and again after his father abdicated). When in 1930 Carol returned to Romania and assumed the throne, he actually retrodated his reign to 1927, the year his father (King Ferdinand) died. As Helen had not yet divorced her playboy husband at the time (that was to happen in the following year), he unwittingly granted her the retroactive title of queen. Thus, in 1940, after his abdication and the second accession of their son, she rightfully became the queen mother of Romania.
- Similarly, Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur was the third wife of her husband, the monarch, but not the mother of his successor, a son by the king's first wife. However, she has been accorded the title of queen mother (Rajmata) anyway.
- The Valide Sultan, the mother of an Ottoman Sultan, is sometimes referred to as queen mother, even though she may never have been queen consort.
- Mary Stuart was the Queen Consort of France, during the time of 1559-1560. After the death of her husband, Francis II she became only Dowager queen, because she and Francis had no children. In that time the title was used by Catherine de' Medici.
"King mother"[edit]
Diana, Princess of Wales, reportedly once suggested to journalist Andrew Morton (author of Diana: Her True Story) that when her son, Prince William, became king, she would be known as "King Mother".[8] No such designation has ever officially existed, nor is there independent evidence that such terminology was ever considered. Queen mother means "queen who is mother to the current monarch", not "mother of the queen"; "king mother" is a contradiction in terms.
However, of note, and possibly Diana's basis for the idea, is the style My Lady The King's Mother, held by Margaret Beaufort during the reign of her son, Henry VII of England. In the Strontium Dog story "The Royal Affair" in 2000 AD a few years earlier, the mother of the reigning King was referred to in-story as the King Mother.
King father[edit]
If a king were to abdicate and pass the throne to his child, then in that case the king could have his son or daughter style him as a king father. King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia was styled as HM King-Father Norodom Sihanouk when he abdicated in favor of his son.[9] When King Albert II of the Belgians abdicated in 2013 his style shorted to His Majesty King Albert (as did King Leopold's before him); "king father" is the name of his role rather than forming part of his style or title.
Currently Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the king father of Bhutan.
When Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III of Brunei abdicated, he became the Begawan Sultan or the Sultan-Father. He was given the title of His Majesty the Sultan-Father and this office became vacant when he died.
Queen grandmother[edit]
Bhutan is the only country in the world that currently has a queen grandmother. The title is currently held by Kesang Choden.
In 1603, when Ahmet I ascended the throne upon the death of his father Mehmet III, his grandmother Valide Safiye Sultan was still alive. Thus, she was Bük Valide. It also happened with Kösem Sultan when her grandson was appointed sultan.
The same thing happened when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne: the Queen Mother was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the Queen Grandmother was Queen Mary.
Current European comparisons[edit]
Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Paola of Belgium and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands hold a similar role as mothers of their country's reigning monarchs. Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, King Albert II of Belgium and King Juan Carlos I of Spain hold a similar paternal role.
See also[edit]
- ^ A queen mother is defined as "A Queen dowager who is the mother of the reigning sovereign" by both the Oxford English Dictionary and Webster's Third New International Dictionary.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary
- ^ a b c Davis, Fanny (1986). "The Valide". The Ottoman Lady: A Social History from 1718 to 1918. ISBN 0-313-24811-7.
- ^ "Can Muslims Celebrate Mother's Day?". Belief.net. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Peirce, Leslie P., The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire, Oxford University Press, 1993, ISBN 0-19-508677-5 (paperback)
- ^ Michie, God Save The Queen at 290
- ^ Grethe Authén Blom Norsk Historisk Tidskrift Oslo 1981 p. 425
- ^ Source: Andrew Morton, interviewed by Gay Byrne on The Late Late Show on RTÉ
- ^ Denis D. Gray (February 4, 2013). "Cambodia mourns as 'King-Father' Sihanouk cremated". Yahoo News. Retrieved August 22, 2016.


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Chasing the Last Laugh: Mark Twain's Raucous and Redemptive Round-the-World Comedy Tourby Richard Zacks
From Richard Zacks, bestselling author of Island of Vice and The Pirate Hunter, a rich and lively account of how Mark Twain's late-life adventures abroad helped him recover from financial disaster and family tragedy--and revived his world-class sense of humorMark Twain, the highest-paid writer in America in 1894, was also one of the nation's worst investors. "There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate," he wrote. "When he can't afford it and when he can." The publishing company Twain owned was failing; his investment in a typesetting device was bleeding red ink. After losing hundreds of thousands of dollars back when a beer cost a nickel, he found himself neck-deep in debt. His heiress wife, Livy, took the setback hard. "I have a perfect horror and heart-sickness over it," she wrote. "I cannot get away from the feeling that business failure means disgrace." But Twain vowed to Livy he would pay back every penny. And so, just when the fifty-nine-year-old, bushy-browed icon imagined that he would be settling into literary lionhood, telling jokes at gilded dinners, he forced himself to mount the "platform" again, embarking on a round-the-world stand-up comedy tour. No author had ever done that. He cherry-picked his best stories--such as stealing his first watermelon and buying a bucking bronco--and spun them into a ninety-minute performance. Twain trekked across the American West and onward by ship to the faraway lands of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, India, Ceylon, and South Africa. He rode an elephant twice and visited the Taj Mahal. He saw Zulus dancing and helped sort diamonds at the Kimberley mines. (He failed to slip away with a sparkly souvenir.) He played shuffleboard on cruise ships and battled captains for the right to smoke in peace. He complained that his wife and daughter made him shave and change his shirt every day. The great American writer fought off numerous illnesses and travel nuisances to circle the globe and earn a huge payday and a tidal wave of applause. Word of his success, however, traveled slowly enough that one American newspaper reported that he had died penniless in London. That's when he famously quipped: "The report of my death was an exaggeration." Throughout his quest, Twain was aided by cutthroat Standard Oil tycoon H.H. Rogers, with whom he had struck a deep friendship, and he was hindered by his own lawyer (and future secretary of state) Bainbridge Colby, whom he deemed "head idiot of this century." In Chasing the Last Laugh, author Richard Zacks, drawing extensively on unpublished material in notebooks and letters from Berkeley's ongoing Mark Twain Project, chronicles a poignant chapter in the author's life--one that began in foolishness and bad choices but culminated in humor, hard-won wisdom, and ultimate triumph.From the Hardcover edition.
Island of Viceby Richard Zacks
When young Theodore Roosevelt was appointed police commissioner of New York City, he had the astounding gall to try to shut down the brothels, gambling joints, and after-hours saloons. This is the story of how TR took on Manhattan vice . . . and vice won. In the 1890s, New York City was America's financial, manufacturing, and entertainment capital, and also its preferred destination for sin, teeming with forty thousand prostitutes, glittery casinos, and all-night dives. Police captains took hefty bribes to see nothing while reformers writhed in frustration. In Island of Vice, Richard Zacks paints a vivid portrait of the lewd underbelly of 1890s New York, and of Theodore Roosevelt, the puritanical, cocksure police commissioner resolved to clean it up. Writing with great wit and zest, Zacks explores how young Roosevelt goes head to head with Tammany Hall, takes midnight rambles with muckraker Jacob Riis, and tries to convince two million New Yorkers to enjoy wholesome family fun. When Roosevelt's crackdown succeeds too well, even his supporters turn on him, and TR discovers that New York loves its sin more than its salvation. With cameos by Stephen Crane, Mark Twain, and a horde of very angry cops, Island of Vice is an unforgettable snapshot of turn-of-the-century New York in all its seedy glory and a brilliant miniature of one of America's most colorful presidents.
The Pirate Coastby Richard Zacks
A real-life thriller--the true story of the unheralded American who brought the Barbary Pirates to their knees. In an attempt to stop the legendary Barbary Pirates of North Africa from hijacking American ships, William Eaton set out on a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. The operation was sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson, who at the last moment grew wary of "intermeddling" in a foreign government and sent Eaton off without proper national support. Short on supplies, given very little money and only a few men, Eaton and his mission seemed doomed from the start. He triumphed against all odds, recruited a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria, and led them on a march across the Libyan Desert. Once in Tripoli, the ragtag army defeated the local troops and successfully captured Derne, laying the groundwork for the demise of the Barbary Pirates. Now, Richard Zacks brings this important story of America's first overseas covert op to life.
The Pirate Hunterby Richard Zacks
Everybody knows the legend of Captain Kidd, America's most ruthless buccanneer. Few people realize that the facts of his life make for a much better tale. Kidd was actually a tough New York sea captain hired to chase pirates, a married war hero whose secret mission took a spectacularly bad turn.This harrowing tale traces Kidd's voyages in the 1690s from his home near Wall Street to Whitehall Palace in London, from the ports of the Caribbean to a secret pirate paradise off Madagascar. Author Richard Zacks, during his research, also unearthed the story of a long forgotten rogue named Robert Culliford, who dogged Kidd and led Kidd's crew to mutiny not once but twice. The lives of Kidd and Culliford play out like an unscripted duel: one man would hang in the harbor, the other would walk away with the treasure. Filled with superb writing and impeccable research, The Pirate Hunter is both a masterpiece of historical detective work and a ripping good yarn, and it delivers something rare: an authentic pirate story for grown-ups.
An Underground Educationby Richard Zacks
The best kind of knowledge is uncommon knowledge.Okay, so maybe you know all the stuff you're supposed to know--that there are teenier things than atoms, that Remembrance of Things Past has something to do with a perfumed cookie, that the Monroe Doctrine means we get to take over small South American countries when we feel like it. But really, is this kind of knowledge going to make you the hit of the cocktail party, or the loser spending forty-five minutes examining the host's bookshelves?Wouldn't you rather learn things like how the invention of the bicycle affected the evolution of underwear? Or that the 1949 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to a doctor who performed lobotomies with a household ice pick? Or how Catherine the Great really died? Or that heroin was sold over the counter not too long ago?For the truly well-rounded "intellectual," nothing fascinates so much as the subversive, the contrarian, the suppressed, and the bizarre. Richard Zacks, auto-didact extraordinaire, has unloosed his admittedly strange mind and astonishing research abilities upon the entire spectrum of human knowledge, ferreting out endlessly fascinating facts, stories, photos, and images guaranteed to make you laugh, gasp in wonder, and occasionally shudder at the depths of human depravity. The result of his labors is this fantastically illustrated quasi-encyclopedia that provides alternative takes on art, business, crime, science, medicine, sex (lots of that), and many other facets of human experience.Immensely entertaining, and arguably enlightening, An Underground Education is the only book that explains the birth of motion pictures using photos of naked baseball players.Richard Zacks is the author of History Laid Bare: Love, Sex and Perversity from the Ancient Etruscans to Warren G. Harding, which was excerpted in classy magazines like Harper's and earned the attention of the even classier New York Times, which noted that "Zacks specializes in the raunchy and perverse." The Georgia State Legislature voted on whether to ban the book from public libraries. He has studied Arabic, Greek, Latin, French, Italian, and Hebrew, and received the Phillips Classical Greek Award at the University of Michigan. He has also told his publisher that he made a living in Cairo cheating royalty from a certain Arab country at games of chance, although the claim remains unverified. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, The Village Voice, TV Guide, and similarly diverse publications. Zacks is married and busy warping the minds of his two children, Georgia and Ziegfield. He resides in New York City, and can be reached via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com the Hardcover edition.
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JABALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip (AP) - In the most intense battle in Gaza in months, an Israeli army raid left 11 Palestinians dead Thursday, including eight who witnesses said were hit by an Israeli tank shell fired at a crowd. Israel insisted it targeted only armed men.
More than 140 Palestinians were hurt, 35 of them seriously, doctors said.
The crackdown at the Jabaliya refugee camp - the largest and most heavily armed Palestinian shantytown - came a day after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 14 Israelis and an American teenager on a bus in the Israeli port city of Haifa.
Also Thursday, Israeli troops in the West Bank killed three Palestinians: a gunman, a 16-year-old boy and a 55-year-old mother of eight cutting grass for her sheep.
After nightfall Thursday, witnesses said about 100 Israeli tanks and other military vehicles moved toward the Jabaliya camp again, signaling the second large-scale incursion in the area in as many days. The Israeli military would say only that an operation was in progress.
In raiding Jabaliya, troops met fierce resistance from hundreds of Palestinian gunmen who fired assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at Israeli tanks and helicopters raking the streets with machine-gun fire. In anticipation of an incursion, militants had also planted explosives in the streets, detonating them by remote control as armored vehicles drove by.
The army said several tanks were damaged in the fighting. "We were prepared," said a gunman, his face covered by a black ski mask.
The target of the raid was Abdel Karim Ziada, a Hamas militant and weapons maker. Soldiers searching his family home found assault rifles, grenades, explosive devices and anti-tank missile launchers, the army said. Troops later blew up the house.
Israeli military commentators criticized the timing of the raid, saying world sympathy for Israel after the bus bombing was pushed aside by the many Palestinian casualties in Gaza.
In the early stage of the raid, sometime after midnight, two gunmen and a mosque guard were killed by Israeli fire. Close to 7 a.m., as Israeli troops were withdrawing, eight Palestinians - including three boys ages 12, 13 and 14 - were killed in disputed circumstances.
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Manchester police were searching for the driver who hit a cyclist on Mast Road and took off on Wednesday afternoon.
The cyclist was taken to Catholic Medical Center with serious injuries.
Police asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to give them a call.