As used herein, an "interface," "user interface," or "engagement interface" refers to an area, a boundary, structure, or a place at which two separate and/or independent structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, and/or systems join, connect, are coupled, or meet and act on, or communicate, mechanically and/or electronically, with each other. In certain embodiments, "interface" may refer to a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, or phases. In certain embodiments, the term interface may be used with an adjective that identifies a type or function for the interface. For example, an engagement or coupling interface may refer to one or more structures that interact, connect, or couple to mechanically join or connect two separate structures, each connected to a side of the interface. In another example, a user interface may refer to one or more mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical structures that interact with or enable a user to provide user input, instructions, input signals, data, or data values and receive output, output data, or feedback. … more As used herein, an "interface," "user interface," or "engagement interface" refers to an area, a boundary, structure, or a place at which two separate and/or independent structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, and/or systems join, connect, are coupled, or meet and act on, or communicate, mechanically and/or electronically, with each other. In certain embodiments, "interface" may refer to a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, or phases. In certain embodiments, the term interface may be used with an adjective that identifies a type or function for the interface. For example, an engagement or coupling interface may refer to one or more structures that interact, connect, or couple to mechanically join or connect two separate structures, each connected to a side of the interface. In another example, a user interface may refer to one or more mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical structures that interact with or enable a user to provide user input, instructions, input signals, data, or data values and receive output, output data, or feedback.

As used herein, “passage” refers to a duct, a vessel, an opening, a void, or other channel in a body, part, component, or structure, of a an apparatus, instrument, structure, member, device, component, system, or assembly. In certain embodiments, a passage is narrow and longer than the passage is wide. (Search "passage" on wordhippo.com. WordHippo, 2021. Web. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.) … more As used herein, “passage” refers to a duct, a vessel, an opening, a void, or other channel in a body, part, component, or structure, of a an apparatus, instrument, structure, member, device, component, system, or assembly. In certain embodiments, a passage is narrow and longer than the passage is wide. (Search "passage" on wordhippo.com. WordHippo, 2021. Web. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.)

As used herein, a “stop” refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, member, device, component, system, or assembly structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to prevent, limit, impede, stop, or restrict motion or movement and/or operation of another object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly. … more As used herein, a “stop” refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, member, device, component, system, or assembly structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to prevent, limit, impede, stop, or restrict motion or movement and/or operation of another object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly.

As used herein, a “sleeve” refers to structure that is narrow and longer longitudinally than the structure is wide. In certain embodiments, a sleeve serves to surround, enclose, wrap, and/or contain something else. In certain embodiments, a sleeve may surround, enclose, wrap, and/or contain a passage or void. (Search "sleeve" on wordhippo.com. WordHippo, 2021. Web. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.) In certain embodiments, the term sleeve may be preceded by an adjective that identifies the structure, implement, component or instrument that may be used with, inserted into or associated with the sleeve. For example, a “pin sleeve” may be configured to accept a pin or wire such as a K-wire, a “drive sleeve” may be configured to accept a drill or drill bit, a “fixation member sleeve” may be configured to accept a fastener or fixation member. A “pin guide sleeve” is a sleeve for a pin guide. The pin guide may be a guide implemented as a pin. … more As used herein, a “sleeve” refers to structure that is narrow and longer longitudinally than the structure is wide. In certain embodiments, a sleeve serves to surround, enclose, wrap, and/or contain something else. In certain embodiments, a sleeve may surround, enclose, wrap, and/or contain a passage or void. (Search "sleeve" on wordhippo.com. WordHippo, 2021. Web. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.) In certain embodiments, the term sleeve may be preceded by an adjective that identifies the structure, implement, component or instrument that may be used with, inserted into or associated with the sleeve. For example, a “pin sleeve” may be configured to accept a pin or wire such as a K-wire, a “drive sleeve” may be configured to accept a drill or drill bit, a “fixation member sleeve” may be configured to accept a fastener or fixation member. A “pin guide sleeve” is a sleeve for a pin guide. The pin guide may be a guide implemented as a pin.

As used herein, a "protrusion" refers to a structure or portion of a structure that protrudes or extends from at least one other structure such as a surface of the at least one other structure. Generally, the other structure is connected to, or in contact with, the protrusion. … more As used herein, a "protrusion" refers to a structure or portion of a structure that protrudes or extends from at least one other structure such as a surface of the at least one other structure. Generally, the other structure is connected to, or in contact with, the protrusion.

As used herein, a "lock" or "lock mechanism" refers to an object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly that either alone or in combination with other parts or components prevents, limits, impedes, is in a fixed relationship to, stops, or restricts motion or movement and/or operation of the another object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly. … more As used herein, a "lock" or "lock mechanism" refers to an object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly that either alone or in combination with other parts or components prevents, limits, impedes, is in a fixed relationship to, stops, or restricts motion or movement and/or operation of the another object, member, structure, component, part, apparatus, system, or assembly.

As used herein, an "engagement axis" refers to an axis about which one apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module engages with another apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module either permanently or temporarily. … more As used herein, an "engagement axis" refers to an axis about which one apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module engages with another apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module either permanently or temporarily.

As used herein, a “hirth coupling” or "hirth joint" refers to a type of mechanical connection named after its developer Albert Hirth. It can be used to connect two pieces of a shaft together and is characterized by tapered teeth that mesh together on the end faces of each half shaft. (Search "hirth coupling" on Wikipedia.com 2 Oct. 2021. CC-BY-SA 3.0 Modified. Accessed Nov. 15, 2021.) … more As used herein, a “hirth coupling” or "hirth joint" refers to a type of mechanical connection named after its developer Albert Hirth. It can be used to connect two pieces of a shaft together and is characterized by tapered teeth that mesh together on the end faces of each half shaft. (Search "hirth coupling" on Wikipedia.com 2 Oct. 2021. CC-BY-SA 3.0 Modified. Accessed Nov. 15, 2021.)

As used herein, a "collar" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, system, or assembly structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, shaped, or engineered to resemble a clothing collar in shape or use. In certain embodiments, a collar may be open or closed. Examples of a collar may include a ring or round flange that may be used to restrain motion or to hold something in place. (search "collar" on Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021. Web. 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.) … more As used herein, a "collar" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, system, or assembly structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, shaped, or engineered to resemble a clothing collar in shape or use. In certain embodiments, a collar may be open or closed. Examples of a collar may include a ring or round flange that may be used to restrain motion or to hold something in place. (search "collar" on Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021. Web. 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.)

As used herein, a “socket” refers to a hollow, void, opening, or depression formed in or defined within a surface of an object or structure. In certain embodiments, the socket does not pass through the object or structure having the surface. A socket can have a variety of cross-section shapes (e.g., ovoid, oval, round, circular, rectangular, square, or the like) and have a variety of configurations for one or more walls that define the socket. In one example, a socket can have one or more walls that connect in rounded corners. In certain embodiments, a socket is sized and shaped to receive or accept another structure. In certain embodiments, a socket may comprise a stepped socket having a proximal portion and a distal portion and the two portions have different diameters or different widths or lengths that define a step between the two portions. … more As used herein, a “socket” refers to a hollow, void, opening, or depression formed in or defined within a surface of an object or structure. In certain embodiments, the socket does not pass through the object or structure having the surface. A socket can have a variety of cross-section shapes (e.g., ovoid, oval, round, circular, rectangular, square, or the like) and have a variety of configurations for one or more walls that define the socket. In one example, a socket can have one or more walls that connect in rounded corners. In certain embodiments, a socket is sized and shaped to receive or accept another structure. In certain embodiments, a socket may comprise a stepped socket having a proximal portion and a distal portion and the two portions have different diameters or different widths or lengths that define a step between the two portions.

As used herein, a "engagement member" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to connect, join, link, couple to, or engage with another apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module either permanently or temporarily. The connection, coupling, linkage, or engagement may be a mechanical connection or interconnection. … more As used herein, a "engagement member" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to connect, join, link, couple to, or engage with another apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly or module either permanently or temporarily. The connection, coupling, linkage, or engagement may be a mechanical connection or interconnection.