Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of conditions in which it is desired to simultaneously hyperthermally treat diseased target tissue in a patient and dilate a lumen of a patient which is compressed and/or obstructed by the diseased target tissue and/or surrounding tissue is disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical handpiece for surgery on a patient has a handpiece with distal and proximal ends on a housing thereof for manipulation by a surgeon. A vibrator is carried within a hollow inside of the housing. A tool extends from the vibrator at the distal end to a distal tip and is tubular with a bore along its axis so axial vibrations at high frequency are transmitted to the distal tip. Fluid flows from the distal tip to the vibrator, cools the vibrator and connects to a source of suction at the proximal end. A flue carried cantilever on the distal end extends about the tool so a space is between the tool and the flue for guiding fluid from the distal end to the distal tip. A port located through the tool connects between the space and the bore and is axially positioned near the distal end to collect fluid. An inlet on the flue is near the distal end for fluid provided by a supply. The inlet is axial distal of the port and/or may meter fluid to a preset range.

Abstract: A device for implanting endoprostheses has a tubular outer body and an elongated core element placed inside of the outer body. To operate the device, both the core element and the tubular body are provided with handles at their proximal ends. In order to produce a form-locking connection between the endoprosthesis and the core element, the core element exhibits a region in which is impressed a stamping corresponding to the inner form of the endoprosthesis. As a result, there are a great number of form-locking meshing sites between the enclosed, folded endoprosthesis and the core element. A device with this type of design permits a partially released endoprostheses to be folded back up in a radially contracted state again by pushing the tubular body forward so that the endoprosthesis may be repositioned. In addition, sure and reliable operation is achieved by this type of stamping of the core element.

Abstract: A targeting device for making holes in cortical bone for bone nails has a right angle drill which interconnects to a telescopic guide member. The guide member attaches to the drill at the side thereof opposite the chuck. The free end of the telescopic guide attaches to an X-ray machine and maintains the drill in position during the drilling operation. A manual targeting device is used to locate bores in the bone nail and to spot drill the bone. The aligned telescopic guide is then used to complete the drilling operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for setting a spine having damaged vertebrae, comprising an anchoring element including a shaft portion (16) to be attached to spaced vertebrae, the free end of said anchoring element including a slot (24) for receiving a distracting or, respectively, compressing bar (40) and a cap nut (42) to be screwed onto an outer thread (32) provided in the region of the receiving slot to urge an axial fixing portion (44) towards the bar received in said receiving slot.

Abstract: A minimally invasive retractor and dissector for internal surgical use on a patient's body has a tubular support for passing into the patient's body. A proximal end on the tubular support located outside the patient's body is in position to provide access for the surgeon. A distal end on the tubular support located inside the patient's body to provide access within the patient for surgery. A control is located at the proximal end of the tabular support. One or more articulated members are movably positioned relative to the distal end of the tubular support so each of the articulated members allows swinging relative to the distal end. A rotator connects to the proximal end of the tubular support for movement relative to the control. An instrument moves independently of the tubular support when the articulated members and the distal tips cooperatively function on the tissue.

Abstract: An active electrode switches from a monopolar mode extending from a handpiece and a patient return to a bipolar mode with the active and return electrodes extending. An active lead selectively connects the active output and the active electrode. A return lead selectively connects the return electrode and the return output in the monopolar mode or the return terminal when in the bipolar mode. Terminals connect with wiring to the electrodes to complete the circuit for the bipolar mode. One terminal is on the generator and one is in the handpiece to connect to the electrodes and complete the circuit for bipolar. The electrode has a control on the handpiece for the surgeon to change circuitry and to position the electrode for each mode. The return electrode in the monopolar mode is in the handpiece disconnected from its terminal. The return electrode connects to its terminal when extended from the handpiece but for monopolar a pair of patient pads connected to a monitoring circuit test continuity.

Abstract: The packaging for a catheter comprises a flat air tight support member and a cover member formed of an air tight and flexible sheet adhered by its periphery on the support member. A vacuum is exerted between the support member and the cover member by connection of a duct to a vacuum pump, and the duct is then sealed. The cover member thus takes the relief of the shapes of the catheter whatever they are.

Abstract: Support device for the human vertebral column having an elongated dorsally implantable holding device, at least two pedicle screws which have a head and a threaded shank and the head of which is mounted on the holding device pivotally about an axis which extends approximately perpendicularly to the threaded shank axis whilst the threaded shank projects from the holding device, and a securing device for the fixing of the pedicle screws in the set angular position and at desired axial intervals from each other, wherein the holding device includes at least two separate preferably threaded bolts which cooperate with a preferably threaded sleeve and which at the head ends includes a clamping surface lying on the axis or axis-parallel, the head of the pedicle screws includes two approximately parallel clamping faces extending approximately parallel to the threaded shank axis and for each bolt a screw connection is provided which clampingly fixes with respect to each other in their position the clamping surfaces of

Abstract: A mechanical penile prosthesis which comprises an elongated, tubular, prestretched, elastic outer sheath having a distal tip, a proximal tip and an intermediate portion defining a hollow tubular chamber having positioned therein a central core anchored at each of its ends to a tip, and an articulated member positioned about the flexible core, which articulated member comprises a plurality of alternating rings and discs, each of the rings being defined by a toroid having a curved surface, a substantially circular cross-section and an outer circumference, each of the discs being defined by a toroid having a flattened upper surface and a flattened lower surface, each surface having a peripheral portion which has a tapered or convex profile which contacts the curved surface of the adjacent rings.

Abstract: A connection of first and second members wherein each has a body and a connecting end with an inner surface so the second connecting end has an outer surface shaped for telescoping into the inner surface of the first connecting end. A shoulder is located on the second member and a groove is in the outer surface of the second connecting end. A raised nub on the inner surface of the first connecting end is radially inward to engage the groove. An elastomeric gasket is positioned to bear against the shoulder and be compressed between the first and second bodies. An engaging trough in the groove holds the first connecting end against the shoulder with the nub against the groove by the compression force of the gasket. An indexing trough in the groove positioned along the groove beyond the engaging trough allows the nub to follow therethrough and slightly compress the gasket thus giving the user a tactile indication that it has been rotated beyond the engaging trough.

Abstract: A device for transluminal extraction or implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible stent. The device includes a central tube surrounded by an exterior tube axially displaceable relative to the central tube and a plurality of axially extending gripping members coupled to the central tube at a distal end thereof. The gripping members are substantially evenly distributed around the periphery of the central tube and capable of outward expanding action of their distal ends when the central tube is displaced relative to the exterior tube. The gripping members are arranged in at least two concentric sets with a first set being radially displaced relative to a second set so as to substantially cover the gaps between adjacent gripping members of the first and second sets when in an expanded position. The sets of gripping members form a substantially closed distal end periphery when in the expanded position permitting a substantially continuous circumferential engagement around the stent.

Abstract: A locking nail which is used for a plurality of bone cavities is provided in a plurality of lengths. The bone nail is suited for dynamic medical care as well as for subjecting compression and/or distraction forces.The shaft (10) of the locking nail is hollow and straight and has an outer diameter which is for the most part smaller than the inner diameter of the corticalis. Enlarging the bone cavity is generally not necessary. The nail has at least a cross bore for receiving a bone screw at the first end and a further cross bore for a bone screw at the second end adjacent the driving end. A bore at the second end (18) is formed as an elongate bore (26) and an inner threaded portion is formed at the second end (18), which threaded portion extends into the elongate bore (26) for receiving a screw bolt (54, 62) which may be brought in contact with the shaft of the bone screw (82) extending through the elongate bore (26).

Abstract: A femoral component of a replacement hip joint has a collarless stem including a shoulder for fixing in a medullary canal by cement. The component has a stem beneath the shoulder having a straight taper and the anterior and posterior faces of the stem each having a concave surface formed by a longitudinally extending curve from the top of the shoulder to the distal tip of the stem.

Abstract: An intramedullary intertrochanteric fracture fixation appliance has an intramedullary rod having an angulated opening to receive a femoral neck screw. The femoral neck screw has a threaded portion at its proximal end of predetermined diameter. A locking element is provided which acts between the neck screw and the wall of the angulated opening to prevent relative rotation between the screw and the rod.

Abstract: An orthopedic instrument for guiding a saw blade for preparing the distal end of a human femur to receive an endoprosthetic femoral component has a base component provided with guide for guiding cutting blades. The guide can be used to shape all of the necessary femoral surfaces to receive the femoral component to be fitted once the base component is fitted to the bone. A device for aligning the base component on the bone elements for attaching the base component to the bone after alignment is also provided.

Abstract: A device for retrograde hole opening through tissue has a member elongate on an axis with a cross section shaped to insert axially through external tissue. A distal and a proximal end on the member respectively enter the tissue during placement and remain outside the tissue for control. A tip at the distal end has a deployable tissue divider with one or more tissue parting elements and each has a splitter. The tissue parting elements are located within the cross sectional dimensions of the member in a storage position and are movable relative to the tip for placement in an exposed position relative to the tip when shifted from storage so that the splitter thereof splits tissue during retrograde extraction along the axis and contact with tissue. Linkage between the proximal end and the deployable tissue divider retains each of the tissue parting elements with its splitter exposed.

Abstract: An actuator for a self-adjusting pump head assembly has a variable position pump shoe slidably attached to a base. The assembly pumps liquids through a tube in a peristaltic pump, including a translator of rotational motion into linear motion and a crank for automatically compensating for the manufacturing tolerances of the tube in the pump pivotally attached to the translator and the shoe. The crank for automatically compensating has a linkage or pair of links, carrying a helical compression spring, pivotally anchored to the translator and the shoe. The peristaltic pump includes a self-adjusting pump head, including a variable position pump shoe slidably attached to a base and a control for positioning, locking and applying a continuous reaction force on the shoe to compress the tube between the shoe and at least one roller located on the periphery of a mandrel.

Abstract: A packaging comprises a sealed peel-apart flexible pouch in which the preshaped stem of a medical appliance is maintained by elastic pressure of the walls of a sheath open at its ends formed by a wall having two parallel lateral edges forming slides in which are engaged the lateral edges of two spaced apart portions of a second wall. The two walls are flat and deformable by their own elasticity. A retaining window is provided in one of the walls for a handling and connecting hub connected to the stem of the medical appliance to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A beam adapted for implantation within a bone is able to support bending and torsional loading forces applied thereto. The beam has a stiffness defined by a modulus elasticity, which stiffness varies along the length of the beam to match the corresponding stiffness of the cortical bone adjacent the beam after implantation within the bone. The beam is made from an elongated core formed of chopped carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Encasing the core is a sheath formed of carbon reinforced filament fibers embedded in the thermoplastic polymer which is wound in spiral formation around the core and molded thereto. The winding angle and the sheath thickness along the beam may be varied to vary the modulus of elasticity to match that of the cortical bone adjacent thereto.