Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-powered lavage instrument used with an external fluid source for debridement of soft tissue. A housing includes at least two housing parts which are selectively attachable to and detachable from each other. A fluid nozzle is defined by or connected with the housing. A pump assembly is removably installed within the housing, and includes a case carrying an electric motor, a fluid pump and a plurality of power cells. The fluid pump is connected with the fluid nozzle and connectable with the external fluid source. The pump assembly further includes a plurality of clips, with each clip frictionally engaging and thereby electrically interconnecting two of the power cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an acetabular cup prosthesis for implantation into a pelvic bone. A cup having a cavity for receiving a femoral head is formed of a polymeric material having a predetermined tensile strength. A backing is disposed about and attached to the polymeric cup. The backing has a porous construction defining interstitial pores, with the pores being sized to receive a portion of the polymeric cup therein and adapted for allowing ingrowth of the bone therein. The portion of the polymeric cup received within the pores results in an interface strength between the polymeric cup and the backing which is substantially equal to the tensile strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molding apparatus, including a cylinder having an interior sidewall and a fluid inlet, and defining an inner cavity. A porous plate is disposed within the inner cavity, and is disposable in a loading position wherein the inner cavity is divided into a fluid flow chamber and a material chamber. A ram having an outside diameter which is less than the diameter of the cylinder interior sidewall is slidable within the cylinder.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an external fixator assembly for externally fixating and stabilizing a bone. The external fixator assembly includes a frame member; a bone piercing member insertable into the bone; and a clamp. The clamp includes a body with a slot, a hole, and a threaded opening therein. The threaded opening is in communication with the slot. The bone piercing member is received within the hole. The frame member is disposed within the slot. The clamp further includes a set screw in the threaded opening. The set screw is engaged with the frame member and holds the frame member within the slot.

Abstract: An autotransfusion system including a rigid receptacle carrying a blood collection bag internally and a manually operable portable vacuum source (MOPVS) also carried by the rigid receptacle. The system may be configured in a blood collection mode wherein the MOPVS is in flow communication with the interstitial space between the collection bag and the rigid receptacle to cause a negative pressure therein to draw blood from the patient's wound. In a reinfusion mode, the MOPVS is disconnected from the rigid receptacle and is directly connected to the drain tube leading to the patient to drain unwanted fluid from the patient's wound. The rigid receptacle is inverted and connected to a transfusion line to reinfuse the blood collected within the blood collection bag. The interstitial space is vented to ambient pressure such that the blood within the collection bag is reinfused under force of gravity alone.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant body is formed which has a supporting surface. A porous metal pad is formed to fit the supporting surface of the body. The porous metal pad is clamped and/or adhesively bonded to the supporting surface. A laser beam is coupled between the porous metal pad and the implant body at a plurality of locations so as to form a coalescence of metal between the porous metal pad and the body.

Abstract: A fluid pump as used to distend a portion of a patient's body including a blood pressure monitor which preselects the maximum pressure for the pump at or slightly below the mean arterial pressure for the patient.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: An external fixator or splint with a carrier which carries at least two fastening devices arranged to receive bone screws. The fastening devices are adjustable relative to the carrier and can be locked in various positions by clamping parts. The splint is made up of two ball-and-socket joints which are supported on the carrier so as to be axially adjustable and of two fastening elements that secure the ball-and-sockets joints.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molding apparatus, including a cylinder having an interior sidewall and a fluid inlet, and defining an inner cavity. A porous plate is disposed within the inner cavity, and is disposable in a loading position wherein the inner cavity is divided into a fluid flow chamber and a material chamber. A ram having an outside diameter which is less than the diameter of the cylinder interior sidewall is slidable within the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming an implant having a porous surface using an organic binder compound to enhance the bonding between the porous surface layer and implant. Preferably, the binder is formed from a water-soluble protein that carbonizes during the sintering process to alloy with the metal of the porous surface layer. The porous surface layer may be in the form of beads or of fiber metal and can be preformed to fit with an implant or formed over the surface of the implant.

Abstract: The transport carrier of this invention is configured for use with an external fixator having a hexagonal rod. The carrier includes a threaded sleeve which accommodates the hexagonal rod of the fixator. A compressible ball collet and retaining nut are carried by the sleeve and serve to lock the sleeve into position on the rod in a known manner. A clamp is carried by the sleeve and rotationally fixed relative to the rod by a key and key way, yet may shift along the sleeve. The clamp is configured to connect to one or more bone pins using a ball collet and retaining nut to fix the clamp to the pin. The bone pins connect to a bone fragment such that as the clamp shifts along the sleeve, the bone fragment is transported between two portions of a bone. An internally threaded sleeve is carried by the externally threaded sleeve and engages the clamp. Upon rotation of the internally threaded sleeve, the clamp and externally threaded sleeve move longitudinally along the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic implant (30, 50) including a metallic body (42, 52) having a metallic bearing surface (44, 54). The orthopaedic implant also includes a device (46, 56) for applying an electromotive force to the metallic bearing surface (44, 54). The electromotive force may result from a galvanic couple with the bearing surface (44, 54) or a direct current power source (56) connected with the bearing surface (44, 54).

Abstract: This invention solves the above identified limitation by providing a prosthetic implant having a porous surface layer metallurgically bonded to the implant body, wherein a barrier film of metal is positioned between a portion of the porous surface layer and the implant body at areas of stress. By preventing bonding and thereby the formation of notches at strategic locations about the implant, the overall fatigue strength of the implant may be increased. In the preferred embodiment, the film of metal is formed from molybdenum which has a higher melting temperature than titanium which is commonly used for porous layers and the implant body.By preventing notches at strategically significant areas about the implant, designers of prosthetic implants are less limited in the amount or location of the porous surface layer to be metallurgically bonded to the implant.