Abstract: The present invention involves a system for interactively designing prosthetic implants using two x-ray images, for example two femoral x-rays for designing a hip implant. The x-rays are scanned into a computer which electronically stores and displays the representations of the images. The computer allows the user to select points on the representations which relate to the location of the hip implant, particularly the medullary canal and other related points. The selected points are associated and stored along with the electronically stored representations. Based on the medullary canal definition and other parameters, an implant topology is generated which may be displayed and templated for medical evaluation. The system allows for the points and other parameters to be altered for calculating another implant topology.

Abstract: A rotating dovetail attachment mechanism for connecting a modular provisional augmentation block to the distal surface of a provisional tibial tray. The augmentation block has lateral components which contact a vertical surface on a prepared bone. The rotating dovetail attachment mechanism permits the block to be used with a stemmed tibial implant provisional by rotating the lateral components of the augmentation block around the stem during connection of the provisional block to the provisional tibial component.

Abstract: The tube strap of this invention includes a first end having a hole for accommodating a tube therethrough and a second hook end having a handle extending generally transverse to the hook end. The first and second ends are spaced by a shaft portion. The tube strap is flexible and is preferably formed from a silicone substance which can sustain repeated sterilization without detrimentally effecting its integrity. In use, the tube strap is carried by a support tube or hose passing through the opening in the first end. It is preferred that the strap be slid onto the tube by the supplier of the tubing at the time of manufacturing. The tube strap may be used in three basic variations to bundle or restrain tubes or hoses in a more manageable grouping. The strap could be wrapped around adjacent tubes with the hook engaging the shaft. The strap can be wrapped around adjacent tubes with the hook engaging the support tube which passes through the first end.

Abstract: The system and instrumentation of this invention provides a torque wrench adapter for the femoral rasp and for the hip stem implant. Each adapter includes a shaft for connecting a motion indicator thereon. The motion indicator includes a port for accepting the shaft of either the rasp adapter or the implant adapter and an indicator needle which is linked through spring mechanisms to shiftable leg. In use, the leg is anchored at one end to the femur such that the leg moves with the femur and relative to the indicator housing which causes a deflection in the indicator needle to apprise the surgeon of small movement of either the rasp or the implant relative to the femur.

Abstract: A tapered, collarless femoral hip joint prosthesis formed of a surface hardened titanium alloy having a highly polished surface is provided.

Abstract: An improved socket for use in ball-and-socket joints, the socket including an outer shell and an inner low-friction bearing insert for mateable engagement with the head or ball-end of an associated component. The socket is suitable for prosthetic as well as non-prosthetic applications. The bearing insert is retained within the outer shell by a split, insert-retaining ring. The head of the associated component is retained within a spherical chamber within the bearing insert by a split annular bearing ring carried by and mated with annularly spaced apertures in the insert. Assembly of the device by inserting the head of the associated component causes expansion of the bearing ring to receive the head and the subsequent insertion of the bearing insert into the outer shell locks the head in place. Radially outwardly extending arcuate tabs on the bearing ring bear against the inner surface of the outer shell to thereby oppose expansion of the bearing ring after the device is assembled.

Abstract: The coupler of this invention includes a two-piece coupler for a spinal rod including a yoke and a coupler body which may be positioned to clamp onto the spinal rod at an angle other than perpendicular relative to the rod. The yoke and body permit the spinal rod to be positioned plus or minus 15 degrees out of true perpendicular relative to the rod without sacrificing clamping strength. This advantage is particularly useful when the couplers are connected to a rod-to-rod interconnecting device to permit the rods to be less than parallel relative to one another. The accommodation of less than parallel rods or the non-perpendicular connection of device to the spinal rods reduces the non-functional exact positioning of the spinal rods during surgery as is required by current couplers. Further, the coupler can be placed from a superior position requiring minimal space without the need for screws to provide fixation to the rod.

Abstract: The method of this invention eliminates the problems discussed above. First a resilient mask 12 is placed on the implant 10. The mask 12 includes openings 14 which form the design of the textured surface. Next the implant 10 with mask 12 attached is subjected to high pressure blasting with a erosive blasting media. Typically, this may be referred to as media blasting. Particles contacting the resilient mask 12 are bounced off or embedded in the masking material while protecting the implant. Particles passing through the openings 14 of the mask 12 contact the surface of the implant 10. Blasting is continued until a proper surface is achieved. After blasting, the mask 12 is removed. Portions of the implant 10 which were exposed are blasted away or textured, portions protected by the mask 12 are unaffected.

Abstract: A method of surface hardening cobalt-chromium based orthopedic implant devices, and a cobalt-chromium orthopedic implant device prepared by the disclosed method. An orthopedic implant device made of a cobalt-chromium or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, such as ASTM F-75 or ASTM F-799 is exposed to molecular nitrogen gas or ionized nitrogen at a process temperature and for a process time duration sufficient to enhance surface hardness and wear resistance properties, without the formation of a measurable nitrogen layer that tends to increase surface roughness and brittleness and diminish wear resistance properties. The process temperature is in the range of 500.degree. F. to 2400.degree. F., preferably about 1400.degree. F., and the process time duration at the preferred process temperature is approximately 48 hours.

Abstract: A tibial resector guide having an angularly adjustable head controlled by a thumb actuated slide mechanism. The head may be positioned in a plurality of predetermined angular orientations in the anterior-posterior plane. The cutting head guide includes angled side walls which permit the guide to have a narrow aperture yet allow the saw blade to completely pass through the tibia. Further, the tibial resector of this invention includes a telescoping rod and a length adjustment mechanism adjacent the head for providing small height adjustments for positioning the head. The length adjustment member includes an enlarged thumb wheel to ease operation. A pinning platform is connected to the adjustment member such that it is shiftable with the adjustment member relative to the guide head. The pinning platform permits the surgeon to pin the upper end of the instrument to the patient's leg preventing movement of the instrument during resection.

Abstract: The monomer transfer device of this invention includes a syringe adapted to receive an ampule and adapted for connection to a vacuum source such that with the ampule open within the syringe body, the monomer is vacuumed out of the ampule and into the mixing container. Alternative embodiments accept an unbroken ampule and include an offset designed to break the ampule at its predetermined break point to permit the contents of the ampule to be vacuumed from the ampule and transferred to the mixing container. A small mesh filter or screen may be included to any of the ampule before it reaches the mixing container. Once the ampule is inserted into the syringe, an end cap is connected to close the syringe and maintain any fumes within the syringe. In the alternative embodiments, the end cap acts to force the ampule against the offset so as to cause the ampule to break.

Abstract: The telescoping rod to rod coupler of this invention substantially eliminates the chances of the two rod sections disconnecting from one another by providing a relief in the male section to define a hook shaped end. The hook shaped end in association with a clamping screw carried by the female section requires the rod sections to axial rotate 180 degrees in a screw-like manner during assembly and disassembly. The clamping screw constitutes an abutment or stop for engagement with the hook shaped end to provide a positive stop to prevent the sections from accidentally sliding past their extremes and out of engagement with one another during the surgery. Further, the reliefs provided within the male telescoping section, permit the two rod sections to be firmly affixed to one another with one section axially rotated slightly relative to the other rod section.

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: A method to form a blind bore in an implant wherein a bore is initially drilled through the articular surface of the posterior condyle. The bore is internally threaded and then a plug is welded in place to seal the opening of the bore from the articular surface. The weld bead is polished so that there is no interruption in the articular surface. By drilling and threading the bore from the articular surface, there is no restriction on space, and automated machining equipment can be readily used.

Abstract: The method and material of this invention eliminates the necessity of removing imbedded particles remaining after shot blasting by providing a method for surface finishing an orthopaedic implant wherein the blasting medium is bioactive. The surface finishing with bioactive material may also be used to clean the porous surface after sintering or diffusion bonding. Since the particles are made from bioactive material, it is not a concern if particles remain in the porous surface after blasting.

Abstract: The acetabular cup positioner of this invention provides for a sighting guide which is removable connected to the shaft of the cup positioner by a tapered locking configuration. The taper lock provides for a secure connection of the sighting guide to the shaft of the cup positioner which enhances the accuracy of the device. The taper lock provides such a strong lock that in order to provide for its removal, the cup positioner of the invention includes a slaphammer carrier on the shaft of the guide which may be employed by the surgeon to remove the guide from the positioner without undue effort.

Abstract: A slippery orthopedic cast tape produced by depositing onto a substrate a layer of microencapsulated lubricating or friction-reducing material. The substrate is impregnated with a material which is hardenable upon exposure to an activating agent. The coating of each one of the microgranules is formed of a material which is removable upon the application thereto of a removing stimulus. The microencapsulated lubricious material is applied to the inner end of a rolled cast tape so that it will be adjacent the outer layers of a formed cast. In one embodiment, the microgranules are formed of a water-insoluble polymeric coating over a polyethoxylated surfactant which serves as the lubricious material, the polymeric coating being rupturable upon the application of pressure in order to release the lubricious material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic appliance anchored in place in a bone recess by a cement mantle and conditioning the recess for receipt of a replacement appliance. The preplaced appliance is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the recess, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A screw threaded post having nuts threadably engaged therewith at longitudinally spaced locations is then anchored within the cavity with a new mass of cement. Thereafter, the post is threadably disengaged from the nuts, leaving the nuts in place within the new mass of cement. A pulling tool is then successively engaged with the nuts and tensioned to incrementally remove the mantle from the recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic joint from a bone cavity and conditioning the cavity for receipt of a replacement joint. The pre-placed joint is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the cavity, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A mass of fluid cement is then placed within the cement cavity, after which a pulling tool is inserted into the fluid cement and the fluid cement is permitted to cure to bond with the hardened cement and form an integral mass. The pulling tool has helical screw thread on it, with means to connect a slap-hammer to its proximal end, so that its insertion into the fluid cement defines a threaded passageway. The pulling tool is then partly removed from the passageway by unscrewing it. Tension is then applied to the pulling tool to remove the tool and the cement mantle surrounding it from the bone cavity. The tool is then reinserted and the process is repeated as many times as desired until all of the cement mantle is removed.