Abstract: A modular elbow prosthesis includes a humeral and ulnar components and three bearing components. The ulnar component includes a stem and a body including a slot. Two of the three bearing components include flanges that mate with the slot of the ulnar component. The humeral component includes a stem and two arms extending from one end of the stem. An opening is formed in each arm and in two of the three bearing components. The modular elbow may be used in an unconstrained mode by attaching one bearing component to the ulnar component and the other to the humeral component by inserting a pin through the openings in the arms and the bearing component. The two bearing components are then placed adjacent each other such that they articulate about their bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a plastic prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, near net-shape bearing or plastic stock from which such a bearing can be formed. The method includes the steps of providing plastic resin in powdered form, subjecting the powdered resin to irradiation to cross-link the resin, and molding the irradiated powder. The irradiated powder is molded by applying heat and pressure to form the powder into a desired solid plastic shape, the heating being sufficient to melt the powder.

Abstract: A long bone prosthesis includes upper and lower articulating components, with the free ends of the components configured to engage a corresponding prosthetic joint. The overall length of the articulating components is adjustable to approximate the length of a patient's long bone, such as the humerus. The articulating components include a stem and collet arrangement for fixing the relative axial and rotational position of the components. A tapered lock nut is threaded onto the outer threaded surface of the collet portion to provide a pressure engagement of the articulating elements. Various surface features can be implemented among the components of the prosthesis to enhance the pressure fixation, restrict rotation or provide indexed movement of the articulating components relative to each other.

Abstract: An adjustable self retaining retractor ring assembly is provided. The self retaining retractor ring assembly is formed from two half-rings connected together by hinges to form a 360° enclosure or ring. The hinges allow the two half-rings to bend or pivot 180° relative to a plane of the ring. One of the hinges includes a positionable locking mechanism to lock or set the angular orientation of the two half-rings relative to each other. In this manner, fixed angles for the half-rings can be selected and maintained. Each half-ring includes a plurality of axially protruding pegs or posts (relative to a plane of the half-ring) positioned thereabout. The posts are shaped to releasably accept retractors and/or ancillary instruments thereon. Additionally, each post preferably includes a slot configured to allow for the locking of suture material therein.

Abstract: A prosthetic component is configured to have intentional interruptions in an articulating face thereof. The intentional interruptions are configured to yield an optimum contact area or bearing surface, particularly with regard to low wear and greater lubricity through the application of lubrication and contact mechanics theory for the particular prosthetic component. Such optimization is applied to a wide range of prosthetic component sizes of the particular prosthetic component. The optimum range of percentage area of relief or interruptions, defined as a percentage of a baseline uninterrupted bearing surface area to be removed by the features of the interrupted bearing surface configuration is from 0.3% to 73.7% for hard-on-hard bearing components and from 5.7% to 83.2% for polyethylene-on-hard bearing components. The range for both hard-on-hard and polyethylene-on-hard implants translates to a relieved area ranging from 0.3% to 31.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing device has a canister which is modular in design and constructed from a transparent material. The mixing device further has a mixing head assembly having a crank that is operatively coupled to a mixing blade via a gear train. The gear train is configured to drive the mixing blade in a reciprocating manner including the varying of the angular velocity, direction of travel, and angular distance of travel of the blade while the crank is rotated at a constant velocity and direction. The mixing blade has a fluid passage defined therein which allows the liquid cement component to be delivered at various locations within the mixing chamber of the canister. A method of mixing bone cement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body (32) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (24) of a long bone (12). The long bone defines trabeculae (60) in the proximal cancellous bone (22) and lamellae (71) in the cortical bone (65). The body includes a proximal portion (52) thereof and a distal portion (54). The proximal portion has a medial periphery (69) and includes surface features (64) on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an arrangement for measuring the relative position of two bones during surgery includes a clamp and a measurement arm. The clamp is adapted to engage and secure to an anchor in a fixed vertical position, the anchor being secured to a first bone location. The measurement arm comprises an elongate portion and a locator portion that extends angularly from the elongate portion. The measurement arm is slidably supported on the clamp. The measurement arm is further rotatably supported on the clamp at a position in which an axis of rotation of the measurement arm is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the anchor.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic device is provided for soft tissue attachment, reinforcement, and or reconstruction. The device comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion and a synthetic portion. In illustrated embodiments, the naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion comprises layers of small intestine submucosa, and the synthetic portion comprises one or more rows of fibers or mesh positioned between layers of the small intestine submucosa.

Abstract: A method for forming a plastic prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing or near net-shape bearing is provided. The method includes providing a cross-linked plastic resin preform in a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing and molding the cross-linked preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired solid plastic shape. The heating and pressure is sufficient to melt the plastic resin so that the plastic resin flows under pressure and quench remaining free-radicals.

Abstract: An acetabular cup and method of securing the acetabular cup to an acetabulum so as to provide a bearing surface for a head portion of a femur is provided. The acetabular cup is shaped to provide a cementless, press-fit into a reamed acetabulum. The acetabular cup is formed of a body having a sidewall defining a radius from a center point of the annular rim to the sidewall wherein the radius increases in length from the apex to said annular rim. The method of securing the acetabular cup first includes reaming the acetabulum with a reamer having a head with a radius of curvature that is less than the radius from the center point to the annular rim of the acetabular cup.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic assembly for use during performance of a shoulder replacement procedure on a patient includes a stem component configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a humerus of the patient. The assembly also includes a prosthetic head component configured to be secured to a proximal end portion of the stem component. The prosthetic head component has a glenoid-bearing portion which is configured to bear against a glenoid surface of a scapula of the patient when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component. The prosthetic head component also includes an acromion-bearing portion which is configured to bear against an acromion of the patient during abduction of the humerus when the stem component is implanted into the medullary canal of the humerus of the patient and the prosthetic head component is secured to the stem component.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, such as an acetabular cup, includes a shell, a liner and a bearing. The bearing may be coupled to the liner so as to form a bearing-liner subassembly. The shell is provided with a female taper complimentary to a male taper on the liner. The liner-bearing subassembly may be secured to the shell by engaging the complimentary tapers.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing soft tissue to a prosthesis includes a retaining member secured to the prosthesis. The apparatus also includes a first band constructed of a resorbable material. The first band has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The apparatus also includes a second band constructed of a biologically inert material. The second band has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The middle portion of the first band is positioned around a retaining portion of the retaining member such that both the first end portion and the second end portion of the first band extend outwardly from the retaining member. The middle portion of the second band is positioned around the retaining portion of the retaining member such that both the first end portion and the second end portion of the second band extend outwardly from the retaining member.

Abstract: A bioactive bone mineral carbonated nano-crystalline apatite is chemically bonded to a variety of substrates, including implantable prostheses. This coating is applied uniformly to substrate surfaces of varying geometry and surface textures. It is firmly secured to the substrate and encourages rapid and effective bone ingrowth. The coating is applied by immersing the substrate in an aqueous solution containing calcium, phosphate and carbonate ions. Other ions, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, and silicate, may optionally be present in the solution. The solution is exposed in a controlled environment when it reacts with the substrate to form the coating.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis including a fracture stem has body having an exterior surface, a shank attached to the body and a head. The body includes a medial fin, an anterior fin and a posterior fin. The medial fin includes a suture hole. The anterior and posterior fins each include a plurality of suture holes. The prosthesis further includes a lateral suture hole intersecting the exterior surface of the body. The lateral suture hole may be formed in a projection on the lateral side of the prosthesis. In an alternative embodiment, a trail prosthesis includes indicia for noting the proper placement of the stem. The prosthesis includes corresponding indicia for replicating the placement of the trial stem.

Abstract: A modular glenoid assembly is provided for attachment to a glenoid surface of a scapula. The modular glenoid assembly includes a base adapted to couple with the glenoid surface and a bearing insert. The base includes a lip that defines a channel. The bearing insert includes a bearing surface adapted to engage a head portion of a humeral component and a tab. The tab is formed to be received within the channel and engage the lip when the insert is moved in a superior direction into position against the base.

Abstract: A head gear apparatus (10) is provided that moves air to cool a caregiver's head. The head gear apparatus (10) includes a helmet (12) that has a shell (114) configured to rest upon a head of a user and a fan housing (120) movably coupled to shell (114), a fan (122) is positioned to lie within fan housing (120) and moves with fan housing (120) relative to shell (114), and a garment (14) selectively coupled to helmet (12). Garment (14) includes a face shield (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in affixing material to a location under repair includes a material retention member and an anchor. The anchor is configured to be inserted into a cavity in bone tissue, the anchor having a first end and a second end. The anchor also includes one or more raised ribs. The material retention member extends radially from the first end of the anchor in a plurality of directions, the material retention member including at least one contact surface adapted to exert a retention force on material that is interposed between the material retention device and the bone tissue.