Abstract: A surgical cutting device having a powered handpiece adapted to receive a cutting blade. The cutting blade is locked to the drive shaft by a locking ball holding member which is locked in place by a cylindrical cam ring which urges the balls of the locking device into corresponding notches in the blade. A second locking ball holding member is provided on the housing of the handpiece to lock the cylindrical cam ring itself. A blade guard extends from the cylindrical cam ring to produce a surgical cutting device having an improved safety feature which prevents its operation without the guard in proper position.

Abstract: The surgical saw blade and hub of this invention includes a saw blade and instrument hub which connect the saw blade to the instrument such that no portion of the instrument extends beyond the blade. The blade includes a washer having a plurality of radially extending slots in communication with the central bore of the washer. Alternating slots of the washer are truncated or otherwise do not fully extend through the washer. The truncated slots form shoulders or lans within the washer. The center opening of the washer is in alignment with a base opening in the blade and accommodates a hub from the powered instrument. The hub of the powered instrument includes a plurality of radial fins extending outwardly therefrom. The fins abut against the shoulders of the washer to lock the blade to the hub. A helical spring is provided to maintain pressure against the blade and thereby retain the blade and hub in a locked configuration.

Abstract: An oscillating surgical blade formed such that the thickness of the blade adjacent the side edges is reduced relative to the effective thickness of the body of the blade. Therefore, when the side edges of the blade mushroom due to contact with a saw guide slot, the resultant thickness of the mushroomed edges is less than or equal to the effective thickness of the blade body.

Abstract: A blade and clamp obtain a motion free coupling while remaining easily operable. The clamp comprises first and second clamping faces. The second clamping face includes a plurality of tapered lugs arranged in a radial pattern. The blade comprises a plate-like body having a primary U-shaped slot and a plurality of radial U-shaped slots which engage the tapered lugs of the clamp to produce a tight motion free coupling between the blade and clamp.

Abstract: A blade and clamp obtain a motion free coupling while remaining easily operable. The clamp comprises first and second clamping faces. The second clamping face includes a plurality of tapered lugs arranged in a radial pattern. The blade comprises a plate-like body having a primary U-shaped slot and a plurality of radial U-shaped slots which engage the tapered lugs of the clamp to produce a tight motion free coupling between the blade and clamp.

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: An implant being securely fixed in a bone by a layer of plastic cement is removed by supplying a pressurized fluid to the interface between the cement and the implant.

Abstract: A collet for attaching a blade to a surgical saw is biased toward a closed position in which the blade is securely clamped between a drive member and a clamping member. A rotational movement of a knob is converted into a translational movement of the clamp to open the collet. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the collet in the open position for simplified operation and cleaning.

Abstract: The surgical saw blade includes a main body portion and a cover portion joined to provide an enclosed manifold space. Irrigation channels extend from the manifold space to saw teeth provided on the saw blade. In one embodiment of the invention the saw teeth are provided at an end portion of the saw blade. In another embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels extend toward saw teeth provided along the longitudinal side edge of the saw blade. In either embodiment of the invention the irrigation channels commonly communicate with the fluid manifold and are uniformly distributed among the cutting teeth to provide a uniform distribution of fluid during a cutting action. Depending upon the positioning of the saw teeth on the blade and the movement provided to the blade, one embodiment of the saw blade can be used for oscillatory cutting action and another embodiment of the saw blade can be used for reciprocating cutting action.

Abstract: A drill having a variable speed trigger and logic circuit which can control the direction and speed of rotation. In an alternating mode of operation, the logic circuit alternates the direction of motor/chuck rotation on each successive activation of the trigger. The drill can also be set to rotate in either a forward or reverse direction without the alternating feature. A pair of lights provide visual confirmation that the drill is set to rotate in either a forward or reverse direction. The drill can also be set in a safe mode to prevent rotation in either direction.

Abstract: The arthroscopic surgery instrument includes an elongated outer sheath member having substantially fully open distal and proximal ends, and an inner hollow cylindrical cutting blade member rotatable within the sheath member. The cutting blade member has a distal end that is substantially fully open. The cutting blade member and the sheath member are each provided with a pair of spaced longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed tabs at their corresponding distal ends. The spaces between the tabs on the sheath member defines oppositely disposed cutting windows. Cutting edges are formed on each of the tabs on the cutting blade member and the sheath member and extend to the free ends of each member. The cutting edges on the cutting blade member are cooperable with the corresponding cutting edges on the sheath member. A rotary drive motor rotates the cutting blade member relative to the sheath member.

Abstract: An irrigation system for cooling a surgical cutting tool, cutting site and/or flushing debris from the cutting site during surgery includes a first conduit connected to a source of sterile irrigation fluid and a second conduit adapted to be supported on the cutting tool to deliver irrigation fluid to the cutting site. The irrigation system further includes a lightweight disposable pump assembly for pumping the sterile irrigation fluid from the fluid source through the first and second conduits to the cutting site. The disposable pump assembly includes a pump chamber that communicates with the first and second conduits and a flexible pump member rotatable in the pump chamber. The pump assembly and conduits are in a presterile condition to permit immediate use by a physician and are discarded after the surgical operation is completed.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female coupling member that can be connected to a fluid supply source and a male coupling member that can be quickly coupled to the female coupling member and quickly separated from the female coupling member. A pair of spaced latching members provided on the female coupling member move transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the coupling assembly into and out of engagement with one or more latch engaging surfaces on the male coupling member. The latching members have openings that are out of alignment with each other. An actuating button on the female coupling member is arranged to move the latching members in predetermined fasion to permit the openings in each of the latching members to sequentially interfere with the latch engaging surface or surfaces on the male coupling member to establish sequential latching positions.

Abstract: The oral implant is in the shape of a cylinder with a flat proximal end and a rounded distal end. Projecting members are formed on the cylindrical surface that taper from the proximal end of the cylindrical body toward the distal end thereof. The projecting members are radially spaced, and in one embodiment have flutes formed on the tapered surface. A lateral through-hole is provided at the distal end of the cylindrical body. The proximal end includes a hexagonal-shaped recess for reception of a twisting tool. After the twisting tool is removed the hexagonal recess receives a dental prosthesis. Another embodiment of the oral implant includes radially spaced ridges that are longitudinally aligned with projecting members on quadrants of the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The adjustable support for a prosthetic tooth includes an abutment member having an opening for reception of a bolt member that engages with a nut member. The abutment member is sandwiched between a head portion of the bolt member and an enlarged collar portion of the nut member. The engaging surfaces between the head portion and the abutment member and between the abutment member and the enlarged collar portion of the nut member are of complementary shape with respect to each other to permit pivotal adjustment of the abutment member with respect to the bolt and nut members. The abutment member is thus pivoted to a desired position and the bolt and nut members are tightened to lock the abutment member in the desired position. A prosthetic tooth having an opening of complementary shape with respect to the abutment member engages the abutment member to assume the angular orientation of the abutment member.

Abstract: The valve includes a housing with inlet and outlet members joined by a resilient flexible valve closure. An annular chamber that does not communicate with the inlet or outlet surrounds the valve closure. When a flow of fluid is desired through the valve closure, a pressurized fluid is introduced into the annular chamber to deform the valve closure enabling the closure to open. Reduction or elimination of the pressure for deforming the valve closure permits the valve closure to assume its normal closed position, thereby permitting a shut off of fluid flow. Variable flow rates can be accomplished by obtaining predetermined deformations of the valve closure corresponding to predetermined levels of the pressurizing fluid which cause such deformation.