Abstract: A kit for producing a modular prosthesis is provided, the kit including a first prosthesis member having a cavity such as a bore formed in it, and a clamp releasably clamped in the cavity. The clamp, which may be a rod having an axial bore through a portion of its length, is subjected to an external stimulus such as a stretching force to cause the diameter of the clamp to be reduced enough so that the clamp is received in the cavity. As the stimulus is withdrawn, the clamp returns toward its initial configuration, and in so doing, expands against the walls of the cavity. A second prosthesis member may be configured to receive a portion of the first member such that expansion of the clamp in the cavity of the first member concurrently causes that member to expand into contact with the second member to clamp the members together.

Abstract: A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for fastening to an article that has a fastenable portion of a predetermined shape and size. The clamp body is formed at least in part of superelastic alloy, and has an opening within it slightly smaller than the fastenable portion. The clamp body includes attachment member, which may be in the form of small holes, to which may be applied an external stretching force in a direction and magnitude sufficient to cause the opening to expand elastically to receive the fastenable portion of the article. As the stretching force is released, the opening elastically contracts toward its initial size to clamp upon the fastenable portion. Disclosed also is an instrument attachable to the clamp body for imparting the stretching force to the body.

Abstract: A patella resection guide. The guide includes a cradle having spaced cradle supports to support the quadriceps tendon and patella ligament and properly locate the patella. The resection guide also may have opposed, movable plates between which may be gripped lateral and medial surfaces of a patella. One of the plates may include a saw guide for guiding a bone saw in a resection procedure. The guide may employ manually operable threaded connections to facilitate drawing the plates together to grip between them a patella to be resected.