Abstract: An obstruction assembly for use in connecting a cable to a disconnectable joint is provided, wherein the connection is to be covered by a sleeve. The obstruction assembly includes a shear bolt having a torque head portion and a main bolt portion, the torque head portion designed to at least partially detach from the main bolt portion at a predetermined torque, and wherein the main bolt portion is designed to connect a cable to a disconnectable joint. The obstruction assembly also includes an obstruction piece having a projection extending away from the main bolt portion a sufficient distance so as to inhibit the placement of a sleeve on the connection between the cable and the disconnectable joint. Preferably, the obstruction piece is removable, in whole or in part, after the torque head portion is at least partially removed from the main bolt portion, such that the sleeve can be properly positioned on the joint.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

Abstract: The head or bridge portion of an otherwise standard medical staple is provided with an elongated groove in each transverse side thereof. The jaw members of a medical staple holder are provided with elongated ridges for extending into the grooves in the staple when the staple is being held by the staple holder to thereby securely hold the staple.

Abstract: A myringotomy tube device which obviates the inimical natural tendency of the healing incision to cause spontaneous extrusion of the device. The device is characterized by an inner flange member having a shape substantially resembling a top view of a canoe which establishes sharp tapered portions to individually facilitate initial engagement of the device with a lip portion of the tympanic membrane defining a surgical incision applied thereto. Included is a principal or tubular member which extends through the incision provided in the tympanic membrane for communicating the middle ear with the external auditory canal. The tubular member is conspicuously pinched in adjacent the middle of the length thereof to establish a minimal diameter portion upon which the lip portion of the incision is urged to ride, i.e., being urged thereon by the inwardly sloping annular surface.

Abstract: A retractor for opening and holding open an incision to allow a surgeon ready access through the incision during an operation or the like. A plurality of substantially opposed flesh engaging blades for engaging the sides of a surgical incision are pivotally mounted on a body which is provided with an aperture for placement over the surgical incision. A trigger is operatively coupled to the plurality of flesh engaging blades to cause the blades to simultaneously diverge from one another to thereby open the surgical incision and to allow the surgeon access into the surgical incision through the aperture in the body.

Abstract: An extension is provided for being nonrotatably fixed to a lag screw that is to be anchored to the head of a femur or other bone in a manner so as to allow compression to be applied to a fracture. The extension extends outward of the bone when attached to the lag screw and when the lag screw is anchored to the bone to allow a compression plate to be easily positioned thereon. The cross-section of the extension is substantially the same as the cross-section of the lag screw to allow the compression plate to be easily and quickly passed onto the lag screw from the extension once the compression plate has been positioned on the extension.