Abstract: The humeral portion of a shoulder prosthesis includes a diaphyseal component configured for fixation within the humerus, a metaphyseal component, configured for removable implantation within the metaphysis of the humerus, and an engagement mechanism for removably engaging the two components. The metaphyseal component can initially include a convex articulating surface that can be replaced with a concave surface during the shoulder arthroplasty procedure or in a subsequent revision surgery. The metaphyseal component can also include a feature to facilitate removal of the component from the bone once it has been disengaged from the diaphyseal component.

Abstract: A intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring. The sleeve is fixed to the proximal ring at a first end portion and axially slidable over the proximal ring at a second end portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinable calcium phosphate bone substitute material implants having mechanical properties comparable to those of natural bone. The implants include intimately mixed solid precursor materials that react under physiological conditions to form poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatite and eventually are remodeled into bone in vivo. The implants can include a biocompatible polymer to increase density and strength and control resorbability.

Abstract: A suction device for applying vacuum to a tissue surface is provided. The suction device including: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface; a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity; and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity.

Abstract: A housing (40) has a first passage (42) through which a longitudinal member (12) extends and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. A fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). An axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to an axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) engages the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A pin member (70) fixedly connected to the housing (40) extends into engagement with the spacer (60) to retain the spacer and the fastener (16) in the housing and maintain the spacer in frictional engagement with the fastener to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer. The fastener (16) and the housing (40) are manually movable relative to each other in opposition to the frictional engagement.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis has an external metal shell, an internal socket insert in which a ball head can rotate. The ball head is joined to a metal prosthesis shaft of the femoral shaft component and the movement of the prosthesis shaft is limited by abutting against the margin of the socket insert. A soft, biocompatible cushioning element is applied to the socket insert on the circumferential surface of the prosthesis shaft.

Abstract: An implant for bone connector includes a fixing clamp, an implant body, a connecting portion and a movable clamp. The fixing clamp has a curved shape and supports a vertebral arch of a vertebra by grasping the vertebral arch. The implant body is provided on an upper portion of the fixing clamp. The connecting portion with which the connecting member is engaged is provided with the implant body. The movable clamp, which has a curved shape and grasps the vertebral arch, is provided to the implant body and is disposed to be opposed to the fixing clamp.

Abstract: A spinal implant replaces excised tissue removed during spine surgery. This implant includes fasteners which firmly attach it to vertebrae adjacent to excised tissue so as to transmit tension and torsional loads to and from those vertebrae. The body of the implant has through cavities into which bone growth material is placed during surgery. The body of the implant also has a finite modulus of elasticity in compression so as to share compressive loads with emplaced bone growth material and with new bony growth facilitated by the emplaced material and the load sharing.

Abstract: An articulating motion disc having a core member that expands laterally in response to an axial load to mimic the shock absorbing function of a natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: The instrumentation includes a spinal stabilizing longitudinal element (1) that is adapted to be placed in a generally parallel relationship with the portion of the spine (A) to be treated, a connector (6) having an opening (7) therethrough, a mechanism (10) is adapted to affix said bone-anchoring element (2) in the opening (7); the connector (6) has a hook portion (11) adapted to cooperate with a support (32) of the bone-anchoring element (2) for clamping the longitudinal element (1); the hook portion (11) has at its bottom side a recess (12) for receiving the longitudinal element (1); the longitudinal element (1) is clamped against said support (32), so that the force of the support (32) on the longitudinal element (1) is approximately parallel to the axis (D) of the bone-anchoring element (2).

Abstract: A position-adjustment system having particular applicability for surgical instrumentation. The system comprises a body connected to an elongate member in such an arrangement as to have interchangeable locked and unlocked states. In the unlocked state, the body is free to move along the elongate member, and in the locked state the body is prevented from moving along the elongate member.

Abstract: An apparatus having an insertable portion for holding a position sensor is disclosed. The position sensor can transmit a signal indicative of its position with respect to a field generator. The insertable portion of the apparatus has fiducial markings that are detectable by an imaging modality when the insertable portion is inserted into the anatomical body. After the insertable portion has been inserted into the anatomical body, the fiducial markings can be detected to facilitate registration of the position sensor held in the insertable portion to the anatomical body. The apparatus also has a fixing mechanism for releasably fixing the insertable portion to the anatomical body. When the insertable portion is inserted into the anatomical body to a location of interest, the fixing mechanism rigidly fixes the insertable portion of the catheter to a part of the anatomical body near the location of interest. The apparatus may comprise a catheter, needle or endoscope for inserting the insertable portion.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and cutting a deformable flexible tube includes handles and jaws pivotally coupled together on opposite sides of a pivot member, a fixed cutting blade on the jaws, integrally hinged lockable V-clamps with ratcheted inner gripping surfaces mounted in the jaws with the edge of the cutting blade positioned above the ratcheted surfaces of the V-clamps, and a device to push the V-clamp axially forward in the jaws. When the handles are pressed together to an intermediate position, the jaws are closed only partially locking the arms of the V-clamps while leaving the edge of the cutting blade distanced from the center of the clamp and from the tube, and when the handles are pressed further to a cutting position, the locked V-clamp is pushed forward in the jaws simultaneously closing the jaws completely and bringing down the cutting blade.

Abstract: A high-pressure rotary nozzle includes a magnetic coupling for the purposes of driving a rotor body within the nozzle housing. The nozzle housing defines an internal chamber, and a propulsion ring is retained within the housing such that a liquid introduced into the propulsion ring causes the propulsion ring to rotate and passes into the chamber. The rotor body is pivotally supported within the chamber and is operably coupled to the propulsion ring such that the rotor body moves along with the propulsion ring. The rotor body rotates about the housing, such that the liquid exits the chamber in a rotating jet.

Abstract: A surgical retractor system including: a surgical retractor for retracting tissue surrounding an opening; and an attachment member having a linear or non-linear edge along a length; and an accessory device for use with the surgical retractor, the accessory device having a channel in sliding engagement with the edge along the length, the channel being the other of linear and non-linear along a width thereof such that the accessory device is movable along the length of the edge into a desired position upon the application of a moving force and locked in the desired position in the absence of the moving force. Also provided are various mounts for disposing the edge in the channel and a pseudoelastic arm for supporting the accessory device from the attachment member, the arm being capable of articulation into a desired position yet also maintaining the desired position during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A sterile composite bone graft for use in implants comprising an I beam cortical bone load bearing member upon which is mounted a trapezoidal shaped cancellous member. The allograft cancellous bone member defines tapered side walls, a flat proximal end wall and a flat distal end wall and a channel into the body leading from the front wall to the end wall. The I beam cortical member has a front section with a flat rear surface. A rectangular support bar extends from the flat rear surface to the flat rear wall of the rear section forming a connecting bar which fits into the channel cut into the cancellous member body. The I beam cortical member support bar and the channel of the cancellous member mate together to hold both component members in stable relationship. Pins may be mounted in both members on opposite sides of the members interface.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis glenoid component which includes a base adapted to be immobilized on a glenoid cavity of a shoulder, and an element including a convex articulation surface adapted to cooperate with a humeral component of the prosthesis. The element is selectively mounted on the base in a plurality of positions corresponding to different positions of the convex articulation surface with respect to the glenoid cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable stylet includes a core wire having a portion surrounded by a compression member preferably comprised of a flat wire spring. Depending upon the configuration, compression or relaxation of the compression member in response to forces at the tip or handle of the stylet results in adjustments to the characteristics of the stylet. In a first embodiment, the stiffness of the stylet is adjustable. In a second embodiment, the length of the stylet is adjustable. In a third embodiment, both the stiffness and the length of the stylet are adjustable.

Abstract: In order to produce a bone screw having a screw body which is provided with an external thread and which comprises a flow-through mechanism for bone cement that is used for the production of a cement jacket around the bone screw, such that the bone screw will be anchored in a highly stable manner after being implanted in a bone and especially after being implanted in a bone of reduced quality, it is proposed that the flow-through mechanism should comprise at least one longitudinal recess which is formed in the screw body such that it extends transversely relative to the radial direction and/or transversely relative to the peripheral direction.