Abstract: An implantable device for affixing to the anterior side of cervical vertebrae for stabilizing the cervical vertebral column. A plate has an anterior surface and a posterior surface and a plurality of through holes open at the anterior surface and at the posterior surface. Each hole has an anterior portion having a first diameter and a posterior portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, and the anterior portion of the hole is internally threaded. A bone screw has a threaded shank having a major diameter smaller than the second diameter of the through hole of the plate. The bone screw also has a head having a major diameter greater than the second diameter of the through hole of the plate and smaller than the first diameter of the hole of the plate. A locking cap has an exterior thread and is sized to be threadedly received within the anterior portion of the through hole of the plate while the head of the bone screw is disposed within the through hole.

Abstract: A structure anchor assembly having a suture anchor, a suture attached to the suture anchor, and an inserter for deploying the suture anchor in bone whereby the suture will extend from, and be anchored to, the bone. The suture anchor has a drill portion, a thread portion and a suture attachment portion. The drill portion is disposed on a distal portion of the anchor and is adapted to penetrate the bone. The thread portion extends proximally from the drill portion along the remainder of the length of the anchor and is adapted to draw the anchor through the bone. A proximal portion terminates in a proximal end surface. The thread portion extends along the proximal portion and terminates adjacent to the proximal end surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for treating spinal conditions by moving or spatially fixing at least one vertebra relative to another vertebra. The invention includes a link member the ends of which are configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae and which are offset from a central portion of the link member. The link members can be in the form of a C-shaped or V-shaped rod or plate to form the offset. The offset provides increased bone volume that can be used for grafts or fusion. Attachment structure in the form of bone screws, bolts, or hook members are provided to secure the link members to respective vertebrae or other bones. A plurality of link members can be connected in chain-like fashion to connect multiple points on a plurality of vertebrae or other bones even though those points are nonlinear. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-directional attachment member is provided and may be used with the link members to form a spinal implant or external bone fixation system.

Abstract: Articulating forceps having a reflective element for viewing a substrate include a pair of arms biased in a direction opposite one another and joined at their respective ends. The articulating forceps further include a pair of clamping members disposed opposite one another and biased toward one another by the pair of arms to their normally clamped position. A reflective member extends longitudinally relative to the pair of arms and is disposed spaced from, but adjacent to, the clamping member for viewing a substrate such as the patient's teeth or gums.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a fixed part (32) fixed for movement with the distal end of the flexible stem section (24) and a movable part (34) supported on the fixed part for pivotal movement. The instrument (10) includes a flexible actuator cable (180) having a first end portion (184) movable by an actuator member on the handle, an intermediate portion extending through the flexible stem section, and a second end portion (182) extending through a passage (248) in the movable part (34) and soldered in the passage. The flexible actuator cable (180) transmits force from the actuator member to the movable part (34) to effect pivotal movement of the movable part.

Abstract: A rod, screw, rod securing member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw and rod coupling member which are loosely coupled by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a contractible volume in the base of the rod coupling member. The volume of the rod coupling member is contractible by virtue of a series of slots formed in the base, which also has a tapered exterior surface. The staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it and several barbs extending downward from it for gripping the surface of the vertebral bone. The hole in the staple has a rim which is upwardly extending and a tapered interior side wall designed to engage the tapered exterior wall of the rod coupling member such that advancement of the staple relative to the coupling member causes the interior volume to compression lock to the head of the screw.

Abstract: A rod, screw, rod receiving member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw, staple, and rod receiving member which are initially loosely coupled together such that they may each rotate about a common axis. They are held together by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a tapered axial bore of the rod receiving member and the staple being loosely mounted around the rod receiving member. The lower portion of the rod coupling member is expandable by virtue of a series of slots formed in its lower portion. The screw seats within the axial bore of the rod receiving member such that a rod inserted in the channel of the member seats on the head of the screw. With the rod coupling element and staple combination mounted to the screw, it is driven into the vertebral bone. The member is then rotated into position to receive the rod, which seats on the head of the screw.

Abstract: Instrumentation for preparing a femur for implantation of a prothesis therein, the femur including a femoral shaft having a femoral canal therein defined by sidewalls, the prosthesis being constructed and arranged to be received within the femoral canal, the instrumentation including: at least one initial compactor instrument having a proximal portion and a distal broach portion, the broach portion being adapted to conform substantially to a proximal end of the femoral canal so as to compact bone in the sidewalls thereof without intentionally removing bone from the femoral canal; a second type of compactor instrument having a proximal portion and a distal broach portion, the secondary compactor instrument portion being constructed and arranged to conform substantially to the shape of the prosthesis so as to further compact bone in the sidewalls of the proximal end of the femoral canal such that the compacted sidewalls conform substantially to the shape of the prosthesis; and a final type of compactor instrume

Abstract: Improved bone-cutting guides enable a surgeon to better gauge required resection characteristics. A body having an outer surface and an inner surface configured to be positioned against a bone surface to be modified includes one or more openings enabling a bone-cutting tool to be used though the body so as to perform resections beneath the inner surface. To stabilize the bone-cutting tool during the execution of a particular resection, the invention preferably further includes one of more guides which may be temporarily positioned relative to the upper surface of the body. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the body may be shaped to co-act in a joint as part of a trial reduction. For example, the outer surface may be shaped according to a natural proximal tibia, enabling a knee joint reduction to be performed prior to resection.

Abstract: Front-end and side-on intravascular catheters are described that comprise an abrasive head contained substantially within a housing. Aspiration means and flushing means are connected to the region of grinding to remove dislodged debris. A preferred embodiment has the abrasive surface of a rotatable head comprised of diamond powder. Another preferred embodiment has an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the head to permit transluminal imaging of the site of occlusion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a forceps unit for being positioned within an anatomical cavity and inner member having a hook. The forceps unit includes a housing, an outer tubular member, an intermediate member, and a handle mechanism coupled with at least one of the intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between the intermediate and outer tubular members. The outer tubular member has a proximal end mounted in the housing and terminates distally at a distal end. The intermediate member has a tubular body disposed telescopically within the outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted in the housing and a distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart such that relative movement of the outer tubular member distal end over the jaws causes the jaws to close.

Abstract: A blood letting device comprisinga body,a base,an aperture in the base,a sharp with a pointed end, having a rest position and a cocked position,biasing apparatus adapted to rapidly urge said sharp from said cocked position to said rest position,locking apparatus adapted to hold said sharp in said cocked position,wherein the arrangement is such that release of said locking apparatus causes the sharp in moving to said rest position, to prick skin which has been held in the region of said aperture.

Abstract: A surgical knife of the present invention can be safely and correctly used for cutting open tendon sheaths so as to treat trigger fingers, so the surgical knife comprises: a shaft section (12) being extended from a grip section (10); a blade section (14) being sidewardly extended from a side face of the shaft section (12); and a guide section (16) being sidewardly extended, in the direction the same as the extended direction of the blade section (14), from a lower part of the blade section (14), wherein the blade section (14) includes: an arc blade (K) being provided in a connecting part to the guide section (16) and being formed into an arc shape which is smoothly connected to the guide section (16); and a linear blade (J, H) being linearly formed and parallel to the shaft section (12).

Abstract: Minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques and tools are provided. The methods include separating the iliocostalis lumborum muscle from the anterior leaf of the thoracolumbar fascia to create a channel from the patient's skin to the intertransverse interval. In one embodiment, the method also includes delivering graft material through the channel to the intertransverse interval. A device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a retraction portion having a flattened plate configured to atraumatically retract tissue to create a working space within an endosurgical site and a curved shaft attached to the retraction portion. The shaft includes a bend having a radius of preferably 160 degrees. A gripping portion is attached to the shaft and is configured for manually gripping and manipulating the device.

Abstract: Improved bone cutting guides enable a surgeon to better gauge required resection characteristics. In one embodiment at least a portion of the guide is transparent, thereby enabling the user to optimize cut estimates and to visualize the resection as it is being performed. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the body is shaped to interact with another bone or prosthetic element associated with a joint, thereby enabling the device to function both as a trial and as a cutting guide. In this embodiment as well the guide may be at least partially transparent to improve visualization. Although primarily intended for use in femoral-side knee arthroplasty, the invention is applicable to any procedure which might benefit from improved bone-cutting accuracy.

Abstract: Minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques and tools are provided. The methods include separating the iliocostalis lumborum muscle from the anterior leaf of the thoracolumbar fascia to create a channel from the patient's skin to the intertransverse interval. In one embodiment, the method also includes delivering graft material through the channel to the intertransverse interval. A device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a retraction portion having a flattened plate configured to atraumatically retract tissue to create a working space within an endosurgical site and a curved shaft attached to the retraction portion. The shaft includes a bend having a radius of preferably 160 degrees. A gripping portion is attached to the shaft and is configured for manually gripping and manipulating the device.

Abstract: An elongate tool bit is disclosed for ultrasonic excitation to remove plastics cement around a prosthetic implant in bone, as in a hip-joint replacement procedure. The tool bit features a stem portion with a distal-end claw formation, in the nature of a proximally open cup, having a convexly rounded distal end, with longitudinal apertures that provide through-passage for proximally directed flow of melted plastic. When the claw formation is driven via longitudinal vibration of the stem, cement melts at and near the convex distal end of the claw formation, and melted plastic passes through the apertures in the proximal direction to accumulate within and proximally of the claw formation.

Abstract: Minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques and tools are provided. The methods include separating the iliocostalis lumborum muscle from the anterior leaf of the thoracolumbar fascia to create a channel from the patient's skin to the intertransverse interval. In one embodiment, the method also includes delivering graft material through the channel to the intertransverse interval. A device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a retraction portion having a flattened plate configured to atraumatically retract tissue to create a working space within an endosurgical site and a curved shaft attached to the retraction portion. The shaft includes a bend having a radius of preferably 160 degrees. A gripping portion is attached to the shaft and is configured for manually gripping and manipulating the device.

Abstract: A compression locking variable length cross-link device having a pair of rod hooking elements, each having coupling ends which are attachable to a rod. The opposing ends of the first of these elements includes a pair of extending members each having a hole; the holes being mutually co-linear. The opposing element of the second element includes a single extending member which has an elongated hole, such that when it is disposed between the pair of extending members of the first element, a linear passage is defined through the three holes. A hinge post is disposed in the co-linear passage; the post having a threaded top portion. The elongated hole permits the first and second elements to be translated relative to one another with the hinge post in place. A nut is engageable with the threaded top of the post, such that if tightened, the pair of extending members deflect inwardly into contact with the single extending member of the second element to crush lock the elements together.

Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting a spinal implant rod to a spinal implant bolt includes a rod connecting member having an opening for receiving a portion of the rod, and a bolt connecting member having an opening for receiving a portion of the bolt. The rod connecting member and bolt connecting member are rotatably engaged to one another. At least one interface washer is positioned over and between the rod connecting member and the bolt connecting member. Structure for creating a force between the rod, the rod connecting member, the washer, the bolt, and the bolt connecting member is provided. The interface washer has structure for engaging at least one of the rod and the rod connecting member, and for engaging at least one of the bolt and the bolt connecting member, so as to prevent relative rotation of the rod and the rod connecting member and the bolt and the bolt connecting member when the force is applied.