Abstract: An ablation electrode carries a temperature sensing element for measuring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. A thermal insulating element associated with the sensing element blocks the transfer of heat energy from between the temperature sensing element and the body. The temperature sensing element therefore measures temperature without being affected by the surrounding thermal mass of the electrode.

Abstract: A unilateral external fixator comprises a telescoping unit which includes telescopically engaging inner and outer parts arranged for limited axial reciprocal movement relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the unit, the outer part having a central bore extending therethrough, the inner part engaging with sliding fit in the bore and extending the full length thereof, the inner part being non-rotatable about said axis. The bore is made up of hard polymeric material and the inner part is formed of metal. A pair of orthopedic pin clamp assemblies is carried by the inner part adjacent its proximal end and the outer part for selective positioning along the entire length thereof. A lock releasably locks the parts against axial movement.

Abstract: A wire containing or dispensing article and method are disclosed. The invention is used to dispense wire from a tubular wire carrier. The invention is particularly useful for containing/dispensing a guidewire, especially a coated guidewire. The article is an elongate dispensing sleeve or collar having an axial hole or bore through which a wire may pass. The sleeve has a cylindrical sleeve body with lateral projections on its outside and a plurality of transverse slits passing through its wall. The lateral projections and slits cooperate to permit wire to be restrictively engaged at the bore and to be controllably dispensed from the carrier by the partial insertion and removal of the sleeve into and out of the carrier. The method is controllable dispensing of the wire from the carrier by utilization of the article.

Abstract: The invention refers to an osteosynthesis aid which is used, in particular, for the fixation of a pelvis and includes a central body which is formed of at least two arm or link members, each of which has an elongate slot through which a lock bolt is passed to provide a releasably clamped joint and each of which also has releasably secured ball-joint connection to an end-connecting clamp for bone-pin or bone-screw anchorage to an afflicted bone.

Abstract: A steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly especially adapted for guiding the introduction of an endocardial pacing or cardioversion/defibrillation lead or a catheter to a desired location in a patient's cardiovascular system. The steerable stylet or catheter designed to be introduced into the lumen of a lead comprises an outer, elongated tubular member of a length sufficient to extend through the length of the lead or catheter from its proximal opening to the distal end thereof, a traction element or pull wire extending generally through the length of the tubular member and within its lumen except for a predetermined distance in the distal portion thereof, and a manipulative handle coupled to the proximal ends of the tubular member and wire which may be employed with one hand to both rotate the tubular member and impart a continuously variable curve in the distal portion thereof.

Abstract: A kneecap cutting guide device for the fitting of a total knee replacement includes, a trial femur component having an artificial trochlea, a side hole made on at least one edge of said trial femur component, and a central hole made in the center of said trochelea. An ancillary device includes a fastening dog-point designed to cooperate with the side hole of the trial femur component. A kneecap plate is designed to be placed in a position of resting on the kneecap and a mechanism to center the plate in relation to said central hole of the artificial trochlea is provided. The guide device further incorporates means to shift the kneecap plate, enabling a crosswise motion with respect to said trochlea and an axial motion parallel to the central hole. There is also a mechanism for locking the plate in position and a surface for guiding a blade to cut the kneecap parallel to the plane of the trochlea.

Abstract: The external fixation device for osteosynthesis is made up of first and second longitudinal bars (3,4) as carriers for fixation elements (5;10) to the bone (7), a three-dimensional shell (1) attached to the extremity of said first bar (4) and a gliding element (2) attached to the extremity of said second bar (3) having at least three gliding points on each side of said shell (1). The gliding element (2) can consists of a first disk (2A) gliding on one side of the shell (1) and a second disk (2B) gliding on the opposite side of the shell (1), both disks (2A,2B) being connected through a central hole (12) in the center of the shell (1) by a threaded extension (2C).The shell (1) and the gliding element (2) are movably arranged to each other in such a way that the free ends of the bars (3,4) are extending in opposite directions.The device enables motion of the wrist joint about all three axes, while keeping the center of rotation at one point during treatment of the fracture and thus preventing complications.

Abstract: A glenoid alignment guide for aligning a drill bit relative to the glenoid and the glenoid neck of a patient. The alignment guide comprises a retractor plate for displacing the posterior and superior aspect of the deltoid muscle, and a drill guide slidably movable along the retractor plate. The tip of a narrow, curved finger on the retractor plate is adapted to engage the bone of the glenoid neck to form a fulcrum for levering the muscle and other tissue clear of the glenoid. When the tip of the retractor plate engages the glenoid neck and the drill guide is advanced along the retractor plate against the glenoid face, the drill guide is adapted to guide a drill bit to make a hole from the glenoid face into the glenoid neck along the axis of the glenoid neck. This hole is then used to receive a fastener or locating peg of a glenoid component of a shoulder implant. The method of using the alignment guide is also disclosed.