Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for use in surgery. More specifically, it relates to a spinal fixation device which is adapted to engage a spinal body (e.g. vertebra, or sacrum) and to grip an elongate part, which may be a rod, bar, wire or the like. for convenience. Two or more such devices may engage respective vertebrae and grip a common rod, which may act to improve a spinal defect, such as ankylosing spondylitis, lumbar scoliosis or spondylolisthesis. The invention also relates to surgical instrumentation for use with such a spinal fixation device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly for use in snare cauterization operations includes a first tubular sheath member containing a metallic electrical snare cauterization loop. A second tubular sheath member is disposed inside of the first tubular sheath member. A flexible suture member is releasably connected to the cauterization loop, and is provided with a one-way slip knot at its distal end thereby forming a loop of a size corresponding to that of the cauterization loop. The proximal end of the suture member is disposed in the distal end of the second tubular sheath member and is releasably joined to a manually-controlled flexible tensioning device. During use of the instrument, the cauterization loop and connected suture member is expanded from a collapsed configuration and passed over a polyp or other body tissue that is to be removed.

Abstract: A method for making an acetabular reamer for an acetabular reamer comprising the steps of: fabricating a bowl shaped cup-blank having outer and inner bowl shaped surfaces, perforating a plurality of holes through the cup-blank, the holes each are surrounded by a curved margin, deforming outwardly of the outer surface a cutting portion of the margin of each of the holes, thereby forming cutting edges, the cutting portions are curved outwardly of the outer surface, the cutting edges are curved tangentially of the outer surface and disposed to cut upon rotation of the acetabular reamer.

Abstract: Device including securing elements (24) with the head being expanded by an expansion screw, joining members (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) suitable for coupling to the corresponding securing elements (24), and flexible longitudinal rods (2) with a high elastic limit passing through the joining members, to which the rods can be fixed using clamps. The device is suitable for rear or front fitting.

Abstract: A surgical method for performing laparoscopic urethropexy on a patient is provided. This surgical method comprises the steps of dissecting at least a portion of the space of Retzius in the patient, laparoscopically creating a bore in the pubic bone adjacent the space of Retzius, providing at least one anchor having at least one suture extending therefrom, laparoscopically inserting the anchor in the bore such that the anchor is thereby secured in the bore, and securing the suture to the periurethral tissue adjacent to the urethra to thereby elevate the urethra to the desired angle. The suture is secured to the periurethral tissue by pulling the suture through the periurethral fascia and vaginal mucosa into the vagina, and tying the suture within the vagina. A drill tamper tool for laparoscopically creating the bore in the pubic bone is also provided, along with an anchor-insertion tool, a loaded anchor-insertion tool, and a surgical kit comprising the drill tamper tool and the anchor-insertion tool.

Abstract: A surgical needle for use in suturing non-cutaneous soft tissues of the body. The surgical needle includes a needle shaft and a needle tip formed of a rigid material suitable for use inside the body. The needle tip has a body portion integrally formed with and extending from the needle shaft and is tapered along its length. The needle tip is further provided with a blunt head which together with the body portion defines a continuously smooth outer surface lacking any sharp cutting edges. The blunt head is adapted to penetrate muscle and fascia, muscle alone, adipose, pericostal tissue and other non-cutaneous soft tissues or the body while at the same time preventing skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intramedullary guide rod assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery for aligning one or more milling or cutting guides. A guide member is pivotally connected to an intramedullary guide rod intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof. An alignment mechanism aligns the guide member to the intramedullary guide rod while a biased locking mechanism prevents alignment changes during application of impact forces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is also mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the handle. A blade carrier is mounted to the guard to allow relative longitudinal movement between the guard and the blade carrier. The blade carrier is also removably mounted to the handle. This mounting arrangement for the handle, guard and blade carrier allows the guard and blade carrier to be rotated away from the handle so the surfaces of the handle, guard and blade carrier can be exposed. This facilitates cleaning of the guarded surgical scalpel after use.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus and method for applying corrective forces to the spine through the use of one or more longitudinal rods placed adjacent the spine. A plurality of sublaminar hooks are configured to be independently mountable to the longitudinal rod and enable the surgeon to selectively engage portions of the spine against which the corrective forces are to be applied. Cross-link plates are provided and are used to interlink one longitudinal rod to another to provide a more rigid construct. The sublaminar hooks and the cross link plate system has a very low profile when secured to the spine. Side opening recesses in each sublaminar hook accommodate the lateral insertion of the longitudinal rod into the recess. A unique wedge bolt securely engages the longitudinal rod in the recess. The sublaminar hooks are oriented such that their wedge bolts face outwardly for ease of access for adjusting the same.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of exit of menstrual blood, or other organic fluids from the vaginal orifice. The intravaginal inflatable member can be used alone or in combination with blood absorbing devices such as intravaginal tampons for the prevention of blood leakage.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing initial mechanical fixation of a hamstring graft and subsequent biologic bonding of the graft to the walls of a femoral tunnel. The apparatus includes a two-part screw assembly that is introduced through the lateral femoral condyle. The two-part screw assembly includes an outer screw and an inner screw. The outer screw includes a threaded body and an outwardly-extending nose portion that is of a diameter reduced from the threaded body. The nose portion provides a mechanical fixation point by functioning as a post within the femoral tunnel. A hamstring graft is looped around this post, mechanically fixing one end of the graft. Bone reamings, or mulch, is inserted using a bone graft impactor tool through a hollow throughbore axially defined within the body of the outer screw. The throughbore is in communication with an opening adjacent the nose portion and the mulch is deposited into the femoral tunnel around the tendon loop.

Abstract: A dynamic implanted spinal orthosis which preserves at least in part the natural physiological mobility of the vertebrae while effecting and maintaining a correction of the relative positions of the vertebrae without osteosynthesis, graft or fusion, comprising anchoring components fixed to the vertebrae and holding means associated with the anchoring components for holding the vertebrae with respect to each other in the corrected position, the holding means comprise an elastic return device for exerting elastic return forces, the orientation and magnitude of which are determined for holding the vertebrae in the corrected position against natural deforming forces for reducing the forces exerted on the vertebrae while preserving their mobility; also a procedure for maintaining a correction of the positions of the vertebrae for treating a deformation of the spine.

Abstract: A one-way adjustable suture retaining device suitable for use in arthroscopic surgery to secure one end of a braided suture comprising a frustum having an end and a base wherein a passage extends from the end to the base and the end has a plurality of slits extending from the end towards the base defining at least two flexible fingers and a process for using the retaining device to secure at least one end of a suture.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus and method of use for maintaining tension upon a length of suture material extending from body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus deforms and compresses a securing member about a length of suture material which is received therethrough so as to maintain a prescribed amount of tension on the suture material which extends from body tissue and is engaged in the compressed securing member.

Abstract: A device for securing a previously removed cranial plate in position in a cranium to prevent relative movement between opposing bone edges includes a pin containing distal and proximal shanks having ends tapering to a relatively sharp point. The shanks are arranged preferably symmetrically about a central collar which has a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shanks greater than the diameters of the shanks so that the collar forms distal and proximal opposing shoulders for limiting the insertion depth of the pin.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a tapered body defining a hollow interior for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material, The body defines exterior threads which are interrupted over portions of the outer surface of the device. The fusion device defines truncated side walls so that on end view the body takes on a cylindrical form. The side walls are provided with vascularization openings, and the body wall device includes opposite bone ingrowth slots extending through the interrupted thread portion of the body. In another embodiment, the tapered body is solid and formed of a porous biocompatible material having sufficient structural integrity to maintain the intradiscal space and normal curvature. The material is preferably a porous tantalum having fully interconnected pores to facilitate complete bone tissue ingrowth into the implant.

Abstract: A compression locking variable length cross-link device having a pair of rod hooking elements, each having rod securing and flat coupling ends. The flat coupling ends are slidably coupled to one another for selective locking to one another independent of the relative separation of the rod securing ends. Each hooking element has a curvate end formed from flat material which has been shaped into a hook conformation to cup the lateral outside surface of a corresponding rod. A set screw positioned through a hole in the top of the curved end locks the curvate end to the rod. In a first embodiment, one (a first) rod hooking element has a narrow flat end having a knurled top surface. The corresponding flat end of the other (second) element is wider, has a knurled undersurface, and has a hole therethrough for receiving a post. The post has a transverse passageway through it for slidably receiving the narrow flat portion of the first element, and an upper portion which is threaded.

Abstract: An improved surgical staple is disclosed wherein predetermined regions of the staple legs are weakened to cause bending and deformation of said legs in a controlled manner. The staple provides a uniform compression of a tissue into which it is inserted.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patient's proximal tibia with a surgical saw and cutting instrumentation is disclosed. The method of the present invention prepares the patient's proximal tibial to receive a tibial implant. The patient's intramedullary canal is first reamed and then an intramedullary rod is placed in the intramedullary canal as a reference. A first cutting instrument is bound on the rod above the patient's proximal tibia. The first cutting instrument includes a stylus that is used to set the depth of cut by referencing the top of the proximal tibia. The proximal tibia is then transversely cut with the saw by tracking the first cutting guide surfaces with the saw. The first cutting instrument is removed together with its stylus. A secondary cutting instrument is then placed on the rod above the proximal tibia. The second cutting instrument has a cutter at its center for cutting longitudinally into the proximal tibia.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes a forceps unit for being positioned within an anatomical cavity and a removable operating unit. 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 by 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 by the housing and an integral one-piece 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.