Abstract: An orthopaedic knee cutting block prepared by a process comprising the steps of: creating a mold with a first core detail and a second core detail, each of the core details corresponding to a volume; filling the mold with a mixture of a binder and a metal; releasing a green part from the mold, the green part having a first void corresponding to the first core detail and a second void corresponding to the second core detail; removing the binder from the green part; heating the green part to create a sintered part; and machining the part by sawing a cutting slot such that the cutting slot overlaps with the first void and the second void. Alternatively, the orthopaedic knee cutting instrument may be made by a simple metal casting method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include surgical instruments, implants, and methods. Surgical instruments or implants may be manufactured from a mixture of a polymer and a filler material. In some embodiments, the polymer is a medical grade polymer and the filler is a reinforcing material that increases the rigidity of the mixture when cured. The polymer may include one or both of a USP Class VI approved base resin and an ISO 10993-1 approved base resin in some embodiments.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee cutting block prepared by a process comprising the steps of: creating a mold with a first core detail and a second core detail, each of the core details corresponding to a volume; filling the mold with a mixture of a binder and a metal; releasing a green part from the mold, the green part having a first void corresponding to the first core detail and a second void corresponding to the second core detail; removing the binder from the green part; heating the green part to create a sintered part; and machining the part by sawing a cutting slot such that the cutting slot overlaps with the first void and the second void. Alternatively, the orthopaedic knee cutting instrument may be made by a simple metal casting method.

Abstract: A method of securing vertebrae includes inserting a first pedicle screw into a first pedicle of a first vertebra. The first pedicle screw includes a first channel running perpendicular to a first central axis of the first pedicle screw. The first pedicle screw has a first engagement structure. The method further includes inserting a second pedicle screw into a second pedicle of a second vertebra. The second pedicle screw includes a second channel running perpendicular to a second central axis of the second pedicle screw. The second pedicle screw has a second engagement structure. The method also includes inserting a guidewire through the first and second channels, threading a tether attached to an end of the guidewire through the first and second channels, securing the tether to the first pedicle screw, applying tension to the tether, and securing the tether to the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to hold and orient an implant during a medical procedure and includes an elongated member having an upper member and a lower member with a formed end. A biasing member is operatively positioned between the upper member and lower member and supplies a biasing force to the lower member. A ball joint is provided that includes a ball, and the ball joint accepts the formed end of the lower member. A biasing force is provided by the biasing member to cause the formed end of the lower member to contact the ball. A translation mechanism is used to move the upper member in a first linear direction toward the lower member to cause the formed end of the lower member to lock the ball of the ball joint and, thus, lock the ball joint and orient the ball of the ball joint in a desired position.

Abstract: A method of securing vertebrae includes inserting a first pedicle screw into a first pedicle of a first vertebra. The first pedicle screw includes a first channel running perpendicular to a first central axis of the first pedicle screw. The first pedicle screw has a first engagement structure. The method further includes inserting a second pedicle screw into a second pedicle of a second vertebra. The second pedicle screw includes a second channel running perpendicular to a second central axis of the second pedicle screw. The second pedicle screw has a second engagement structure. The method also includes inserting a guidewire through the first and second channels, threading a tether attached to an end of the guidewire through the first and second channels, securing the tether to the first pedicle screw, applying tension to the tether, and securing the tether to the second pedicle screw.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and system for making relatively large and rapid adjustments in the process gas inventory of an electrically powered gaseous diffusion cascade in order to accommodate scheduled changes in the electrical power available for cascade operation. In the preferred form of the invention, the cascade is readied for a decrease in electrical input by simultaneously withdrawing substreams of the cascade B stream into respective process-gas-freezing and storage zones while decreasing the datum-pressure inputs to the positioning systems for the cascade control valves in proportion to the weight of process gas so removed. Consequently, the control valve positions are substantially unchanged by the reduction in invention, and there is minimal disturbance of the cascade isotopic gradient.