Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of quickly and easily grasping and releasing a graft. The apparatus includes a sleeve with an opening through the axis of the sleeve. Within the opening of the sleeve is a shaft with a jaw on one end, and a threaded end on the opposite end. The sleeve has a square tip end that is adjacent to the jaw of the shaft. Furthermore, the shaft near the jaw has a square cross-section so that the shaft is substantially prevented from rotating but allowed to move axially along the opening of the sleeve. A knob is also rotatably coupled to the opening of the sleeve on the opposite end of the tip end. The knob has a protruding end which has an outer thread on the surface of the protruding end and a center thread. The outer thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the opening on the sleeve, and the center thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the threaded end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthetic phalangeal joint replacement device which allows twisting, pistoning, flexing, and lateral rotational movement made up of a ball joint held within a receptacle end defining a socket with enlarged or recessed sides, thereby allowing flexing and lateral rotational movement. Twisting and pistoning movement is achieved by a metacarpal body which interconnects the bones to be joined and rotatively and slidably connects to the ball joint. A pin can be used to securely retain the device together and allow the aforementioned range of motion.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic junction for releasably connecting prosthetic materials having varying characteristics comprising an apparatus of an inner component of a first material having certain characteristics including a female receptor for receiving a male end of a prosthesis of the first material. The female receptor and the male end are complementarily tapered to provide a locking taper connection therebetween when the male end is inserted into the female receptor. An outer component is incorporated which comprises a second material having different material characteristics from the first material. The outer component partially surrounds the inner component and fixedly and securely retains the inner component, preventing the first component from moving, rotating, or sliding relative to the second component. This provides a secure, but dissociable junction between the outer piece and the end of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An improved carpal-metacarpal thumb joint prosthesis comprising carpal and metacarpal components which are tapered and threaded to facilitate fixation and to promote bone ingrowth together with a recess formed in the carpal component for holding a mesh disc to further enhance bone in-growth and having the carpal component formed generally U-shaped cavity containing an insert formed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene which receives the spherical end of a tapered head which is securely received in a corresponding cavity within the metacarpal component.

Abstract: A modular knee joint prosthesis using variably sized components for joining a variably resected tibia bone and a femur bone, having a tibial platform defining peripheral edges on its bottom surface for engaging beveled edges of the plates or spacers. The platform has an upraised boss on a top surface for engaging a tibial insert which can be locked in place with a lock key. The tibial insert serves as an articulating surface for a femoral component. An implantable stem extends below the platform and may be complementarily joined to a second stem; the stems lock together using a Morse taper and a locking bolt. Full-sized or half-sized extension plates have beveled edges on a top surface to engage complementing edges on the bottom surface of the tibial base plate. The plates act as a spacer or cap to the resected tibia and act to distribute load or make up for bone deficits.

Abstract: An improved Morse taper consisting essentially of a male taper and a mating female taper, one of the tapers having a key recess at the periphery of a mating face such that a key can be inserted and rotated to force the segments longitudinally apart from its assembled embodiment such tapers are particularly useful in skeletal structures. A distraction key with a cam designed to fit in and rotate in the key recess is also described.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a biocompatible mesh screen structure for bonding to a prosthetic substrate. The process comprises providing from four to eight layers of a mesh comprising a titanium alloy and subjecting the layered structure to a temperature below the beta-transformation temperature of the alloy and a pressure of about 1300 to 1500 psi. The heating and pressing are carried out in a furnace maintained at a temperature of about 1600.degree. to 1725.degree. F., which is evacuated to a vacuum of less than about 10.sup.-4 torr. The process of the invention provides a product retaining the strength of the alloy and having a well-characterized pore structure. Further, the layered mesh composite may be bonded to a thin substrate and readily formed into complex shapes.

Abstract: An osteal medical staple of unique configuration having a cross-bar portion defining gripping surfaces by which the staple may be securely and rigidly held by a driver tool or the like, wherein the staple has depending leg portions flaring outwardly a predetermined amount such that regardless of the size of the staple a discrete, constant spread or flaring is obtained once same is implanted in bone or the like, and wherein loosening or reversal of the driven staple is all but eliminated by reason of the triangular, in cross-section, legs of the staple wherein two of the sides have retention barbs thereby insuring complete and total fixation while the curvilinear surfaces of the cross-bar portion of the staple insure a minimum of damage to soft tissue surrounding the bone with which the staple is utilized.

Abstract: A medical staple device for holding, driving, and withdrawing medical staples comprising a uniquely configured integral member of metal construction wherein, due to the intrinsic nature of the material, opposed staple holding portions are formed which naturally tend to move away from each other and wherein the terminii of the opposed portions are configured to receive in secure, captive relationship therebetween a medical staple which is to be held, driven or withdrawn from bone, tissue and the like. A sleeve or driver member is threadably associated with the device to exert, in a discrete manner, closing forces upon the opposed portions retaining the medical staple to either secure it therebetween or to release same from its grasp. The device is of relatively low-cost, unsophisticated construction and essentially trouble-free in operation.