Abstract: A femoral intramedullary rod system capable of treating a variety of femoral bone fractures using a uniform intramedullary rod design. The system generally comprising an intramedullary rod defining an opening having an upper surface and a transverse member including a bone engaging portion and a connection portion defining a thru-hole with the nail sized to pass therethrough. A pin is selectively coupled to the transverse member to rigidly assemble the transverse member to the nail when the nail is passed through the thru-hole and the pin is received within the opening.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stem to be inserted into the medullary cavity of a proximal femur and a grip part slightly offset from and extending approximately parallel to the direction of the stem. The grip part is releasably connected to the upper end of the stem by mutual coupling parts including a peg protruding obliquely from the upper end of the stem and a bore located in the lower end of the grip part. Releasable means for arresting the peg in the bore are formed by the end of a rod which is guided movably in the longitudinal direction of the grip part and by a recess in the peg for receiving this end. The recess in the peg is a continuous bore and the rod, in its arrested position, extends completely through the bore. The upper end of the rod is connected to a handle located in the middle to upper region of the grip part. The rod or the handle is provided with a catch mechanism for securing the rod in the arrested position.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for attaching fractured hip-joint heads. The device has an angular plate which includes a bone plate attachable to the femur and a sleeve extending at an angle from the bone plate. The device also includes an anchor bolt having a shaft insertable into the sleeve and a threaded part extending from the shaft and having a multi-pitch thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary awl assembly for opening the bone upon a femur nailing with a guide of a guide tool equipped with a hand grip, and an awl with a working tip equipped with an actuating handle. The guide is formed by an angle plate which is arranged on the end of the guide tool opposite the hand grip. The angle plate has a guide hole in the one arm, and an anchoring tip provided on the side of the other arm facing the bone. A shank of the guide tool acts on the top of the other arm in alignment with the central axis of the anchoring tip.

Abstract: A nail (or rod) for axial insertion into a large bone for support thereof, which comprises an elongated nail body having a central bore extending through the nail body from the proximal end along a proximal portion of the nail, and typically terminating at point spaced between the ends. The nail may also define a transversely flattened distal portion extending proximally from the distal end. In the embodiment shown, an open slot may extend centrally and longitudinally from the distal end along the distal portion to an inner slot end which is spaced between the ends of the nail. The nail body defines a plurality of transverse holes extending therethrough for receiving bone screws for supporting securance of the nail to a bone while the nail occupies the intramedullar space of the bone.

Abstract: A nail for fixing the position and shape of broken long bones is provided. The nail has a longitudinal shank defining a central main body and longitudinal extending, radially directed, ribs, preferably one or more. The nail and ribs are collapsed in diameter when inserted into the broken bone and then, by introducing a fluid into the hollow nail, the diameter of the nail increases such that the rib(s) contact the interior of the broken bone.

Abstract: The invention discloses an intramedullary nail to be used in orthopedics comprising: a tubular body having inside at least one anchoring device; a maneuvering element and a drilled bushing at the top end of said nail wherein said tubular body, substantially cylindrical, has the top end not cylindrically shaped. The anchoring device is provided with two or more longitudinal cavities shaped for housing a hook with arched tip pointed towards the outer side of the tube and movable with respect to the housing cavity during the sliding of the anchoring device with respect to the tube. The maneuvering element, housed inside the tubular body, operates the longitudinal sliding in the two opposite directions of said anchoring device. The drilled bushing slides without rotation with the non-cylindrical top end of said tubular body and has at least one arched lip for the contact with the bone.

Abstract: A curved guide or fixation pin is provided for use in the fixation of fractured bones. In one embodiment, a pin guide device is used to locate the pin at the desired entry point on the bone and the pin is tapped or hammered into place. With the guide device removed, the pin is driven further into the bone and a flexible reamer device, which is placed over the pin and which uses the pin as guide, is used to ream out the path defined by pin so as to prepare the bone for a intermedullary rod. The curvature of the pin assists in ensuring that the path of the pin connects to the medullary canal. In another embodiment, the curved pin has an enlarged proximal head and a two piece pin guide device is used which is disassembled after the pin initially penetrates the bone so as to permit the pin to be driven home. A self-retaining protective retractor device provides soft tissue protection during the reaming operation and eliminates the need for medical personnel to hold the retractor device.

Abstract: Implantable device, such as a femoral head prosthesis, with a body (12) of biocompatible material shaped to suit its medical function, which forms an internal cavity (16) and has open apertures (18) that lead from the cavity (16) to the outside. The cavity (16) serves to receive spongiosa or other biological material into which the tissue that surrounds the implanted device is intended to grow through the apertures (18). The device is provided with at least two electrodes (30, 32), at least one of which is located in the cavity (16) spaced apart from the inside of the body (12) that forms the cavity (16). The electrodes are provided with an arrangement for supplying a low-frequency alternating voltage, so that by means of the supplied voltage a low-frequency electrical alternating field and a low-frequency alternating current, whereby the tissue growth is promoted, are created inside the cavity (16).

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is inserted at a selected location within a natural bone and is removed selectively from the location utilizing an access wire which guides a knife for making an access opening of limited size in alignment with the direction in which the intramedullary nail is to be inserted or removed. Cutting tool guides are secured within the access opening, with the aid of trocars, for gaining access to the bone at the location for insertion of the intramedullary nail, and for gaining access to the intramedullary nail for removal of the intramedullary nail. The intramedullary nail includes a hollow shaft with an end plug provided with an alignment hole for engagement with an access wire which guides a knife to the end plug, and a purchase which is protected from calcification and scar tissue during the service life of the intramedullary nail and which is accessed readily for effecting removal and withdrawal of the end plug for ease of removal of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: A locking nail for placement in the marrow space of tubular bones for the care of bone fractures, with an elongate, essentially cylindrical shank with a number of essentially radial openings for accommodating locking screws. At least one radial, elongate opening extends in the longitudinal direction of the shank and at least two sliding blocks are unrotatably guided within the shank and are secured against a movement away from one another so that at least one opening at an angle to the longitudinal direction is formed from at least one intermediate space between the sliding blocks. This opening is aligned to the elongate opening for accommodating a locking screw. In another embodiment, only one such sliding block is used (and can be selected from any of a suitable set, for example a set in which the blocks of the set all have substantially the same length but have transverse bores positioned at a variety of different positions and at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nail).

Abstract: The present implant is for fixing femoral fractures and the like. The implant consists of three main parts, namely a first part consisting of an angle element, a second part which forms a holder and a third part in the form of a screw. The angle element includes a sleeve for receiving the screw. Both the sleeve and the screw are intended to be passed into a channel provided through the neck and head of the femur of a patient. The angle element moreover includes a slide which is slidingly accommodated by the holder. The holder is, in its turn, secured by means of anchorage screws in the shaft of the femur. By cooperation between the slide and the holder the possibility is afforded that the angle element may move in relation to the shaft of the femur. The sleeve of the angle element is disposed at an angle in relation to the slide.

Abstract: An implantable osteosynthesis device is made up of two portions, a so-called fixed portion and a movable portion, which can move relative to each other and are provided with coupling elements capable of blocking the translation of the portions so as to obtain a clamping effect on the bone, wherein the fixed portion has an elongated element (1) and the movable portion has a body (5) forming a sleeve (6) capable of sliding along the elongated element. The coupling of the invention comprise one-way combined locking arrangements (2, 10-13) for allowing the relative displacement of the fixed and movable portions in a single direction adapted for providing the clamping effect, and for locking the portions so as to prevent the translation thereof in the other direction.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic implant for setting a broken bone. The implant comprises a nail having a plurality of helically twisted blades that share a common helical axis. At least two of the blades define an angle of less than 180.degree. in a plane perpendicular to the helical axis. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of the blades of the nail is tapered towards its proximal portion and another pair has a uniform thickness. The blades are twisted by at least about 30.degree.. A cannulation runs through the center of the nail to receive a guide wire. The nail is slidably engageable to a member that is securable to an elongated portion of the bone, such as a side plate or an intramedullary nail. In a preferred implantation orientation, the proximate portion of the tapered blades is parallel to the elongated portion of the bone, and a proximate portion of the uniform blades is perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A modular intramedullary nail which, selectively, includes two or three connectable sections that are connectable end to end. In the two section nail the second section is an elongated curved nail component having an elongated, open-ended longitudinal bore, and terminating in a distal end. The three section nail includes an upper proximal nail component having an open-ended bore. The second section is a central nail section that is an elongated curved nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore. The third section is a lower distal nail component having an elongated open ended longitudinal bore. The nail components are connected at the end using corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of adjoining end nail components that can be fitted together and secured upon impact. Upon assembly, the connections are self orienting, providing corresponding tooled "flat" portions adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions of the nail components.

Abstract: A pumping system for infusing fluids into a patient. The pumping system includes a pump and a controller constructed to control operation of the pump. The controller has a hold condition in which it deactivates the pump. The controller also has a timer subsystem having a variable duration. A magnitude control operable by a human is connected to the controller, the magnitude control being constructed to alter the variable duration of the timer subsystem of the controller. The pumping system further includes an alarm connected to the controller, the controller constructed to activate the alarm upon expiration of the variable duration of the timer subsystem.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical intramedullary nail, for stabilization of condylar and supracondylar fractures of the femur. It incorporates a Cruciate arrangement of two obliquely crossing locking bolts such that each condyle of the femur is gripped by an individual bolt. By this means both femoral condyles are stabilized with respect to the shaft of the femur. The bolts are oriented so that each passes through the main extra-articular mass of each condyle. Further predrilled holes are provided for insertion of proximal locking bolts to stabilize the nail with respect to the shaft of the femur. The nail is intended for retrograde insertion from distal to proximal into the intramedullary canal of the femur. Insertion of the locking bolts may be facilitated by the use of a temporary jig which is attached securely to the distal end of the nail. Nails of similar design can be used for stabilization of equivalent fractures of the humerus.

Abstract: An intramedullary rod having a cylindrical proximal portion and a rectangular distal portion has a tapering blade-like portion. The intramedullary rod provides rotational stability and resistance to axial migration. Proximal and distal transfixation holes may be provided in the intramedullary rod.

Abstract: A kit and method for retrieving a broken intramedullary nail from a medullary canal uses a first wire with a shaped tip and one or more second wires with substantially smooth tips. The first and second wires are extended through the broken nail. The wires are then wedged against the mouth of the intramedullary nail. A handle provided on the free end of the first wire is used to retrieve the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: Hip joints are reinforced preventively by a device composed of a tubular element fashioned from biocompatible material, accommodated by a socket drilled in the femoral bone parallel and adjacent to an axis connecting the ball and the diaphysis, and two independent locking assemblies operating unidirectionally and in mutual opposition, likewise of biocompatible material, by which the tubular element can be deformed and manipulated in such a manner as to lodge stably in the surrounding bone tissue of the socket, establishing a load-bearing axis that functions as a bridge between the weaker axis and the main axis of the femur.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic implant for setting a broken bone. The implant comprises a nail having a plurality of helically twisted blades that share a common helical axis. At least two of the blades define an angle of less than 180.degree. in a plane perpendicular to the helical axis. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of the blades of the nail is tapered towards its proximal portion and another pair has a uniform thickness. The blades are twisted by at least about 30.degree.. A cannulation runs through the center of the nail to receive a guide wire. The nail is slidably engageable to a member that is securable to an elongated portion of the bone, such as a side plate or an intramedullary nail. In a preferred implantation orientation, the proximate portion of the tapered blades is parallel to the elongated portion of the bone, and a proximate portion of the uniform blades is perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant for fixing femoral fractures and the like. The implant consists of three main parts, namely a first part consisting of an angle element, a second part which forms a holder and a third part in the form of a screw. The angle element includes a sleeve for receiving the screw. Both the sleeve and the screw are intended to be passed into a channel provided through the neck and head of the femur of a patient. The angle element moreover includes a slide which is slidingly accommodated by the holder. The holder is, in its turn, secured by means of anchorage screws in the shaft of the femur. By cooperation between the slide and the holder the possibility is afforded that the angle element may move in relation to the shaft of the femur. The sleeve of the angle element is disposed at an angle in relation to the slide.

Abstract: An artificial hip-joint having a construction capable of reducing abrasion of a polyethylene layer formed within the acetabulum cup when the head of the femur pivots in the acetabulum cup. The artificial acetabulum cup is implanted in the acetabulum of a user's pelvic bone and includes a hollow hemispherical member made of a metal. The polyethylene layer is formed on the inner surface of the hemispherical member. A femur head holder is fixed to the femur. The femur head holder includes a spherical metal femur head pivotally held in the artificial acetabulum cup, a shaft coupled at an upper end thereof to the femur head and adapted to support the femur head, a housing extending inclinedly through the greater trochanter of the femur and adapted to receive the shaft therein in such a manner that it rotates with respect to the shaft, and bearings mounted between the shaft and the housing and adapted to support axial and radial load applied to the shaft at the femur head by the weight of the user.

Abstract: Soft tissue is secured to bone with a surgical fastener having expandable legs. The surgical fastener is implanted into a predrilled hole in the bone and the legs are expanded by pulling a slidable pin with a flared distal end. The pin includes a breakaway notch. The fastener may be fabricated from resorbable material and may be implanted arthroscopically.

Abstract: A method for repairing fractures of the olecranon including creating a hole in the proximal end of the ulna, where the hole extends from the proximal end of the ulna to the fracture to define a first region, and from the fracture to the proximal end of the medullary canal to define a second region. A screw is selected having a cancellous section and a medullary section extending from the cancellous section. The cancellous section includes a threaded region adjacent the medullary section and the medullary section is adapted to fit into the medullary canal of the ulna. The medullary section is installed into the hole up to the threaded region and the screw is then rotated to drive the threaded region into the hole until the threaded region engages the cancellous bone surrounding the hole in the second region and the medullary section extends substantially into the medullary canal.

Abstract: A compression hip screw plate for a hip screw system used to compress a proximal femur having a shaft with a lateral aspect and a neck extending from the shaft at an anteverted angle, both of which follow the anatomical contours of the proximal femur. The compression hip screw plate may include a side plate having a face side attachable to the lateral aspect of the shaft of the proximal femur; and a barrel having a first end extendable through the lateral aspect of the shaft of the proximal femur and into the neck of the proximal femur, and having a second end attached to the side plate with the first end extending away from the face side of the barrel at an anteverted angle. The compression hip screw plate may include a side plate with an anterior bow to match the natural femur.

Abstract: A self-reaming intramedullary nail and method for using the same are disclosed. Nail 10 includes a rotatable reaming head 30 mounted to the distal end 24 of the cannulated nail body 20. A detachable drive shaft 40 connects reaming head 30 through nail body 20 to a conventional rotational drill device 8. Reaming head 30 and drive shaft 40 have longitudinal bores 31, 41 that when connected form a passage for receiving a guide wire 6.

Abstract: An implantable bone lengthening apparatus may utilize an entirely self-contained lengthening mechanism which includes a shape memory material-powered hydraulic pump, a shape memory material-powered ratchet mechanism, a permeable head piston mechanism, and a bellows extension mechanism. The bone lengthening nails are more compact, simpler, eliminate unnecessary shifting or torsional movement, and maintain alignment of the bone during its natural healing process.

Abstract: An expandable bone marrow cavity fixation device comprises a hollow tubular body provided peripherally with a plurality of through holes, in each of which a diameter-adjusting element is movably disposed. An adjustment element is adjustably disposed in the hollow interior of the tubular body such that the inner end of the diameter-adjusting element is urged by the adjustment element. An urging element is rotatably disposed in the hollow interior of the tubular body such that the upper end of the adjustment element is urged by the bottom end of the urging element, and that the adjustment element can be so actuated by a rotational motion of the urging element as to force the diameter-adjusting elements to jut out of the through holes of the tubular body to bring about an increase in outer diameter of the tubular body.

Abstract: A locking nail for treating femoral fractures has a generally cylindrical proximal portion to be positioned in the medullary canal. The proximal portion has an oblique bore for positioning and guiding a femoral neck screw. The nail has a distal portion provided with at least one cross bore for receiving a bone screw. The distal portion has an annular cross-sectional profile including an axial slot. The annular profile may be in the form of a clover leaf. A transition portion of said nail is located between the proximal and distal nail portions. The longitudinal slot extends from the transition portion to the distal tip of the distal portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical implant made of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially absorbable in tissue and contains reinforcing structures made of a polymer or a polymeric compound. The implant has a body with a first end formed as a stem and a second end formed as a head. The implant also contains arresting members for arresting the implant in a position in a direction opposite to the direction of installation. The stem protrudes from the outer surface of the body and substantially formed of at least one wing extending in the longitudinal direction of the body. The wing is connected to the body at one edge. The body contains a plurality of cuts adjacent the head which define the arresting members and are formed in a direction substantially parallel to the body.

Abstract: A fastening nail for fixing a cover membrane to a bone void which surrounds the bone of the body itself and is filled with an ossiferous material has a nail head with a larger diameter which enables receiving pressure of an impact tool for inserting a nail shaft with a smaller diameter into the bone. The nail shaft has essentially a cylindrical holding part extending to a conical tapering point part adjacent one end and is provided with a transition region between the holding part and point part having an annular shoulder with an enlarged diameter which has a conical surface merging obliquely with the generated surface of the point part in a direction toward the point of the nail and an annular surface extending substantially perpendicular relative to the holding axis of the nail. To insert the nail, the setting tool is elongated and has resilient jaws for gripping the nail and is used in combination with an auxiliary tool which has a foot with downwardly extending points for holding the membrane on the bone.

Abstract: A modular implant for use in stabilizing femoral bone disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defects. In one embodiment the implant has an upper side plate with a widened head and a angled barrel, and a lower side plate adapted to be engaged with the upper side plate in a tongue and groove configuration. The side plates, once engaged, conform with the cortical wall of the femur.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures of the neck and shaft of bones such as the femur, which includes a sleeve strap and a trochanter stabilization plate, and is designed so that the stabilization plate can be positioned over a previously installed sleeve strap.

Abstract: A bone nail for upper arm fractures, including a hollow first shank adapted to be inserted into the proximal end portion of a medullary canal, the first shank having a distal end that has a slotted portion provided with a plurality of slots and an internal thread extending beyond the slotted portion.

Abstract: A surgical device for percutaneous connection of a fractured upper part of the femur to the shaft comprises: a connector plate with a lower straight portion for screwed connection to the femur shaft and with a sharp bottom end for insertion through a small skin incision, having its upper portion perforated by two oblique, tapped bores for fixation of two long screws serving for connection of the fractured parts. Each screw has a wood-screw-shaped inner end and a cylindrical shaft with a hexagonal recess at its outer end which is continued by a tapped bore. Each screw is slidingly positioned in a sleeve which has its outer end slotted and screw-threaded for fixation in the oblique bores of the plate.

Abstract: A femoral intramedullary rod has a thin or reduced proximal segment so as to provide room for the use of femoral hip screws. Use of the rod for femoral shaft fixation permits subsequent independent treatment of an ipsilateral femoral hip fracture as an isolated injury, regardless of whether initially detected. Different rod embodiments are formed by the omission of different proximal portions of the rod. It is in such portions that the femoral screws may be placed to set hip fractures. The rod is cannulated for installation over a guide wire. Internal rod threads, below the thin proximal segment in some embodiments, are used for initial installation of the rod with a driving member screwed into such threads. Without driving forces on the thin proximal segment, such segment can be made even thinner. Once the rod is seated, hip screws may be installed if there is a detected hip fracture. Subsequent to healing, the femoral screws and interlocking screws (if any) may be removed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting the location of transverse holes of an intramedullary nail which has been inserted into a long bone and for aligning a surgical drill to the transverse holes. An insert having a light source at its distal end emitting non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum or infrared is inserted into the intramedullary nail, such that the light source is placed adjacent to the transverse holes. The light source may be a directional radiation output emitting the radiation in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the intramedullary nail. The light source may alternatively be an isotropic radiation output emitting radiation in all directions. The surgeon detects the transmitted radiation on the surface of the body of the patient and aligns the drill with the emitted radiation.

Abstract: An implantable intramedullary bone lengthening device for correction of limb length deficiencies without a need for transcutaneous connections. The implantable intramedullary bone lengthening nail has an implantable housing, an adjustment mechanism attached to the telescoping cylinder housing, and a drive assembly attached to the housing and the adjustment mechanism for transmitting an expansion force to the adjustment mechanism. The implantable housing may be sealed, encapsulating the unit. The intramedullary bone lengthening nail is inserted into the intramedullary cavity of a bone, which may have been enlarged by reaming. The implantable housing of the intramedullary nail is formed from two telescoping cylinders and is affixed at either end to the bone using pins. The adjustment mechanism is attached to both cylinders of the housing and includes a mechanism for expanding the nail and a ratcheting mechanism for regulating the expansion.

Abstract: A double nail guiding system for stabilizing broken bones includes a twin jig, first and second interlocking nails extending from the twin jig, wherein each interlocking nail defines a channel along a longitudinal axis thereof. The interlocking nails also include a distal portion which includes at least one hole. A centric or eccentric guiding pipe, including a channel in the center, extends through the first interlocking nail in a direction toward the second interlocking nail. A K-wire is inserted into the channel in the guiding pipe, such that the K-wire extends through the guiding pipe and through the hole defined in the second interlocking nail which is in the bone being stabilized. A guide probe is inserted into the channel in the second interlocking nail (which is in the bone) toward the distal portion thereof.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system comprising an elongated inner member 20 and a hollow barrel 14 adapted to receive the inner member 20. The barrel 14 includes an integral protrusion portion 15 for mating with a corresponding recess 24 on the inner member 20. The protrusion portion 15 is selectively removable by separation from the barrel 14, so that if the protrusion 15 is not removed, the protrusion 15 and corresponding recess 24 prevent rotation between the barrel 14 and the inner member 20, or alternatively, if the protrusion 15 is removed, this allows rotation between the inner member 20 and the barrel 14.

Abstract: A jig is detachably secured to the proximal end of an installed intramedullary nail having a transverse bolt hole near the distal end of the nail. The jig comprises an offsetting arm which so mounts an elongate template as to be movable in a geometric plane substantially parallel to the nail. A guide bore near the distal end of the template is on an axis perpendicular to the geometric plane. When the jig is chucked to the nail, the axis of the guide bore of the template is parallel to the axis of the bolt hole of the nail, and both the guide-bore axis and the bolt-hole axis are at identical distance from the offsetting arm. The distal end of the template is adapted to removably mount a metal-detector establishing a magnetic-field about a directional axis, such that the metal-detector can be selectively moved or positioned on one and then the other side of a central position in which the template is strictly parallel to the nail.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is provided having a top end and a distal end. Pivotally mounted jaws are located at the distal end which, when closed, are adapted to be secured about fixed supports in a fractured bone to be healed. The jaws can be fixed into position about the fixed supports.

Abstract: In a screw device (10; 80) for fixing prostheses to bones, the threaded shank (14) comprises a core (32, 34) of overall frusto-conical shape. The screw has a cylindrical neck (12) of diameter equal to or greater than the maximum diameter of the thread. This latter is of two different types, namely a first thread (26) of large pitch for fixing into the trabecular bone tissue (52) and a second thread (28), which can be of the self-tapping type, for fixing into the cortical bone opposite the point at which the screw is inserted into the bone. The second thread (28) has a number of starts which is a multiple of that of the first thread (26). For orthopedic use the screw (80) can comprise a third thread (128) on a part of the neck (112) for fixing into the relative cortical bone (50). A method for applying the screw device (10; 80) consists of forming a precision hole (40) in the bone, tapping said hole with a tapper (60; 100), and screwing the screw (10; 80) into it.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for displaying the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a fracture of a bone including an elongated body member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone; a tab member having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a screw for fastening of the tab member to the bone; and a bolt for selectively removably coupling the tab member to the proximal end of the body member. Preferably, the tab member is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and removably interlocking the first plate member to a second plate member. In another embodiment, the apparatus include a body member for insertion into a bone cavity, the body member having at least one aperture disposed in close proximity to its first end to allow for passage of a screw for fastening the body member to the bone.

Abstract: An insert member of use in an impact hole leading into a medullary canal of a bone for treating a fracture by insertion of at least one bone nail into the medullary canal is disclosed. The insert member has a guide channel for receiving the proximal end of the bone nail, lateral openings and a pin for fixing the insert member in the impact hole, and a closure member for the proximal end of the guide channel. The closure member includes an abutment for the proximal end of the bone nail which allows limited reverse movement of the proximal end of the bone nail within the guide channel. The abutment may be a separate member attached to the closure member by a spring or the abutment may be a shaped projection extending forwardly from the closure member.

Abstract: Fracture reduction tool is disclosed for use with a guide wire for reducing a bone fracture. The guide wire is of a uniform diameter and has a beaded end for placement into the medullary canal. The tool includes an elongated hollow shaft which can be passed into the medullary canal of the fractured bone through an entry hole prepared in the bone. The shaft has a bore along its length through which the guide wire can selectively pass. The shaft and/or the guide wire can be manipulated into and within the respective medullary canal portions of the fractured bone by translational and/or rotational movements so as to reduce the fracture. The tool also includes a measurement sleeve which moves over the shaft and provides a determination of the length of a nail to be inserted into the medullary canal of the reduced bone. A handle for the proximal end of the shaft allows for ease in manipulation of the shaft and guide wire.

Abstract: A bone nail of elastic material bent at least in its proximal end portion and insertable into the medullary canal of the bone through an impact hole formed proximal to the knee joint area of the bone has the same cross section in its distal end area as the entire nail and is provided with a flattening for forming a coupling element for the non-rotatable connection with the tool in at least one site of the nail periphery at a distance from the distal nail end, with at least the front face immediately adjacent the distal nail end via which the flattening merges with the periphery of the bone nail, preferably both opposing front faces, extending inclined to the flattening, and thus form an angle deviating from 90 degrees, peferably an angle of about 45 degrees, with said flattening.

Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.