Abstract: The debridement tip of the instant invention provides efficient cleaning action and is capable of handling excessive amounts of debris. It also is able to track irregular debridement sites such as canals and gutter wounds. It furthermore visually indicates when it is clogged. The debridement tip comprises an inner cannula and an outer cannula. The outer cannula is flexible so that it tracks the debridement site. The outer cannula surrounds the inner cannula and forms an enlarged collection chamber near a proximal end of the debridement tip for collecting debris. The collection chamber is easily opened to allow removal of the debris. The collection chamber is also flexible so that if the tip becomes clogged either the outer cannula or the collection chamber or both will collapse thus visually indicating the clogged condition. A filter at one end of the collection chamber prevents large debris from leaving the chamber. The filter is shaped to resist clogging.

Abstract: A blade and clamp obtain a motion free coupling while remaining easily operable. The clamp comprises first and second clamping faces. The second clamping face includes a plurality of tapered lugs arranged in a radial pattern. The blade comprises a plate-like body having a primary U-shaped slot and a plurality of radial U-shaped slots which engage the tapered lugs of the clamp to produce a tight motion free coupling between the blade and clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for milling bone. The apparatus includes a template having a reference surface for controlling depth of cut and a track for guiding the cutter in two dimensions to cut a planar surface.

Abstract: An alignment guide comprises a guide block locator having surfaces for engaging a prepared femur and establishing a specific position relative to an intercondylar slot in the femur. The guide block locator contains an aperture for directing a guide block to the specific position. The guide block includes a leg that can be driven into the femur to hold the guide block in place. The guide block is adapted to precisely engage the cam box of a femoral implant. Upon removal of the guide block locator, the femoral implant can be positioned over the guide block where the cam box will engage the guide block before the anterior and posterior flanges of the implant grip the anterior and posterior surfaces of the femur thereby providing proper alignment of the femur and implant.

Abstract: An irrigation system contains a safety relief valve and a safety relief valve control valve. The safety relief valve control valve acts to modulate the operation of the safety relief valve when there is flow from an outflow port. By this mechanism high flow rates are accommodated without causing premature activation of the safety relief valve.

Abstract: A tibial knee component includes reference marks to which a surgeon can reference the location of the point of contact between the tibial component and a femoral knee component. In one embodiment of the invention, the femoral component also includes reference marks to aid the surgeon in determining the contact point and to aid in orienting the knee in specific predetermined degrees of flexion.

Abstract: A modular tibial prosthesis contains a dovetail mechanism (4, 5 & 14) and a posterior tongue (15) and groove (8) arrangement. The dovetail mechanism cooperates with a reinforcing component (22) to allow alternate use of a spined component (20) with the same base plate (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for milling bone. The apparatus includes a template having a reference surface for controlling depth of cut and a track for guiding the cutter in two dimensions to cut a planar surface.

Abstract: A bone cement composition has adjustable rheological properties, high strength, and produces a uniform radiological image. The cement comprises beads containing a polymerization initiator in controllable concentrations from 0% to 5% or more by weight. These same beads or others may also contain an opacifier. The polymerization initiator and the opacifier may be selectively distributed throughout the beads or at specific radial locations in the beads or within the beads in specific strata. They may also be selectively placed in beads of a particular advantageous size range. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention, other advantageous additives can be incorporated in the beads such as dyes, antibiotics, bone growth factors, and other pharmacological or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A provisional implant includes an indicator of implant function. Alternating electrically conductive regions and electrically insulating regions on the surface of the provisional implant cooperate with an electrically conducting mating component to indicate when the mating component is in contact with each of the electrically conducting regions.

Abstract: An implant being securely fixed in a bone by a layer of plastic cement is removed by supplying a pressurized fluid to the interface between the cement and the implant.

Abstract: A collet for attaching a blade to a surgical saw is biased toward a closed position in which the blade is securely clamped between a drive member and a clamping member. A rotational movement of a knob is converted into a translational movement of the clamp to open the collet. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the collet in the open position for simplified operation and cleaning.

Abstract: An implant comprises a plastic body and a metallic, porous surface securely fixed to the body. The implant is made by first producing a porous mold insert having a porous metal structure and a soluble filler material filling a portion of its pores. The mold insert is then placed in a mold and plastic is injected into the mold and the exposed pores of the insert to form the implant body and securely attach the body and insert. The implant is then contacted by a solvent which dissolves the filler material to expose that portion of the insert which had been filled.