Abstract: Disclosed is a method of navigating an information structure comprising: providing a graphical menu interface displaying the items of a given level of the information structure and enabling selection thereof; dynamically constructing an active path as a sequence of active links after an item of the information structure has been selected; said active links allowing the display of one or more items on a given level of the information structure; and said active links allowing a user to access an item in the information structure by selecting from the one or more items displayed by one of the active links on the active path.

Abstract: A locking component for locking a medical device onto a guide wire. Such medical devices include, for example, an embolic filter assembly used to capture embolic material that may be created and released into a patient's vasculature during a stenting or angioplasty procedure. The embolic filter assembly tracks along the guide wire, and is delivered to a treatment site where it is locked in place and deployed. The locking component enables the filter assembly to lock onto any standard guide wire, and does not require a modified guide wire that has a specially-designed fitting or stop to accomplish the locking function.

Abstract: A method for treating anorectal disorders, comprising a step of providing a suppository containing between 1000 and 500,000 IU of an antioxidant selected from the group of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E; and a step of placing the suppository within the rectal cavity for a period of time required for dissolution of the suppository.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular component for a hip joint that is inserted into a bone cavity of the natural acetabulum. The acetabular component consists of an articulating component and a constraining component. The articulating component has a hemispherical or dome shape that defines a hemispherical cavity for receiving a femoral ball of a femoral hip stem. The constraining component has a body that connects to the articulating component to capture the femoral ball within the cavity of the articulating component. A locking mechanism connects the constraining component to the articulating component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving bit having one end connectable to an angled driving instrument and another end connectable to a screw-hole plug, dome plug, or bone screw. The driving bit has an elongated body with a length adapted for use in minimally invasive acetabular surgery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving instrument and driving guide for aligning and driving bone screws and screw-hole plugs. The instrument includes a working section and a driving section connected together with a joint connector. The joint connector enables the working and driving sections to move to various angles relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for preparing and cutting the radial and carpal bones to receive a prosthetic wrist during a total wrist arthroplasty. Cuts on both the radius and carpal bones are made from a single broach. The broach is embedded in the intramedullary canal of the radius and a cutting tool is attached to an end of the broach to resect the radius. With the cutting tool removed, a cut block is attached to the broach and the carpal bones are resected. The cut block has a thickness that equal the thickness of the bearing component of the wrist prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic component includes an adaptor having a first end and a second end. The first end includes an elongated male tapered body. The second end includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the male tapered body and having an anti-rotational/anatomically orientation component formed therewith. The second end also includes a female tapered aperture formed therein which has an anti-rotational/anatomical orientation component formed therewith. The flange may include an elongated portion having a porous annular surface thereon.

Abstract: A patellar prosthesis used to replace a portion of the natural knee. The patellar prosthesis comprises two basic components: A baseplate and an articulation component connected together with an attachment mechanism. This attachment mechanism provides both rotational and orbital translation such that the articulation component moves in an infinite number of directions with respect to the baseplate.

Abstract: A unicondylar femoral component for use in a partial knee arthroplasty. A femoral component of the present invention comprises a post and a flange having a pre-determined angle there between whereby a clamping force is placed on a patient's distal femur to hold the implant in place. The implant further comprises a porous layer on its bone contacting surface. In an alternative embodiment the femoral component is attached to the distal femur at least two threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A femoral component for a prosthetic knee implant system. The femoral component comprises medial and lateral condyles, wherein the height of the medial condyle is greater than the height of the lateral condyle.

Abstract: A technique for preparing a bone to receive an implantable orthopedic component. The technique utilizes a modular bone impaction preform. The preform holds the shape of the implantable component during impaction of bone replacement material to fill defects formed in the bone via disease, congenital defect, or trauma. Typically, the bone impaction preform is used with an instrument that may comprise a trial stem, a trial stem adapter, and a handle. The bone impaction preform and trial stem, as well as the other components, can be made in modular form to facilitate interchangeability.

Abstract: A modular knee prosthetic system used to replace the natural knee and including two distal posterior femoral components and one patellar-femoral joint component. The components have a smooth outer condylar surface and an inner bone-engaging surface and are connectable to form either an unicompartmental or bicompartmental femoral knee prosthesis.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant having a porous metal surface in a preferred embodiment, the implant comprises three layers including a biocompatible metal core of desired shape, a polymer intermediary layer, and a surface layer comprising a porous biocompatible metal, shaped appropriately to act as the surface of an orthopaedic implant is provided. The core and the pad are placed in an injection molding device wherein a polymer intermediary layer is injection molded between the pad and the metal core, thereby bonding the pad to the metal core.

Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis used to replace a natural human spinal disc that has been damaged by trauma or disease and a method of using the same. The spinal disc of the present invention includes, in one form thereof a flexible fluid filled nucleus, a flexible braided fiber annulus, and a pair of woven metallic end-plates comprising micro-fixation means for initial fixation to adjacent bone and a bone in-growth surface, wherein the spinal disc comprises a generally anatomic structure and shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deburring nonmetallic machined workpieces. A deburring material of sufficient hardness to debur nonmetallic workpieces without causing scarring thereto is rubbed against a workpiece to effect deburring. The deburring material has a durometer hardness and consequently a coefficient of friction whereby frictional engagement of a burr with the deburring material is stronger than the attachment of the burr to the workpiece and therefore the burr is removed as the deburring material is actuated and brought into contact with the burr. The deburring material can be, e.g., polyisoprene and may be mechanically actuated or actuated by hand.

Abstract: A sterilization tray has a smooth exterior, ruggedness, light weight, high thermal conductivity, comfortable gripping surfaces, stackability, and low cost construction. The tray is constructed of stamped and folded sheet metal, but in such a way as to provide rounded corners. A molded handle insert is attached to the ends of the tray to provide the multiple utility of reducing the number of handles required, maximizing space utilization, providing a comfortable gripping surface on the outside and inside of the tray, and providing stackability.

Abstract: A method for connecting a testing device, used for in-circuit testing of a unit under test, to a test fixture used to support the unit under test, without the use of discrete wiring. First electrical contacts on the testing device are arranged in a first layout and second electrical contacts on the test fixture are arranged in a second layout different from the first layout. A translator board is provided having third electrical contacts arranged in the first layout on a first surface, and fourth electrical contacts arranged in the second layout on a second surface with conductive traces forming an electrical connection therebetween. The translator board is placed on the testing device such that the third electrical contacts directly contact and are electrically with the first electrical contacts.