Abstract: A positioning tool has an elongated cylindrical section for reversibly engaging an acetabular cup which is insertable through a posterior opening in the cup. The outer diameter of a proximal portion of the cylindrical section is expandable to engage the inner wall of the cup in an interference fit to prevent movement of the cup relative to the tool and hold the cup in engagement with the tool to move the cup with movement of tool to place the cup for implanting at a desired position. The expanded portion of the tool may be contracted to release it from the cup after implantation. The proximal portion, which is attached to the distal portion and separated therefrom by a partial transverse slot, is divided into semicircular sections by a diametrical vertical slot therebetween. Diametrically opposite quadrants of the proximal portion further contain elongated slots therethrough which are perpendicular to the vertical slot and spaced from the edge of the cylinder by a thin section.

Abstract: A tool for driving pedicle screws into vertebrae of the human spine has a shaft preferably with a handle at one end and, at the opposite end, a holder for receiving a preferably ring-shaped head which is flattened on opposite sides. The tool has a first clamping jaw (18) secured to the shaft (12), and a second loose clamping jaw (20) including a lateral projection which is tiltably received by the first clamping jaw (18). The tool has an axially slidable actuating member (32) which is guided along the shaft (12). The front end of the actuating member (32) engages the rear end of the second clamping jaw (20) and is preferably axially urged towards the second clamping jaw (20) by a threaded driving means.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning apparatus has a base, first and second bone tissue engaging elements mounted on the base and being displaceable toward and away from each other. One of the tissue engaging elements being adapted to be oriented by the tissue engaged thereby. A guide element is provided which is adjustable in relation to the base and one of the tissue engaging elements for positioning first location element to locate a cutting guide provided with cooperating second location element onto the bone to be resectioned.

Abstract: The guide wire of this invention is especially suited for the percutaneous introduction of a balloon dilatation catheter into a blood vessel. It contains a flexible shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A flexible helical coil assembly surrounds the distal portion of the shaft. The helical coil assembly has a radiographically visible distal helical coil and a proximal radiographically invisible helical coil. The proximal helical coil and the distal helical coil are attached to each other by a connecting helical coil that on one end is screwed into the proximal helical coil and on the other end is screwed into the distal helical coil.

Abstract: An external fixator including at least two groups of pins inserted respectively on either side of the fracture. Two vices are used for securing the pins to two hinge elements. The hinge elements are used to connect and orient the vices in relation to an external immobilizing rod which extends parallel to the bone. Each vice includes a clamping jaw and a bar intended to connect to one of the hinge elements.

Abstract: A tibial element is provided for a replacement knee prosthesis which comprises a tibial tray provided with a bearing component having medial and lateral compartments. Control means acting between the tray and the bearing component are included which provide free posterior and anterior movement of the lateral compartment which is greater than any allowed free posterior and anterior movement of the medial compartment in relation to the tray. Thus, there is no relative free posterior movement and anterior movement of the medial compartment or some may be allowed.

Abstract: A method of implanting an acetabular cup which includes the step of preparing an acetabular socket to receive a cup, placing cement in the acetabular socket before or after locating a tube in line with the acetabular socket and inserting the acetabular cup through the tube and into the socket.

Abstract: A prosthetic bearing element comprises a backing which supports a bearing liner having a bearing surface. The backing is made from a "hard" polymeric material having a minimum hardness value of 55 N/mm.sup.2 and the bearing liner is made from a "soft" elastomeric polyurethane material having a hardness value of 3.0 to 9.0 N/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A novel method for reducing an arteriosclerotic lesion is disclosed in which the electromagnetic energy directed at the lesion is selectively absorbed by a lesion component, e.g. cholesterol. The resulting decomposition of said lesion component leads to reduction of the lesion with minimal risk of damage to blood constituents and adjacent healthy blood vessel tissue. Preferably, monochromatic electromagnetic energy is generated by a laser and is conducted to the vicinity of the lesion by at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having a proximal shaft formed from an inner liner formed from a copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, an outer jacket formed from a blend of nylon and polyether block amide or polyether block amide alone, and a soft flexible tip affixed to the distal end of the proximal shaft formed from polyether block amide. A stem may be located between the proximal shaft and the soft flexible tip. The stem has an outer jacket formed from a proximal stem transition sleeve with a tapered distal end and a distal stem sleeve with a complementary tapered proximal end connected to the tapered distal end of the proximal stem transition sleeve. The stem transition sleeve and the stem sleeve are both formed from polyether block amide alone or a blend of polyether block amide and nylon. The outer jacket may be the same hardness as or harder than the stem transition sleeve which in turn is harder than the stem sleeve and the soft flexible tip.

Abstract: An awl suitable for both opening up a bone canal and for sizing that bone canal so as to obviate the use of a Charnley awl and the use of 4 to 5 distal reamers comprises (a) a tapered distal cutting head having a pointed first end, and a second end; and (b) a shaft attached to the second end, such that the shaft has a multiplicity of grooves calibrated so as to indicate the diameter of the isthmus of the bone canal. Also provided is a method of opening up a bone canal and of measuring the diameter of the isthmus of the bone canal with a single instrument.

Abstract: A process for rendering the surfaces of polymeric plastic or rubber materials, which are intrinsically non-polar or only slightly polar, and hydrophobic, polar or more polar, and hydrophilic, so that amine-containing functional groups, and ultimately, a durable tenaciously adhering, slippery polyurethane or polyurethane-urea hydrogel coating may subsequently be applied to the polymer surface, is disclosed.

Abstract: An interventional catheter for angioplasty and the like, comprising a catheter tube formed of two superposed layers of materials different from one another. The inner layer is comprised of a low friction nonkinkable material to avoid risk of clogging of a guide wire in the longitudinal lumen. The outer layer is comprised of a material with higher friction coefficient than the material forming the inner layer. The balloon is welded at its distal end to the outer layer of the catheter tube. The proximal end of the balloon is welded to a tube surrounding the catheter tube.

Abstract: The balloon catheter comprises a shaft with an elongated dilatation balloon mounted in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. Member for preventing expansion of balloon segments are mounted on shaft proximally of the balloon and comprise an armature enclosed in a sleeve moveable over a proximal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: The pressure monitoring guidewire comprises an elongated tube made of one piece of elastic Nickel Titanium alloy. The distal end portion of the tube has transverse openings formed through the tube wall for the entry of pressure waves into a lumen. The distal end portion of the tube which encompasses the openings, is malleable. The pressure monitoring guidewire can be formed by thermally treating the distal end portion of a guidewire formed of an elongated tube of one piece of elastic Nickel Titanium alloy having a distal end portion with transverse openings.

Abstract: A body compatible device including an elongate filament substantially uniform in lateral cross-section over its length and having multiple fibers having high tensile strength embedded in a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be melted onto the fibers, and the filament may have an elongate polymeric case surrounding the filament. The body compatible device may be a stent of a tubular latticework.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for the treatment of vessels carrying body fluid, comprising an inner catheter provided with a guidewire lumen for receiving a guidewire and an inflation lumen for a balloon provided at its distal end. The catheter assembly further comprises an outer catheter provided with an inflation lumen for a balloon provided at its distal end and a lumen in which the inner catheter is applied shiftable for changing the spacing of the two balloons and which features a larger cross-section than that of the inner catheter so that between the outer wall of the inner catheter and the inner wall of the outer catheter a cross-section employable as an inflation lumen exists and ports into the portion sited between the two balloons.

Abstract: An improved catheter having at least one lumen with a nonlinear inflation lumen flow portion that may be used with a balloon or in a guide catheter. Additionally disclosed is a catheter assembly having a nonlinear flow portion for contrast media delivery. The nonlinear flow portions facilitate hydraulic and mechanical characteristics relating to deflation of a balloon, the flow rate of fluid, contrast media or the like, and relative performance.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with: (a) a first layer of polytetrafluoroethylene; (b) a reinforcing means at least partially surrounding the inner layer; and (c) a second layer comprising a blend of polyetherester elastomer and polybutylene terephthalate at least partially covering the second layer.

Abstract: A plate for covering a drill hole in a skull cap and for fixing a cranial bone cover comprises a plurality of vanes (16a-16e) extending radially with respect to a center (12) and slots (20a-20e) between the vanes. For receiving bone screws holes (18a-18e) are provided in the respective region of the outer periphery of the vanes.