Abstract: A medical implant made of polymeric material having an increased oxidation resistance is formed by a method including the steps of placing a resin powder in a sealed container. A substantial portion of the oxygen is removed from the sealed container by either a vacuum, an oxygen absorbent or by flushing with inert gas. The container is then repressurized with a gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium or neon so that long term storage may be possible. On use, the resin is transferred to a forming device which both melts and forms the resin in an oxygen reduced atmosphere to produce a polymeric raw material such as a rod or bar stock. The medical implant is then formed from this raw material annealed and sealed in an air-tight package in an oxygen reduced atmosphere. The implant is then radiation sterilized and thereafter annealed in the package for a predetermined time and temperature sufficient to form cross-links between any free radicals in neighboring polymeric chains.

Abstract: In electrosurgical apparatus for tissue desiccation and cutting, an electrosurgical generator has a series-connected output inductor which forms a series resonant circuit with the capacitance of the generator load, the load including an electrode unit and a cable coupled to the generator output. The series resonant frequency is typically 1.5 f where f is the operating frequency of the generator. A capacitor may be included, coupled between the conductors which connect bipolar electrodes to the generator, to increase the load capacitance. The effect of these measures is to boost the output voltage available for electrosurgical treatment, especially for tissue cutting.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding stent having multiple layers includes a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the relaxed state. A silicone coating circumscribes at least the medial region of the stent. A deployment device for the stent includes an inner tube surrounded by the stent along with an outer tube that radially compresses the stent. A low durometer sleeve, fixed to the inner tube and in surface engagement with the compressed stent, tends to fix the axial position of the stent relative to the inner tube whenever the outer tube is moved axially relative to the inner tube. Consequently, precision in stent placement and the ability to recapture a partially deployed stent are enhanced.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing a long bone combines an external fixator with a locking nail implanted in the medullary canal of a long bone. The external fixator has fixed bone pins at each of its ends and movable bone pins intermediate its ends. The fixed bone pins extend through transverse bores at each end of the bone nail and the movable pins extends through a slot in the bone nail intermediate its ends. By this method a fracture can be compressed and stabilized while healing.

Abstract: Device for stabilizing, and/or compressing, and/or distracting certain portions of the spinal column is provided. The device utilizes pedicle screws, and an adapter is provided which may be connected by a screw device to the head of a pedicle screw. A roughened portion of the adapter cooperates with a roughened portion of the pedicle screw head to provide for a non-rotatable connection of the adapter with respect to the pedicle screw. The adapter has a circular opening or a recess for receiving the threaded rod which is fixed to the adapter by a threaded device.

Abstract: An acetabular bone graft impactor comprising a contact surface at least part of which is located on a head connected to a shaft provided with and anvil to be hit with a hammer. A flange extends from the head so that the contact surface shape can be selectively altered.

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

Abstract: A ratcheting compression device is provided which is very strong, which can be customized in length, which can be retightened periodically to maintain compression, which allows precise placement and alignment of bones with both grossly tuned compression and finely tuned compression, and in which only a limited inventory of parts is required. The two-piece compression device comprises (a) a novel first piece having a bone screw located at a first end thereof and having a ratcheting member located near the second end thereof and comprising teeth having their crests lying substantially in a plane and (b) a novel second piece comprising an anti-rotation member which acts in cooperation with the ratcheting member of the first piece to compress two segments of bone together. In yet other embodiments, two embodiments of a driver are provided for quickly driving the stop onto the ratcheting member to a desired extent.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed that includes an exit spark control system. Exit sparking occurs when energy arcs to the patient as the active electrode is withdrawn from the patient. A basis for controlling the exit spark is to automatically change the frequency at which the final amplifier is driven whenever the conditions for an exit spark are detected. The change in frequency acts to lower the gain and efficiency in the final amplifier and dissipate energy as heat. The exit spark control system includes a frequency adjustable waveform generator and a logic capability for determining the conditions when exit sparking is likely to occur. Sensors and an algorithm in a microcontroller are preferably required to detect the conditions preceding exit sparking occurrence.

Abstract: A catheter with a radially self-expanding cylindrical vascular support made of a permeable mesh of crossed stiff fibers is disclosed. The catheter has a tubular outer catheter shaft and an inner catheter to which the vascular support is fixed. The tubular outer catheter shaft is axially movable with respect to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A method for reducing discoloration in a discolored plastic material which has been subjected to sterilization by gamma radiation which includes exposing the plastic material to light having a wavelength within the range of 200 to 600 nm for a time sufficient to restore the original clarity. A sterilized pack for a medical device including plastic material in which the clarity has been restored by the method is also included.

Abstract: A vacuum rig apparatus for introducing a liquid into a space defined by a shaped article, which apparatus comprises a series of interconnected vessels attached through a port to a vacuum line, wherein one of the vessels is adapted to hold the shaped article and the apparatus is tiltable about a point midway along the vessel so that liquid from a reservoir flows into the vessel to surround the shaped article and fill the space therein when a vacuum is applied to the apparatus.

Abstract: A docking assembly for the extension of a guidewire. The docking assembly comprises a plug formed at the proximal end of the guidewire, and a socket formed of a tubing permanently bent so as to have a V shaped portion comprised between two straight portions. The end of straight portion is affixed to the distal end of extension wire. A sleeve is slidably engaged over the tubing to substantially straighten it and facilitate insertion of plug into the tubing. Removal of sleeve allows the tubing to recover its preshaped deformation, thereby assuring locking of plug in tubing. To release the assembly it suffices to pull the guidewire and extension wire oppositely to slip the plug out from the tubing.

Abstract: A system changes the rate of operation of a smoke evacuator used with an electrosurgical generator during treatment of a patient electrosurgically at an operative site. A mono or bipolar circuit for electrosurgery has an electrosurgical generator, ESU. A switch in the circuit activates the ESU when keyed. An active output connects the ESU to supply radio frequency energy and a return input to the ESU receives energy. A handpiece has an active electrode and an active lead connects between the output and the electrode. A return lead connects the return input and has a terminus to the patient. A controller in the ESU controls the various output signals of the ESU in response to hand or foot switching inputs or sensed current in the patient circuit. A trigger is connected to the controller in the ESU. The smoke evacuator operates at a different rate when the trigger in the ESU is keyed. A rate controller adjusts the condition of its function per unit time in accord with the trigger on the ESU.

Abstract: A method and assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting one or more flexible conductive members, with one or more insulated wires using one or more insulation piercing terminals. The flexible conductive member may have one or more electrically conductive layers attached to a pliable backing. The insulated wire may have one or more conductors. The insulation piercing terminal provides a low impedance electrical connection between the flexible conductive member and the insulated wire, while also providing a mechanical connection between the flexible conductive member and the insulated wire which minimizes movement of the insulated wire due to any axial and/or longitudinal forces that may be applied to the insulated wire or the flexible member during manufacturing and use. The insulation piercing terminal combines one or more piercing members with an integral mechanical securing means and an electrical contact for engaging the flexible conductive member.

Abstract: A prosthetic patello femoral joint assembly comprises a patella mounting component on which is located a movable mobile bearing component. A first side of the bearing component is shaped to engage the patella groove of a natural or an artificial femur. A second side of the mounting component has a substantially spherical convex bearing surface which engages and can articulate against a substantially spherical posterior concave bearing surface on the mounting component. A control means acts between the components to restrict substantially vertical movement of the bearing component about a medio lateral axis of the knee with which it is to be used, but allows substantially horizontal movement and relative rotation between said mounting component and said bearing component.

Abstract: An acetabular cup for a total hip prosthesis has an outer shell and an inner bearing component. The shell is molded around the inner bearing component and has an elastic modulus similar to subchondral bone of between 5 GPa and 18 GPa. The shell has a part-spherical main portion and two independent arms projecting from the part-spherical main portion. The arms are separated from each other by an opening of predetermined shape and size.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for preparing the medullary canal of the femur for implanting a prosthetic femoral component includes a template to be used in determining osteotomy position from an x-ray. A gauge is provided to locate and mark this position on the anterior femur. A distal reamer having an elongated drive shaft is used to form the canal to receive the distal stem of the femoral component. A metaphyseal template is used to determine the proper anteversion/retroversion and a chisel is used to cut the lateral area of the femur, both of which are guided by the elongated reamer shaft. A proximal broach also guided by the reamer shaft is used to shape the proximal medullary canal.

Abstract: A catheter with a self-expanding stent of a permeable mesh of stiff intersecting fibers is provided. A tubular outer catheter shaft holds the stent under tension at its distal end and from which the stent can be released for placement. A displaceable inner catheter inside the tubular outer catheter shaft supports the stent axially at its proximal end. In order to release the stent, the outer catheter shaft is retracted with respect to the inner catheter. A process for producing this catheter is also described. The stent is secured by gripping it at its proximal end in such a way that it forms a permeable mesh cone that expands automatically together with the stent and has a radius that increases gradually to the radius of the relaxed stent. The stent is securely anchored on the inner catheter with the help of the mesh cone.

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter is described having a stiff, preferably metallic, proximal tube. The distal portion of the proximal tube may have a plurality of perforations or slots formed therein to increase its flexibility. This provides a smooth transition between the relatively stiff proximal tube and a more flexible distal polymeric tube.