Abstract: An external fixation apparatus 2 that allows the transfixation wire 10 to be secured at a plurality of discrete positions to provide adjustability of the angular orientation of the wire with respect to the plane of a frame ring 6. The fixation apparatus 2 includes a transfixation wire or pin 10 that is connected between a transmitting clamp 20 and a receiving clamp 40 that are shiftably carried atop of a partial frame ring 6. A wire retainer 50 is secured to the distal end 14 of the transfixation wire. The receiving clamp 40 includes a raised member 46 adapted for receiving distal end 14 of wire 10 and mating with retainer 50 at a variety of discrete positions along the length of raised member 46. Retainer 50 uses two screws 54, 56 to secure distal end 14 of wire 10 within a longitudinal through bore 51. Screw 54 extends into longitudinal bore 51 to engage wire 10 near the proximal end of retainer 50.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic implant 510 including a stem portion 520 having a discrete, circumferential porous pad 526 mounted directly on the stem portion 520 in surrounding relation thereto. The pad 526 includes a first end 528 and a second end 529 such that when the pad 526 is mounted on the stem portion 520, the first end 528 and the second end 529 face each other and are interconnected at a seam 527 therebetween, such that the interconnection reduces the advancement of wear debris along the seam 527.The interconnection may include at least one pair of mating interlocking tabs 600 on the pad 526. Alternatively, the improved interconnected seam 700 may be improved by the use of a metallurgical bond along the seam 727 or by the use of a filler material along the seam 727 to reduce the possibility of wear debris advancing or traveling along the seam.

Abstract: A sterilization case 1 having one or more brackets 10 which are designed to enhance the steam sterilization of a medical apparatus 30 being held in the bracket 10. The bracket 10 is designed to provide cutout areas 51 to create a gap or gaps 52 between the surface of the apparatus 30 being held and the recess in the bracket 10, and yet still securely grip and hold the apparatus 30 in the bracket. The invention is adaptable to a wide variety of different shaped apparatus 30.

Abstract: A bone screw screwdriver and method for securely, positively locking a bone screw to the screwdriver. The screwdriver includes an extending handle through which a drive rod is slidingly disposed. A tongue at one end of the drive rod interlocks within a groove in the bone screw. The drive rod selectively locks within the handle to positively interlock the bone screw with the screwdriver. A tab on the screwdriver engages a corresponding recess on the bone screw to prevent rotation and removal of the bone screw from the screwdriver.

Abstract: An orthopaedic positioner instrument 1 for positioning an implant 10 or other surgical device which includes a proximal portion with a transverse hole 17 therein. The instrument includes a locator post 53 or 353 adapted to be received in the transverse hole 17 and a first adjustable pressure applying means adapted to selectively apply pressure against a first outer surface, such as a shoulder 13, of an implant 10 to firmly hold the implant or other device 10 onto instrument 1. The instrument 1 may further include a second adjustable pressure applying means adapted to selectively apply pressure against a second surface of the device, such as the medial side 16 of implant 10.

Abstract: A spinal implant system including components designed to be affixed to the spinal column. The system includes spinal rods, attachment devices, and interpositional sleeves for securing the attachment devices to the rods. The attachment devices may be various types of spinal hooks, screws, couplers, rod connectors, clamps, or other such devices.

Abstract: A provisional instrument component 1 for evaluating the fit of a corresponding orthopaedic implant. The component 1 is intended and designed to be a disposable, single use provisional instrument component. The provisional instrument component 1 is made of a material which can be sterilized by gamma irradiation, but which provides a visible indicator, such as visible deformation 10, upon resterilization by exposure to a heated environment, thereby discouraging or preventing re-use of the component 1.

Abstract: An orthopaedic base component and an augmentation block, such as a provisional tibial component 2, which includes an attachment mechanism that ensures that the augmentation block 30 can not inadvertently shift about or disconnect from the tray component 10. The attachment mechanism uses a button 40 and "key hole" shaped opening 20 to attach augmentation block 30 to tray component 10. The "key hole" opening is formed in the distal surface 14 of tray component 10. The "key hole" configuration is formed by an elongated slot 21 and a circular bore 23. Two oppositely facing protuberances 26 extend into the posterior end of each slot 21 from the peripheral side walls 22, which define the slot. Button 40 extends transversely from the proximal surface 34 of the augmentation block 30 and includes a substantially rectangular neck 42 and a flat circular head 44. Neck 42 has an indentation 43 formed on two opposed sides.

Abstract: An orthopaedic holding forceps 1 for simultaneously holding a screw 60 and a screwdriver 70. The forceps 1 includes a distal tip 42 having an upper chamber 43 adapted for receiving an enlarged gripping head 72 of the screwdriver 70 and a lower chamber 44 adapted for receiving the enlarged head 61 of screw 60. The distal tip 42 also includes an interconnecting chamber 45 between the upper and lower chambers 43 and 44 adapted for receiving the distal driving tip 73 of the screwdriver 70.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint implant for replacing a portion of a bone having a base member 10 with a first surface 11 for positioning toward a surface of the bone. The first surface 11 includes a shallow recessed portion 13 and a raised peripheral rim 14 at an outer edge 15 of the recessed portion. The joint implant 1 further includes a separate augment member 40 having a first face 41 adapted to be selectively positioned against the first surface 11 of base member 10. The first face 41 includes a peripheral outer edge 43 thereabout and an elongated raised rib 44 having an outer shoulder 45 which abuts an inner shoulder 16 of raised rim 14 of base member 10. The raised rib 44 of augment member 40 extends only about halfway or less around the peripheral outer edge 43 of augment member 40. The raised rib 44 provides resistance to shear forces that act toward the direction of the rib 44 positioned along an outer side of the base member 10 when the augment member is connected thereto.

Abstract: A prosthetic mobile bearing knee 10 including a femoral implant 12 having condyle sections 22 attached to a femur 14 and a tibial tray implant 16 having a plateau 38 attached to a tibia 18. The tibial tray implant 16 has a pair of spaced apart, concavely curved plateau bearing surfaces 40 for cooperation and sliding with convexly curved surfaces 33 on a tibial bearing 20. The tibial tray plateau bearing surfaces 40 are shaped to create a gradually increasing resistance to sliding and rotational movement of the tibial bearing 20. The tibial bearing 20 that interfits between the femoral and tibial tray implants is constructed in one or two portions.

Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, including a cobalt-based alloy substrate and a titanium fiber metal pad bonded thereto by means of an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel. More specifically, a method of bonding a titanium porous surface to a cobalt-based alloy in an orthopaedic implant device, by first applying an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel to the substrate and then bonding a porous structure to the interlayer. In one embodiment, an interlayer of L-605 is first applied to a substrate of Co--Cr--Mo by diffusion bonding at approximately 2200.degree. F. and then a fiber metal pad of CP-titanium is diffusion bonded to the interlayer at approximately 1650.degree. F. A layer of CP-titanium may optionally be placed intermediate the fiber metal pad and interlayer before the second diffusion step. In an alternative embodiment, MP-35N alloy may be substituted for the L-605 alloy.

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.