Abstract: A guided reamer (10) has a central cannulation (12, 12a) adapted to receive a drill pin (14) secured in a manner which is axially aligned with the stem (22) of the bulbus bone joint (20). The reamer (10)has a profile cutting form (24) with cutting teeth (40) formed therein for cutting a form of a defined profile. The reamer (10) has a circumferential rim (34) having rim cutting teeth (36) disposed to cut to an outside of the rim and an inside of the rim, having face cutting teeth (37) adapted to cut an annular channel into bone and a plurality of planing teeth (52) radially disposed on an internal surface adjacent an axial end boss (44). The cannulation (12, 12a) is supported at the apex of the cutting form (24) and is formed in a guide assembly (70, 70?) affixed to the apex. The guide assembly (70, 70?) is adapted for imparting rotation to the reamer (12).

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10?) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12?) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16?) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical chip generated upon cutting. Substantially all the teeth each have a matched arc cutting edge (20?) of substantial length that has a cutting profile which substantially matches a profile of a shape to be cut. The apertures in which the cutting edges are formed has at least one flat edge by which a punch, used in the process of forming the edge may be oriented. Such a configuration reduces the number of teeth required to cut the shape.

Abstract: A modular tray and lid combination for use in configuring a containment case includes one or more trays and a single lid. When a plurality of trays are used they are connected together either end-to-end or side-by-side or both. The lid includes a plurality of slide latches that secure the lid to the tray or trays.

Abstract: A TPO bone plate with an offset longitudinal axis has a bone-contacting bottom side and a top side. Sets of overlapping holes communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The overlapping holes have multifaceted surfaces such as a threaded surface or a coaxial series of annular grooves. The sets of overlapping holes are adapted to receive a bone screw with a head and a bone-engaging thread.

Abstract: A stackable containment tray for receiving discrete articles for storage and/or sterilization according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a combination of two side panels, a floor supported by the two side panels, an upper stack ring, and a lower stack ring, a pair of opposed handle lock brackets, and a pair of opposed bail handles. The upper and lower stack rings are identical to each other and provide the stacking capability. The bail handle of one tray is able to interfit into the handle lock bracket of an upper tray, thereby enabling the stacked combination of trays to be locked together.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10) has a cutting structure (12) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (14) with a domed shell portion (16). The shell (16) has an outer surface (18) presenting multiple cutting sites (20) and an inner surface (22) for accumulation of debris. The shell (16) has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions (24) generated about a first radius (30) with a center that lies on the axis (14) and a pair of second curved portions (26) generated about a center that is spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure (12) has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer (10) by a handle (40). Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transverse to the axis (14), the former being smaller than the latter.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10?) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12?) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16?) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical chip generated upon cutting. Substantially all the teeth each have a matched arc cutting edge (20?) of substantial length that has a cutting profile which substantially matches a profile of a shape to be cut. Such a configuration reduces the number of teeth required to cut the shape.

Abstract: A mountable, top-loading retractor device that is quickly and easily mountable to a surgical tool support frame. The device has two main sections a mount assembly for attaching to the support frame, and a top-loading retractor assembly pivotably linked to the mount assembly. The mount assembly has opposed upper and lower clamping jaws to a grip a section of the frame when the assembly is operated to set the clamping jaws. The retractor assembly includes a retractor mechanism having a separate arm receivable into the top surface of the retractor assembly and engageable by the retractor mechanism. The arm extends beyond the retractor assembly and is positionable along its length. The distal end of the arm is adapted to attach to a surgical retractor tool, and to apply a force to operate the tool.

Abstract: A method for inserting a lead electrode into body tissue using a rotatable lead introducer is described. The introducer can include a distal element for releasably engaging a lead head controllable from a proximal control located outside of the body. An inner stem can extend between a proximal portion and a distal portion, and be pivotally and rotatably coupled to the distal lead engagement mechanism. An outer tube can be rotatably disposed over the inner stem and be flexibly coupled over the pivot to rotationally drive the distal element. A helical epicardial-myocardial lead electrode can be secured and oriented straight ahead and introduced through a port or small incision with the introducer in a straight configuration. The introducer can then be bent and rotated to screw the helical electrode into the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating continuous cathode collecters for use in lithium/thionyl chloride and lithium/sulfuryl chloride cells is described. The preferred electrically conductive material is acetylene black mixed with a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) binder in a dry, powderized form. The collector substrate is a nickel or stainless steel foil that has been expanded into a mesh or otherwise provided with perforations. A centering adjustment of the collector substrate controls loading of the electrically conductive mixture onto each side thereof. The dry, powdered electrically conductive mixture is then continuously fed into the calender and formed into a collector structure by locking to itself through the collector substrate perforations before being cut to size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a cathode material contacted to a perforated current collector having a portion left uncovered and an anode material contacted to an anode current collector is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having the uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through the uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having an uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Abstract: An acetabular inserter (10) aids a surgeon in controlling the installation of an acetabular cup prosthesis (11) having a central, female aperture (13). The inserter includes an inserter head (20), a housing (12) and a locking mechanism. The housing (12) is attached to the inserter head, the housing enclosing a drive train (14) having, at a far end (134), a prosthesis engaging thread (124), and at the opposite end (42?), a handle (20) which facilitates turning of the drive train by the operator. The locking mechanism is associated with the housing which selectively locks the drive train, and thus the prosthesis, in position. The opposite end (42?) of the drive train has a latch device which enables quick removal from the housing for cleaning and sterilization.

Abstract: A new design for a cathode having a configuration of: SVO/first current collector/CFx/second current collector/SVO is described. The two cathode current collectors are vertically aligned one on top of the other in a middle region or zone of the cathode. This coincides to where a winding mandrel will be positioned to form a wound electrode assembly with an anode. The overlapping region of the two current collectors helps balance the expansion forces of the exemplary SVO and CFx active material layers. This, in turn, helps maintain a planar cathode that is more amenable to downstream processing. The use of two current collectors on opposite sides of an intermediate cathode active material also provides for enhanced reliability when cathodes are wound from the center as they lend structural integrity to outer portions of the wind.

Abstract: A modular storage container for articles according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connectable to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connectable to the floor panel, and a plurality of stackable corner members constructed and arranged to be connectable adjacent one edge to a side wall and adjacent an opposite edge to an end wall, wherein each side wall and each end wall defining a wall end opening and each corner member having a mounting hole surrounded by a cylindrical boss, each cylindrical boss being constructed and arranged to fit within a corresponding wall end opening.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10?) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12?) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16?) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical chip generated upon cutting. Substantially all the teeth each have a matched arc cutting edge (20?) of substantial length that has a cutting profile which substantially matches a profile of a shape to be cut. Such a configuration reduces the number of teeth required to cut the shape.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer has a cutting structure rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a domed shell portion. The shell has an outer surface presenting multiple cutting sites and an inner surface for accumulation of debris. The shell has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions generated about a first radius with a center that lies on the axis and a pair of second curved portions generated about a center spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer by a handle. Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transferase to the axis, the former being smaller than the latter. Several distinctive alignment structures are described, alone and in combination with reamers having a conventional hemispherical shell, as well as in combination with present reamers that are less invasive.

Abstract: Devices and methods for placing medical leads using minimally invasive techniques. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. Some catheters include a distal mapping electrode readable from the catheter proximal portion or handle. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed.

Abstract: A electrical connector for connection to an electrochemical cell is described. The connector comprises a conductive lid; a ferrule disposed within an opening through the conductive lid; a conductive center pin disposed within the ferrule; and a hermetic seal formed between the pin and an interior surface of the ferrule. A mating terminal connector adapted to be connected to the ferrule and the conductive center pin is further provided. The terminal connector is a device for easily and quickly connecting the cell to a circuit board of the kind found in an implantable medical device, such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, neuro-stimulator, drug pump, and the like.