Abstract: A grooved channel serving as perfusion leading structure is formed between the opening of a perfusion tube at its front end and the bipolar electric coagulating and dissecting portions at the front ends of arms.

Abstract: A uniaxial orthopaedic hinge (1000, 2000) has a substantially circular body forming a recessed housing (1022, 2022). A back plate (1006, 2006) has an extension into a stub arm (1004, 2004) for attaching to the arm of an orthosis and is fixed to the recessed housing (1022, 2022). A locking plate (1008, 2008) also has an extension into a stub arm (1002, 2002) and is disposed in a parallel manner between the recessed housing (1022, 2022) and the back plate (1006, 2006). The circular recessed housing (1022, 2022) is provided with a recess (1100, 2100) housing a lock actuator (1102, 2102) having a latching dog (1126, 2126) and also fitted with a biasing leaf spring (1104, 2104). The latching dog (1126, 2126) co-operates with a latching hole (1128, 2128) in the locking plate (1008, 2008) when the hinge (1000, 2000) is in the fully extended position.

Abstract: A uniaxial orthopaedic hinge (1000, 2000) has a substantially circular body forming a recessed housing (1022, 2022). The upper surface of the housing (1022, 2022) is furnished with a concentric arcuate circular slot (1038, 2038) disposed inwardly from the periphery. The inner surface (2040) is provided with equally spaced radial teeth (1044, 2044). A back plate (1006, 2006) has an extension into a stub arm (1004, 2004) for attaching to the arm of an orthosis and is fixed to the recessed housing (1022, 2022). A locking plate (1008, 2008) also has an extension into a stub arm (1002, 2002) and is disposed in a parallel manner between the recessed housing (1022, 2022) and the back plate (1006, 2006).

Abstract: A retractor blade having a generally "S" shaped configuration in cross section. The blade is pivotally attached to a rod which may be connected to a table fixed ring retractor. The central portion of the blade moves tissue away from the operative site when the distal end of the blade is placed against a bone and the rod is moved away from the operative site.

Abstract: A conformable orthopaedic casting tape made with a combination of silicone elastic fiber and a non-elastic fiber is disclosed. The casting tape is capable of stretching 40% to 200% in the length direction and has a power of between 40 and 175 grams per inch width at 30% elongation.

Abstract: A process for making a composite stem for a prosthesis by providing a tapered metal core with a predetermined cross section and a composite shell having a tapered cavity having a cross sectional configuration to receive the metal core. Adhesive is applied to the metal core and the core is placed in the cavity and pressure is applied along the axis of the metal core toward the smaller end of the core to force the core against the composite shell and heat is applied with the pressure to bond the composite shell to the metal core.

Abstract: A conformable orthopaedic casting tape made with a combination of an elastic fiber and a non-elastic fiber is disclosed. The casting tape is capable of stretching 40% to 200% in the length direction and has a power of between 40 and 175 grams per inch width at 30% elongation. The elastic fiber is a blend of a cured or partially cured polyolefin rubber and a polyolefin resin.

Abstract: A sterilization process for moisture sensitive products employing a closed system and moving unsealed products to be sterilized through a sterilizer, degassing chamber and a storage and package sealing chamber while maintaining the products in a dry pathogen free atmosphere.

Abstract: A multistrand surgical cerclage cable having a multistrand leader is disclosed. The cable is very flexible and the leader is more malleable and stiffer than the cable allowing the leader to be shaped to be fed or directed around and between tissue in the patients body.

Abstract: A device to stop the penetration of a cranial drill that is used to pierce the skull during neurosurgical procedures. The device uses a plurality of spacers that each have a body in the form of a cylinder having a bore extending therethrough with a flat disc adjacent the cylindrical body with a plurality of tabs fixed to the disk in a circumferential pattern around the bore and axially aligned therewith. The periphery of the disk having a diameter larger than the cylindrical body portion to form a gripping member. Each of the tabs having an indent positioned on an outer surface and an interior surface of the cylindrical body portion having a bead positioned around the interior diameter of the cylindrical body portion so that the indents in the tabs are adapted to engage and retain a bead of another spacer when the spacers are fitted together to define a drill stop. Each of the plurality of spacers are of different lengths than at least one of the other spacers.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotally attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a ratchet release bar which is mounted on the ratchet holder and spring biased into the ratchet slot. One end of ratchet release bar is positioned under an actuating surface of the retractor pawl. The application of pressure on the actuating surface will release both ratchets to allow adjustment of the retractor blade.

Abstract: A process of purifying and stabilizing a high molecular weight polylactide polymer by contacting solid polymer particles with methyl alcohol and subsequently acetone.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp having two arms, one with a single head engaging pin and the second with two head engaging pins mounted on a bracket. The bracket is capable of being rotated to reposition the head. The operating knob which releases the bracket to allow rotation has a safety locking pin which prevents the inadvertent rotation of the bracket when the pin is in a locked position.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis is disclosed which employs a number of cement spacers located on the surface of the stem of the prosthesis immediately below a collar which makes direct and parallel contact with calcar bone when a stem of the prosthesis is seated in medullary canal of the patient. The collar is constructed to provide even stress distribution to the bone.

Abstract: A composite stem for a prosthesis, particularly a hip prosthesis, including a metal core and a fiber reinforced composite shell surrounding the core to provide modulus values that are similar to bone. The composite shell is preferably composed of braided fibers and a thermoplastic resin. The stiffness of the prosthesis can be varied along the length of the stem. The metal core contributing between 5 and 25 percent of the total flexural stiffness of the stem.

Abstract: A swivel ring surgical retractor in a generally circular form is disclosed. The retractor has a fixed portion which is attached to the operating table or other support and a portion which can swivel in relationship to the fixed portion. The swivel portion is attached to the fixed portion of the retractor with a threaded shaft which forces two sunburst clamping inserts into engagement to secure the swivel portion to the fixed portion. The swivel portion can be adjusted or removed from the fixed portion by unthreading the shaft to disengage the sunburst clamping inserts to adjust the position of the swivel portion or to remove the swivel portion from the fixed portion.

Abstract: A head clamp which includes a frame with two arms, a bracket on one of the arms capable of rotation to adjust the position of head engaging pins affixed at the ends of the arms. The bracket is rotatable but held in position by a plurality of index pins fixed in apertures in a plate and the bracket is capable of being rotated by moving the pins out of the apertures and rotating the bracket when the head engaging pins have been removed from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical headrest which comprises two arcuate base segments and a pad affixed to each of the base segments. Each of the pads has a cavity in the surface which is affixed to the base in a shape to accept the base segment, thereby securing the pad to the base segment.

Abstract: A method of making a non raveling stretchable fiberglass fabric by knitting an elastic yarn under tension into the fabric in the length direction, releasing the tension from the elastic yarn to compact the fabric and removing the elastic yarn from the fabric.

Abstract: A revision knee prosthesis which includes augmentation blocks that may be added to the inferior surface of the femoral component of the prosthesis. The blocks have a post on one surface which is secured in a cavity in the inferior surface.