Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial housing an implant and driver mount with a removable flange.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis includes a screw having a threaded shank and a head. The head includes a plurality of splines extending outwardly of the diametrical extent of the head. A first implantable prosthetic element has a threaded bore for receiving the threaded shank of the screw in threaded engagement. A second implantable prosthetic element has a shoulder-stepped bore for receiving the threaded shank therethrough and for engaging the head. The bore includes an annular groove for receiving the splines of the head and defines a shoulder for engaging the splines to prevent backout of the screw.

Abstract: A vial for a dental implant delivery system. The vial includes a clip and a lid that is permanently attached to the body of the vial. The lid disengages from the top of the vial when the body of the vial is squeezed.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having an internal box geometry defined by a bone-engaging surface configured as a primary prosthesis. The femoral component has a threaded bore therein communicating with the bone-engaging surface. An adapter has a mating surface complementary to the box geometry of the femoral component and an internal box geometry defined by a bone-engaging surface configured as a revision prosthesis. A hole through the adapter is aligned with the threaded bore of the femoral component and has a recessed shoulder. An adapter screw has a head and a threaded shank, the head sized to be received within the hole of the adapter in engagement with the shoulder, and the shank being sized to be threadedly received within the threaded bore of the femoral component. The adapter screw includes a threaded bore therein.

Abstract: A plastic insert is extracted from a metal acetabular shell by an extractor device which includes a seat positioned on the insert. A first guide member is attached to the seat. A second guide member is mounted for lateral movement with the first guide member. An extractor is mounted on the second guide member. The second guide member is movable relative to the first guide member for positioning the extractor adjacent the shell. A fastener is inserted through the first guide member and into the insert for securing the first guide member to the insert. The extractor is advanced into engagement with the shell so that the fastener withdraws the insert from the shell.

Abstract: A set of modular components from among which an implantable orthopedic hip prosthesis can be assembled. First and second implantable orthopedic femoral hip stem prosthesis each have a neck, the neck having a male conical taper surface. An implantable orthopedic femoral head prosthesis has a female conical taper surface. The respective male and female conical taper surfaces are sized and configured for mutual taper-locked interconnection if engaged, but at least one of the first and second implantable orthopedic femoral hip stem prosthesis is keyed in combination with the implantable orthopedic femoral head prosthesis to prevent engagement of the respective male conical taper surface with the female conical taper surface.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis includes a first component having a first bearing surface, and a second component having a second bearing surface. The second bearing surface is disposed in opposition to the first bearing surface in a sliding bearing relationship. At lease one of the first and second bearing surfaces includes a plurality of substantially evenly distributed plateaus interspersed with valleys. The plateaus comprise at least about 30% of the gross area of the bearing surface. The plateaus are distributed at a density of about 18 to about 25 plateaus per square inch of gross area of the bearing surface. The first and second bearing surfaces are substantially congruent to each other, and the plateaus have a smooth surface finish of less than about 8 .mu.m root mean square. The valleys have a depth of about 0.0002 inch to about 0.002 inch below the plateaus to facilitate lubrication of the articulating surfaces by natural body fluids.

Abstract: An implantable humeral shoulder prosthesis includes a stem and a head. The stem includes a distal stem portion having a longitudinal axis and a proximal body, and a first connector having an axis disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The head includes an undersurface and a spherical articulating surface having a center. The undersurface includes a second connector having an axis that does not pass through the center. The articulating surface subtends a greater angle in a first plane including the axis of the second connector than in a second plane including the axis of the second connector. The first and second connectors are mutually engageable to interlock the head to the proximal body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a heart valve annulus. The apparatus includes an actuator and a backup plate coupled to the actuator. The apparatus also includes an annulus cutter movably coupled to the actuator. The annulus cutter can thereby oppose and engage the backup plate. The method includes positioning a backup plate proximate heart valve tissue to be removed. An annulus cutter is then positioned proximate the heart valve tissue opposing the backup plate. The annulus cutter is engaged in opposition with the backup plate to cut the heart valve tissue and form a heart valve annulus. The heart valve tissue is then removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating and preventing arteriosclerosis includes a magnet located inside the human body adjacent an artery. The magnet generates magnetic flux through the artery. At least a portion of the magnetic flux has a component perpendicular to the direction of blood flow through the artery.

Abstract: A knee joint balancing instrument. A first body includes a first paddle for engaging a proximal end of a tibial bone. A second body includes a second paddle for engaging a distal end of a femoral bone. A rack is attached to the first body and is moveable relative thereto in a superior-inferior direction. The second body is pivotally mounted to the rack for pivoting about an axis extending in an anterior-posterior direction. A ratchet is connected to the first body and to the rack for selectively restraining movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body. A pinion is connected to the first body and engages the rack to cause movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body.

Abstract: Apparatus for distal femur sizing and resection includes an adjustable sizer cut guide device formed by a sizer member, a femoral cut guide and a slide stone. The slide stone is provided to receive an intramedullary rod inserted into the femur. A first member and a second member are sequentially, removably attachable to the adjustable sizer cut guide device. The first member is an adjustable reference device provided for referencing. The second member is a distal cut guide which is attached to the adjustable sizer cut guide device after removal of the reference device, to position the distal cut guide on the femur. Readable scales on the adjustable sizer cut guide device and on the adjustable reference device, are matched to provide a size reference for a femoral prosthesis.

Abstract: A two-piece dental abutment having a cuff portion that is removable from a upper portion. The cuff is made from a material different than the upper portion.

Abstract: A nested cutting block includes at least a first slot for guiding a saw blade during a first bone cutting operation. The first block has a cavity formed therein. A first securing interlock is formed on the first block. A second block is detachably mounted in the cavity and includes at least a second slot for guiding the saw blade during a second bone cutting operation. A second securing interlock is attached to the second block. An interlock member engages the first and second securing interlocks for detachably engaging the second block within the first block. The first bone cutting operation is made with the first and second blocks interconnected and mounted in a cutting position. The second bone cutting operation may be made with the first and second blocks nested together in the cutting position. Alternatively, the second bone cutting operation may also be made with the first block detached from the second block and the second block remaining in the cutting position.

Abstract: A dental implant (10) for osseointegration in alveolar bone. The implant includes an annular shoulder (18) and a plurality of splines (32) extending axially therefrom for interdigitated engagement with similar splines of an abutment for supporting a tooth prosthesis. The bone-engaging surface (22) of the implant includes a biocompatible porous metal surface (24) into which bone can grow, an intermediate non-porous, rough, biocompatible metal surface (26) to which bone can attach that is located between the porous surface and the annular shoulder, and a smooth, non-porous biocompatible metal surface (28) located between the intermediate surface and the annular shoulder.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for implanting a medical device (12) into a body. The medical device (12) has an expanded state and a collapsed state and is inserted into the body while in the collapsed state. The medical device (12) is positioned proximate a desired implant site (14) in the body, and the medical device (12) is expanded to the expanded state by filling the medical device (12) with a hardenable fluid (18). The hardenable fluid (18) is then hardened such that the medical device (12) is set in the expanded state at the desired implant site (14).

Abstract: An acetabular component for an implantable hip joint prosthesis. An acetabular shell has an apex and a rim, and has a convex proximal surface for being received within a hemispherically reamed acetabulum in a press-fit relationship. The convex proximal surface is shaped as a surface of revolution defined by a curve segment rotated about an axis, where the curve segment and the axis lie in a common plane. The defining curve segment includes a first arc-segment and a second arc-segment. The first arc-segment has a center located on the axis, and the second arc-segment has a center offset from the axis. The convex proximal surface includes a first region defined by the first arc-segment in proximity to the apex and a second region defined by the second arc-segment in proximity to the rim. The convex proximal surface is diametrically oversized in the second region relative to the hemispherically reamed acetabulum.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial having two cavities. One cavity in the body of the vial houses an implant and a driver mount, and the other cavity in the lid of the vial houses a healing screw.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve holder includes a valve holder selectively attachable with a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle end, a flexible, medial segment, and a coupling member. The valve holder includes a valve coupling member and a handle receiving member. The valve coupling member may include a leaflet bias member, leaflet guards, or both. The handle receiving member includes locking tabs and receiving windows for receiving the handle coupling member. The handle receiving member also includes anti-rotation stays which serve to transfer rotational forces from the handle assembly to the valve holder. Also, alignment stays serve to properly align the handle receiving member with the coupling member so that the handle assembly and valve holder are properly coupled. The handle assembly is made from resterilizable materials so that the handle assembly may be reused. The valve holder is disposable.