Abstract: An orthopedic brace includes a first strap, a second strap, and a support member. The first strap is covered on one side with loop material from a hook and loop-type fastener. A section of hook material is secured to the opposite side of the first strap. Similarly, the second strap has loop material secured to one side thereof, and a hook portion secured to the opposite side. The second strap is shorter than the first strap. The support member includes a body segment with a support pad removably secured thereto. A pair of support straps extend from the body. One side of each support strap includes both loop material and a segment of hook material secured thereto. The side of the body opposite the hook and loop material of the support straps is likewise covered with loop material and includes two hook material portions. In use, the first strap is wrapped around one portion of the limb above a joint and the second strap is wrapped around another portion of the limb below the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in installing a replacement ligament in substantially coaxial tibial and femoral tunnels formed in a knee joint by drilling upwardly from the anterior surface of the tibia below its plateau, through the plateau, and into the distal end of the femur. The replacement ligament has a leading end portion receivable in the femoral tunnel and a trailing end portion receivable in the tibial tunnel. The apparatus includes a sheath having a leading open end and an opposite end. The sheath has a calibrated scale printed thereon starting at the leading open end. The calibrated scale provides a visual indication of a distance from the leading open end of the sheath. The sheath is configured to receive the replacement ligament therein while the sheath is outside a patient's body with the leading end portion of the replacement ligament adjacent said open end and with the trailing end portion of the replacement ligament disposed toward said opposite end of the sheath.

Abstract: A technique for producing a highly convoluted surface on a prosthetic device is achieved by applying a layer of aspherical metallic powder on the surface of the device. The metallic powder, which may be the same as or different from the material of the device, is applied in a thickness of up to approximately 200 microns and has a size range of approximately -80 to +635 mesh so as to result in a desirable surface roughness defined by a peak to valley variation of up to approximately 200 microns. A resulting device has an enhanced surface which provides, alternatively, an improved press fit into a receiving bone, or improved cement fixation, or improved reception of a ceramic coating.

Abstract: A preassembled disposable driver and suture anchor are provided for threaded engagement into a bone to provide an attachment point for soft tissue. The anchor is formed to have an externally threaded body portion for engaging the bone, a distal end portion, and a proximal end portion. When the anchor is threaded into an opening in a bone, the distal end portion is adjacent a bottom of the opening and the proximal end portion is adjacent a mouth of the opening. A suture is attached to said anchor having free ends extending outwardly from the bone opening. The driver is elongated and has a distal end which engages the proximal end of the anchor and a proximal end for gripping by the surgeon. The driver also has a slot for receiving the suture which extends away from the anchor.

Abstract: A bone drill guide having at least a first arm slidable within a bore of the body of the drill guide and a ratchet mechanism for locking the first arm and the first bore. The ratchet mechanism includes teeth on the first arm and a pawl biased along a first axis and having a continuous engagement edge for engaging the teeth of the first arm for any angular orientation of the pawl about the first axis. The continuous engagement edge is a curve in a plane transverse to the first axis for providing a substantially renewable point contact with the teeth. The recess includes side walls tapered towards the engagement edge to allow a narrow contact at the engagement edge and re-enforce face walls to absorb the axial forces of the guide.

Abstract: A tray is provided for storing a surgical cable. The tray includes a body portion configured to define a track for receiving the cable, and a lead-in channel configured to guide the cable into the track. The body portion includes a generally circular recessed portion configured to define an annular track extending around an outer periphery of the recessed portion. The lead-in channel is curved so that the cable enters the annular track in a direction generally tangential to the track. The body portion includes a flange configured to be coupled to a cover for sealing the body portion.

Abstract: A sizing assembly for determining the optimum size of a femoral component of a knee prosthesis is placed against the resected distal end of a femur. The assembly includes a body with a flat surface for contacting the resected surface of the femur and feet for engaging the femoral condyles. The assembly further includes a pivoted stylus that slides in the body and engages the anterior femoral cortex. Once the size of the femoral component is determined, a drill bushing corresponding to the femoral component is supported on the body. The drill bushing includes two apertures for guiding a drill to bore pilot holes in the resected femur.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a femoral bone plug in a femoral tunnel formed in a femur. The method includes the steps of inserting the femoral bone plug into the femoral tunnel, and installing a transverse pin through the femur generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the femoral tunnel and intersecting the femoral tunnel. The transverse pin engages the femoral bone plug to force the femoral bone plug against a wall of the femoral tunnel to secure the femoral bone plug inside the femoral tunnel and to promote healing and bonding of the femoral bone plug to the femur.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for preparing a natural patella for implantation of a patellar prosthesis. Substantially the same amount of bone removed from the natural patella is replaced by the prosthesis so that the reconstructed patella will replicate the natural one in diameter and thickness. To this end, the patella is held stationary and two operations are performed simultaneously. First, a posterior side of the patella is resected to form a prosthesis receiving surface for reception of a fixation surface of the patellar prosthesis. Second, a mounting bore is formed into the resected surface of the patella for reception of fixation members of the patellar prosthesis. A reamer is guided for movement between a first position spaced from the posterior surface of the patella and a second position in operative engagement with the patella at which formation of both the receiving surface and of the mounting bore therein has been completed.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for replacing a bone surface. The prosthesis includes an implant having a surface for abutting a bone, and an augment configured to be attached to the surface of the implant by bone cement to compensate for bone loss. The augment is formed to include an aperture therein defined by an inner wall. The prosthesis also includes a plastic peg coupled to the implant. The peg is configured to enter the aperture formed in the augment and to engage the inner wall of the augment to retain the augment in a spaced apart relation relative to the implant to permit the implant to be installed onto the bone before the bone cement cures. Alternately, the surface of the implant is formed to include an aperture therein, and a plastic retaining ring located in the aperture formed in the surface of the implant. A metal peg is coupled to the augment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a removable tip assembly having an elongated support member including a proximal end configured to be coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient's body. The support member may either be straight or curved. The tip assembly also includes an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member, and a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the drive actuator is pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member. The surgical instrument also includes a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein, a movable trigger configured to actuate the operating unit of the selected tip assembly, and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the selected tip assembly to the handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a femoral portion of a knee in a total knee replacement, the distal end of which has medial and lateral condyles and an intercondylar notch therebetween defining a distal patellar groove for the articulation of the patella with the femur during flexion of the knee.

Abstract: A kit for performing surgical reconstruction of a shoulder separation using a device for visualizing the shoulder structure and particularly the clavicle and coracoid process. The kit includes a drill for drilling a hole through the clavicle and the coracoid process. A plurality of guide pins for insertion into the shoulder to define an initial entry position and angle for the drill. The kit also includes a device for reducing the separation between the clavicle and the coracoid process while providing a desired separation therebetween.

Abstract: A pin is provided for securing a replacement ligament inside a tunnel of a receptor bone. The pin includes a body portion having a threaded section for engaging the receptor bone to anchor the pin in the receptor bone. The body portion also includes a tapered shank located adjacent the threaded portion. The tapered shank is configured to enter a drilled hole having a predetermined diameter formed in the replacement ligament to force the replacement ligament against the wall of the tunnel.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic device for human wear comprising of a flexible belt encircling the human, with free ends thereof joined by a hook and loop fastener to position the belt on the wearer, and wherein the flexible belt is provided with a pad to be positioned against the lumbar and sacral regions of the wearer and with vertical stiffeners for the flexible belt. A static support is fixedly attached to the flexible belt and completely encircles the wearer. The static support is bi-level with one level encircling the wearer, extending around the flexible belt, and attached thereto adjacent the pad, and is provided with adjustable length belt buckle ends for cinching the one level about the user with varying degrees of tension. A second level is V-shaped and is attached to the elastic belt adjacent to the pad to dispense the support to the sacral regions when additional support is desired and the buckled clasp and first level tightened.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis for the replacement of a portion of the femur is provided. The prosthesis is assembled from a kit that includes a stem member having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion sized to be received in the femur. The kit also includes a body member that is sized to replace a portion of the femur and is configured to be received over the upper portion of a stem member. The kit also includes a head member that is sized to replace the head of the femur. A neck member is provided to attach the head member to the body member to form an assembled prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for replacing a bone surface. The prosthesis includes an implant having a surface for abutting a bone, and an augment configured to be attached to the surface of the implant by bone cement to compensate for bone loss. The augment is formed to include an aperture therein defined by an inner wall. The prosthesis also includes a plastic peg coupled to the implant. The peg is configured to enter the aperture formed in the augment and to engage the inner wall of the augment to retain the augment in a spaced apart relation relative to the implant to permit the implant to be installed onto the bone before the bone cement cures. Alternately, the surface of the implant is formed to include an aperture therein, and a plastic retaining ring located in the aperture formed in the surface of the implant. A metal peg is coupled to the augment.

Abstract: A technique for producing a highly convoluted surface on a prosthetic device is achieved by applying a layer of aspherical metallic powder on the surface of the device. The metallic powder, which may be the same as or different from the material of the device, is applied in a thickness of up to approximately 200 microns and has a size range of approximately -80 to +635 mesh so as to result in a surface roughness defined by a peak to valley variation of up to approximately 200 microns. A resulting device has an enhanced surface which provides, alternatively, an improved press fit into a receiving bone, or improved cement fixation, or improved reception of a ceramic coating.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the fixation of a component of an artificial joint for replacing a damaged natural joint. A cup-shaped socket member is formed with a plurality of radially directed through bores, each being threaded adjacent an outer hemispherical surface and each being tapered adjacent an inner hemispherical surface to define a seating surface. A fastener with an elongated shank secures the socket member to a bone and is received through each through bore. The fastener extends between a head at a first end and a tip at a second end. Mounting threads on the shank intermediate the first and second ends are threadedly engaged with the threads in the through bore and a tapered outer surface extending between the mounting threads and the second end is matingly engaged with the seating surface in the bore.