Abstract: The invention is a curette that includes a tip and shaft that detachably join together to form a working tool member. The shaft has a threaded receiving end that is sized to receive a mating end of the tip. The mating, or proximal, end of the tip includes a corresponding threaded section and a smaller-diameter outwardly extending elongated section that is flattened on one or more sides. To attach the tip to the shaft, a user partially fills the receiving end of the shaft with epoxy. The user then inserts the mating end of the tip into the receiving end of the shaft, such that the epoxy surrounds the elongated section of the mating end and fills or partially fills the threads. The user then screws the tip and shaft together, to interlock, or self-lock, the threads. When the epoxy thereafter hardens, the tip is firmly held against rotation relative to the shaft both by the epoxied and interlocked threads and the flattened-sided section that, because of its shape, resists rotation within the hardened epoxy.

Abstract: An instrument for bone distraction and compression is provided which has been fitted with ratcheting tips that are rotatably mounted at the working end of a bone distractor. The ratcheting tips are mounted such that they are adjustable to customize the instrument for a particular surgical procedure. The tips may be used to push implants along the rod. The tips can include U-shaped ends that slide around the rod hooks or other components to urge the two to desired positions. It is preferred that the members of the handle are coupled such that when opened, the working ends of the instrument remain parallel to one another.

Abstract: A rod bending system includes a handle that holds a template rod and an implant rod in close proximity and in a fixed orientation with respect to one another. The system further includes one or more of the following: (a) a rod bender for bending the implant rod, the rod bender including a central pivot that is dimensioned and contoured to fit between the two rods; (b) a guide that slideably attaches to the template rod and clips onto the implant rod, the guide sliding along regions of the rods that correspond and stopping at regions that diverge; and (c) a stand that includes a holder which retains the handle at a desired orientation and a pedestal that elevates the handle above a supporting surface.

Abstract: The suturing instrument of the present invention uses an electromagnet to position, orient and hold a needle at the end of an elongated barrel, thereby eliminating the mechanical jaws which are otherwise required. The electromagnet is contained in a barrel and extends along the length of the barrel. One end of the electromagnet emerges at the distal end of the barrel and extends to an end cap, which includes a groove for orienting the needle. Wires extending from the electromagnet and through the barrel connect to a power source which supplies current to the wires. The power source preferably has multiple power settings for supplying different levels of current. When sufficient current is applied to the electromagnet, the electromagnet attracts the needle to it, causing the needle to move to a predetermined position within the groove.