Abstract: An orthopedic device adapted for implantation into a body where it contacts bone tissue is disclosed which has at least one spaced apart polarized magnetic element, at least one piezoelectric element or a combination of a polarized magnetic element and a piezoelectric element which are in direct contact with one another or are separately mounted on the implant. The piezoelectric element being at least partially embedded in a surface of the device which contacts bone tissue for the promotion of osteogenesis or osseointegration.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly including a coupling member with a lower surface and a channel formed by two arms extending from a base portion. The coupling member has a hole extending from the base portion of the channel to its lower surface. The assembly further includes a spacer having a top surface adjacent the base portion of the channel and a bottom surface generally opposite the top surface within the hole of the coupling member, and includes a hollow retaining ring within the hole of the coupling member, the retaining ring comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface spaced from the bottom surface of the spacer, and a slot extending from the inner surface of the ring to the outer surface of the ring. The assembly includes a bone screw having a head portion with an outer surface adjacent to the inner surface of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a device for providing a wedge osteotomy comprising an osteotomy guide having a guide body that provides reference slots at specific angles to one another and which define planes, all of the planes meeting at a predetermined line of intersection. The slots are employed to properly position resection blocks, which are placed against the bony surface into which the osteotomy is to be cut. The resection blocks have saw blade guiding slots defining the desired planes in which cuts are to be made and which guide s surgical saw blade during a cutting operation. Through the use of a calibrated guide pin, the guide body is so oriented as to position the planes of the cuts so that they intersect at a predetermined line of intersection adjacent the medial surface of the tibia, thereby providing an uncut bone bridge of the desired width and orientation.

Abstract: A method of preparing an intramedullary canal of a bone for joint arthroplasty including drilling a hole into the intramedullary cavity of a bone and inserting a centering rod longitudinally into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The rod is inserted to align the rod along the longitudinal axis of the bone. Osteotomizing the articulating surface of the bone and preparing the intramedullary canal of the bone to receive a prosthesis. The preparation including placing cannulated instruments in a telescoping manner over the centering rod and into the intramedullary cavity to create a canal suitable for receiving a bone prosthesis. The cannulated instrumentation includes a cannulated tamp, a cannulated osteotomy guide, a cannulated reamer, a cannulated box chisel, and a cannulated broach. The instrumentation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a cannulated hip stem prosthesis for implantation in a living femur. The cannulated prosthesis terminates in a flexible distal portion. The cannulated prosthesis includes an interstitial surface for promoting bone cell ingrowth.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to assemble external fixator for the stabilization of a bone fracture is disclosed. The assembly of the external fixator makes use of a clamp to secure a pin to a stabilization bar. The body of the clamp will have an indentation that can be placed over the stabilization bar. Each arm of the indentation will have a hole with the two holes being aligned such that a single pin can be placed through both holes across the mouth of the indentation. Once the stabilization bar is within the indentation a pin can be inserted through the two holes in the arms of the body to restrain the stabilization bar within the clamp. The clamp will have a force applicator such as a screw that will lock both the stabilization bar and pin to prevent relative motion of the stabilization bar and the pin relative to the clamp. The preferred clamp will have a retaining clasp for gripping the stabilization bar to resist the separation of the stabilization bar from the clamp.

Abstract: A method of preparing an intermedullary canal of a bone for total joint arthroplasty including drilling a hole into the intermedullary cavity of a bone and inserting a centering rod longitudinally into the intermedullary canal of the bone. The rod is inserted to align the rod along the longitudinal axis of the bone. Osteotomizing the articulating surface of the bone and preparing the intermedullary canal of the bone to receive a prosthesis. The preparation including placing cannulated instruments in a telescoping manner over the centering rod and into the intermedullary canal to create a cavity suitable for receiving a bone prosthesis. The cannulated instrumentation includes a cannulated osteotomy guide, a cannulated reamer, a cannulated box chisel, and a cannulated broach. The instrumentation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable provisional device for aligning a joint center distance of a joint prosthesis to a natural joint center distance. The device includes a neck having a groove and a main body with a bore for receiving the neck.

Abstract: A coupling system for detachably connecting a surgical tool to a driver to form a surgical instrument. The coupling system includes two members. The first member has a cylindrical body with at least one, preferably two, projection(s) or lobe(s) protruding from the body. The second member has a cylindrical recess, at least one (two if two projections are present on the opposite member) longitudinal passageway(s) adjoining the cylindrical recess, and at least one undercut recess adjoining both the cylindrical recess and the passageway. A reversible rotation blocking mechanism is also present. Preferably, an axial cannula is present in the coupling. A kit and a method of surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reamer for shaping a socket, such as a hip socket, comprising a cutting head located at one end of a rotatably driven shaft and having a hemispherical portion with a hemispherical exterior surface. The hemispherical portion containing an open substantially hollow chamber and helical openings such as slots, in said hemispherical portion connecting between the exterior surface and the chamber. The trailing portion of each of the openings having a cutting or trailing edge raised slightly above the leading edge of the opening or slot to move material from the socket into the chamber during rotation of the cutting head. The cutting edges having serrations thereon. At least two cutting edges extending across the polar region of the cutting head. A stem extending from the interior center point of the substantially hollow chamber and extending along the polar axis of the hemispherical reamer for connecting and disconnecting the cutting head to a rotatable source.