Abstract: A device suitable for use in a wide variety of types of joints of the body of a human or other mammal is provided. The device is especially useful for implantation into the human femur so as to repair an anterior cruciate ligament. The device is self-locking and can be used to connect two parts of a joint together by means of an artificial ligament (if desired) or by means of a biological graft (either allegraft or autogenous, including bone with a natural tendon attached thereto). The device permits the surgeon very simply to do a revision from such a mechanical ligament to a biological graft or vice-versa, as desired; that is, the device of the invention is fully revisable. A method of connecting two parts of a joint is also given.

Abstract: The bone prosthesis of the present invention comprises a first body member or stem for placement into a bone cavity, such as an intramedullary canal. The body member is configured and dimensioned so as to provide a nonuniform interference press-fit. The apparatus further comprises a second body member or broach for placement into and removal from a bone cavity, the broach configured and dimensioned so as to prepare the bone cavity so as to provide a nonuniform interference press-fit with the stem. The apparatus further comprises a distal sleeve configured and dimensioned so as to be attached to the stem so as to centralize the stem in the bone cavity. The distal sleeve preferably is provided with an interior conical slope and an exterior conical slope on a portion thereof to aid in insertion into the canal. The stem further comprises at least one groove and preferably a plurality of grooves along its corners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in reducing the volatilization of the monomer component of bone cement is used after a prosthesis is implanted and throughout the polymerization of bone cement. The apparatus includes a generally annular inflatable sealing member having a centrally located opening therein for fitting over the exposed end of the prosthesis. The sealing member has an outer diameter covering the exposed surface of the bone cement. The sealing member has a deformable surface disposed in a substantially co-planar relationship with the exposed surface of the bone cement. The sealing member is resiliently expandable by inflation and extends beyond the edges of the bone defining the cavity, to seal the bone cavity upon the deformation of the deformable surface thereon. A pump is provided for inflating the sealing member and causing the deformable surface to apply pressure to the exposed surface of the bone cement.

Abstract: Fracture reduction tool is disclosed for use with a guide wire for reducing a bone fracture. The guide wire is of a uniform diameter and has a beaded end for placement into the medullary canal. The tool includes an elongated hollow shaft which can be passed into the medullary canal of the fractured bone through an entry hole prepared in the bone. The shaft has a bore along its length through which the guide wire can selectively pass. The shaft and/or the guide wire can be manipulated into and within the respective medullary canal portions of the fractured bone by translational and/or rotational movements so as to reduce the fracture. The tool also includes a measurement sleeve which moves over the shaft and provides a determination of the length of a nail to be inserted into the medullary canal of the reduced bone. A handle for the proximal end of the shaft allows for ease in manipulation of the shaft and guide wire.

Abstract: The cutting head for a surgical reamer has a leading end for insertion into a bone canal and a trailing end for attachment to a drive shaft. The cutting head has a cutting surface formed about an axis of rotation of the cutting head. The cutting surface is formed by the rotation of the cutting edges on a plurality of flutes spaced around the axis of rotation. Each cutting edge has a first portion spaced a predetermined radial distance from the axis of rotation at the tip portion and terminates at a terminating point which is at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation than the starting point. The cutting edge on each flute has a second portion having a starting point at the trailing end of the cutting head which is at a second predetermined radial distance from the axis of rotation. The second portion extends axially towards the tip portion and terminates at a point at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation than the starting point thereof.

Abstract: A modulator apparatus for use in the preparation of bone surfaces and the implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis in a patient, which apparatus comprises cutting guides, templates, alignment devices, a distractor and clamping instruments which provide modularity and facilitate bone resection and prosthesis implantation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a first interconnect assembly and a second interconnect assembly which detachably connects to the first interconnect assembly. One of the interconnect assemblies includes a shutter for blocking an optical path. The first and second assemblies have surfaces which mechanically co-act to drive the shutter away from the optical path. An optical fiber is connected to one of these assemblies. In the preferred embodiment, the first assembly forms a plug and the second assembly forms an adapter, such as a socket. The socket assembly includes a shutter which is spring-biased to a normally closed position. In this normally closed position, the shutter blocks passage of laser light of the optical fiber. The plug assembly includes an appendage having a camming surface which co-acts with a camming surface on the socket assembly so as to drive the shutter to an open position which permits transmission of laser light to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A prosthetic part for use as an orthopedic implant has a base member defining an outer surface for implantation adjacent a prepared bone surface. The outer surface includes a recessed area having a predetermined shape and depth. A first rigid plate having this predetermined shape and having a plurality of elongated slots formed therein is fixedly attached within the recesssed area of the base member. A second rigid plate also having the same predetermined shape as the recess and also having a plurality of elongated slots formed therein is attached to the first rigid plate. The elongated slots of the second plate are angularly offset with respect to the elongated slots in the first plate to produce a controlled porosity. The thicknesses of the first and second plates are predetermined so that the outer surface of the second plate is continuous with the non-recessed outer surface of the base member.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis features at least one male-female fitting, with the female portion being located on one end of one segment of that prosthesis and the mating male portion being located on one end of a second prosthesis segment, with at least the proximal part of the male-female fitting having a taper. The two parts of that fitting can be locked together by a locking mechanism in the form of a novel spacer which also has a taper which mates with the taper of the male-female fitting described above. Multiple modular segments can be assembled together so as to produce a prosthesis as required by the patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic part for use as an orthopaedic implant has a cast metal base member and a tissue ingrowth surface spaced outwardly therefrom. The tissue ingrowth surface is in the form of a cast metal lattice element which covers at least a part of the outer surface of the base member. The cast metal lattice element is cast simultaneously and integrally with the base member from the same metal. This metal may be any well known castable material for orthopaedic implants such as Vitallium or titanium. The lattice element is in the form of a grid-like mesh which includes spaced members cast integrally with the wire mesh and the base member to space the lattice element a predetermined distance above the prosthesis surface. An investment casting technique wherein a meltable material is coated with a ceramic casting shell is utilized to produce the integrally cast orthopaedic implant and tissue ingrowth surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup 100 includes a fixation element 102 for introduction into the acetabulum. The fixation element 102 has a concave inner surface with a generally circular base formed in a plane generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. A bearing component 7 is formed from a deformable material and has a concave opening therein for receiving a spherical head of a prosthetic femoral component. The bearing component 7 has an outer surface that nests within the concave inner surface of the fixation element 102. A snap lock mechanism is used to lock the bearing component 7 within the fixation element 102 in the axial direction. Both the fixation element 102 and the bearing component 7 include a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 3, 12 located around a common pitch circle adjacent the generally circular base of the fixation element 102.

Abstract: A bone cement is disclosed wherein the liquid component contains a therapeutic or diagnostic substance in combination with an emulsifying agent for said substance.

Abstract: A multi-piece trial femoral component kit is used for preparing and sizing a femoral cavity prior to implantation of a prosthetic femoral component. The trial component kit has at least three trial stem portions of differing size and at least three trial body portions of different size. The stem and body portions include mating male and female elements which allow the stem portions to be securely coupled to the body portions. In order to ensure that the so-coupled stem and body portions form a trial femoral component having a size equal to an available orthopedic femoral implant, the male and female elements include a key and keyway which are sized so that only trial stem and body portions resulting in an available femoral implant can be combined and used as a trial femoral component.

Abstract: An acetabular cup for use as a prosthetic implant has an insert with a body including a central bore for receiving a positioning rod therein. A key element is formed on the bore and is adapted to align the positioning rod. The insert has a locating element formed on an outer surface of the body and also includes spring elements extending radially outwardly from the body. The acetabular cup has a generally hemispherical shell member coupled to the outer surface of the insert. The shell has an outer surface for engaging the acetabulum and an inner surface having a circumferential groove for receiving the spring elements. The spring elements may be deflected radially inwardly out of engagement with the groove for releasing the insert from the shell. The shell has a plurality of apertures extending from its inner to its outer surface, which apertures are located in an asymmetrical pattern about the shell.

Abstract: A method for preventing adhesion between vital tissues includes the step of placing between the tissues a material made up of biodegradable derivatives of chitin which are soluble in aqueous solutions containing dilute acids such as acetic acid. This material has the advantage of requiring no reoperation for its removal since it would be degraded and absorbed after completing its function in vivo. These materials may be in the form of a visco-elastic fluid, a gel, a film or a membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing a surgical adhesive having at least two components has a barrel with a central longitudinal axis extending from a first to a second end thereof. The second end includes a nozzle with a discharge port. A rotatable screw conveyor shaft extends through the barrel position along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing element is mounted within the barrel and has a threaded bore for operative engagement with the screw shaft. The dispensing element has a keyway and may freely rotate at the first end of the barrel. A snap element is included to move the dispensing element into engagement with a key on the inner surface of the barrel which prevents the rotation of the dispensing element and causes the dispensing element to move from the first end of the barrel to the second end dispensing the adhesive.

Abstract: A blood washing and plasma separation device and method are disclosed, which utilize lumen-side fed hollow fiber membranes in multiple separation passes in conjunction with countercurrent flow wash injection.

Abstract: A device, suitable for use in repairing a lacerated or severed tendon, particularly a hand flexor tendon, having a flat band body with opposite ends of the body designed to anchor connecting sutures. The device also finds applicability in the repair of lacerated or severed ligaments. Also disclosed is a method of repairing a severed tendon by implanting a flat band device suturing together the device and the tendon to effect an anastomosis along approximated ends of the severed tendon. Further disclosed is a method of repairing a lacerated or severed ligament.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus for a vertebral disc is made of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel prosthetic nucleus has a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel has a water content of at least 30% and has a compressive strength of 4MNm.sup.-2 or greater. When the hydrogel material is dehydrated, it has a dimension of less than half of that of the hydrated hydrogel nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may be formed of two or more pieces of hydrogel material which pieces, when combined, have a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus.