Abstract: A surgical cable assembly is provided for securing bones, or securing medical implant devices to bones. The assembly preferably comprises a multistrand metal cable and a crimpable coupling member attached to a loop in the cable adjacent one end formed by a separate crimp member. The coupling member secures the cable in a permanent loop that encircles the bone and is capable of pivoting to permit the cable to follow the outer contour of the bone and/or implant. The coupling member may comprise a flange to limit its rotation about the cable. A method of securing bones and/or implants with the cable assembly also is provided.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining positions of bones fixed or approximated relative to each other is provided that is ideal for minimizing interference with surrounding viscera in spinal column procedures, although other good application therefor are also disclosed. In the preferred form, a cable anchoring apparatus in the form of a screw member having an elongate shank that is threaded for substantially the full length thereof is employed. An internal driver surface is provided so that the size of the proximate end of the shank can be minimized or maintained consistently sized with respect to the reminder of the shank with no enlarged driver head formed thereat. This allows the amount of bone material that is removed from full insertion of the screw anchor to be minimized, i.e. no countersinking for an enlarged driver head is necessary, thus improving holding power of the cable anchor herein.

Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.

Abstract: An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal column-supporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to a vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for preferably open helix screw securance to the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies that bracket the space left by the missing vertebral body.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one, and preferably both, of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with intersecting slots therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may be formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface, when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of the connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one and preferably both of the connector members carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a sleeve having an outer end with longitudinal slots extending through the outer end, and a plurality of loops of an external screw thread positioned adjacent to the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having a multiple loop, internal screw thread proportioned to engage the external thread when the connectors are brought together. Either or both of said connector members may define guidewire lumens.

Abstract: An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal column-supporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to at least one vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for screw securance to at least one vertebral body adjacent to the space. Preferably, one or more vertebral attachment plates are connected to the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies that bracket the space left by the missing vertebral body.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp for securing cables or other elongate members used in surgical fastening procedures. The clamp advantageously applies a clamping force to the cable without direct contact with the cable, thereby reducing abrasion and shear forces applied to the cable. The claims have a saddle member, platen or both that are movably mounted with respect to the housing and a lever, in cooperation with a cam surface, that allows the saddle member, platen or both to selectively clamp the cable. The lever may have several locking positions to provide optimum clamping force to different sized cables.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe for penetrating through tissue. The probe comprises a tissue-compatible, flexible sleeve; an exposed electrode carried at one end of the sleeve; a wire connected at one end to the electrode and extending through the sleeve; and an electrical connector attached to the other end of the wire. The connector is suitable for attachment to a source of electrocautery power. The wire is separate from the sleeve, to be removable by pulling from the sleeve when the electrode is cut away or otherwise removed from the sleeve. Thus, the probe can penetrate tissue by electrocautery action to form a tissue tunnel, and the electrode and wire can then be removed, leaving at least a portion of the sleeve in the tissue tunnel to serve as a drainage catheter.

Abstract: A nail (or rod) for axial insertion into a large bone for support thereof, which comprises an elongated nail body having a central bore extending through the nail body from the proximal end along a proximal portion of the nail, and typically terminating at point spaced between the ends. The nail may also define a transversely flattened distal portion extending proximally from the distal end. In the embodiment shown, an open slot may extend centrally and longitudinally from the distal end along the distal portion to an inner slot end which is spaced between the ends of the nail. The nail body defines a plurality of transverse holes extending therethrough for receiving bone screws for supporting securance of the nail to a bone while the nail occupies the intramedullar space of the bone.

Abstract: A connector for securing surgical cable or wire to an implantable surgical rod or the like. The connector comprises a connector body having an open space for receiving the surgical rod or similar support device. The body carries a lock member for firmly affixing the connector and the rod together in a desired position along the rod. Typically, the lock member is a set screw. The connector also has a retention member carried on the connector in a rotatable manner. The retention member, typically in ring form, defines at least one bore extending there through for receiving the cable or wire, and retaining it in a desired position relative to the rod. Thus, tension can be placed upon broken bones or the like from a desired, controllable direction and with a desired magnitude of tension.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe for penetrating through tissue. The probe comprises a tissue-compatible, flexible sleeve; an exposed electrode carried at one end of the sleeve; a wire connected at one end to the electrode and extending through the sleeve; and an electrical connector attached to the other end of the wire. The connector is suitable for attachment to a source of electrocautery power. The wire is separate from the sleeve, to be removable by pulling from the sleeve when the electrode is cut away or otherwise removed from the sleeve. Thus, the probe can penetrate tissue by electrocautery action to form a tissue tunnel, and the electrode and wire can then be removed, leaving at least a portion of the sleeve in the tissue tunnel to serve as a drainage catheter.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A rotatable drum for winding cable with an automatic cable lock. The rotatable drum comprises a rotatable shaft which has a first transverse aperture, and an outer drum member having an outer cable winding surface, which outer drum member is carried on the shaft and freely rotatable rotation therewith. The outer drum member defines a second transverse aperture which is positioned to align with the first transverse aperture in a first rotational position of the outer drum member. The two apertures can also be spaced in other rotational positions. Thus insertion of the cable end into the aligned first and second transverse apertures, plus rotation of the shaft to wind the cable about the outer drum member, can cause spontaneous locking of the cable between the first and second apertures by opposed walls of the respective apertures pinching against the cable.

Abstract: Surgical crimping pliers have operating handles and connected, opposed jaws. The jaws define opposed recesses for carrying and crimping a tubular crimp member, which is preferably of oval configuration for carrying a plurality of multistrand cable sections so that, upon crimping, the cable sections are secured together. A capstan is carried on one of the handles for winding a plurality of cable portions so that tension may be placed on both ends of a cable loop array wound about a bone structure, to provide a predetermined, quantitative tension. Then the cable sections within the crimp are secured together by collapse of the crimp. A multistrand cable is preferably used, which exhibits great advantage over single strand wire, and which carries surgical needles of differing type secured to each end thereof.

Abstract: A surgical connector for cable comprises a body having a pair of opposed ends and a first side extending between the ends. Outwardly extending projections adjacent the first side and ends may be provided to facilitate securance of the connector in a desired position. Cable-receiving bores extend from each of the ends inwardly toward each other, typically at an obtuse angle of less than 180.degree.. The bores have inner ends that communicate with a central aperture which is open to at least the side of the body which is opposed to the first side. Alternatively, the central aperture may extend entirely through the body and be open to both the first side and the opposed side. Also, a novel retention technique for cable is disclosed, for more general use, if desired.

Abstract: Surgical crimping pliers have operating handles and connected, opposed jaws. The jaws define opposed recesses for carrying and crimping a tubular crimp member, which is preferably of oval configuration for carrying a plurality of multistrand cable sections so that, upon crimping, the cable sections are secured together. A capstan is carried on one of the handles for winding a plurality of cable portions so that tension may be placed on both ends of a cable loop array wound about a bone structure, to provide a predetermined, quantitative tension. Then the cable sections within the crimp are secured together by collapse of the crimp. A multistrand cable is preferably used, which exhibits great advantage over single strand wire, and which carries surgical needles of differing type secured to each end thereof.