Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression (“TVS”) device (101) includes a semiconductor die (201) that has a first avalanche diode (103) in series with a first rectifier diode (104) connected cathode to cathode, electrically coupled in an anti-parallel configuration with a second avalanche diode (105) in series with a second rectifier diode (106) also connected cathode to cathode. All the diodes of the TVS device are on a single semiconductor substrate (301). The die has a low resistivity buried diffused layer (303) having a first conductivity type disposed between a semiconductor substrate (301) having the opposite conductivity type and a high resistivity epitaxial layer (305) having the first conductivity type. The buried diffused layer shunts most of a transient current away from a portion of the epitaxial layer between the first avalanche diode and the first rectifier diode, thereby reducing the clamping voltage relative to the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression (“TVS”) device (101) includes a semiconductor die (201) that has a first avalanche diode (103) in series with a first rectifier diode (104) connected cathode to cathode, electrically coupled in an anti-parallel configuration with a second avalanche diode (105) in series with a second rectifier diode (106) also connected cathode to cathode. All the diodes of the TVS device are on a single semiconductor substrate (301). The die has a low resistivity buried diffused layer (303) having a first conductivity type disposed between a semiconductor substrate (301) having the opposite conductivity type and a high resistivity epitaxial layer (305) having the first conductivity type. The buried diffused layer shunts most of a transient current away from a portion of the epitaxial layer between the first avalanche diode and the first rectifier diode, thereby reducing the clamping voltage relative to the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression (“TVS”) device (101) includes a semiconductor die (201) that has a first avalanche diode (103) in series with a first rectifier diode (104) connected cathode to cathode, electrically coupled in an anti-parallel configuration with a second avalanche diode (105) in series with a second rectifier diode (106) also connected cathode to cathode. All the diodes of the TVS device are on a single semiconductor substrate (301). The die has a low resistivity buried diffused layer (303) having a first conductivity type disposed between a semiconductor substrate (301) having the opposite conductivity type and a high resistivity epitaxial layer (305) having the first conductivity type. The buried diffused layer shunts most of a transient current away from a portion of the epitaxial layer between the first avalanche diode and the first rectifier diode, thereby reducing the clamping voltage relative to the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where a non-reusable needle guide, which is relatively inexpensive which grasps the sheathed bracket firm, and holds the same in a set position based upon a bullet-nose lock.

Abstract: The invention discloses a fastening system for pedicel screws anchorable in different vertebrae. The spherical screw heads lie in spherical shells of apertured counter-bodies. The counter-bodies have planar support surfaces which lie on a supporting link in the region of elongate holes. A screw element is provided in the axial direction of each pedicel screw and is pivotably journalled at the supporting link with a spherical support surface arranged in the region of the elongate hole. The pedicel screws are generally skewed relative to one another and can, when account is taken of the nature of the bone, be rigidly connected to the supporting links via the screw elements due to the fact that the support surfaces can be clamped against one another in a self-locking manner on pedicel screws which are positioned inclined relative to the support surfaces.

Abstract: The extraction tool comprises a sleeve part (13) which can be coupled to a neck portion (6) of a shaft which is to be withdrawn, and a coupling element (15) in the form of a collet which can be fitted onto the neck portion (6). The collet has an elongate section with wall segments (16a) which can be clamped against the neck portion (6), and comprises fittings (23) which can be guided into a constriction (24) of the neck portion (6), and a head part (17) which projects beyond the neck portion (6), wherein the head part (17) can be clamped against the sleeve part (13) via a bias screw (18). The coupling element (15) is loosely connected to the sleeve part (13) and fitted onto the neck portion (6). It can then be clamped by approaching the bias screw (16) against the sleeve part (13) and against the neck portion (6). A rigid yet easily releasable connection between the extraction tool and the shaft to be withdrawn is thus achieved in a simple manner.

Abstract: With the invention there is shown a C-shaped clip as a compression member (8) which can be inserted into a pocket (15) of a joint support (4) and which can itself be secured in this pocket against falling out of place by a latched arrangement. In this arrangement the two limbs of the clip act transversely to their spring direction as a spacer between a spring tongue (5) and a shoulder which are formed on the joint support (4). In this way a simple securing device arises which is recessed in the joint support (4) and which prevents springing back of the latched spring tongue (5) and is only loaded in compression. In the installed state the spring tongue (5) is not itself subjected to any alternating bending loads.

Abstract: The acetabulum (1) comprises a semispherical support shell (2d) whose inner surface (20) has at least three retaining means (2b) which protrude into the interior. Furthermore, the acetabulum (1) comprises a semispherical inner shell (3) which can be inserted into the correspondingly dimensioned semispherical support shell (2d). The outer surface (30) of the inner shell (3) has at least one recess (3b) extending in a helical manner, in such a way that the inner shell (3) can be rotated into the support shell (2d) with a screw motion, thereby resulting in operative connection between the protruding retaining means (2b) of the support shell (2d) and the recess (3b) extending in a helical manner of the inner shell (3), so that the inner shell (3) is retained in the support shell (2d).

Abstract: The acetabulum has an outer shell (1) which is composed of several relatively rigid outer shell segments (1a, 1c) that are interconnected by resilient regions. The outer shell (1) has regions of high shape stability which are elastically connected to each other. The outer shell segment (1) in the region of the direction of main loading (F) is made as an attachment zone (1a) and has apertures for bone screws and a guiding and attachment bore (3) for an inner shell (10). The guiding bore (3) is with respect to the whole outer shell (1) situated at the pole (P2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a shank (5) of a prosthesis into a bone cavity is disclosed. A strap 1 having an loop portion 2 and an end portion 3 is wrapped around the shank. The end portion of the strap is then clamped by a clamping device 4 to secure the strap around the shank. The bone cavity is filled with bone cement and the lower end of the shank is introduced into the bone cavity thereby forming a gap between the shank and the outer wall of the bone cavity. A strap substantially seals this gap to minimize leakage of bone cement from the bone cavity. The clamping device 4 allows the end portion of the strap to slip relative to the clamping device when a threshold force is applied against the clamping device. In this manner, the strap will conform to the increasing cross-sectional area of the elongate body of the shank as the shank is introduced into the bone cavity.

Abstract: A device for the axial stabilization of a cutting means, used to make at least one cut at one end of a bone with a view to the fitting of a prosthesis in bone surgery. It includes an axial centering rod that is introduced partially into the intramedullar canal of said bone and is designed to receive said one cutting means. The centering rod is provided with an anchoring thread so as to form a anchor bolt that is axially stabilized in a direction parallel to the axis of the rod. A clamping device is mounted to the rod and axially clamps the cutting means inst the bone.

Abstract: A hipjoint socket has an outer cup and an inner cup disposed within and secured to the outer cup. The inner cup has a hemispherical bearing surface which is concentric with an axis and terminates at the end face, which is perpendicular to the axis. An open groove formed in the end face is concentric with the axis. A closed ring has axially relatively longer and shorter portions and a cylindrical guiding surface having a diameter about equal to a diameter of the hemispherical guiding surface. The ring includes tongues engaging the groove and thereby securing the ring to the inner cup when the ring abuts the end face. The tongues are able to slide along the groove and position the cylindrical guiding surface concentric with the axis and substantially contiguous with an end of the hemispherical bearing surface at the end face.

Abstract: A kneecap cutting guide device for the fitting of a total knee replacement includes, a trial femur component having an artificial trochlea, a side hole made on at least one edge of said trial femur component, and a central hole made in the center of said trochelea. An ancillary device includes a fastening dog-point designed to cooperate with the side hole of the trial femur component. A kneecap plate is designed to be placed in a position of resting on the kneecap and a mechanism to center the plate in relation to said central hole of the artificial trochlea is provided. The guide device further incorporates means to shift the kneecap plate, enabling a crosswise motion with respect to said trochlea and an axial motion parallel to the central hole. There is also a mechanism for locking the plate in position and a surface for guiding a blade to cut the kneecap parallel to the plane of the trochlea.

Abstract: An attachment for securing an artificial ligament to a bone includes a retaining element supported in a bone (2) for an end section of the ligament (1), which is disposed in a guide duct (3) formed in the bone (2), and a clamping element which can be tightened against the end section. The retaining element is a pin (5) which can be inserted transversely to the pulling direction (Z) of the ligament (1) in a bore hole (8) formed in the bone (2) that intersects the guide duct (3). A through-hole (12) in the pin extends in the direction (Z) and is aligned with the guide duct. The guide duct (3) extends in the pulling direction (Z) of the ligament (1) and the longitudinal axis of the pin is at an enclosed angle (W) of less than 90.degree. relative to direction (Z). The pin (5) contains a through-hole (12) which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (B) of the pin and suitable for the ligament (1) to pass through.

Abstract: Shanks designed especially for small joints, for example, finger joints, and having a rectangular cross-section of core (1), exhibit towards their free end plastically deformable lobes (7) of pieces of sheetmetal which may be deformed, e.g., bent intraoperatively, for which they are subdivided at intervals in the axial direction into a number of sections (7a) through cuts (8) running perpendicular to the axis (9) of the shank.

Abstract: A screw-nut for screwing implants together includes a thrust-shoulder which projects radially and presses axially against part of a housing. The screw-nut further includes an internal threaded portion adapted to fit a corresponding screw part, and a plurality of members, each mounted onto the side of the thrust-shoulder facing away from the part of the housing against which the thrust shoulder presses. These members are adapted to receive a tool for tightening the screw-nut. A plurality of leaf springs is included for engaging the housing part. The leaf springs, the ends of which form latching-in dogs, project, in the axial direction, from the screw-nut. The leaf springs are constructed such that, when the thrust-shoulder makes contact with the housing part, each latching-in dog snaps into a recess in the housing part in order to prevent loosening of the screw-nut from the housing part.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint socket for fastening to a pelvic bone includes a metallic outer cup for an artificial hipjoint socket forming a concavity for receiving a hip. This cavity terminates at an equatorial edge. Supporting flaps for fastening to said pelvic bone are provided at the equatorial edge of the metallic outer cup. These supporting flaps define holes drilled for bone screws to pass through and as openings for checking the clearance from the bone. The supporting flaps are provided with preset lines of grooves for enabling preferential bending of said flaps along said at least one of said preset lines of grooves to conform said supporting flaps and metallic outer cup to said pelvis. In the preferred embodiment, the preset lines of grooves run exclusively in the region of the supporting flaps undisturbed by defined holes in the flap. The preset lines of grooves are arranged on the outer surface of the flaps toward the pelvis.

Abstract: With the invention is shown an artificial knee joint, in which the rear cruciate ligament and the collateral ligaments are assumed as being retained. A metal platform is attached to the tibia and perpendicular to the tibia axis has a plane surface, on which three slide members are slidably disposed so as to guide the metal platform relative to the femur condyles made of metal within the limits of the degree of freedom remaining to them under the tension of the ligaments. A central slide member forms an eminentia rotatable around a pin, which guides the femur condyles directly or indirectly with respect to rotation around the tibia axis and which along its median line, which extends in the sagittal direction in the non-rotated central position, forms a direct or indirect longitudinal guiding device for the femur condyles, while the flexion movement is guided at doubly curved femur condyles by the two outer slide members.

Abstract: With the invention is shown a meniscus platform for an artificial knee joint, which consists of a metal platform (1) and a metal slide member (3) sliding thereon at right angles to the tibia axis (17), which on its upper side comprises sliding surfaces (4, 5) and a guide bead (8) for the condyles (13, 14) of a femur part (11). The sliding movement between the metal slide member (3) and the metal platform (1) is restricted by a guiding pin (10) in the metal platform, which engages in an oblong hole (9) in a slide member (3) made of metal. The metal slide member (3) can rotate around the guiding pin (10) and can be displaced along its oblong hole (9). The rotational movement of the slide member (3) is restricted by a limiting recess (15), which encloses a part of the eminentia (19) in the region of the rear cruciate ligament.