Abstract: A fastener with a recessed drive socket and a driving tool with a cooperable driving head. The socket having a cylindrical interior wall interrupted by a plurality of driving corners. The driver having a tapered driving head including a plurality of sharpened driving edges adapted to engage the driving corners. The tapered driving end may be axially forced into the driving socket such that the plurality of driving edges frictionally engage the driving corners to hold the fastener on the driver and to enhance torque transmission. The cylindrical walls of the socket and the walls of the driver bit between the driving edges cooperate to define a fluid channel for passage of fluid around the driving head during positioning within the socket.

Abstract: A biocompatible cranioplasty plate structure, and method of its installation, for use in the surgical repair and recontour of large cranial defects of the human skull created or caused by injury, surgical intervention for tumor removal, or congenital anomaly or disease. The plate structure is formed from a sheet of pliable perforated metallic material, particularly commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy material, and is of generally elliptical configuration with a central preformed arcuate and convex area matching the compound and complex curvature of the forehead, side or rear areas of the typical human adult skull. The plate structure includes adjustable peripheral panels for bending fitment and close adaptation of the plate structure to intact cranial bone of the skull adjacent to and surrounding the defect and for attachment of the plate structure to intact bone by bone screws having low profile heads and applicable through perforations of the peripheral panels.

Abstract: A spinal implant for promoting fusion between adjacent vertebrae consisting of an integral, generally rectangular member having a plurality of openings for promoting ingrowth. In the preferred embodiment, the implant has an interior enclosed chamber, accessible from the outside through an opening in one wall, and a cap for covering said opening in the wall.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatus for promoting and supporting guided bone tissue regeneration in at least missing or excised portions of the human mandible or maxilla and in bony defects of the mandible and maxilla. The apparatus includes a bone attachment tray formed of tissue-biocompatible titanium sheet material having perforations therethrough for receiving bone screws to affix the tray to stump portions and ridge sections of the mandible or maxilla proximate the missing or excised stump portions or ridge sections and one or more tissue-biocompatible metallic dental tooth root replacement implants which are releasably affixed at one end to the inner surface of the tray and which depend from the tray into the missing or excised portions or bone defects of the mandible or maxilla for incorporation and support in bone tissue regenerated within the tray.

Abstract: A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes that spinal segment and materially participates in, and is incorporated in, the ensuing fusion.

Abstract: A portable power cutting tool is disclosed, having a plurality of replaceable tool assemblies for connection to the power cutting tool, with each tool assembly having a different cutting blade and a mode of motion selected for optimum operation of the cutting blade. Each tool assembly has a mode of motion selected from the group of rotation, reciprocation, and a combination of rotation and reciprocation. The tool assemblies can be disposable.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic probe includes a fiber optic image guide, a lens adhered to the distal end of the fiber optic image guide, and one or more fiber optic illumination fibers surrounding the image guide and terminating at the distal end of the probe. During manufacture, a mask tube is placed at least partially over the lens so that a masking material can be injected and cured. A retaining tube is disposed around the illumination fibers and a temporary tube is slid over the retaining tube so that a potting material can be injected into the spaces between the fibers, the image guide, and the retaining tube. The temporary tube is then removed, the distal end is ground and polished, and the masking material is removed from the lens.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed, for taking a biopsy sample, having a needle attached to a syringe, with an opening in the side of the needle, which can be selectively covered by a cannula slidably mounted over the needle. The cannula can be locked into place on the needle, and the plunger of the syringe can be spring loaded to draw a sample into the syringe upon release of a latch. A method is also disclosed for taking a biopsy sample by sliding a cannula over a needle, inserting the cannula and needle into the tissue to be sampled, partially withdrawing the cannula from the needle to expose a lateral opening in the needle, maneuvering a sample of the tissue into the opening, cutting the sample from the tissue, and drawing the sample out through the needle.

Abstract: A hand-held portable arthroscope has a housing and a disposable cap removably attached to the distal end of the housing. A probe which includes a fiber optic image guide and a plurality of optical illuminating fibers is mounted on the cap, and is insertable into a body for imaging the internal structure of the body. The illuminating fibers extend through the cap and are connected in light communication with a quartz halogen lamp for illuminating the internal body structure being imaged. To gather light from the illuminated internal structure of a body into which the probe has been inserted, a GRIN rod is attached to the distal end of the image guide. Focussing optics are mounted in the housing in light communication with the image guide. These focussing optics are axially movable within the housing for focussing the image from the image guide. Light which passes through the focussing optics enters a camera head which is also mounted in the housing.