Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a modular ball head from a prosthesis stem by heat expanding the modular ball head and subjecting it to an impact force in a direction such that it is removed from the prosthesis stem. A housing receives the modular ball head therein while the prosthesis stem is still within a patient's femur. A heater within the housing heats the modular ball head. An impact hammer comprised of a mass slideably mounted on a rod is attached to the housing and has an anvil stop at one end. The housing is thermally insulated to retain heat while protecting an operator and the patient from burns. The heat generated is controlled as to amount and duration.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting blood samples within a capillary tube using a rigid plate member to protect the capillary tube during transport. A magnet is magnetically coupled with and thereby moves a ferrous metal flea within the capillary tube to promote mixing of the blood sample and an anticoagulant chemical coating on the inside of the capillary tube. The magnet is slid along the length of a recessed guide track or guide members to assure that the magnet does not come in contact with the capillary tube with sufficient force to break the capillary tube. The magnet has a central archway through which the capillary tube extends to increase the magnetic coupling between the magnet and the flea and yet prevent contact with the capillary tube. The capillary tube is held within an alignment groove in the rigid plate member. In one embodiment, a holder holds the capillary tube against the rigid plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing in-bath filming during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The device has a holder for slidably receiving a film cassette and a grid therein. The holder has means for slidably mounting the holder on the image intensifier portion of an x-ray fluoroscope so that forces on the front of the holder can be transferred to pressure sensing means on the intensifier. The holder is constructed in a water-tight manner so that the film contained in the holder may be delivered beneath the level of water in the bath adjacent the abdomen of the patient in the bath. An inflatable bladder is provided on the outside of the holder to displace water from the area between the holder and the abdomen to prevent absorption and scattering of the x-rays by water in the area between the holder and the patient's abdomen.