Abstract: An external fixation system having an improved fixation component for constructing a stable, adjustable fixation system that cooperates with other systems, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device at fixing means for fixation of bone fragments at bone fractures, wherein the fixing means (1) preferably is a spike for thigh-bone necks for fixation of bone fragments (2.3) at fractures (4) of the thigh-bone neck. The fixing means (1) comprises a sleeve (5) and a pin (7) provided therein. The pin (7) includes a front part (7a) which is directed obliquely forward relative to a rear part (7e) thereof and towards front parts (9a) of a second wall surface (9) close to a guide surface (12) of the sleeve (5) when the pin (7) is located in a ready position (B) in said sleeve (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a dispenser which can be suspended over the rim of a toilet bowl to dispense a dose of active ingredient into the bowl as the bowl is flushed. The dispenser draws active liquid from a reservoir in discrete doses, each does being released by a pumping action which is caused by the action of the flush water on the dispenser. The dispenser includes a flow restrictor which normally prevents egress of the active liquid from the reservoir but which releases a dose under the influence of the pumping action.

Abstract: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with the second bone portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion from a first position toward a second position to move the first and second bone portions away from each other. An actuator connected with the second portion moves the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices according to this invention provide drill guides for optimal placement of fixation elements, such as half pins, into a patient's bone. According to one embodiment, a collar frame with a collar adapted to receive a bar of an orthopedic external fixation system such that the collar may be moved linearly or rotationally about the bar is coupled to a guide frame including a bore through which a fixation element of the external fixation system may be inserted. The coupling between the collar frame and the guide frame allows for them to rotate about at least one axis relative to each other. In one embodiment, the collar frame and the guide frame may rotate about three axes relative to each other.

Abstract: A device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue includes an elongate body member, a suture deployment system, and a catch. Methods of placing sutures include inserting and deploying in a patient a device including an elongate body member, a suture deployment system, and a catch. The suture deployment system is disposed at a distal portion of the elongate body member, and includes a suture carrier having a sharpened distal end for tissue penetration and a notch for holding a formed suture tip. The catch is disposed on the elongate body member to receive and retain the formed suture tip.

Abstract: A catheter for the positioning of a radioactive material for therapeutic radiation treatment of the body is disclosed. The catheter includes a radioactive source positioned at the distal end thereof and is sufficiently flexible and strong to navigate in the body to the desired treatment location. The radioactive source may be provided to the catheter in a number of different ways. In one set of embodiments, the radioactive source is bonded to the inner or outer surface of the catheter body, a catheter attachment or a carrier positionable within the catheter body. In another set of embodiments, one of the catheter body, catheter attachment or carrier positionable within the catheter body includes a cavity within which the radioactive source is placed. In this set of embodiments, the radioactive source may be provided in a variety of different forms, depending upon the particular needs of the treatment method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies is provided. The low profile vertebral alignment/fixation assembly of the current invention comprises a hemispherical headed pedicle screw disposed within a slotted coupling unit designed to allow angular adjustment of the pedicle screw up to 90° and which may be securely locked into position via a single internal locking nut once a standard alignment rod has been inserted into the slotted coupling unit. The low profile vertebral alignment/fixation assembly enabling the angular adjustment of the fixation system hardware after final placement and insertion of the pedicle screw into the vertebral body. A system and method for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies using the low profile vertebral alignment/fixation assembly of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of spinal fixation involving application of a liquid medium which cures, hardens, polymerizes or otherwise serves to bind adjacent vertebrae together. The fixation which results from this binding may be temporary or essentially permanent in duration, and may be used to treat conditions or disease of the spine, such as inflammation, instability or fracture. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid medium comprises a low viscosity cyanoacrylate-based adhesive.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic bone plate has elongated compression cavities containing eccentric countersinks. The plate includes a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a plate upper side, and a plate lower side for facing bone fragments. The bone plate also includes a compression element with two plate braces which run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Both plate braces are linked together by bridging struts which intersect the longitudinal axis. A plate brace has an eyelet on at least one of the outer sides of the compression element. Additional eyelets can be positioned in front of this eyelet. A compression cavity is situated in each of said eyelets and a connecting strut, which intersects the transverse axis, extends between the eyelets which are located on each plate brace.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening a percutaneous medical device to bone is presented, comprising an anchor which comprises an outer threaded segment and an inner cavity comprising an inner threaded segment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for safely attaching a conduit to the heart, such as a conduit for connection to an implantable blood pump, or to a blood vessel, as in a heart bypass graft, without the need for a cardiopulmonary bypass. The apparatus can include an enclosure attachable to the heart and having sealed within the enclosure at least part of a coring tool and one end of the conduit which will be attached to the heart. A heart attachment member can be affixed to the enclosure for facilitating attachment of the apparatus to the heart and the coring tool can have a cutting member and a member for holding the tissue to be cut from the heart. All air can be evacuated from the enclosure prior to cutting tissue from the heart and attachment of the conduit.

Abstract: A trial implant kit includes a plurality of intermediate components and a plurality of inner components. Each of the plurality of intermediate components has a uniform inner surface, although at least two of the plurality of intermediate components having distinct outer surfaces. Each of the distinct outer surfaces is configured to engage one of a plurality of acetabular shell component geometries. Each of the plurality of inner components has a uniform outer surface portion and a bearing surface, the uniform outer surface portion configured to be received by the uniform inner surface of any of plurality of intermediate components. The bearing surface is configured to engage a femoral head. At least two of plurality of inner components having distinct bearing surface configurations.

Abstract: A universal device for supporting bones and surgery tools in orthopaedic surgery consists of two rods supporting two spaced bone/tool holders installed in alignment to each other on opposite ends of the rods. The holders have V-shaped prisms with adjustable yokes for securing the broken bone part or a drilling tool in the respective prisms with a drill arranged coaxially to the facing bone part. One bone/tool holder is rigidly fixed to the rods, while the second holder slides relative to the fixed holder. The moveable holder is fixed between the nuts, e.g., for holding the parts of the broken bone in butt connection for growing together naturally. As compared to the known device of the same type, the device of the invention is light in weight, more universal in use, and is more simple in construction.

Abstract: The target apparatus for positioning a drilling tool with respect to a drilling channel to be created in a bone consists of a target hook and a guide arm which is releasably connected to this and on which there is arranged a receiver for the drilling tool, and a guide path in the form of a laterally through-going open groove for the guide arm. The guide arm may be displaced and fixed in the guide path. A simple assembly and disassembly of the apparatus is achieved in that the guide arm on the side of the apparatus is applied into the guide path through the groove opening and reversely, by lifting away out of the groove, may be separated from the target hook.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc includes an upper fusion member adapted to be gradually fused and secured to an upper vertebra, a lower fusion member adapted to be gradually fused and secured to a lower vertebra, and a restorable cushioning coupler retained in between the upper and lower fusion members, whereby upon bending or twisting of a patient's spine, the upper and the lower fusion members may be flexibly moved with each other for enhancing free movement of the patient's spine and body, safely resiliently cushioned and easily restored by the cushioning coupler in between the upper and lower fusion members.

Abstract: A shoulder joint prosthesis is shown having two bearing bodies (1, 2; 11, 12) which slide on one another and which can be respectively connected to the upper arm (3) by a shaft (5) and to the shoulder bone (4) by a platform (6). When the connection to the shaft (5) is brought about by a non-rotationally symmetrical, conical body (7) with a self-locking seat, with its periphery (8) being form matched to a mating shape (15) in the shaft (5) which is rotationally fixed relative to a longitudinal axis (9) arid keyed by the taper so that the connection is releasable and repeatedly fixable in the same angular position, large forces can be transmitted by the connection.

Abstract: A laminectomy suction and retraction device has a body with an offset probe extending therefrom. The tip of the probe has a retraction blade having a pair of suction ports lying above a pair of ports in the distal end surface of the probe. A rectangular port is formed by the end surface of the probe, adjacent the blade surface.

Abstract: A device is provided for the articulated connection of two bodies comprising a first body, a clamping member, at least one tension member, and a second body. The first body comprises a cavity extending coaxially along a central axis. The clamping included a longitudinal axis and a coaxial bore with at least one aperture, the clamping member being complementary to the cavity and resiliently deformable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The at least one tension member is insertable coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis into the bore. An axial displacement of the at least one tension member within the corresponding aperture may cause the clamping member to be expanded to contact the cavity wall and be releasably locked within the cavity. The second body is releasably connectable to the first body by means of the at least one tension member and the clamping member.

Abstract: A device for releasably clamping and connecting a longitudinal member within a surgical implant includes at least one yoke-like connecting body with a through-bore, coupling means arranged on the connecting body for fastening the connecting body to a further part of the implant, a yoke-like clamping body which can slide in the through-bore and has resilient side walls and a through-opening for receiving the longitudinal member, and fixation means. A wedging effect produced by elevations on side walls of the clamping body retains the longitudinal member in the through-opening.