Abstract: A non-rigid bone fracture fixator comprising first and second bone pins for connection either side of a bone fracture and primary and secondary supports clamped to the bone pins by respective fixed and guide clamps. The second support and the guide clamps are connected slidably to the primary support such that the supports may execute a controlled degree of movement with respect to one another. A compression spring is arranged to bias apart the supports longitudinally of a fixated limb. In use the fixator is applied to the limb with the fracture in slight compression. Exercise of the limb then produces varying degrees of fracture compression stimulating bone callus formation and rapid healing. The fixator may include actuating means to provide passive fracture exercise for immobilized patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing the distal surface of a femur to receive a distal femoral prosthesis employing an alignment guide which is used to externally locate the central long axis of the femur based upon certain external reference points on the distal femur. The alignment guide is composed of a main body, a pivotable resection guide instrument holder, a locator pin, at least one femoral surface modifying instrument which cooperatively engages with the holder and a means such as a clamp for affixing the main body to the femur to accomplish the shaping of the distal femoral surface. The central long axis of the main body is brought into alignment with the central long axis of the femur through the use of a locator pin.

Abstract: A heating unit using radiant heat provides core temperature increases in mammalian subjects, including humans, for cancer treatment or other purposes. The unit has a wall member defining a cavity for receiving the subject. An electric heating cable is placed on the exterior of the wall means for heating the wall means and radiating heat to the subject. A circuit is connectable to a source of electric power for energizing and controlling the heating cables.

Abstract: A wedge guide of specific angular dimensions allows the excision of a precise bone wedge by the alternate use of a crescentic and planar saw in a stable and accurate manner.

Abstract: The ear plug (40) includes an elongate body with a rounded tip portion and of an elastic material enveloped by a deep-drawn sheath (41) of thin flexible plastics film material. Rearwardly the plug preferably has a neck portion from which the sheath projects in the form of a stiffer collar or flange. Production of the ear plug includes deep-drawing a thermoplastic film or foil into a sheath with desired thickness distribution, and filling the sheath with elastic material (53). Filling may take place simultaneously with deep-drawing, the body of elastic material constituting a die for deep-drawing in a forming hole (45), or after the deep-drawing. In the latter case, an elastic die body is used to advantage, the shape of which generally corresponds to that of the finished plug, for deep-drawing in a forming hole suited to the die body.

Abstract: Sterile, non-metallic, bio-compatible hemostatic clips of absorbable and non-absorbable materials comprising two leg members joined with a resilient hinge. The distal ends of said leg members include latch means to lock the clip in a closed position. Each leg member has a vessel clamping inner face and the latch means includes means for preventing relative lateral movement between the vessel clamping inner faces when the clip is in a closed position.

Abstract: A dynamic ankle brace which includes a U-shaped felt pad contoured to fit about the lateral malleolus of the ankle and an elastic strap member connected to the U-shaped pad and adapted to be wrapped about the foot and ankle to apply pressure to the pad and ankle and to maintain the ankle and foot in a position of stability. The ankle brace may be used to replace conventional taping of the ankle to prevent ankle sprains, or for therapeutic purposes to provide stability and offer compression to diminish swelling after removal of a plaster cast or after surgery on the foot or ankle.

Abstract: A sliding hip nail implant for fixation of a fractured hip bone is provided with ports in communication with a longitudinal cannula for the introduction of an acrylic cement to stabilize the bone and adhere the nail.

Abstract: A device for uniting bone fragments comprises a rectilinear body and a contrivance for fixing it in the coapted bone fragments. The contrivance for fixing the body in the coapted bone fragments is formed by thrust members being the portions of the body located at the opposite ends thereof and having holes coaxial with the body; the holes being shaped as frustums of cones facing with their greater bases the ends of the body, and having annular grooves in the wall thereof, and cone-shaped inserts with annular ridges adapted to be introduced into the conical holes for wedging apart the body. The body has longitudinal through slots within the zones of the holes. The length of the device is less than the total length of the coapted bone fragments so as to be located fully within the bone tissues.

Abstract: A chiropractic apparatus employs first and second measuring devices to determine the amount of anterior/posterior, superior/inferior and lateral displacement of selected skeletal features, particularly the ilia notches, from predetermined reference positions. A patient support assembly employs left and right sole and heel pedal plates rotatable about lateral and longitudinal axes, which allow the operator to position the patient, so as to negate any measured deviations of the skeletal features from the predetermined reference position. A separate upper body alignment device utilizes an overhead target which displays thereon preferred and actual intersections of the major vertical axis running through the skeletal frame of the patient with the pedal plates operated to further position so as to bring the axes into correspondence.

Abstract: A surgical needle holder for curved needles, comprised of movable gripping jaws offset from a manipulating handle thereof by a distance substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the specific needle to be held thereby. The gripping jaws are positioned relative to said handle such that the curved needle, held therebetween, is rotated only through its own curvature about an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of said handle. The manipulating handle is preferably comprised of at least one section thereof having a substantially circular cross section whereby said section may be manipulatively rolled between a surgeon's fingers to rotate said needle along its curvature during suturing. Tissue trauma and tearing during such suturing are substantially reduced thereby.

Abstract: The staples are made of a material having the intrinsic property of shape memory, such that heating the material above a certain temperature known as the transition temperature causes any deformation introduced at temperatures below the transition temperature to be reversed, and the staple recovers fully to its shape prior to the deformation. By forming the staple into any desired closed position at a temperature above the transition temperature and then cooling the staple below the transition temperature before deforming it into an open position, the resulting staple will revert to its closed position when it is subsequently reheated above the transition temperature. Consequently, the staple can be used for surgical suturing by merely positioning it in contact with the tissues to be sutured and heating it sufficiently to cause it to penetrate and clinch the tissues together.

Abstract: A device for performing percutaneous puncture treatment of a patient includes an elongate radiolucent plastic handle with a central portion and two opposite elongated end portions. A hollow radiopaque needle has a hub at its proximal end which is releasably mounted in the central portion of the handle so that the needle is perpendicular to an axis through the end portions. The distal end of the needle has a puncturing tip. An internal fluid passage in the needle is open to the tip and the hub so that fluid may be drained from a patient's body through the passage when the needle is inserted in the patient's body. The needle and central portion of the handle are aligned under a field of view of a fluoroscope. The handle is held by the grips which are outside of the field of view of the fluoroscope. While the doctor continuously monitors progress of the needle on the fluoroscope, the puncturing tip is inserted through the skin and moved to an internal location for aspiration of fluid.

Abstract: In order to improve the guidance of the arms of an aneurysm clip having two arms crossing each other and pivotably connected and also having a guide means in the area where the two arms cross it is suggested that one arm has a recess in the area where the arms cross, said recess corresponding to the width of the other arm, and that the guide means bridges this recess and is joined to the first arm by spot-welding on either side of the recess.

Abstract: An external fixation device for holding bone segments in known relation to each other includes a pair of bone clamp assemblies each secured to bone pins extending from the bone segments, a bridge extending between the pin clamp assemblies and a specialized high friction universal assembly connecting the bridge to each of the pin clamp assemblies.

Abstract: A construction and method for forming an orthopedic cast and method of producing the construction, wherein a portion of the body is surrounded with a flexible network of non-porous tubing substantially devoid of air and having at least one inlet. A flowable fluid is injected into the tubing through the inlet to render the network substantially rigid and the tubing is releasably retained in place until the network becomes rigid.

Abstract: A nail for the osteosynthesis of fractures of femoral necks, formed of a resilient pre-curved rod having an inner end engageable into the medullary cavity of the femur through a lateral perforation drilled through the inner side of said femur in the vicinity of the process thereof and an outer end which remains exterior to said femur. The rod comprises in the vicinity of said outer end a portion which is bent twice in opposed directions to determine a shoulder which protrudes inwardly with respect to the curvature of said rod and which abuts against the edge of said perforation to retain said nail longitudinally with respect to said femur.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in procedures requiring exposure of both legs and containment of the perineum comprised of a flexible draping material, a second smaller sheet of foam/film laminate bonded to the first sheet with two elongated fenestrations formed through both layers of sheets. The elongated fenestrations open onto one end of the drape and extend toward the middle of the drape in alignment with the sides and with each other and spaced apart to receive the legs of a patient. The drape is folded to form a compact unit for storage and sterilization and in a manner that unfolding and application of the drape to the patient can be accomplished with a minimum chance of contamination.

Abstract: An acupressure device for applying pressure to specific points on a human body comprises a stimulator (14) which is attached to a flexible cinching strap or band (10) of a length sufficient to extend circumferentially around a body part, including a releasable connecting means to facilitate the positioning and securing of the terminus of the stimulator against a specific point on the human body. The stimulator has a convex curved side (26) which is attached to the flexible strap. Opposite the curved side and extending therefrom, an elongated protuberance (20) extends and terminates in a blunt or pointed surface end (22). This end can be made to contact and apply pressure to a selected point on the user's body by extending the strap around a portion of the body and tightening same with the terminus of the stimulator in proper position.

Abstract: Apparatus for the external setting or securing of the parts of a fractured bone, comprising an elongate central body member comprised of two parts mutually displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member, whereby each part of the central body member supports a clamping device for the pins to be inserted into a part of the bone. The two mutually displaceable parts are engaged by a pressing and tensioning device causing the mutual longitudinal displacement of the part. When the pins are inserted in the bone parts to be pressed together, the pressing and tensioning device is actuated until the two bone sections abut against each other at the required pressure. Then the securing devices fix the two parts of the central body member into their position. Subsequently, the pressing and tensioning device is removed from the central body member since it is no longer required.