Abstract: A surgical implant for the fixation of bone portions and methods for using the same to reduce bone fractures with or without the use of bone fixating plates and in a variety of surgical procedures where rigid fixation of bones or bone portions even under great stress is required. The implant has a generally frusto-conical head with a plurality of arms hingeably connected thereto, the arms capable of moving from a retracted position to and extended position. A rectilinear bore having a diameter slightly greater than the greatest effective transverse dimension of the implant device with the arms in the retracted position is drilled through the bone portions to be fixated. A guiding tube or shaft is provided to guide the head of the implant device with the connected arms in retracted position into the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of communited Colles' fracture are described herein which include a kit comprising first and second stainless steel bone screws having self-tapping points and being about seven sixty-fourths inch in diameter. The bone screws include threaded portions of about one inch and one and one-half inches, respectively, and also include eye portions. The kit also includes a stainless steel wire bow having a pair of straight side portions and an interconnecting generally V-shaped intermediate portion. The surgical kit further includes an elongated, elastic material for connection between the intermediate portion of the wire bow and one of the bone screws to apply a traction force for facilitating healing of the fracture.

Abstract: In high tibial osteotomy a cross-shaped gauge having downwardly-depending side arms is positioned toward the end of the tibia, with the depending arms adjacent the arcuate path of the proposed saw cut. The cross-shaped gauge establishes a first indicia between said depending arms for positioning the arcuate axis of a semi-cylindrical saw, and a second indicia proximate the upper end of the longitudinal arm of the gauge for locating the saw arc. A saw blade of correct radius is then selected. The first indicia established by the gauge positions a first hole drilled through the bone for receiving a guide pin or rod, and the second indicia locates a second hole on the saw line for receiving a depth gauge. An arm on the depth gauge is aligned with a plurality of spacers placed on the aforementioned pin or rod, and the pin or rod is received along a cylindrical bore in the saw. When the saw is operated, the spacers arrest movement of the saw blade when it has passed through the bone.

Abstract: A bone compression plate is provided with several sliding slits for countersunk bone screws having ball heads in the longitudinal dimension of the plate. Each sliding slit is countersunk in its end area opposite the fracture, the depth of which countersinking in the plate determines the final axial position of the screwhead. That depth is greater than that of the rest of the sliding slit. The bearing surface of the countersinking for the screwhead extends over an area which is included within an angle of more than 180.degree.. It is thus possible, on the one hand, to move the plate with respect to the pieces of fractured bone to obtain a pressing together of the two pieces of bone when the bone screw has not been screwed tight. On the other hand, it is possible to fasten the plate immovably to one piece of the fractured bone by inserting a bone screw into the countersink slit.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying and maintaining forces and moments to the knee joint during arthroscopic surgery. The apparatus includes upper and lower leg restraining members which are rotatable and longitudinally movable with respect to each other and lockable in desired orientations to generate and maintain the forces and moments. Structure is also provided for applying lateral forces to the leg and for supporting instruments such as arthroscopes.

Abstract: A light-weight brace adapted to be affixed externally of a patient's leg so that it lies partly above and partly below the person's knee. The apparatus includes first and second flexible sheets of cushioned material which are adapted to be snugly wrapped around the thigh and calf. The width of each of the flexible sheets is sufficient to circumferentially envelope at least most, and preferably all, of its associated leg member; and the length of each sheet is sufficient to encompass at least half of the length of the respective leg member. A preferred cushioning material is a sheet of polyurethane foam (about 9 mm thick) bonded to a sheet of pile-type material having sufficient "nap" to serve as an anchor for resilient hooks of the Velcro type. Also provided are first and second pairs of elongated braces, which braces are relatively stiff so as to resist both torsion and bending loads. The pairs of elongated braces are adapted to lie on opposite sides of the wearer's thigh and calf.

Abstract: A one-piece pacifier for an infant comprising a shield having a nipple extending from one side and a handle extending from the other, the lower portion and sides of the shield being curved away from the nipple to present a larger area where the shield might rest against an infant's chin and face thereby reducing irritation, and the handle being angled downwardly towards the curved portion of the shield so as to deflect toward the shield rather than push the nipple towards the infant's throat when force, such as when the infant presses its face against a mattress, is applied to the handle side of the pacifier.

Abstract: A comforter comprises a safety shield (2) and a teat rubber (1) formed integral with a circumferential collar (4). This collar (4) abuts and covers the surface of the safety shield in front of the mouth and forms an inclining movable contact surface resembling a mamma. The peripheral rim area of the collar includes a solid rim (4') forming an extra protection and preventing the comforter from being swallowed. Fastening means are also provided in the form of for instance a locking disk (3) and a securing member is provided in the form of for instance an inwardly turned circumferential marginal flange (5) for maintaining the teat rubber (1) and its collar safely upon the safety shield (2).

Abstract: A method of coating a portion of the walls and effecting a degree of penetration into a bone with a coating material to produce a modified bone surface, the method comprising: introducing the coating material onto the bone surface in an initial physical state; applying pressure to the coating material to force the material into the structure of the bone; and maintaining pressure on the coating material until it reaches a desired final physical state.

Abstract: A drill assembly includes a handle carrying a mount for a pneumatic drill motor, and an elongated tubular support enclosing an extended motor shaft which carries a drill bit chuck projecting from the end of that support. The drill assembly coacts with a drill guide assembly including an elongated tubular guide for receiving the tubular support in sliding relation, and having a rotary bearing at its lower end for rotationally supporting the drill bit. The lower end face is concave to enable seating on the prosthesis tip to be drilled. The drill guide assembly includes an offset handle and a stop clamp and depth gauge for coaction with the drill assembly handle to control the depth of drilling. An extractor assembly, for coaction with an undercut drilled hole in the prosthesis, includes an extractor having an externally threaded body and a tubular internally threaded T handle for that body. The body includes an axial shaft to be received in the hole with a lateral toe at the distal end defining a ledge.

Abstract: A forceps for applying metal clips for surgical use is disclosed, the clips being applied to blood vessels to shut off flow through the blood vessel, the forceps being capable of being opened to a much greater extent than heretofore, by shifting the position of a spring which normally opens the forceps to the extent necessary for picking up the clip to be applied.

Abstract: A strap (10) adapted for encircling securement about the midsection of an individual including a pair of handles (38) whereby an attendant may assist both supporting and guiding the individual during ambulatory movement. The strap includes a first length (12) having a base layer (16) and first engaging elements (18). A second length (14) likewise formed of a base layer is connected to an end of the first length. The first and second lengths comprise minor and major portions of the strap, respectively. A fastener member (26) having a backing and second engaging elements (30) which mate with the first engaging elements is disposed at the end of the second length remote from the connection with the first length. The handles are carried by the second length to be disposed to the rear (FIGS. 4 and 5) when the first and second engaging elements are engaged for securement of the strap on the individual.

Abstract: A device which discourages thumb-sucking when worn on a thumb. The device comprises an elongate sleeve which fits over the thumb. An air passageway which extends from one end of the sleeve to the other is formed therein. A flange extending outwardly from the sleeve prevents both ends of the air passageway from being insertable into the mouth. Straps attached to the sleeve removably retain the device on the thumb.

Abstract: A Colles fracture fixature device comprised of a pair of curved, slotted frame members for received fixation pin holders having a pin bushing rotatably received in the bore of the fork arms of a clevis.

Abstract: Device for the support of joints for orthopedic and surgical purposes, which permits use on the periphery or surface of the joint, in the principal plane of movement. The adaptation of the splint to, and its accompaniment of, the change in the configuration of the joint surface upon movements is assured by concatenation linkage of the joint splint, wherein the links, which are constructed as obtuse-angled bell cranks, are united to one another by articulations to form a chain such that, in the case of a radial movement of the splint links, they simultaneously produce a lengthening of the splint according to the principle of the Nuremberg scissors.

Abstract: A support brace for elevating the knees and holding the legs apart includes a curved base support plate secured to a pair of thigh rests having straps for securing the apparatus to a user's thighs.

Abstract: An apparatus used to control human beings through the application of localized pressure to their body and appendages. The claimed apparatus has a substantially straight, elongated first arm, and spaced therefrom and generally parallel thereto, a curved, elongated second arm. A member connects together one end of the first arm to the adjacent end of the second arm. The first arm extends beyond the second arm and a blunting element is fixedly secured to the free-end. The second arm has a curved midportion which curves downward and extends toward the first arm to a distance from the first arm sufficient to receive an appendage. An upwardly curved end portion of the second arm connects the curved midportion to the connecting member, and attached to the end of the curved midportion remote from the connecting member is an upwardly curved free-end portion.

Abstract: The device includes a novel tool for guiding a surgical wire into the patient's bone at a universally adjustable position in relation to a previously inserted wire, and a novel guide pin-external sleeve combination whose use greatly facilitates the steps of guide pin insertion and, after the sleeve has been removed, insertion of a cannulated surgical implant over the guide pin. The novel device is particularly suited for use in a surgical procedure for fixing a fracture in the femoral neck with a plurality of parallel cannulated bone screws.

Abstract: A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module is selectively movable by an operator into and out of operative association with one or more pump rotors. The module includes a housing which supports two or more flexible conduits, which together define a prearranged fluid circuit. Portions of the flexible fluid conduits are outwardly disposed from the housing in upright, freestanding positions, even when the module is out of operative association with the pump rotors. The upright portions are purposely arranged relative to each other to facilitate only a particular operative relationship between the fluid circuit and the pump rotors when the module is subsequently moved into operative association therewith.

Abstract: To receive the weight of the body from the pelvis and distribute it evenly to the shaft of a fractured femur while bracing the fractured femur, an intramedullary hip pin engages a plate secured to the lateral cortex of the shaft. The hip pin has an enlarged end portion positionable within the head and neck of the femur to receive and distribute forces from the pelvis and to impede protrusion of the pin through the head of the femur. The hip pin also includes an expansible member in the form of a cage for tightly securing the hip pin within the head and neck of the femur. The plate is adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the femur and includes an inclined, tubular, pin-receiving portion extending partially into an opening formed through the surface of the femur and into the neck of the femur.