Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elments instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Abstract: An electronic guidance means is utilized in conjunction with a set of guide arms, to accurately measure and display angular changes to make correction in bone surgery.

Abstract: A method for freezing corneal tissue prior to cryorefractive surgery, including the controlled rate freezing of the tissue at a rate of less than seven degrees centigrade per minute.

Abstract: An adjustable brace and method for reducing and immobilizing a bone fracture, which includes adjustable pads, and allows the physician to precisely apply pressure in the desired area of the fracture. The preferred brace is particularly designed for immobilizing metacarpal fractures in the hand by applying three point pressure in the area of the metacarpal fracture while allowing essentially full movement of the wrist, hand and fingers. Thus, the hand brace is preferable to conventional casts or splints in allowing more normal movement. Further, the brace is generally radiolucent to more readily monitor the healing of the fracture radiographically. The hand brace preferably includes: a U-shaped bracket with the bight portion fitted in the first web space of the hand; a top, flat, elongated member adjoining the back of the hand; and, a bottom, flat, elongated member received in the palm. A pair of spaced apart pads are positioned in the palm facing the general area of fracture.

Abstract: The device for the external (outside of the patent's body) fixation of bone fragments in the surgical treatment of fractures uses a unitary supporting bar (2) which, particularly in the case of shin-bone fractures, is positioned on the front side with a very close spacing from the bone and, for reasons of X-ray diagnosis, with a slight lateral displacement. A system of basic clamp assemblies (11), compound clamp assemblies (14) and paired clamp assemblies (12, 12a), and the thus facilitated surgical operation techniques, provide for mechanically highly stable fixation of the bone fragments being particularly careful as far as traumatizing is concerned, and being particularly favorable with respect to the psychic and physical restraint to the patient during the period in which the device is applied, and with respect to the cosmetic success upon convalescence.

Abstract: A spinal distraction apparatus has a distraction rod extending along an axis and having in turn a center part, a pair of end parts secured in, extending axially oppositely from, and rotatable about the axis relative to the center part, and a screwthread connection between each of the end parts and the center part. The screwthread connections are of opposite hand so that rotation of the center part in one direction moves the end parts axially toward each other and opposite rotation moves them axially apart. The end parts are axially nondisplaceable relative to the center part except on rotation of same about the axis. Respective anchors axially nondisplaceable on the end parts are adapted to be secured to respective vertebra. Formations between the anchors and the respective end parts prevent rotation of the end parts about the axis relative to the anchors.

Abstract: A bone impactor consists of a single piece of lightweight metal which has a handle and a smooth shank, across the tip of which extends a working surface that forms a symmetrical cylindrical concavity that may be fitted against an excrescence, followed by striking the butt end of the handle to compress the excrescence into the bone to relieve pressure on a nerve. The edges of the working surface are radiused to minimize cutting. That bone impactor preferably is one of a set of four, the working surface of the second impactor being rectangular and that of the third being circular, while the handle and shank of the fourth impactor have a uniform, rectangular cross section.

Abstract: An implantable compression hip screw is disclosed. A unique antirotational/locking device used in combination with axially aligned grooves in a barrel plate and a lag screw prevents the fractured portion of the femur from rotating during the postoperative period. The antirotational/locking device comprises elongated rods which fit within the aligned grooves and thereby allow sliding of the lag screw relative to the barrel plate during the postoperative period.

Abstract: A fenestrated hollow hip screw adapted for introduction therethrough of bone cement into a bone region affected by osteoporosis for increase of overall fixation of hip fractures, such as comminuted intertrochanteric types, and similar types of femoral fractures, even in the opposite distal end of the femur where such a device may be appropriately utilized.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intramedullary fixation of abnormal bone, such as a femur, wherein an axially elongated intramedullary rod is provided having outwardly projecting thin fins or elongated sharp edge formations at circumferentially spaced locations spanning substantially the length of the rod to provide rotational stability, and provided with a plurality of holes in each of the surface portions between pairs of the fins or edge formations, which are normally closed by screw plugs or plugged with methylmethacrelate plugs, but which may be removed selectively prior to rod insertion into the medullary canal to permit discharge of methylmethacrelate cement or the like into desired surrounding bone areas.

Abstract: A glove having a retainer disposed adjacent to the outside of a thumb portion so as to restrict movement of the thumb portion away from the rest of the glove thereby preventing damage to certain ligaments of the user's thumb should the thumb be bent abnormally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening one element to another, particularly adapted for orthopedic use, wherein the fastener is structurally adapted to be driven into a member somewhat like a nail and to be secured therein by rotating the fastener through a predetermined angular displacement to secure threads on the fastener in the thus-fastened member. The fastener is thus readily removable by counter-rotating the device a like amount. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a head portion structurally adapted to receive a force axially applied to the fastener, a tip portion structurally adapted for leading the fastener into a member to be fastened, and a shank portion disposed between the head portion and the tip portion. The shank portion includes a thread-bearing zone and a thread-free zone circumferentially spaced about the shank portion which together comprise the entire circumference of the shank.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee is implanted after cutting the femor and tibia in the proper manner with the aid of instruments which include axial alignment guides and a series of cutting jigs.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a bone joining plate which is suitable for securing the fractured bones even when the screwing alone is insufficient and which is easily adaptable to the conditions of application before or during the operation. According to the invention, a bone joining plate is provided having an oblong plate curved according to the bone surface, where at least two holes are arranged along the longitudinal axis and at least three pointed claws bent from the material of the plate are arranged at one of its ends. One of the claws is arranged suitably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate and at least one further claw is perpendicularly arranged on each side of the plate. The holes may be circular or oval shaped, the latter one allows the eccentric arrangement of screws, whereby compression may be applied to the fractured surfaces.

Abstract: A bone fixation device for securing adjacent and separated bone portions, such as at a joint or at a relatively clean, unsplintered break, comprises a pair of telescoping members which are pinned into the respective bone portions, and have internal actuating members to permit the telescoping parts to be moved together to bring the two bone portions to bear against one another at a desired level of pressure. After the telescoping members have been adjusted the members are permanently left in place to fix and hold the joint or break in a predetermined relationship. The adjusting members also remain in place as pins within the bone, which are accessible through incisions in the skin if later adjustment is necessary. The entire device is embedded, and is not external. The process of inserting is relatively simple to follow and rigidly fixes a joint or break between two abutting bone portions without having external members.

Abstract: A surgical wire and a method for the use thereof for interconnecting adjacent portions of bone structures are disclosed. The wire is preferably made of a flexible and malleable corrosion-resistant metal, such as a surgical grade of stainless steel, and it includes a main portion, a tapered portion which extends from the main portion, and a leader portion which extends from the tapered portion and has a substantially reduced diameter with respect to the main portion. The method is carried out by first threading the leader portion around a portion of a bone structure and then further advancing the leader portion to thread the main portion of the wire around the bone structure portion. The main portion of the wire is then secured to an adjacent portion of a bone structure to provide support for one of the two bone structure portions. The method has particular application in spinal surgery for interconnecting adjacent vertebrae to promote fusion of a fractured vertebra.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for implementing a standardized skin incision which apparatus includes a housing having a base containing an elongated slot. The base is adapted to be held flush against a patient's skin prior to making an incision. The housing has an internal hollow which contains a movable pivot arm having a first pivotal end and a second end having a cam follower. Located within the housing is a cam surface upon which the cam follower of the pivot arm rides. The pivot end of the arm contains a cutting edge and is coupled to the housing such that it is enabled to move transversely while pivoting. The cam which has a given surface configuration controls the path of the pivot arm and therefore controls the path of the cutting edge as it enters the slot when triggered. The device produces a standard incision of a given length and a given depth as controlled by the reciprocating pivot arm and the cam surface.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

Abstract: A bone screw comprising a shaft having a first set of leading threads and a second set of trailing threads spaced apart from the first set of threads by an unthreaded central portion. The second set of threads are carried externally on a sleeve having a smooth inner cylindrical surface such that the sleeve is slidable about the unthreaded shaft portion. A raised lip is provided about the trailing end of the shaft to retain the sleeve on the shaft.The first and second set of screw threads are like-handed, but preferably of different pitch, with the pitch of the first set of screw threads exceeding that of the second set of screw threads to effectively hold portions of a fractured bone in compressive engagement.Provision of the second set of threads on a slidable sleeve enables the main shaft to slide through the sleeve and back out of the bone, when absorption occurs such as when the invention is used to repair a femoral neck fracture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a springless diaphragm which is adapted to be inserted into a vaginal vault for birth control and which comprises a resilient rim member composed of a first flexible material, and a dome member which is composed of a second flexible material. The rim member is securely bonded to the dome member and extends continuously thereabout along the lower perimeter thereof. The dome member is provided in its uppermost portion with a substantially thicker portion in order to permit formation of the device without danger of rupture during the molding process. The first flexible material and the second flexible material are required to have Durometers within specified ranges, and the rim member may be further provided with opposing outwardly projecting sections in order to enhance the spring modulus of the rim member upon flexing of this portion of the diaphragm prior to insertion.