Abstract: Orthopedic implant insertion instruments for precision guiding of a fracture fixation implant into fractured bone to promote healing are disclosed. The implant insertion instruments comprise an insertion handle for implantation of a first fixation implant, an aiming arm for precise guiding of a second fixation implant into bone, a guide sleeve for protection of soft tissue and for translational and rotational control of the second fixation implant, and a drive shaft with coupling screw for attachment to the second fixation implant and for driving the second fixation element through the aiming arm and guide sleeve into the fractured bone. The implant insertion instruments also include a soft tissue clearance device to aid the surgeon in inserting the first fixation implant into the fractured bone. Also disclosed is a measuring device that reduces measuring errors made by a user and a measuring device that determines implant length, diameter, and angle of insertion.

Abstract: An instrumentation guide for orthopedic surgery having guide body includes at least one alignment guide. An attachment member is securable to the guide body and provides for the attachment of an orthopedic device such as an intramedullary nail. A transfer member which can be both engaged and disengaged with the instrumentation guide while a nail is secured to the attachment member is used to transmit insertion and removal forces to the nail through the attachment member. The transfer member may be formed out of a metal material and be removed from the guide body, which may be substantially radio transparent, while the nail is still attached to the guide body to facilitate the acquisition of radiographic images. The transfer member include an inner shaft and an outer sleeve which are relatively rotatable. The transfer member may also include a quick connect mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: Instrumentation for distracting an intervertebral space and determining an appropriate size for an artificial intervertebral disc to be implanted therein include static trials and a static trial holder for manipulating the static trials. Each static trial is provided with at least one notch that is engaged by the static trial holder when the static trial is being manipulated thereby, to limit or prevent rotation of the static trial about a longitudinal axis with respect to the static trial holder during the manipulation.

Abstract: A suture punch system is capable of directly passing braided suture through tissue in a simple, one-step process. The system includes three principle components: a malleable needle with braided suture attached, a handheld instrument for grasping tissue and controlling needle placement, and a trocar to supply the force required for needle placement. Needle deformation begins at the tip of the instrument, which preferably includes a curved segment. As the distal tip of the needle pierces the tissue, it continues its radial path through the tissue. When the proximal end of the needle exits from the instrument, the needle is entirely radial in shape and traverses an essentially radial path through the tissue. Non-radial linear or non-linear segments may alternatively be used. In one embodiment, the tissue to be sutured is constrained by pressure applied through closure between an upper, moveable jaw the distal portion of the instrument which acts as a fixed jaw.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising an arterial cannula with a modular filter device. The arterial cannula includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a side port for receiving a modular filter cartridge. The modular filter cartridge includes a tubular cartridge, and a shaft having a handle on one end and an expandable filter device on the other end. The expandable filter device includes filter mesh and an expansion frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions. The shaft is inserted into the cartridge, thereby containing the expandable filter device therein. The cartridge may then be removably received by the side port on the cannula. The cannula may be introduced into a blood vessel, and the expandable filter device may be deployed through the cannula into the vessel. The expansion frame may be expanded to the enlarged condition to capture embolic material in the mesh, may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A surgical anchor inserter is equipped to receive or hold two or more bone anchors or the like. A corresponding number of ejection mechanisms can be actuated in concert to simultaneously deploy the anchors.

Abstract: An anastomosis device for use in coupling an end of a graft vessel to a side of a target vessel. The target vessel has an opening formed in a side wall thereof for insertion of the device. The device comprises a tubular member, at least a portion thereof being radially compressible to a compressed state for insertion of the tubular member into the opening in the target vessel and expandable from the compressed state to an expanded state for engagement of an inner graft vessel surface with an inner surface of the target vessel after insertion of the tubular member into the opening in the side wall of the target vessel. The compressible portion of the tubular member has an inner surface and an outer surface defining a wall thickness therebetween. The wall thickness of the compressible portion in its compressed state is less than the wall thickness of the compressible portion in its expanded state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery to implant an acetabular shell into the acetabulum. A collapsible acetabular reamer is moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. In the expanded position, the reamer reams the acetabulum. In the collapsed position, the reamer can fit through a small minimally invasive incision.

Abstract: A device for supporting and/or assisting in bone fusion, particularly in the spine, is described. A plate member is provided, along with two or more attachment members that are anchorable to bones. In one embodiment, the plate member has a slot near one end and an aperture at another end. The attachment members include threaded posts for connection to the plate member via the latter's slot(s) and aperture(s). Alternatively, attachment members need not have a threaded post, and attachment members may be connected to the plate member via a bone bolt or similar fixation member. The slot(s) allow a single plate member to be used for a variety of operative situations and anatomies. A device for repositioning bones and a method for using the disclosed devices is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining positions of bones fixed or approximated relative to each other is provided that is ideal for minimizing interference with surrounding viscera in spinal column procedures, although other good application therefor are also disclosed. In the preferred form, a cable anchoring apparatus in the form of a screw member having an elongate shank that is threaded for substantially the full length thereof is employed. An internal driver surface is provided so that the size of the proximate end of the shank can be minimized or maintained consistently sized with respect to the reminder of the shank with no enlarged driver head formed thereat. This allows the amount of bone material that is removed from full insertion of the screw anchor to be minimized, i.e. no countersinking for an enlarged driver head is necessary, thus improving holding power of the cable anchor herein.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. A spring mechanism is centrally located on one of the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monofilament suture prepared by co-extruding polymers having different Young's moduli and to a process for preparing the same. The suture is prepared in such a form that a polymer having a high Young's modulus surrounds a polymer having a low Young's modulus. The monofilament suture prepared by the present invention has excellent knot security, flexibility and/or knot strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for severing or removing a biological structure, especially bones, by using a water jet cutting device (R) from which a pressurized severing medium (4) is discharged. According to the invention, the severing medium (4) should be projected onto the biological structure in a pulsed manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument (1) for sectioning, removing, and particularly modeling bones, cartilage, and the like, in particular for a nasal bridge osteotomy, said instrument including a chisel (2) with a shaft (2a) and a chisel blade (2b) installed on the distal end of the shaft. A medical instrument (1) that allows easy and precise guidance of the chisel (2) is characterized, in accordance with the invention, by a handle (3) on which the chisel (2) can be secured for holding and guiding.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting a pair of sliding prostheses includes a supporting plate, two clamps adjustable through a spacing range, and two vertically adjustable sliding-surface bearing supports configured to support the sliding prostheses in the area of the sliding surfaces on the supports. Each of the clamps is configured to receive one of the pair of sliding prostheses and has clamping jaws configured to interact with the side edges of the corresponding sliding prostheses. The supporting plate has a slide guide formed thereon and an adjustment spindle for at least one of the two clamps. The sliding-surface bearing supports are configured in fixed positions on the supporting plate and having a width which corresponds to the adjustable spacing range of the clamps and is large enough to support the sliding prostheses in any chosen spacing.

Abstract: A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical burr during performance of an orthopaedic procedure includes monitoring the position of the surgical burr during the procedure and adjusting operation of the surgical burr based thereon. An orthopaedic surgical system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of repositioning or fixing a first vertebrae or portion of a first vertebrae comprising fixing a bone screw in the first vertebrae and a bone screw in a second vertebrae, where each bone screw has a portal, and inflating an inflatable balloon between the portals, thereby creating a rigid structure between the bone screws.