Abstract: A teething pacifier comprising a pacifier guard having two opposing sides, a nipple extending outwardly from one side of the pacifier guard and a handle associated with the opposite side of the pacifier guard. The handle includes a first teething material and a second teething material having a substantially similar hardness as that of the first teething material. The second teething material is molded over the first teething material to create a varied teething surface on the handle for infant teething thereon. The first teething material may further include an overmold enhancing surface such as a keyway extending around the handle, at least one flat face extending around the handle and/or at least one recess extending around the circumference of the handle at select points on the handle.

Abstract: The present invention, discloses an anastomosis clip applicator device for applying a surgical clip, formed at least partly of a shape memory alloy, to press together adjacent wall portions of adjacent hollow organ portions so as to effect anastomosis therebetween. The applicator device includes: gripping apparatus for gripping a surgical clip, a release mechanism, associated with the gripping apparatus, and tissue cutting apparatus, operatively associated with the gripping apparatus. There is also apparatus for activating the gripping apparatus, the release mechanism and the cutting apparatus, so as to introduce and apply the surgical clip into adjacent hollow organ portions, such that the surgical clip compresses together the adjacent walls of the hollow organ portions, and thereafter causes the cutting apparatus to perforate the adjacent pressed together organ walls to provide patency through the joined portions of the hollow organ.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, having a flexible suture eyelet attached thereto, which serves as a flexible interface for a suture strand. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A maxillofacial anchoring and distraction system having an internally threaded anchoring or distraction fixture (12) and a selected length jack screw (14) for placement in an osteotomy. To minimize required bone height, a cut-away bone screw (16) or a solid mesh tip (17) is provided for insertion in bone in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the anchoring and jack screws. A flat surface portion (16c, 17a) serves as a reaction surface for the distal end of the jack screw. In a second embodiment a sealing screw (24) is used with distraction fixture (20) modified to include a sealing surface. After completion of distraction the sealing screw is used to seal off the distraction fixture for conversion into an implant suitable for receiving conventional prosthetic components.

Abstract: A transverse connector may be attached to rods of an orthopedic stabilization system. The rods of the stabilization system may be non-parallel and skewed in orientation relative to each other. The transverse connector may include two members that are joined together by a fastener. The transverse connector may be adjustable in three separate ways to allow the transverse connector to attach to the rods. The length of the transverse connector may be adjustable. The rod openings of the transverse connector may be partially rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the transverse connector. Also, a first member may be angled towards a second member so that the transverse connector can be attached to rods that are diverging. The transverse connector may include cam locks that securely attach the transverse connector to the rods. Rotating a cam locks may extend a rod engager into a rod opening. The rod engager may be a portion of the cam lock.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is disclosed utilizing a cordless surgical handpiece powered from a sterile battery pack that contains a battery in condition for immediate use without further charging or sterilization. The battery chemistry is based upon lithium/manganese dioxide, and the battery after a single use may be disposed of into non-hazardous waste. The compact surgical handpiece has a brushless DC motor and a manually operated external trigger for activating and controlling the motor operations. Interengaging sets of contacts on the handpiece and battery are adapted to become lockingly and conductively interengaged upon rotation of the battery pack relative to the handpiece, in a manner that rapidly achieves correct alignment of the parts and also ensures stable mechanical attachment and support during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A closure for use in conjunction with an open headed medical implant for capturing and locking a rod member in the implant comprises a radially outward threaded cylindrical body sized and shaped to be threadably received between two arms of a head of the implant. The closure also includes a driving head and a coaxial removal head. The driving head breaks away from the body at a predetermined torque leaving the removal head. The driving head and removal head are of sufficiently dissimilar shape to prevent a tool with a socket for gripping the driving head from inadvertently gripping the removal head during installation and over-torquing the closure.

Abstract: An osteotomy of a portion of a vertebral endplate and/or vertebral body allows for easier insertion of a device that fits tightly into a disc space. A different aspect of the invention resides in a mechanical device to hold the osteotomized portion of the vertebra against the vertebral body after the intradiscal device is placed. The device may be removed after the pieces of vertebra heal and fuse together.

Abstract: A lancet for the extraction of blood includes a base portion of plastics material, a lancet needle of a metallic material held in the base portion and having a pointed end section protruding from the base portion, a head portion of plastics material integrally connected to the base portion by a preset breaking zone, and cooperating cam means on the base and head portions. The head portion can be removed from the base portion thereby exposing the pointed end section of the lancet needle by exerting a rotational force to one of the base and head portions relative to the other. The lancet needle is embedded in the head portion prior to the removal thereof. The cam means comprises pairs of cooperating cam sections on the base and head portions engaging with each other upon relative rotation between these portions for creating an axial movement of the head portion relative to the base portion thereby causing a rupture of the preset breaking zone.

Abstract: Instruments and methodology for nonlinear access to bone tissue sites are described. Embodiments disclosed include a conduit for delivering material or a medical device to a site and a core member that is able to steer the conduit and allow the combination to be advanced thorough cancellous bone. A cannula and stylet may be provided to first advance through hard bone. The core member includes a curved tip that may be straightened by the cannula or an actuator sheath to vary sweep of the curve. An obturator may be included in the system. This instrument may include a flexible portion as well. Each of the obturator and conduit may be provided with any of a variety of active tips. The systems may be used to perform hard tissue site implantation, for example, in connection with a high pressure injection system.

Abstract: A patellar milling clamp is provided with a depth control for limiting and controlling the milling depth of a grater rotated against a bone secured in the milling clamp. A stop ring is provided on a shaft of the milling tool. The shaft is slidable in a guide bushing of the milling clamp, and a rotatable cap on the guide bushing is selectively engaged in notches in the guide bushing to provide an abutment surface at selectively different elevations. Further advancement of the tool is prevented when the stop ring abuts the abutment surface of the cap. The depth of milling is precisely controlled regardless of the original thickness of the patellar bone being milled.

Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid, the device comprising, a main body, a lancet disposed within the main body, a carrier disposed within the main body fixedly attached to the lancet, a spring in communication with the lancet and the carrier, an annular space disposed within the main body adjacent the lancet, and a testing device for measuring a body fluid. The testing device may include micro-porous test strips, an electronic testing device, an optical/reflectance testing measuring device, or a visual inspection.

Abstract: A method of making a stent delivery system is provided in which a delivery catheter has a balloon that extends non-uniformly into interstices of a stent. In accordance with the method a balloon/stent/crimping tube assembly is placed in a crimping tool, the balloon is inflated, and the crimping tool is actuated to compress the stent on the outside of the balloon without application of heat or chemicals, thereby causing creases of the balloon to extend non-uniformly into the interstices of the stent. Optionally, pillows may be formed in the balloon to prevent longitudinal movement of the stent with respect to the balloon during intravascular delivery. One or more secondary crimpings also may be performed to achieve a smoother delivery profile.

Abstract: A catheter having an multilayered shaft section with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a second material. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. However, in alternative embodiments, a thermoplastic polyimide is used. The thermoset polyimide has a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 400° C. (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry), and excellent dimensional stability at the processing temperature of polyamides commonly used in catheter components. As a result, during formation and assembly of the catheter, production of a thin polyimide layer with controlled dimensions is facilitated. The polyimide has a high modulus and provides a thin walled yet highly pushable shaft section, while the second layer provides kink resistance. In one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide material and a polyurethane material.

Abstract: A device for acupuncture is disclosed. The device has a pressure plate 100 having a polygonal profile. Both a magnet 300 and a magnetic body 400 are set in the pressure plate 100, with the magnetic body 400 being brought into contact with the magnet 300 at its upper end. The magnetic body 400 also extends through the pressure plate 100 so as to project outside the lower surface of the plate 100 at its lower end. The pressure plate 100 is also provided with both a plurality of fitting rods 130 and the same number of channelled fitting tubes 140. When it is desired to assemble two or more pressure plates 100 into an assembly, the fitting rods 130 of one plate 100 are elastically coupled to the channelled fitting tubes 140 of another plate 100. A cap 200 is mounted to the upper surface of the plate 100 and seats both the magnet 300 and the magnetic body 400 therein. A tubular member 500 is fitted into the pressure plate 100 from the lower surface of the plate 100 and is locked to the cap 200 at its upper end.

Abstract: An apparatus has been developed to enable a surgeon to perform multiple orthopedic surgical operations, such as orthopedic surgical resectioning, total joint replacement and fixation of fractures, based on a single reference point. The apparatus is adjustable to conform to the needs and dimensions of individual patients and the surgical procedure(s) to be performed. The apparatus includes a support adapted for insertion into and alignment within the medullary cavity of a patient's bone. The support is capable of expanding into the bone so that the support is fixed within the bone and alignable to the bone. The support may be implanted to align a fractured bone, or extend a distance beyond its fixed position within the medullary cavity to provide a known surgical reference point. The apparatus includes one or more cutting guides mountable on the support and used in performing the desired surgical procedure(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extracting and collecting bone material from an extraction site of a patient. The method and apparatus further provides a readily accessible, and easily harvested, source of bone material without the drawbacks of current extraction methods.

Abstract: A suture anchor system configured so as to facilitate implantation of a suture anchor within a bore formed in a bone, so as to secure a suture to the bone, is provided. Such a system comprises a suture anchor having a suture operably engaged therewith and an insertion tool having a tip and defining a first axis. The insertion tool is discrete with respect to the suture anchor and is capable of implanting the suture anchor within the bore such that the suture anchor is secured in the bone. The tip is engagable with the suture anchor and is configured to cooperate therewith so as to prevent the suture anchor from rotating about the first axis. Further, the insertion tool is configured with respect to the suture anchor such that a rotational force exerted on the insertion tool rotates the suture anchor about a second axis disposed perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. A predetermined axial seating force is then applied to the insertion tool, outwardly of the bore, to seat the suture anchor in the bore.

Abstract: A device and system for delivery of a flowable biocompatible material to a tissue tract in a controlled manner generally includes a reservoir adapted to be in fluid connection with a cannula, a discharging mechanism adapted to discharge the contents of the reservoir and a cannula retractor to withdraw the cannula. The cannula retractor is operably interconnected with the discharging mechanism so that a measured quantity of the reservoir contents is smoothly discharged to substantially fill at least a portion of the tissue tract.