Abstract: Improved bone cutting guides enable a surgeon to better gauge required resection characteristics. In one embodiment at least a portion of the guide is transparent, thereby enabling the user to optimize cut estimates and to visualize the resection as it is being performed. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the body is shaped to interact with another bone or prosthetic element associated with a joint, thereby enabling the device to function both as a trial and as a cutting guide. In this embodiment as well the guide may be at least partially transparent to improve visualization. Although primarily intended for use in femoral-side knee arthroplasty, the invention is applicable to any procedure which might benefit from improved bone-cutting accuracy.

Abstract: A surgical fastener in the form of a pinned retainer, instrument and method are provided for constructing a graft to artery anastomosis and other soft tissue anastomoses, particularly by minimally invasive (or endoscopic) surgery. The pinned retainer fastener is comprised of a needle and a retainer. The needle has a base, shaft and tip that allow this member to be sewn through, for example, a graft and artery to be joined. The retainer has an aperture to receive and securely engage the needle shaft to seal the graft and artery together between cooperating surfaces of the needle base and retainer. The instrument holds the needle and retainer at its distal or working end, and controls in the handle allow application of the retainer. The method employs the pinned retainer fasteners and instrument to join soft tissues and to construct graft to artery anastomoses.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device.

Abstract: A stent for helping to hold open a lumen in a tubular body structure has at least one axial portion (preferably an axial end portion) that stents the surrounding portion of the tubular body structure to a lesser degree than another axial portion of the stent. For example, the stent portion that stents to a lesser degree may be circumferentially weaker than the other stent portion, or it may recoil more than the other stent portion after the stent is applied by being circumferentially expanded and then released.

Abstract: Improved bone cutting guides enable a surgeon to better gauge required resection characteristics. In one embodiment at least a portion of the guide is transparent, thereby enabling the user to optimize cut estimates and to visualize the resection as it is being performed. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the body is shaped to interact with another bone or prosthetic element associated with a joint, thereby enabling the device to function both as a trial and as a cutting guide. In this embodiment as well the guide may be at least partially transparent to improve visualization. Although primarily intended for use in femoral-side knee arthroplasty, the invention is applicable to any procedure which might benefit from improved bone-cutting accuracy.

Abstract: A variable position bone drilling guide apparatus for aiding a surgeon in preparing a bone site. The guide apparatus includes a template that is formed to include apertures therethrough and drill towers extending form the template in general alignment with the apertures. The first drill tower includes at least one drill passage therethrough and the second drill tower includes two drill passages therethrough. The duel passages in the second tower provide a surgeon with greater than one drill alignment option for a bone plate.

Abstract: A pin puller has a receiving end which holds the head of a pin securely and a mechanism for multiplying a handle squeezing force. The squeezing force is redirected to axially pull the pin from a bone.

Abstract: A bone grip (100; 200; 300) for use with cerclage cables (140, 142, 144) is typically A-shaped, with two side limbs (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304) joining to form a rearwardly curving proximal hook (112; 212; 312). There are "horizontal" holes (114, 116; 214, 216; 314, 316) for cerclage cables extending through the side limbs and through a bridge (106; 206; 306). A "vertical" cerclage cable (144) is guided through a tubular end portion of the hook (124; 224; 324). It may be further guided by a groove (130; 230; 330) on the front surface of the grip and/or by passage through a hole (252) in a bridge (250).

Abstract: A low profile and removable set screw for use in connecting one medical implant to another and for similar uses. The set screw has a base and a head that is breakable from the base in a breakaway region at a preselected torque, such that the head allows rotation of the screw and torquing of a tip of the base against one of the implants during installation. The screw includes a groove or notch at the breakaway region to trigger breaking. The screw also includes a pair of slots extending radially from an outer threaded surface of the base part way into the base. The slots intersect with the breakaway region, but not with each other leaving a center core in the base. A tool is provided for removing the base after the head is broken away. The tool includes a pair of spaced ears that are received in the slots and provide for rotation of the base by rotating the tool.

Abstract: A bone fixation device has a shaft threaded at the head end and shaped as a drill toward the tip.

Abstract: A drill guide for positioning on a surface of a bone includes a projection for penetrating the bone, an abutment for engaging the surface of the bone to ensure penetration of the bone by the projection to a predetermined depth, less than the length of the projection, and a pair of guide passages having central longitudinal axes, respectively, converging at a predetermined point in the bone when the projection penetrates the bone to the predetermined depth. A kit for fixating soft tissue to bone includes a drill guide, a drill bit, a suture and a suture passer. The drill bit is insertable in a pair of guide passages of the drill guide to cut first and second passages converging in the bone to define a continuous tunnel. The suture passer has a portion for being introduced in the tunnel to engage the suture externally of the bone such that the suture is drawn through the tunnel when the suture passer is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides for in vivo measurements of the principal strain magnitudes and directions, and maximum shear strain that occurs in a material, such as human bone, when it is loaded (or subjected to a load). In one embodiment the invention includes a capacitive delta extensometer arranged with six sensors in a three piece configuration, with each sensor of each pair spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees.

Abstract: A modular fixator assembly capable of allowing motion at the wrist during treatment of wrist fractures. The fixator assembly includes a distractor device, a pin outrigger attached to the distrator device, at least one pin for fixating the fracture fragments, and pin clamping assemblies for attaching the pin to the outrigger. The outrigger conforms to the anatomical configuration of the fractured bone thereby enabling direct fixation of the fracture fragments.

Abstract: A medical treatment apparatus is provided with a programmable medical device disposed at a first room location and a remote monitor and/or controller disposed at a second room location. The programmable medical device is used to administer a medical treatment to a patient, and the remote monitor/controller maybe used to monitor the operation of the medical device, control the operation of the medical device, and/or to transfer data from the medical device to the remote monitor/controller. The apparatus may allow voice communication between the remote monitor/controller and the patient who is receiving treatment via the medical device while the medical device is being monitored and/or controlled from the remote location. The remote monitor/controller may also include means for determining the type of medical device to which it is connected. The programmable medical device includes various types of sensors for generating patient medical condition data which is transmitted to the remote monitor/controller.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an external tutor for treating fractures in the radius distal end, said type of external tutor contemplates the use of longitudinal pins to be inserted in the bone structure. Its main advantage is that it provides stiffness and stability to the fractured zone, allowing, in turn, a higher mobility if compared to traditional resources. It consists of a planar and elongated part, comprising a body and a head articulated to it. Both the head and the body have orifices which are run through by the pins, which are withheld by pressure fitting-up bolts integrally lodged into threaded orifices matching said orifices through which the pins run through. Since the passing orifices in the head are oblique, both the pins and the tutor as a whole define a structure of triangular conformation.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. The devices and methods simplify procedures for suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck and further reduce their invasiveness.

Abstract: A bone fragment-fixing device including a longitudinal bone plate which is provided at each of its ends with two through-holes for screws and which is also provided with a central longitudinal hole extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate. In addition, a slide is provided and arranged on stems which laterally limit the central longitudinal hole, in such a way that the slide is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate. The slide is provided with a longitudinal hole extending cross-wise to the longitudinal axis of the plate when the slide is mounted, thus permitting a three-dimensional adaptability of the device.

Abstract: A bone fastener includes a strand which may be threaded through drilled passages in separate but adjacent bone sections such that the ends of the fastener may be quick connected to one another. For example, one end of the fastener may be threaded through an aperture in the other end such that a self-locking and adjustably tensionable connection is achieved. In addition, a burr hole plate may be secured over a burr hole by threading the fastener through a connector on the burr hole plate and securing the fastener to the bone sections.

Abstract: A bone screw system (100) is provided that includes a cannulated bone screw (110) and an adapter (140) designed to be releasably coupled to the screw (110). The screw (110) has a head (112) with an opening (126) formed therein. A shank portion (114) of screw (110) extends from the head (112) and has a closed end bore (124) formed therein in open communication with the opening (126). The screw (110) has a threaded portion (116) in which a plurality of apertures (122) are formed in a root portion (120) of the thread. The adapter (140) has a distal end (150) adapted for releasable coupling with the head (112) and has a passage (162) extending longitudinally therethrough for open communication with the bore (124) of the screw (110). The adapter (140) further includes a grip portion (154) formed by a plurality of spaced annular ridges (156).

Abstract: An anchor-insertion tool for securing an anchor having a suture extending therefrom to a structure within a patient's body is provided. The anchor-insertion tool comprises an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends, an anchor-receiving tip at the distal end, at least one groove extending from the tip at least partially along the length of the shaft, and at least one depression extending about the circumference of the shaft and intersecting the groove. A loaded anchor-insertion tool is provided, along with a surgical method for employing the anchor-insertion tool. A surgical template and suture retriever are also provided.