Abstract: An external fixator for positioning a first element or the like relative to a second element or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing a fracture provides a provisional fixation pin to provisionally affix the bone plate to the bone prior to the installation of the bone plate with permanent attachment, such as bone screws. The method and apparatus of the present invention will maintain some reduction without significantly compromising the bone. The method utilizes a provisional fixation pin having an upper or proximal unthreaded shaft section and a lower externally threaded shaft section. A cutting tip is provided at the extreme distal end of the fixation pin. In between the proximal and distal sections is an enlarged diameter section that has an annular surface sized and shaped to conform to the countersunk surface of openings in the bone plate.

Abstract: A cannula includes a tubular body having proximal closed end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue separating member substantially covering the distal end of the body. The tissue separating member has a blunt tip disposed from and of the end distal to the body. A method of using such a cannula separates tissue to form an elongated cavity along the course of a small blood vessel and subsequently harvesting the blood vessel.

Abstract: Channel-bodied surgical needles and surgical incision members are disclosed having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional body portion and a penetrating tip portion formed on at least one end thereof. Preferably, penetrating tip portions are formed at both ends of the channel-bodied portion. The surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally includes apparatus engagement structure formed adjacent either end of the body portion and engagable with a suitable surgical suturing apparatus. The channel-bodied surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally include securement structure for attachment of a length of suture material thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for forming a channel-shaped body portion and the suture attachment structure. Additionally, methods for suturing tissue sections, particularly vascular tissue sections, with the channel-bodied surgical needle and the channel-bodied surgical incision members, are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for fixation of graft tendon in a bone hole comprising a screw having a head, neck, and shank, and a washer disposed about the neck. The tendon is attached to the washer so as to ensure that the tendon is immobilised between the head of the screw and the wall of the bone hole thereby reducing pistoning under load and reducing graft failure. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a bone plug disposed about the neck of the screw between the head and the washer, the neck being adapted to laterally press the bone plug and thereby immobilise a tendon attached to the washer between the bone plug and the wall of the bone hole. In another embodiment, the invention consists in a surgical staple having two substantially parallel legs, a transverse head member and a washer which holds a loop of tendon under the staple when it is inserted into a bone.

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: An anchoring member is provided with a shaft 2, 12 for anchoring in a bone and a head 3, 53 with a substantially U-shaped cross-section for connection with a rod 9, 59, the head having a base 5, 55 connected with the shaft 2, 12 and two free legs 6, 7; 56, 57 forming a channel for receiving the rod 9, 59. The two legs have an internal screw thread 8, 58 and an external screw thread 8', 58'. A nut member 11, 61 comprises an internal thread which embraces the outside of the legs and cooperates with the external screw thread and a locking member 10 has a thread cooperating with the internal screw thread of the legs. The anchoring member further comprises a spring member 19, 79 acting onto the rod 9, 59 to be received in order to, on the one hand, obtain a rigid connection between the anchoring member and the rod and, on the other hand, to allow an easy manipulation for precisely adjusting the position between the anchoring member and the rod before finally locking the position.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is a complex, helically wound coil comprised of a primary helically wound coil which is then wound into a specific secondary shape. The final shape upon deployment is in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. upon deployment, the device first fills the periphery of the cavity and then continues to infill the center. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear helically wound. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member. The constituent member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid. The device is typically introduced through a catheter. The device is passed axially through the catheter sheath and assumes its form upon exiting the catheter without further action. The invention also includes methods of winding the vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them.

Abstract: An adjustably expandable suture anchor is provided. The suture anchor includes a pair of members, one of which includes a suture mount, which are configured to be secured together in a selected one of a plurality of positions to cause one of the members to expand by an amount that corresponds to the selected position. In one embodiment, the expandable member is an outer member, and the other member is an inner member which is progressively insertable into an opening in a body of the outer member and securable in the selected position therein. For example, the inner member is threaded into the outer member body or is inserted into the body in ratchet-like fashion. As the inner member is inserted distally into the outer member, an exterior enlargement on the inner member engages a plurality of arms which extend proximally from body, and causes the arms to progressively expand radially outwardly.

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: An artificial valve stent for maintaining patent one way flow within a biological passage is disclosed. The artificial valve includes a tubular graft having radially compressible annular spring portions for biasing proximal and distal ends of the graft into conforming fixed engagement with the interior surface of a generally tubular passage. Also disclosed is a deployment catheter including an inner catheter having a nitinol core wire, a controllable tip balloon at its the distal end for dilation and occlusion of the passage, and a controllable graft balloon in the vicinity of and proximal to the tip balloon for fixedly seating the spring portions in conformance with the interior surface of the passage. A spool apparatus for adjusting or removing an improperly placed or functioning artificial valve, and a microembolic filter tube are usable with the deployment catheter.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel or other percutaneous openings. The device includes a shaft section of a small diameter, with an expandable balloon and atraumatic tip at its distal end. The proximal end of the device has an inflation/deflation port which is utilized to inflate the balloon once it is in place within the blood vessel or other body cavity. The entire device is typically placed through a vascular sheath, which is used during invasive percutaneous vascular procedures. The balloon is inflated and withdrawn until it engages the inner surface of the blood vessel or body cavity. The sheath is withdrawn from within the blood vessel or other body cavity to the outside of the body. A fixation collar loaded onto the shaft of the device allows for securement in place, within the blood vessel or other body cavity.

Abstract: A device for securing a previously removed cranial plate in position in a cranium to prevent relative movement between opposing bone edges includes a pin containing distal and proximal shanks having ends tapering to a relatively sharp point. One of the shanks is threaded for threadedly engaging the edge of either the cranial plate or the cranium. The shanks are arranged preferably symmetrically about a central collar which has a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shanks greater than the diameters of the shanks so that the collar forms distal and proximal opposing shoulders for limiting the insertion depth of the pin. A nut is located adjacent the collar or formed as part of the perimeter of the collar to facilitate rotation of the pin to screw in the threaded shank.

Abstract: A sensor for enabling the viscosity of a flowable amount to be detected as it is pressurized into a sealed bone cavity section to prevent the flowable cement from passing through the intertrabecular spaces or Haversian canals in the bone cortical wall.

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 minimally invasive reaming assembly for creating an entry portal into the canal of a bone and for providing a working channel in which to ream the canal of a bone. The assembly includes a sleeve, a housing and an inner reamer. The sleeve is an elongated cylindrically-shaped hollow sleeve that has a proximal and a distal end, with the distal end having a plurality of cutting blades. The housing is attached to the sleeve and is generally cylindrical in shape and it has a top portion, a bottom portion and a through bore. The top portion includes a releaseable locking mechanism for engaging the inner reamer within the housing. The inner reamer has an elongated cannulated body and proximal and distal ends. The distal end has a rotatable reaming head and the proximal end has a drill shaft and a connector for connection to a drill. A portion of the body includes an annular collar with a tab for engaging a notch in the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of a spinal fixation system including a pair of longitudinal members 11, 12 positionable adjacent the spine, means for engaging longitudinal members to the spine 13, 14, a pair of wedge members 241 each having a bearing surface 242 configured to bear on a longitudinal member 11, 12, and a connector 200 configured to span a distance between the longitudinal members 11, 12. The connector 200 includes a pair of engaging members 205, 212 each having a fixation portion 207, 214 and a connecting portion 209, 216, and a bridge members 202 attachable to the connecting portions 209, 216. The engaging members 205, 212 each define a thru-hole 225 for receiving one of the wedge members 241.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids adapted to collect upon inflation, menstrual blood and also capable of provide sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of vaginal exit of menstrual blood. By being inflatable, the device is easily inserted and removed when deflated and is also capable of sealing off the blood collected avoiding the spillage of blood upon extraction and disposal. The inflation of the device can be conveniently initiated prior to insertion into vagina and completed with the device fully inserted or can be initiated and completed with the device already inserted into the vagina. Inflation of the device can be achieved without the use of an external pneumatic source, but with a self-inflating apparatus within the device. The inflatable member can be used as a standing alone device or in combination with a vaginal tampon for the prevention of blood leakage.

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: Channel-bodied surgical needles and surgical incision members are disclosed having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional body portion and a penetrating tip portion formed on at least one end thereof. Preferably, penetrating tip portions are formed at both ends of the channel-bodied portion. The surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally includes apparatus engagement structure formed adjacent either end of the body portion and engagable with a suitable surgical suturing apparatus. The channel-bodied surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally include securement structure for attachment of a length of suture material thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for forming a channel-shaped body portion and the suture attachment structure. Additionally, methods for suturing tissue sections, particularly vascular tissue sections, with the channel-bodied surgical needle and the channel-bodied surgical incision members, are disclosed.