Abstract: Adjustable body penetrating blades of a min-retractor are inserted, closed together, into a small incision in an abdominal cavity, spread to widen the incision and a trocar tube is installed in the cavity by clamping between the blades enabling performance of a laparoscopic procedure in conjunction with other trocars inserted into other incisions. Rapid reversal of the laparoscopic procedure is achieved by moving the blades apart, releasing the trocar, and swinging distal ends of the blades apart expanding an inner operating window. A stand having a flexible positioning arm attached to the min-applicator maintains the min-retractor elevated after withdrawal of the trocar and loss of pneumoperitoneum pressure from insufflation. The blades of the mini-retractor gripping the tube of the trocar define between them a scalpel access opening to skin on respective opposite sides enabling enlargement of the incision with the retractor and trocar installed in the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A clip to interconnect primary and secondary bone zones having edges, comprising in a first tab to extend over a surface of the secondary bone zone, above a level defined by that surface, and an extension of the tab projecting below the level, and a first projection carried by the extension for penetrating the primary bone zone below the first level, and the extension having bowed configuration, to enable forcible driving of the projection, to effect penetrating.

Abstract: A spine fixing device includes a main hooked seat, two extension hooks, and two fastening members. The main hooked seat is provided with a main hooked portion, two extension arms, and two fastening rods for fastening two fixation rods of the prior art. The extension hook is provided at one end with a curved portion, and at other end with an adjustment portion which is fastened with one of the two extension arms of the main hooked seat by one of the two fastening members. The device is retained in the back of one spinal segment such that the main hooked portion is inserted into a portion of the spinal canal of the spinal segment, and that the extension arms embrace the spinal projection of the spinal segment, and further that the curved portions of the extension hooks catch two different portions of the spinal canal of the spinal segment from the opposite direction.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member for engaging a first elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member. The first and second jaw portions or members are connected by a hinge portion. The first jaw member includes a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member. The first clamp member is elastically deformable to receive the first elongated member between the free ends of the first and second jaw members and into the laterally extending channel.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing a magnet coil for a valve in which first a metal base element of the valve is made available, then an electrically insulating winding support is mounted on the outer wall of the base element, and lastly a winding of the magnet coil is introduced into the winding support. Such a configuration of a magnet coil is suitable particularly in fuel injection valves which are used in mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines, but also in all other solenoid valves.

Abstract: A method and device to correct instability of hinged joints of injured animals. The device is a rectangular block having three threaded fixation pins. Two fixation pins are inserted in the non-rotating bone and secured in the block by setscrews. The third fixation pin is inserted in the rotating bone.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a bone screw 20 to a clamping element 30 of an osteosynthesis holding system 5 is provided. The bone screw 20 has a circumferential groove 25 located on a top portion of the screw 20 below a screw head 22. Snap catches 35 protrude from a bone-contacting surface 38 of the clamping element 30 and interlock with the groove 25 in the screw 20 when the screw 20 is inserted into the clamping element 30 (e.g., when the screw is screwed into a bone segment through a hole in the clamping element). A removal device 90 is provided for removing the screw 20, as a greater axial force is required to overcome the locking mechanism than is needed to engage the locking mechanism. A method for revision (removal) of the screw 20 from the locking mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage-type intervertebral implant that is made up of a dished side wall (1), a cambered side wall (2), a front part (3), a rear part (4) and at least one intermediate wall (5, 6), thus comprising at least two cavities (7, 8, 9). An upper and a lower cage surface (10, 11) include a first lordosis angle (&agr;1) in the direction front part—rear part and a second lordosis angle (&agr;2) perpendicular thereto, said cage surfaces (10′, 11) intersecting outside the cage. The cage structure is characterized by a double-wedge geometry (double-wedge-shaped cage) that is defined by the two lordosis angles (&agr;1) and (&agr;2) and that advantageously adapts itself to the anatomical conditions in the intervertebral area. The cage is further characterized by a high moment of tilt that effectively counteracts a tipping of the cage.

Abstract: A valve with ball of controlled deformation for fluid shut-off comprising an external containment body (11), inside which is arranged a shutter element (13), movable between a closure position and an opening position of the valve, the shutter element cooperating with one or more seats (12) and providing for seal elements with respect to the containment body and to the shutter element, in which the shutter element provides for yielding zones (15a) in its spherical portions (15) disposed downstream of the seats with respect to a pressure zone. Preferably the yielding zones are provided by notches (19) produced on surface zones of the shutter elements in correspondence with the spherical portions.

Abstract: A femoral neck fixation prosthesis and method of using same which reduces bone loss and the avoids the other shortcomings of the prior art by allowing the fixation of a stable femoral head replacement while reducing the amount of the femur which must be reamed for the insertion of the prosthesis. The preferred embodiment provides that the femoral head is attached to a fixation prosthesis which extends coaxially through the canal of the femoral neck, into the femur, and is then attached to the opposite lateral wall of the femur. In this manner, the prosthesis serves to imitate the original structure of the femoral neck. No other support members, either crosspins or arms extending into the length of the femur, are required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved sled assembly for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to a sled assembly having a sled member and mounting mechanism thereon for use with surgical retractors and medical or stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a stabilization arm system on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a sled assembly which releasably controls the rotation of the stabilizing device in a three dimensional directions relative to the retractor upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: An orthopedic stabilization structure including a threaded fastener capable of articulation to accommodate various skeletal geometries, a rod, and a cup supporting the threaded fastener and the rod to be subsequently helps in fixed position with respect to the skeletal structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart or other organ of a patient to enable a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising a bifurcated member having two elongated prongs and an elongated handle segment pivotally and rotatably attached to the bifurcated member. The handle segment can be movably attached to a rib retractor or other surgical device so that a person is not required to hold the handle segment. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a device to lock or frictionally hold the bifurcated member in a desired position both on the organ and relative to the handle segment during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An orthopedic fastener having compressive forces along the direction of the long axis of the fastener and radially inwardly directed forces towards the center of the fastener to draw in a bone providing an improved structure for uniting a fractured bone.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a cap defining a first and second fluid flow passage for allowing the flow of fluid is attached to a seat member which is coupled to an actuator. A plunger having an adjustably attached diaphragm is maintained within the seat member and the actuator, and the plunger positions the diaphragm over the first and second fluid flow passage. The actuator controls the plunger and determines the retraction of the plunger to allow fluid flow and the insertion of the plunger to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve assembly including at least a moveable valving element and a solenoid assembly including an armature. The solenoid assembly is operative to move the armature in response to electrical activation of the solenoid assembly wherein the armature is independently moveable relative to the valving element and the valving element is in tracking engagement with the armature. The valving element is not retained by the solenoid assembly.

Abstract: A new valve device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This valve device has an inner plug head, which modulates and throttles the amount of flow passing through the valve when the valve is open. The inner plug head is shaped so that as the valve plug approaches the closed position, the inner plug head blocks most of the flow path, reducing the flow to a small amount. The valve of this invention has an outer plug head the contacts the valve's outer ceramic seat as the valve reaches the closed position. Contact between the outer ceramic seat and the outer ceramic plug entirely shuts off flow through the valve.

Abstract: An intervertebral support device may include a body having opposing first and second end faces, opposing top and bottom faces extending between the first and second end faces, and opposing side faces extending between the first and second end faces. A first diagonal direction may be defined between a first vertical corner at the first end face and a diagonally opposite second vertical corner at the second end face, and a second diagonal direction defined between a second vertical corner at the first end face and a diagonally opposite first vertical corner at the second end face. The body may have a tapering height decreasing from the first end face to the second end face, and while also tapering more quickly in the first diagonal direction than the second diagonal direction to provide a corrected angle of spinal curvature upon positioning between adjacent vertebral bodies in a human spine.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis including a ceramic shell having multiple layers and a polymer liner formed integrally with the shell. The acetabular prosthesis shell is formed of a ceramic wherein several layers with varying porosities and thicknesses are sintered together to form a unitary structure. A polymer inner liner forms a bearing within the shell to receive the ball of a femur or femur prosthesis. The polymer liner is formed in the ceramic shell and includes a plurality of portions which interdigitate into the pores of the inner porous layer of the ceramic shell.

Abstract: A prosthesis (2) for replacing a joint between first and second articulating bones (10, 12), the prosthesis comprising first and second joint members (4, 6) and wherein: the first joint member includes a first mounting member (26) which in use is mounted in an intramedullary canal (22) of the first bone; the second joint member includes a second mounting member (28) which in use is mounted in an intramedullary canal (27) of the second bone; the first joint member has a ball (30) having a first part spherical surface and a slot (34) extending transversely through the ball; the second joint member has a socket (52) having a second part spherical surface which is complementary to first spherical surface and a guide peg (60) which projects from the second spherical surface and in use is located in said slot; and wherein the guide peg is loose fit within the slot thereby permitting biaxial rotation of the second member relative to the first member about at least first and second axes (14, 16).