Abstract: A marker for surgical procedures which permits an operating surgeon to mark the place to be operated on accurately in a manner which is as free of pain as possible for the patient, and has a tubular guide cannula (1), an introduction tube (2), and a marking pin (3) which is connected to a flexible bar (4), the bar (4) being adapted to be introduced into the introduction tube (2) from its proximal end (5) by such an amount that it protrudes at the distal end (6) of the introduction tube (2). The marking pin (3) can be supported on the proximal end (5) of the introduction tube (2). The introduction tube (2) with the bar (4) therein and the attached marking pin (3) can be introduced via the distal end (8) of the guide cannula (1) into the latter by such an amount that the proximal end (5) of the introduction tube (2) is located in the region of the proximal end (7) of the guide cannula (1), and the marking pin (3) extends out of the proximal end (7) of the guide cannula (1).

Abstract: A method of detecting a metallic stent inside a living body wherein the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a stent locator device, (2) providing a metallic stent, (3) inserting the metallic stent into the living body, (4) inserting the stent locator into the living body and (5) locating the stent with the stent locator by detecting an electrical parameter affected by the position of the stent relative to the position of the locating device. The electrical parameter may be detected with a pair of electrodes or a coil mounted to the distal end of the stent locator. The stent locator may include one or more radiopaque markers mounted on the distal end such that the position of the stent may be radiographically correlated to the position of the stent locator device. Alternatively, the stent locator may include one or more visual markers mounted on the proximal end such that the position of the stent may be visually correlated to the position of the stent locator device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument which has a frame, an elongated shaft, an end effector with first and second jaws for clamping tissue, a post cooperatively engaged with the proximal end of the second jaw received in a slot on the sidewall of a channel included as part of the first jaw, a pusher member affixed to the proximal end of the second jaw, and an actuator to effect movement of the pusher member from a forward position to a rearward position, is disclosed. When the pusher member moves rearwardly, the post rides in the slot in the sidewall and the second jaw moves from a closed position where it is adjacent the first jaw for clamping tissue to an open position for placing tissue between the jaws. The combination of cooperating elements of the instrument provides a convenient and simple mechanism for clamping or grasping tissue between the jaws. This mechanism decreases the force necessary to clamp the tissue and utilizes more of the effective length of the second jaw.

Abstract: A fixator for securing a first bone portion in a position relative to a second bone portion. The fixator includes a first bone screw clamp that serves as a template for drilling a hole in a first bone portion and that secures the first bone screw to the fixator. The fixator also includes a second bone screw clamp that serves as a template for drilling a hole in the second bone portion and that secures the second bone screw to the fixator once the second bone screw is secured to the second bone portion. The fixator also includes a main body that is operable to secure the first bone screw clamp to the second bone screw clamp.

Abstract: A steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly especially adapted for guiding the introduction of an endocardial pacing or cardioversion/defibrillation lead or a catheter to a desired location in a patient's cardiovascular system. The steerable stylet or catheter designed to be introduced into the lumen of a lead comprises an outer, elongated tubular member of a length sufficient to extend through the length of the lead or catheter from its proximal opening to the distal end thereof, a traction element or pull wire extending generally through the length of the tubular member and within its lumen except for a predetermined distance in the distal portion thereof, and a manipulative handle coupled to the proximal ends of the tubular member and wire which may be employed with one hand to both rotate the tubular member and impart a continuously variable curve in the distal portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for cutting venous valve located within the lumen of a vein. The device comprises an elongate shaft of rigid or flexible construction and a valvulotome blade positioned on the distal end of said elongate shaft. The valvulotome blade comprises an elongate shank portion which is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a head portion which extends laterally from the shank portion of the blade. The head portion of the blade comprises an outer venous wall abutment surface and a proximal cutting surface. The venous wall abutting surface is a spaced distance from the proximal cutting surface such that the venous wall abutment surface may be forced into abutment with the venous wall and the device may be drawn through a venous valve such that the proximal cutting surface will cut the venous valve, but will not come into contact with the adjacent vein wall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intramedullary rod guide assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery for aligning a cutting or milling guide platform. A guide platform is pivotally connected to an intramedullary rod intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof. A threaded alignment mechanism aligns the guide platform relative to the intramedullary rod.

Abstract: A surgical staple remover includes a first elongate member having a forward first end, a rearward second end and a central portion therebetween, the first end terminating in two spaced anvil members, a second elongate member having a forward first end, a rearward second end and a central portion therebetween, the first end terminating in a blade member adapted to fit between the two spaced anvil members, a releasable pivot member for releasably and pivotably joining the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member at a pivot point, and a releasable joining member for joining the second end of the first member and the second end of the second member and for holding the releasable pivot member in a pivotably joined position, at least one of the first and second members being at least partially bowed whereby movement of the central portion of the first member relative to the central portion of the second member provides pivot of the anvil members relative to the blade member.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the ovulation cycle of a female mammal, involving regular measurement of basal body temperature throughout a current ovulation cycle and occasional measurement of the level of at least one urinary component of significance in the cycle, the measurement of the urinary component being conducted at predetermined stages in the cycle to check that the level is consistent with a predicted level and thus confirm that the cycle as a whole is consistent with a prediction.

Abstract: A method for shaping an implantable rigid bone fixation element during surgery involves inserting into at least two bones or bone parts a securing means for the element, with each means engageable with and defining a shape for the element; seating a flexible housing such as tubing having a contour essentially the same as the element into the engaging means; injecting a quick-setting fluid molding material into the housing; curing the molding material for a time under conditions sufficient to harden the material so that the housing forms a temporary master; and removing the temporary master and using it as a template to form the element. The method is especially preferred for the fabrication of spinal support bars, and provides for rapid and precise bar shaping.

Abstract: A screw device for a bone joint particularly for stabilizing at least two vertebrae includes a monobloc tubular body with a thread on its exterior, and being longitudinally grooved on its interior deep enough as to form openings at the root of the thread communicating between the exterior of the body at the root and the interior of the body. The openings in the tubular body having circumferential cutting edges. A closure element is provided for screwed attachment to the open end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A graft protection device suitable for protecting a bone-tendon-bone graft used during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The graft protection device comprises a distal blocking member, a proximal releasable holding sleeve and an elongated connecting portion connecting the blocking member with the holding sleeve. A radially extending handle is attached to the holding sleeve in order to enable a user to longitudinally and rotationally position the graft protection device along the shaft of an elongated driver when the device is inserted through an opening into a joint.

Abstract: Temperature of a subject is continuously monitored using a remote sensor assembly mounted in a subject's ear canal. The remote assembly connects to a display housing which contains the temperature display and supports electronics for responding to the sensed radiation. In one configuration, the major components of the remote assembly include a radiation detector, a plug structure and a flexible extension. The radiation detector has a thermopile and a first temperature sensor in close thermal contact with a thermopile junction. The flexible extension connects the radiation detector with the plug structure. Because the flexible extension bends to the contours of an ear canal, the remote sensor assembly extends well into a subject's ear canal without discomfort. The plug structure is molded to fit securely in the concha region of an ear canal and includes a second temperature sensor which senses the temperature therein.

Abstract: An improved connector for an external skeletal fixation system of the type including a first elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross section and including a second elongated bar having a longitudinal axis. The connector includes a body having a first aperture therethrough for receiving the first elongated bar and having a second aperture therethrough for receiving the second elongated bar. The first aperture has a cross section that is at least partly congruent with the cross section of the first elongated bar for receiving the first elongated bar and for preventing rotation of the first elongated bar about the longitudinal axis of the first elongated bar.

Abstract: A marrow nail includes a nail 1 having a distal end 2, a proximal end 3, a longitudinal axis 4, and a slot 5 in the area of the proximal end, running transverse to the longitudinal axis 4. A cylindrical casing 10 is provided, which can be slid onto the proximal end 3 of marrow nail 1. This casing 10 exhibits a cylindrical axis 11 as well as at least two openings 12, 13 placed at opposite ends of the cylindrical cover 14. The casing 10 is formed in such a way that upon being slid onto marrow nail 1, it can be brought into an axial fastening position relative to the nail. Openings 12, 13 are thereby positioned in the fastening position of casing 10 in the area of slot 5 and with the latter, marrow nail 1 and casing 10 form a transverse channel 12, 5, 13 to admit bone fixation devices.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic member, such as a bone screw, is provided with a weakened zone which breaks in response to the application of excessive bending, shearing and/or other stresses. The location of the weakened zone is selected in such a way that it is spaced apart from a bone into which an externally threaded section of the member extends. This ensures that the protruding part of the externally threaded section can be engaged by pliers, by a screwdriver or another suitable tool to withdraw the externally threaded section from the bone.

Abstract: A cervical spine fixation system is described. The fixation system comprises a bone screw for implanting in the cervical vertebrae of the spine and for accommodating a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly comprises a rod receiving aperture which is angularly oriented a predetermined amount from perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bone screw.

Abstract: A cannula anchoring system for anchoring a cannula in a cavity wall includes a cannula adapted to be inserted through the cavity wall and having a lumen for communication with the cavity and one or more tissue penetrating members carried by the cannula and movable between non-exposed, retracted positions and exposed extending positions where the tissue penetrating members penetrate the cavity wall adjacent the cannula to anchor the cannula therein. The anchoring system can be used for stabilizing the cannula longitudinally and in desired angular orientations, manipulating for lifting the cavity wall and/or in combination with lengths of suture material passed through or attached to the tissue penetrating members for puncture site closure.

Abstract: A wire fastening tool has a wire mounting portion on which one end of a wire is to be mounted, a containing portion into which a movable member is to be inserted from outside and removably contained, and at least two openings which are formed in a peripheral wall forming the containing portion and into which the other end of the wire is to be inserted. The movable member is inserted with the other end of the were passed through the openings and inserted in the containing portion, whereby the wire is bent between the movable member and the containing portion and is pressed between the outer surface of the movable member and the inner surface of the containing portion.

Abstract: For surgery, an endoscopic retrograde dissector instrument and less invasive method for bluntly dissecting tissue planes overlying and underlying a rectus abdominus muscle to mobilize the muscle in a transverse abdominal mastoplasty (breast reconstruction). The retrograde dissector includes an elongate blunt-tipped guide member that carries a distal inflatable sleeve. The blunt tip of the guide member is advanced distally along a plane in the interior of the body thereby creating a small diameter dissected track. The distal inflatable sleeve is inflated and then pulled in a retrograde movement along the track to dissect a wide tissue plane laterally on each side of the track in a single efficient step. A pulse mechanism rapidly pulsates the inflated sleeve to facilitate the dissection of connective tissues along planes of least resistance to create a relatively blood-free dissected tissue plane.