Abstract: A surgical instrument has a housing which contains a motor that drives a spindle. A tool bit is attached to the motor by a holder that includes a body with a first end portion connected to the spindle, a central portion with a cavity therein, and a second end portion having an aperture through which a shaft of the tool bit passes into the cavity. A pair of lock pawls are pivotally mounted in the cavity with each one having a first tab that enters a slot in the shaft when the lock pawls are in a first position to hold the tool bit in the instrument. The first tabs retract from the slot when the lock pawls are in a second position for changing the tool bit. The lock pawls have second tabs that engage a restrainer only in the second position to prevent the body from rotating. A ring extends around the body and pivots the lock pawls between the first and second positions when the ring moved longitudinally along the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for endosteal fixation of a substitute graft by screw insertion having a cannulated sheath for guiding a screw into a tunnel in a surgical site. The sheath includes a tube section which has a protrusion on a cantilevered arm formed in the tube wall. The protrusion engages the external threads of the screw to lock the screw in position at a distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a surgical implant wrench that includes: a handle; a head for mechanically engaging the handle at an angle relative thereto, that further includes: finger grip indents disposed thereon; and, a first mechanical assembly for rotatably engaging the crown of a surgical implant that is to be surgically implanted into the boney tissue of a patient. The wrench further includes: a second mechanical assembly for selectively varying the angle; a third mechanical assembly for selectively fixing the angle; and, a fourth mechanical assembly including finger grips for mechanically transmitting rotational mechanical force relative to the axis of the handle, from the handle to the first mechanical assembly.

Abstract: A method and device facilitates the procedure of a transverse osteotomy of both ilium and a secondary osteotomy through the pelvic symphysis. A plate is utilized which has facility for attachment of eight screws into the, animal bone tissue to more securely hold the plate in place.

Abstract: A wire driver collet mechanism for selectively enabling the repositioning of a wire within a wire driver. The adjustable collet mechanism enables the wire to be repositioned under its own weight so that a user is not required to grasp the wire, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the wire driver. A method of adjusting a wire within a wire driver utilizes the steps of positioning the tip of a wire against a surface and allowing the wire to move under its own weight while moving the wire driver to position the wire as desired The release of the wire is under the control of the hand holding the wire driver.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for tensioning a tensioning element, such as a cable, that secures bone elements in position. The device includes a handle, a slide housed within the handle, and a holding element that is held on the slide. The slide is movable back and forth in a tensioning direction and contrary to the tensioning direction. The holding element secures the tensioning element on the slide during a movement of the slide in the tensioning direction. During a movement of the slide contrary to the tensioning direction, a blocking element held on the handle blocks a movement of the tensioning element contrary to the tensioning direction, and the holding element releases the tensioning element. The device is easily handled, and the tensioning of the tensioning element is not limited by the path of displacement of the slide.

Abstract: A threaded washer with a central bore for use with a bone screw is disclosed. The washer is threaded into a counterbore extending below the bone surface and into cancellous bone material. The external washer threads are tapered to provide improved purchase. The bone screw is inserted through the central bore of the washer and threaded into the fragment beyond the fracture. The washer provides improved compressive forces while permitting the bone screw head to be located beneath the bone surface.

Abstract: An improved fastener is provided for use in retaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship. The fastener has a mounting section with a first external thread to engage a vertebra. The fastener has a retaining section with a second external thread to engage an internal thread on a retaining element, such as a nut. A pair of parallel flats are formed on opposite sides of the retaining section. The flats are spaced apart by a distance which is substantially the same as or greater than a root diameter of the external thread on the retaining section. A driving recess in an axially outer end of the retaining section has arcuate corner portions which receive force to effect rotation of the fastener relative to a vertebra engaged by the mounting section. The arcuate corner portions of the driving recess are offset from a plane containing the longitudinal central axis of the retaining section and extending perpendicular to the flats.

Abstract: A device for supporting weak bony structures comprises an elongated tubular body having first and second ends configured for contacting adjacent bony structures. A tubular body is formed by a plurality of intersecting elongate bars with a first group of bars having their longitudinal axes arranged perpendicular to the axis of the tubular body, and a second group of bars having their axes arranged at non-perpendicular angles relative to the body axis. The tubular body also includes a plurality of joints formed by the intersection of two perpendicular bars and four angled bars. The ends of the tubular body are defined only by the intersection of angled bars. The ends include a plurality of substantially flat end surfaces that have a surface area greater than the combined cross-sectional areas of the intersecting angled bars forming the joints at the end of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the end surfaces have an undercut between the surfaces and the intersecting angled bars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a centered bore within an intramedullary canal of a femur in preparation for the implantation of a prosthetic device. The apparatus comprises a substantially T-shaped device formed from a handle and an elongated rigid rod. The rod includes outwardly projecting fins at its distal end adapted to engage the interior wall of the cortex of the femur, thus centering the bore. The method includes preparing the femur for implantation by exposing the femoral neck and then inserting the rod into the intramedullary canal until the fins engage the cortex. If a device has a pair of fins disposed on the rod at 180.degree. relative to one another, the device is withdrawn, rotated ninety degrees, and reinserted into the intramedullary canal, again allowing the fins to engage the cortex. Once the bore is formed, it is used to guide compacting devices which shape and size a cavity within the femur to receive the prosthesis.

Abstract: An external Colles' type fracture fixator which provides pivotal adjustment about three axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof, and translational adjustment along two axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof.An external alignment table which allows translational adjustment along a three axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof, and pivotal adjustment about two axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof.A method of externally manipulating, reducing, and stabilizing a fracture using such an external fixation alignment table and external fixator.

Abstract: An ablation electrode carries a temperature sensing element for measuring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. A thermal insulating element associated with the sensing element blocks the transfer of heat energy from between the temperature sensing element and the body. The temperature sensing element therefore measures temperature without being affected by the surrounding thermal mass of the electrode.

Abstract: A bone distractor is created which grips bones along their edges and then applies an expansion force between the two bone edges. This expansionary force is used to encourage bone growth and elongation. Two clamps are used; each of the clamps is adapted to engage opposing edges of a bone. A rod extends from one clamp and presses against the other clamp; due to the threads on the clamp and the rod, a turn of the rod applies an expansion force between the two clamps. By selective application of this force, the bone naturally grows and elongates. The invention is particularly useful for craniofacial structures. Not only does the apparatus elongate the bone, but due to the nature of the clamping and forces applied over time, the adjacent soft tissue is also naturally elongated.

Abstract: A coupling device attaches to a surgical resecting instrument with a motorized shaft for rotating surgical implements. The device houses a primary shaft which can be directly attached to the motorized shaft, and a secondary shaft which can be attached to the primary shaft through a hexagonally-shaped drive attachment with a bore. The primary shaft has several apertures with balls that engage an annular recess in the shank of a first implement to restrict its axial movement. The primary shaft also has a torque shoulder for engaging a torque shoulder on the first implement. If the first implement is removed, the secondary shaft can be installed to receive a second implement with a diameter smaller than that of the first implement. The secondary shaft also has several apertures with balls that engage an annular recess in a second implement shaft to restrict axial movement. The secondary shaft has axially spaced apart torque shoulders for engaging a torque shoulder on the second implement.

Abstract: There is presented a drill guide assembly for forming a transverse guide hole in a bone, the guide hole being adapted to receive a transverse screw, the guide hole intersecting a tunnel formed in the bone and adapted to receive a body to be retained in the tunnel and to receive the screw transversely of the body to secure the body in the tunnel. The drill guide assembly comprises a track member of an elongated curved configuration, the track member having a bore extending widthwise therethrough, and a curved slide track extending lengthwise thereof, a boom member having a first portion of an elongated curved configuration slidably disposed in the slide track of the track member, and a second portion for retaining a drill bit.

Abstract: This inverse reamer is formed of a tang extended by a helical shank. The edge turned towards the point is cutting and is wound in a direction contrary to the direction of rotation normally provided for operating the reamer.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably supporting and positioning a foot and leg to be cast that can be sterilized for use in a surgical environment. The apparatus including a foot support structure that in combination with a stand can be used to support and suspend the foot and also adjustably position the foot for applying cast material.

Abstract: The present invention is an acetabular cup having at least one polyaxial locking screw for anchoring the cup in the desired bone site. The assembly includes an acetabular cup having at least one through hole having both threaded and tapered portions, into which holes a two-piece interlocking coupling element and a bone screw having a semi-spherical head may be inserted. The two-piece coupling element, including slideably joined socket and cap portions, is mounted about the semi-spherical head of the bone screw, which is inserted into the through hole and into the bone. The head of the screw is polyaxially mounted in the socket portions and as such may be inserted into the bone at a variety of angles. The socket portion of the coupling element has slots which permits crush locking of the head of the screw once the socket seats and is forceably driven into the tapered portion of the hole.

Abstract: An anterior fixation device comprises an oval shaped intervertebral spacer and a retaining plate. The spacer has a side wall and superior and inferior walls. The superior and inferior walls are dome-shaped and porous to allow bone to grow through the device to achieve fusion of two adjacent vertebral bodies. Extending from the anterior side of the spacer are superior and inferior lips through which bone screws 16 extend. The bone screws are non-weight bearing and screw into the strongest areas of bone within the vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer is hollow inside to allow for bone grafts, bone morphogenic protein, or other bone stimulating substances to be inserted therein. The retaining plate is attachable to the anterior surface of the spacer to prevent the bone screws from backing out once the device is installed.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of inserting implants are disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a handle portion and a body portion attached to the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer tubular member fixed relative to the handle portion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis. The outer tube member has first implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end. An inner tubular member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member and is mounted for longitudinal motion relative to the outer tubular member. Second implant engaging structure is positioned adjacent a distal end of the inner tubular member. The body portion further includes an inner shaft, coaxially mounted at least partially within the inner tubular member for independent rotation relative to the inner and outer tubular members, the inner shaft having third implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end.