Abstract: A guide assembly for surgical instruments used for performing surgical procedure on a bone having a longitudinal axis. At least one stand-off member secured to and extending from the bone is coupled to a support member holding the support member laterally from and in parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis of the bone. The support member provides a base for a locating assembly which comprises an arm a positioning member and a guide member. The arm is coupled to the support member and is movable linearly between the extremes thereof, along a path related to the longitudinal axis of the bone. The positioning member which includes a plurality of positioning apertures along its length, is defined by a constant radius equal to the distance the support member is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the bone.

Abstract: An ulnar cut guide alignment system including an ulnar alignment guide having a first end for attachment relative to the proximal end of an ulna, a second end for attachment relative to the distal end of the ulna, and a long axis for placement parallel to the long axis of the ulna; an ulnar cut guide holder including a body having an aperture extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis; and an ulnar cut guide locator for connecting the ulnar cut guide holder to the ulnar alignment guide with the longitudinal axis through the aperture of the body of the ulnar cut guide holder placed substantially coextensive with the articular axis of the trochlear notch of the ulna when the first end of the ulnar alignment guide is attached relative to the distal end of the ulna and when the second end of the ulnar alignment guide is attached to the proximal end of the ulna.

Abstract: A pulsed lavage attachment (40) is secured to a conventional, powered, modular, surgical hand piece (42) to allow a pulsed lavage delivery set (18) to be connected to and controlled by the hand piece (42), thereby eliminating the need for dedicated air or power lines and a dedicated pulsed lavage hand piece in the operating room. The pulsed lavage attachment (40) includes an internal driver (52) which mates with an output driver of the hand piece (42) and is axially rotatable by the output driver. A cam driver (56) connected to the internal driver (52) by pegs or other suitable means, and is rotatable therewith, has a cammed surface (62). A bearing member (64) rides on the cammed surface (62), and drives shaft (66) in an axial direction. Membrane (68) flexes outward to actuate a connecter (24) of the pulsed lavage delivery set (18) to actuate an internal pumping cartridge therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for replacing the articular surface of the ball of a ball and socket joint. The method comprises the steps of establishing the location of the intramedullary canal adjacent the ball of the joint, and placing a locating component, such as a reamer or broach, in the canal. The method further comprises sizing the articular surface of the ball to be replaced, placing on the component a resecting guide having an opening therein for receiving the component and a complementary surface to the articular surface of the ball to be replaced, rotating the component in a manner determined by the opening in the resecting guide, and resecting the ball in a manner determined by the orientation of the resecting guide.

Abstract: A link piece for bony elements comprises a central portion and at least two anchoring portions rigidly connected to the central portion. The central portion is made of a shape memory effect material and the central portion comprises a central hole, whereby a shape variation of this central portion causes a variation of the distance between the at least two anchoring portions while these at least two anchoring portions move from each other along a straight line.

Abstract: External fixation assemblies are provided which include a frame having one or more structural members for connecting to rods adjustably coupled thereto to provide a plurality of fixed positions around a patient's bone. The arcuate members include a plurality of locating indicia which can provide a physical contrast to a remaining surface of said structural members when exposed to x-ray radiation. This invention also provides protruding lug portions on arcuate structural members to increase compressive forces during patient treatment and a marking system for identifying openings in structural members during treatment.

Abstract: An instrument and kit for harvesting a bone-patella tendon-bone (BTB) graft having substantially cylindrical bone plugs, and a method for harvesting a BTB graft. The instrument comprises two cylindrical shell portions extending along an axis from a drive end to a cutting end. One of the shell portions, which is positionable around a portion of the tendon, includes an axial slot which permits the graft portion of the tendon to extend therethrough. The shell portions interlock together in a hinged and mutually biased engagement to form a cylindrical tube around the graft portion, with a cutting edge that extends a full 360 degrees about the axis of rotation. Bone plugs obtained using the instrument are fully circular in cross-section for substantially their entire length.

Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.

Abstract: A bone cable strap and surgical instruments pass the cable strap around a bone, tension it, fasten it and trim the excess cable. The surgical instruments include: a cable passer which has an arcuate guiding member having a groove facing the bone to guide the cable around the bone; a cable tensioner having concentric tubular members with a cable clamp at one end, a nipple at the other end, and a handle in between such that turning the handle spreads the cable clamp away from the nipple; and a combination cable crimper-cutter having jaws with both crimping and cutting edges. The cable strap is comprised of a flexible cable having a ferrule pre-affixed to one end. The cable is passed under the bone using the cable passer. The free end of the cable is passed through the ferrule and the cable tensioner is used to draw the cable tight around the bone. The crimper-cutter is then used to fasten the ferrule in place about the cable and trim the excess cable.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: A device for securing fractured bone segments in place including a planar retinaculum having a series of apertures extending therethrough. The apertures are divided into three separate groups, with each group having a different diameter. The diameters range between 2.0 mm and 6.5 mm. The retinaculum has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. A thumb tack extends through the smallest aperture to removably secure fractured bone segments to the retinaculum. The apertures are arranged along the retinaculum in a repeating pattern. The retinaculum may be used in conjunction of a bone plate made from the same material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a formable mesh for use in osteosynthesis and a method of use therefore. The formable mesh includes a plurality of orifice plates linked together by a plurality of connecting arms. The plurality of orifice plates includes a first orifice plate having at least six radially offset connecting arms. Each of the radially offset connecting arms includes a first end coupled to the first orifice plate and a second end coupled to a second orifice. Upon rotation of the first orifice plate in a first direction, each of the second orifice plates is retracted relative to the first orifice plate. Upon rotation of the first orifice plate in a second direction, each of the second orifice plates is extended relative to the first orifice plate.

Abstract: An all-mechanical system for bone-drilling alignment of a blind distal bone-screw hole of an installed intramedullary nail, wherein the system provides (i) a drill jig that features a longitudinally adjustable nail-contactable contact-rod mounting in the jig and (ii) a drill-guide which can align with the blind distal bone-screw hole for a correct nail-contactable adjustment of the contact rod. The system enables the surgeon to check-out the drill jig in assembled relation to a selected intramedullary nail, prior to nail installation, and to perform an adjustment to compensate for nail diameter when the contact end of the rod engages the nail. He can then either visually satisfy himself of the drill-guide/bolt-hole alignment, or he can use a plug-gage or trocar tool having guidance in the drill guide, and checking for whether the plug gage has entry into the bone-screw hole in the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: The plug is made of a plastic material and acts as a cement barrier for openings produced by an operative procedure in medullated bones. The plug is clamped between the side walls of the opening of the bone by means of elastic flanges and prevents the bone cement from escaping downwards on insertion of an intramedullary stem or upon pressurization of the bone cement.

Abstract: A distraction apparatus for an external fixation device used to rigidly immobilize bone fragments during bone lengthening and angular deformity correction includes distractor mechanisms and pivotable spacers for connecting frame members of an external fixator, and wire and half pin fasteners. The interconnected distractor mechanisms, pivotable spacers and frame members form a rigid structure with rigidity which is maintained during adjustment of the distraction. For linear distraction, the distraction mechanism is a single screw assembly with a single-threaded rod and dual plastic nuts, or one of three various types of telescoping screw assemblies having a single-threaded rod, a coaxial sleeve for receiving the rod and one of three types of plastic connector assemblies. For angular distraction, the distraction mechanism includes an angular distractor with a rotatable knob and pivotable spacers which are connected to the frame members.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer includes a base, a first set of semi-circular blades attached to the base, and a second set of semi-circular blades also contacting said base, and crossing and intersecting with said first set of blades at right angles thereto. The base preferably comprises a circular plate having a hexagonal drive hole in the center thereof and a plurality of slots in the periphery thereof for anchoring the blades. Each semi-circular blade includes a first end having a projection thereon, a second end opposite from said first end and also having a projection thereon, a first edge having serrated cutting teeth thereon, a second edge opposite from said first edge, and a first and second side surface. The cutting edge of the first set of blades includes a plurality of outwardly facing slots which mate with and engage a second set of inwardly facing slots in the second edge of said second blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing hip surgery utilizes a preformed sleeve formed of bone cement material and having apertures which is positioned in the femoral cavity. Fresh bone cement is injected under pressure to fill the femoral cavity including the apertures and any spaces or voids between the preformed sleeve and the wall of the cavity. A femoral prosthesis having a stem portion is implanted therein. The interior wall of the sleeve is larger than the stem exterior wall portion encircled by the sleeve such that fresh bone cement is between the interior wall of the sleeve and the stem.

Abstract: A surgical pin protector placed on the tip of a patient's finger or toe for shielding the end of a surgical pin which protrudes from the tip of a patient's finger or toe, from external blows, including a protective cavity where the protruding end of the surgical pin is shielded.

Abstract: A compression locking variable length cross-link device having a pair of rod hooking elements, each having rod securing and coupling ends. The coupling ends are slidably engaging by the insertion of one into the receiving socket of the other and for selective locking to one another independent of the relative separation of the rod securing ends. Each hooking element has a curvate end formed from flat material which has been shaped into a hook conformation to cup the lateral outside surface of a corresponding rod. A set screw positioned through a hole in the top of the curved end locks the curvate end to the rod. In a first embodiment, one (a first) rod hooking element has a uniform cylindrical portion which may also include a knurled surface. The corresponding (second) element has a tubular portion including an axial receiving volume having an opening into which the cylindrical portion of the first element may be slidably inserted.

Abstract: A surgical connector that comprises a grid plate having multiple holes therethrough, and distributed over the plate area; there being plate material in the form of a ring extending about each hole; the plate defining multiple ribs; three of the ribs connecting each ring with three others of the rings.