Abstract: The invention concerns a device for positioning an instrument introduced in the arterial system by endoscopic process, consisting of a tubular element with an asymmetrical lateral extension for angular positioning of the instrument.

Abstract: Guide means direct a cutting tool into the interface between a prosthesis and surrounding bone are provided to bring about a more controlled separation and removal thereof for revision or other purposes. Such guides may be placed on the prosthetic element itself or, alternatively, on a separate component aligned with the prosthesis. In the particular case of a stemmed prosthesis such as a proximal femoral component, the invention preferably provides one or more tracks, channels, grooves or slots longitudinally oriented along the stem of the implant, enabling an osteotome, for example, to be inserted thereinto and tapped down along the side of the implant between the prosthesis and the surrounding bone to bring about a cleaner and more controlled separation.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) having a threaded shaft portion (2) and a head (3) is provided. In order to ensure a good fastening capability of the bone screw even in soft bone material the bone screw has a longitudinal bore (5) extending along the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft portion (2) and having a portion (7) which flares towards the free end (6) opposite to the head (3). Slits (8) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis are provided in this portion of the threaded shaft portion. An expanding member (20) comprises a top portion (22) forming the top (22) of the bone screw (1) and a shaft (21) adjacent thereto extending into the longitudinal bore (5). The threaded shaft portion is provided with notches at its inner wall adjacent to the flared portion (7) of the longitudinal bore (5), the notches surrounding the longitudinal bore (5) in a defined region thereof.

Abstract: A drill bit is dimensioned to be received within a bone joint. The bit is oriented and retained in position by a removable fixation device to permit a drill drive shaft to be secured to, or removed from, the drill bit. By securing the drive shaft within a cavity at the end of the bit which performs the drilling function, retrograde drilling of bone from within the joint can be achieved. When the drive shaft is secured within a cavity at the opposite end of the drill bit, antegrade drilling of bone is possible from within the joint.

Abstract: The invention is an expandable box-shaped spinal implant used to fuse adjacent vertebra in the patient's spine. The implant includes three interlocking parts, which are the superior section, the inferior section, and the U-shaped expander cap. The Box-shaped expandable spinal implant is formed by mating the superior section and the inferior section. The superior section has a top, a pair of mirror image vertical sides, and an upper proximal face. The inferior section has a bottom, a pair of mirror image vertical sides, and a lower proximal face. The pair of mirror image vertical sides on the superior section and the pair of mirror image vertical sides on the inferior section overlap each other and have guide way means and locking means to allow the upper section and the lower section to slideably expand transversely relative to each other. The superior and inferior sections form a closed end and an open end. A pair of exterior longitudinal channels are formed where the pair of vertical sides overlap.

Abstract: A screw removal system is provided that can be used to remove a broken screw piece, which is embedded in a bone. The screw removal system includes an internally-threaded outer tube and a T-handled shaft which screws into the tube. The outer tube includes at one end two flange legs that engage the second or third thread of the broken screw piece and a bonding component sized to engage the broken screw piece. With the outer tube held in a stationary position by a wrench, the T-handled shaft is rotated downwardly to force the flange legs, and the bonding component into a locking engagement with the broken screw piece. After this locking engagement is achieved, the outer tube wrench is held so that it can rotate with the T-handled shaft and the broken screw piece can be unscrewed out of the bone upon continued rotation of the T-handled shaft, which causes the rotation of both the outer tube and the engaged screw piece.

Abstract: An astigmatism reducing device includes an alignment tool having a bore, extending through said alignment tool, for enabling centering of said alignment tool by observation of a cornea limbus. A handle is provided for enabling placement of said alignment tool onto a cornea and sclera of an eye and a bottom curvature on the alignment tool engages and conforms to the cornea. A lid retractor including a channel adjacent said bottom curvature is provided for separating eyelids from said cornea and sclera and enabling a portion of the bottom curvature to be disposed thereunder. Tubular cornea cutter, having an outside diameter sized for insertion into the alignment tool bore means is provided for supporting at least one cutting blade for rotation within the alignment tool bore, the cutting blade being disposed with a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular cornea cutter.

Abstract: An improved fixation assembly for orthopedic applications. The fixation assembly includes a screw having an upper shank portion, a middle section with a recessed area, and a lower threaded section. A locking ring surrounds the recessed area of the screw, with the diameter of the locking ring being greater than the diameter of the recessed area of said screw and less than the diameter of the shank and threaded sections of the screw. The screw and locking ring combination is used to attach an orthopedic plate to a bone. The orthopedic plate includes a hole for receiving the screw and the locking ring. The hole includes an upper section and a lower section, wherein the width of the upper section is less than the width of the locking ring so that the locking ring is compressed while in the upper section of the hole. The width of the lower section is greater than the width of the locking ring so that the locking ring is not compressed while in the lower section of the hole.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate tubular member, an end effector at the distal end of the tubular member, a linkage rod slidably disposed within the tubular member, a distal connector fixed to the proximal end of the tubular member, a proximal connector fixed to the proximal end of the linkage rod, at least one resiliently flexible actuating member, and a lever pivotally to the proximal connector. The lever generally overlies and contacts the actuator member. Pivoting of the lever toward the flexible actuator member causes the linkage rod to move a movable jaw of the end effector. The surgical instrument has a relatively larger actuator surface for easier manipulation, and better balance. The actuator member also has a point of maximum leverage closer to the distal end, than other surgical instruments of the same general type.

Abstract: Umbilical surgical scissors to cut and clamp the umbilical cord following birth comprising a scissor assembly including a first and second scissor member selectively movable between a first and second position relative to each other having a clamping assembly detachably mounted thereon by a clamp assembly holder, the clamping assembly comprises a pair of clamping clips each including a first and second clamping element movable between a normally open position and a closed clamping position such that when the first and second scissor members are moved from the first position to the second position the umbilical cord is severed and the responding first and second clamping elements clamp the umbilical cord therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent delivery catheter system for placing a stent within a stenosis in a vessel of a human body. The stent delivery catheter system utilizes a slideable sheath with a thin-walled distal portion that is situated coaxially over a stent that is placed onto a balloon located at the distal portion of a balloon angioplasty catheter. The distal end of a central portion of the sheath has an interior shoulder which is capable of exerting a distally directed push force on the balloon angioplasty catheter at a point that is just proximal to the stent. This push force is then transferred through the non-deployed stent to a gradually tapered, highly flexible, lubricity coated distal tip of the balloon angioplasty catheter.

Abstract: A powered handpiece for driving a surgical blade to cut anatomical tissue includes a reusable handpiece body having a distal end for being coupled with a surgical blade, a drive shaft in the handpiece body for rotatably driving the surgical blade, a motor assembly for being installed in the handpiece body to rotatably drive the drive shaft and a suction channel in the handpiece body including a portion extending through the drive shaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor assembly for evacuating anatomical tissue cut by the blade from the handpiece body for external collection. The surgical blade is for use with the powered handpiece and carries a sealing arrangement facilitating irrigation and suction. The handpiece body is capable of being sterilized to medical standards prior to each use.

Abstract: In the case of a surgical device for fixing bone elements, having an elongated, flexible clamping means for winding around and bracing the bone elements to be fixed, having a connecting part for connecting the ends of the tightened clamping means, a first end of the clamping means being fastenable to the connecting part and the second free end of the clamping means being passable through an opening of the connecting part so as to form a loop, and having a locking member supported counter to the clamping direction against the connecting part and non-releasably connectable to the clamping means, in order to refine said device in such a way that, while being easy to handle, it not only enables a reliable permanent fixing of the clamping means but also, without additional aids, allows a temporary fixing during an operation, it is proposed that the locking member comprises a blocking element which blocks a movement of the clamping means counter to the clamping direction.