Abstract: The invention includes a tendon stripper comprising: (a) a frame, including a cautery, that is adapted to separate surrounding tissue along a length of a tendon; (b) a handle mounted to the frame that is adapted to reposition the frame with respect to the tendon; and (c) an actuator in communication with the cautery and operative to activate the cautery, where activation of the cautery is adapted to sever the tendon.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one force restoring element. The preferred force restoring mechanism is a wave washer. In a first embodiment the wave washer is ring-shaped. In a second embodiment the wave washer is spiral-shaped.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: A connector for a spinal alignment system includes a base, a hook, a guide aperture, and a locking portion. The base includes a channel extending therethrough to receive a fixation rod. The hook extends from the base. The guide aperture is adapted to receive a bone fastener and the locking portion is adapted to engage the bone fastener. The guide aperture extends through one of the base and the hook and the locking portion is located in the other of the base and the hook. The locking portion is coaxial with the guide aperture such that the guide aperture guides a shaft of the bone fastener into alignment with the locking portion when the bone fastener is received by the guide aperture. The bone fastener cooperates with the base and hook to form a tension band construct that resists opposing forces acting on the construct. A rod locking fastener engages the channel and the fixation rod to secure the fixation rod in the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. An approximately 3.75-5 centimeter (1.5-2 inch) anterior incision is made and the femoral neck is severed from the femoral shaft and removed through the anterior incision. The acetabulum is prepared for receiving an acetabular cup through the anterior incision, and the acetabular cup is placed into the acetabulum through the anterior incision. In one exemplary embodiment, a posterior incision of approximately 2-3 centimeters (0.8-1.2 inches) is generally aligned with the axis of the femoral shaft and provides access to the femoral shaft. In this embodiment, Preparation of the femoral shaft including the reaming and rasping thereof is performed through the posterior incision, and the femoral stem is inserted through the posterior incision for implantation in the femur. In an alternative embodiment, preparation of the femur is effected through the anterior incision, with the operative hip placed in hyperextension.

Abstract: A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space.

Abstract: A heart retractor links lifting of the heart and regional immobilization which stops one part of the heart from moving to allow expeditious suturing while permitting other parts of the heart to continue to function whereby coronary surgery can be performed on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the heart retractor of the present invention. The retractor includes a plurality of flexible arms and a plurality of rigid arms as well as a surgery target immobilizing element. One form of the retractor can be used in minimally invasive surgery, while other forms of the retractor can accommodate variations in heart size and paracardial spacing.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral edge extends between the faces and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends. At least one keel member extends from one of the faces. A first dimension D is defined by the first and second ends. A second dimension F is defined by the first and second sides. The dimension F is from about 0.25 to about 1.5 of the dimension D.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a joint prosthesis (10) having a first component (12) for cooperation with a first long bone (14) and a second component (16) for cooperation with a second long bone (20). The joint prosthesis (10) further includes a bearing component (22) positionable between the first component (12) and the second component (16) and cooperable with the first component (12) and the second component (16). The bearing component (22) includes a reinforcing component (36) having a first portion (54) defining a first centerline (50) and having a second portion (56) defining a second centerline (52). The first centerline (50) and the second centerline (52) are non-coincidental. The bearing component (22) includes a polymeric material (112) surrounding the reinforcing component (36) and molded to the reinforcing component (36).

Abstract: Featured are a method and apparatus for fixing adjacent vertebrate of a spine that avoids the need and associated problems with prior cage or straight rod and screw systems. Methods and apparatus of the invention utilize a new implant member, which preferably is arcuate. Preferred methods of the invention for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae of the spine, include steps of providing a positioning apparatus including two guide sleeves, each guide sleeve having a long axis and locating the two guide sleeves with respect to the adjacent vertebrae such that a vertex formed by the long axis of each guide sleeve is located in the intervertebral space for the adjacent vertebrae. The method further includes forming an aperture in each of the adjacent vertebrae using the guide sleeves and inserting an implant into the apertures formed in each of the adjacent vertebrae so that the implant extends between the adjacent vertebrae and through the intervertebral space.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral face extends between the opposed faces and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends. At least one aperture extends through the body and extends from a first one of the faces to a second one of the faces.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis, comprising: (a) a proximal segment including a neck lockingly engageable with a femoral head component and a male tapered portion; (b) a distal segment having a proximal end and a distal tip, the distal segment further formed with a male tapered portion adjacent the proximal end thereof; and (c) a metaphyseal segment having a proximal end and a distal end, the metaphyseal segment preferably including a bone engaging outer surface portion, and further including an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore including first and second female tapered portions formed adjacent the proximal and distal ends thereof, respectively. The first female tapered portion of the metaphyseal segment is dimensionally configured to lockingly engage the male tapered portion of the proximal segment. The second female tapered portion of the metaphyseal segment is dimensionally configured to lockingly engage the male tapered portion of the distal segment.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral edge of variable thickness extends between the faces and includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The thickness of the peripheral edge at the first side is greater than the thickness of the peripheral edge at the second side, the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation device, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation device includes an elongate body with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. The device is rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the proximal anchor is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes first and second footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The second footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the first footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the device does not increase in length upon activation. In another preferred embodiment, the second footplate is offset, allowing the actuator to be placed under the zygoma. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover for a vaginal speculum that prevents the vaginal walls from collapsing and improves a physician's visibility during a surgical procedure or a gynecological examination is disclosed. The cover includes an elongated, generally tubular elastic sleeve made from a biocompatible mesh material. The sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end with an opening located at each end. The sleeve encircles and extends over the length of both of the arms of a vaginal speculum. Strings are located adjacent the proximal end of the sleeve and aid in the removal of the sleeve once the examination or procedure has been completed.

Abstract: A milling device having in which opposed distance adjustment elements are slidably coupled with two surfaces of the device's abrading element which face away from the abrading surface of the device's abrading element.

Abstract: A tripartite attachment mechanism for a modular prosthesis comprises a body, a sleeve and a shaft. The body has a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface bounding a bore extending between the top and bottom ends, and an external prosthetic surface. The sleeve has a channel extending therethrough, an external prosthetic surface, and a protrusion having an outer surface adapted to be received in the bore. The shaft is adapted to be slidingly received in the bore and the channel. With the shaft in the bore and the channel, sliding the protrusion into the bore causes the internal surface of the bore to bias against the external surface of the protrusion and further causes the internal surface of the channel to bias against the shaft, thereby locking the body, sleeve, and stem in a fixed relative position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite bone graft for implantation in a patient, and methods of making and using the composite bone graft, along with methods for treating patients by implanting the composite bone graft at a site in a patient. The composite bone graft includes two or more connected, discrete, bone portions, and includes one or more biocompatible connectors which hold together the discrete bone portions to form the composite bone graft. The composite bone graft may include one or more textured bone surfaces. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced protrusions, preferably closely spaced continuous protrusions. The composite bone graft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior and/or posterior column. Implantation of the composite bone graft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength.

Abstract: A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space.