Abstract: An endoscopic stone extraction device includes a handle that supports a sheath, and a filament such as a wire slidably disposed in the sheath. One end of the wire is mounted to the handle for rotation with respect to the handle and the other end of the handle supports a stone extraction basket. A manipulator is provided on the wire to allow a user to rotate the filament and therefore the basket with respect to the handle. The basket can have a side-facing opening or a rear-facing opening. In either case, a stone retention region is provided with relatively small openings sized to retain stones smaller than two millimeters in diameter.

Abstract: A selective compression and distraction instrument useful in manipulating bone, such as a person's spine during surgery. There are two handle sections and one jaw section. One handle section produces a compression action and the other produces a distraction action. The user determines which action to apply, and then selects the appropriate handle section which is releasably attached to the one jaw section. The jaw section is arranged to have two tips, and the jaw section moves the tips in a parallel relationship toward and away relative to each other. The tips are releasably and interchangeably attachable to the jaw section, and they provide selective spacing of tip blades from each other.

Abstract: In an instrumentation for the production of fixing surfaces for fixing a knee joint endoprosthesis to the femoral condyle that is adjacent to the knee, and to the tibial head, provision is made for a rotary milling head, which is fixable in relation to the longitudinal axis of the femur and tibia, respectively, by fastening means and which, in relation to this longitudinal axis, is angularly adjustable in a stable stop position by being pivoted, defining milling planes, and which is displaceable in the set milling plane, covering same and working as a face milling cutter or as a cylindrical milling cutter.

Abstract: An instrument for mobilizing the midface bones of a human skull in which at least a partial osteotomy between the midface bones and the skull has been performed. A first member includes a dentition engaging portion for engaging the dental arch of the maxilla. A second member includes a nasal engaging portion for engaging the nasal floor of the nasal cavity. An adjustable member is connected to the first member and to the second member and is adjustable to draw the first and second members toward each other so that the first member can be drawn against the dental arch and the second member can be drawn against the nasal floor. A lever is connected to at least one of the first and second members. The lever is disposed anteriorly of the forehead and extends in a superior-inferior direction relative to the skull when the first and second members are engaged with the dental arch and nasal floor, respectively.

Abstract: A bone fixing pin comprising a pin body section (2) consisting of poly-L-lactic acid and a metallic perforating section (3) joined to the pin body section (2) and having a drill (4) at a head thereof, wherein at least the pin body section (2) is, preferably both the pin body section (2) and the perforating section (3) are, formed to have a cylindrical shape having the same diameter through the whole of the length direction thereof. Accordingly, the bone fixing pin can be embedded into (buried into) bone fragments to be fixed easily and smoothly. In addition, loose is never caused to occur after the embedding. The embedded pin body section (2) consisting of poly-L-lactic acid is absorbed in an organism to be eliminated after synostosis.

Abstract: A method for fixing a bone block in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the bone block in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires through the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone block and extend through the bone block, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first absorbable rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second absorbable rod, whereby to retain the bone block in the bone tunnel with the absorbable rods.

Abstract: An implant insertion apparatus for guiding surgical instrumentation and facilitating insertion of surgical implants into an intervertebral space, including a retractor having an internal opening for introduction of a surgical instrument and positionable with respect to adjacent vertebrae in the intervertebral space, and a guide bar mounted to the retractor. The guide bar includes a longitudinal guide shaft dimensioned to guide introduction of surgical instrumentation through the internal opening of the retractor. The apparatus further includes a guide member mounted to the surgical instrument for providing the guidance thereof.

Abstract: Bone fasteners consisting of a rivet and an expansion pin for attaching soft tissue and bone plates to bone. The rivet has an enlarged proximal end, a tubular body portion dimensioned to fit snugly within a hole drilled in a bone, and a distal end having expandable legs. The expansion pin is either slidably or rotatably mounted within an axial bore in the rivet. In a first embodiment, the expansion pin has a metallic traction portion and a conical, preferably bioabsorbable, distal end portion releasably affixed thereto. In use, the rivet is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in a bone. When tension is applied to the traction portion of the expansion pin, the conical end portion progressively advances into the bore thereby forcing the legs on the distal end of the rivet to expand outwardly. When the legs are fully expanded, further progress of the conical portion is arrested by a shoulder stop within the axial bore.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: A spiral cervical retraction apparatus is provided to straighten out the canal to the uterus during a medical procedure which allows for placement of instruments into the cavity of the uterus such as artificial insemination devices, curettes, biopsy instruments, and radiologic devices to instill dye. The apparatus includes a rigid tube for traction assisted insertion and removal of instruments by a screw-like action. A spiral wire is secured to the tip of the device for insertion into the cervix of a patient. Preferably, the apparatus has a substantially rigid handle tor twisting the spiral tip.

Abstract: A device for guiding a branched artificial blood vessel 1 having a tubular main body 5 with collapsible/restorable elasticity and a branch portion 6 with collapsible/restorable elasticity which branches from a part of the main body 5 with its internal space communicating with the main body 5, which artificial blood vessel 1 has been transferred as collapsed in a main blood vessel 2 to a branched part 4 branching a branch blood vessel 3 from the main blood vessel 2, the device being utilized in inserting the branch portion 6 of the artificial blood vessel 1 into the branch blood vessel 3, the device comprising an operating rod 9a inserted into the main body 5 from a trailing open end thereof and operable for rotation by hand, a guiding rod 9b continuously connected to the operating rod 9a so as to be capable of turning around with rotation of the operating rod 9a and having a leading end extending to an open end of the branch portion, and mooring means 9c for releasably mooring the branch portion by a portion

Abstract: A modular prosthesis, such as a shoulder prosthesis, enables the selection of one of multiple alternate offset locations of a head member, such as a humeral head member, on a stem member, such as a humeral stem member, together with the selection of any rotational orientation of the head member within a full 360° range of rotational orientation relative to the stem member, so as to locate and orient the head member secured on the stem member for optimum replication of the natural joint replaced by the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved handle which may be used to releaseably hold various types of surgical instruments employed in medical or dental procedures. The handle is comprised of a grasping portion and a lock assembly that contains a retractable slider pin designed to engage one or more indentations provided with instruments intended for use with the handle. The lock assembly may be provided with at least one biasing member which holds the pin in an extended position thereby locking the surgical instrument to the handle. The instrument may be removed from the handle or rotated by the user retracting the pin to release the instrument from the handle. A system and a method of interchangeably using surgical instruments in the handle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies is provided. The vertebral alignment/fixation assembly of the current invention comprises a hemispherical headed pedicle screw disposed within a slotted coupling unit designed to allow angular adjustment of the pedicle screw up to 90° and which may be securely locked into position via a single threaded locking nut once a standard alignment rod has been inserted into the slotted coupling unit. The vertebral alignment/fixation assembly enabling the angular adjustment of the fixation system hardware after final placement and insertion of the pedicle screw into the vertebral body. A system and method for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies using the vertebral alignment/fixation assembly of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A hand instrument and method for use by a surgeon to target the appropriate entry point and trajectory on bony tissue through which an instrument, such as a nail, pin, screw, rod, wire, drill bit, or other implant is passed. Imbedded within the instrument is at least one relatively radio-opaque target which allows the user to predict with the use of an x-ray or fluoroscopic imaging device the placement of said instrument or implant before drilling it into place with the use of an x-ray or fluoroscopic imaging device. By manipulating the device around the axis of the guide piece, the surgeon can predict the placement of the instrument or implant without iterative insertion and removal of the instrument or implant itself.

Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.

Abstract: A plate probe and associated system and method for facilitating the orientation of an osteotomy and the implantation of an artificial joint component during arthroplastic surgery requiring an osteotomy. The probe comprises a coupler and a plate. The coupler is configured so that it can be connected to a position tracker, such that the position and orientation of the plate can be determined from the position of the tracker. The plate is configured so that it can be inserted into an opening of a bone-cutting mechanical guide, which is generally designed for receiving and guiding a surgical saw blade during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A dermabrasion hand tool for abrasively removing a skin surface by means of an abrasive stream projected onto the skin surface to be removed. The hand tool includes an elongated manipulative body having a longitudinal axis and first and second opposite ends. The hand tool also includes an operative head through which the abrasive stream is projected onto the skin surface to be removed and through which the removed skin surface and used abrasive stream are evacuated, the operative head being removably mounted onto the first end of the manipulative body. The hand tool further includes a supply channel for supplying,the abrasive stream to the operative head from a supply stream source, and an evacuating channel for evacuating the removed skin surface and used abrasive stream from the operative head to an evacuating means, both of said channels extending within and along the manipulative body and each having first and second extremities located respectively at the first and second ends of the manipulative body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a femoral neck fracture fixation device, 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 femoral neck and into the femoral head, and the proximal anchor is distally advanced to lock the device into place.