Abstract: A dorsal fracture is treated from the volar side by using a T-shaped plate opposite the fracture. The plate is positioned against the volar side of the radial bone, a plurality of bone screws secure the plate along a non-fractured portion of the radial bone, and a plurality of bone pegs extend from the plate and into the bone fragments of the fracture. A support portion of the plate is provided distal of the bone pegs and supports comminuted bone fragments. One or more channels are optionally provided in the plate to receive wires which are adapted to anchor distal bone fragments to the plate. The plate is adapted in strength and materials to withstand the large bending forces thereon.

Abstract: The device with a bone plate (1) and with a temporarily attachable retainer (100) is used for fixation of, in particular, fragments of a jaw bone. The bone plate (1) has a longitudinal guide slot (40) which is open at one end or closed at both ends. The retainer (100) comprises a disk (110) which engages partially over the bone plate (1) and in which a locking screw (120) sits preferably in a rotatable manner and secure against loss, said locking screw (120) being intended to be screwed into a bone fragment via the guide slot (40). At one end, the bone plate (1) advantageously has areas of members (30) comprising individual members which can be divided off to obtain the desired length, The device extends the possibilities of screwing the bone plate (1), so that better adaptability to the particular task is achieved, and also improved rigidity across the edge of the bone plate (1), while the elasticity of the latter across the surface can be increased by means of less material thickness.

Abstract: A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.

Abstract: An illuminated retractor for creating a working space for dissecting instruments in support of a surgical procedure such as rectal examination or for the removal of polyps or hemorrhoids or other types of procedures which require the illumination and access to tissue in the rectal area of a patient, the illuminated retractor having a handle member pivotally connected at an obtuse angle to a first cylindrical and elongate section and a second elongate section that is releasably connected to the first elongate section and a portion of the second elongate section defining an illumination input end portion which is optically coupled to a light source so that the second elongate section is substantially illuminated, and, an operating channel extends along the lengthwise dimension of the first elongate section and the operating channel is illuminated by the second elongate section in use.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant, made of polyethylene, by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant or the polyethylene from which the implant is made. The resulting implant or polyethylene may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process); to remove residual chemicals (generated by the chemical crosslinking process); to remove its most oxidized layer; to stabilize its size and shape; to improve, by remelting, its oxidation resistance; and/or to reshape it into the final implant. Also presented are the resulting implant and polyethylene.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning misaligned vertebrae including a partible screw which can be threadedly coupled to misaligned vertebrae and decoupled from the vertebrae after being aligned. The screw, which is rotatable about an axis, includes axially shiftable screw halves having complementally formed partial screw thread sections which can be aligned in any one of a plurality of axially spaced apart positions to define a helical screw thread. Apparatus is provided for detachably holding the screw halves together in any one of a plurality of axially spaced apart positions with the partial screw threads on each of the halves in alignment including an alignment collar and a locking collar which can be detachably threadedly received on, and locked to, the screw thread sections in locking positions when the screw is being threadedly coupled to and uncoupled from the vertebrae.

Abstract: Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information may be stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a coiled endoluminal prosthesis (122, 190, 198) and a catheter (136) having at least first and second telescoping shafts (138, 140, 142). The prosthesis is releasably engaged to the distal ends (144, 146, 148) of the telescoping shafts. The prosthesis is capable of assuming a second, expanded diameter state from a first, reduced diameter state. The length and number of turns (128) of the coiled prosthesis can be changed by the relative translation and rotation of the shafts. The catheter assembly is especially useful for placing a coiled stent graft (122), in which one turn (132, 134) of the prosthesis has a greater pitch than the adjacent turns, at the intersection (184) of a bifurcation within a blood vessel (182). Remotely viewable marker elements (188, 190, 191, 192, 193, 195, 197) may be used and include a marker element (193, 190A, 197) configured to indicate orientation as well as axial position of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An expandable inter-vertebral prosthesis. The prosthesis takes over the supporting function of the inter-vertebra disc between two adjacent vertebra bodies, and includes one or more cages and a reinforcing element. Upon cage expansion, a hollow central portion of the cage can accommodate the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element, upon expansion, assumes a spiral shape, and substantially fills up the hollow central portion of the cage to provide enhanced load-bearing capability in a substantially longitudinal spinal direction. Hinges in the cage permit expansion and, once the cage has expanded, prevent it from collapsing. Delivery of the cage in an unexpanded condition into an inter-vertebral space is ensured with a restraining tool that engages the hinge members. The cage, reinforcing element and restraining tool are inserted with the aid of a conventional delivery tube.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail system for reducing and fixing fractures in long bones includes an elongated intramedullary nail having radial portals about the circumference. Tang assemblies are slidably telescoped inside the nail with resilient tangs which are deployed through the portals to interlock the nail and the portions of the bone.

Abstract: A constrained prosthetic knee having a modular hinge post and a rotating bearing. A cannulated hinge post is rotatably connected to the femoral component of the knee prosthesis so that a hinge post extension may be anteriorly positioned through the hinge post and into the tibial component of the knee prosthesis, after positioning of the femoral component in the femur and the tibial component in the tibia. The hinge post is preassembled to the femoral component so that such assembly is not required during the implantation procedure. A meniscal component forming the rotating bearing of the knee prosthesis is packaged together with the hinge post extension so that the appropriate hinge post extension is readily available.

Abstract: Medical devices may be made of shape-memory materials portions of which have been heat treated to exhibit spatial variations in the stiffness of the material. Devices including stents, vena cava filters and guidewires may be constructed from such materials. Devices may also be made from shape-memory materials which have been locally heat treated such that the superelasticity of the treated portion is destroyed while the remainder of the shape-memory material can transition between the martensitic and austenitic states.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis device includes a bone screw and a correcting rod which is positioned and axially fixed in a fork head of the bone screw. To this end, the fork head includes means which prevent the longitudinal displacement of the correcting rod. In addition, the screw shank of the bone screw is mounted in the fork head such that it is able to move in relation to same and in the area in which it receives the screw shank said fork head is configured as a hollow cone.

Abstract: A tool for installing an object, such as an artificial disk prosthesis, between adjacent vertebrae includes a pair of opposed levers separated by a fulcrum. Blade tips are disposed at the distal end of the levers. A pusher block is disposed distally of the fulcrum, and upon actuation by forward movement of a pusher rod, the pusher block moves the artificial disk prosthesis distally. The blade tips may be inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies as the disk moves forward thus causing the vertebral bodies to be separated until the disk is disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the length of the blade tips may be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A surgical cable system is provided which includes a surgical cable and a passer for passing the cable around a bone to which the cable is to be secured. The cable includes a main cable having a lead cable attached to one end of the main cable and a fastener preattached to the first end of the main cable. The lead cable has an enlargement (a bead) affixed to its free end. The passer includes a curved probe and a recess or cavity is provided in the probe near its tip and a slot extends from the cavity to the tip of the probe. The cavity is sized to accept the enlargement of the lead cable and the slot is sized to receive the lead cable so that as the probe is withdrawn (pulled) from under the bone, the lead cable and the main cable are pulled under the bone so as to minimize the space required to pass the cable. The lead cable and a portion of the main cable may then be inserted in the fastener.

Abstract: This is a device for percutaneous tissue sampling or excision. In particular, it uses an expandable ring cutter which produces an accurately located, discrete tissue mass that is removable through a comparatively much smaller access member. The tissue mass is easily reconstructed to its original form and orientation once taken from the body for further study.

Abstract: There is provided a bone screw known per se, having a threaded portion (2) and a reception part (5) for receiving a rod (29) to be connected to the bone screw. The securing and locking action of the connection between the bone screw and the rod is provided by an exterior nut (13). To provide for the required strength and durability of the connection, the exterior nut (13) comprises an inside sleeve-shaped element (17) having a predetermined inner dimension and an outer diameter which is almost equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the bore (8), and a pressure element (22) arranged therein. The pressure element (22) comprises a first section (26) at its end facing the bottom of the bore hole (8). The outer dimension of the first section is greater than the predetermined inner dimension and the first section causes the element (17) to be expanded when pressure is exerted on the rod (29) to be received.

Abstract: A bio-absorbable cartilage repair system is provided for regenerating damaged or destroyed articular cartilage on a joint surface of a bone by establishing a chondrogenic growth-supporting matrix between an area of damaged or destroyed articular cartilage that has been removed and an adjacent healthy area of articular cartilage and subchondral cancellous bone. The system is an assembly of a delivery unit and a porous insert. The delivery unit is formed of bio-absorbable material and configured and dimensioned to be mounted in both an area of damaged or destroyed articular cartilage that has been removed and an adjacent healthy area of articular cartilage and cancellous bone. The delivery unit has a central body and a plurality of radially extending, flexible support arms projecting outwardly from the central body and configured and dimensioned to support the insert at least partially thereover.

Abstract: A bone connector system comprises first and second connector members. At least one, and preferably both, of the connector members 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 intersecting slots 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 be 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. Either or both of the connector members may define guidewire lumens.

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.