Abstract: A device for inserting a thin measurement probe into brain tissue, the device including a skull screw, a guide hose, and a compressive screw connection. The skull screw defines a longitudinal borehole through which the guide hose and a measurement probe extend. The compressive screw connection radially seals, by compression, the measurement probe and the guide hose relative to the skull screw. The guide hose serves as a protective sleeve enclosing the measurement probe and connecting the skull screw to a probe hookup. The guide hose includes further and separate lumina to receive further measurement probes and associated probe hookups, and the guide hose supports the probe hookups.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant includes a flexible bag; a structural support at least partially within the bag; and a hardened polymer within the bag. The orthopaedic implant is implanted within the bone by forming a cavity in the bone; inserting a flexible bag into the cavity; filling the bag with a polymer; and hardening the polymer.

Abstract: Milling tool for emptying the femoral medullary space, while creating a space for the shaft of a hip prosthesis, which comprises a flexible core and a plurality of conical, rotationally symmetrical milling segments, mounted in superimposed manner on the core and provided with a central through-bore, the milling segments being so connected to the core and/or the milling segments adjacent thereto, that a rotational force applied to the core and/or the upper segment is transferred to the individual milling segments, as well as a hip prosthesis with a conically directed shaft and a ball mounted on the proximal end of the shaft and which comprises a flexible core, a plurality of conical, rotationally symmetrically segments, mounted in superimposed manner on the core and provided with a central through-bore and a device for tensioning the core to bring a stiffening of the shaft formed from the individual segments.

Abstract: Hand-held appliance for preparation of an excised skin graft, that is placed upon a plane surface, by tangential excision of tissue below the epidermis to produce a trimmed skin graft of desired remaining tissue layers and thickness with a blade that is held between two holding rods, that can be placed on a plane surface and that is held in a height-adjustable axis parallel to the surface. The end regions of the rods are shaped so that the distance between the axis and the contact surface of the edge of the end regions to the surface changes at least by sections, while the minimal distance and the maximal distance define the lowest and the highest cutting plane, respectively, so that the distance of the cutting plane is defined by the operating angle between the plane of the rods and the surface.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. Protective sheaths for covering a bone anchor on a bone anchor implantation device are disclosed. The protective sheaths protect the bone anchor from contacting tissue during insertion and prevent contamination of the bone anchor.

Abstract: A volar fixation system includes a T-shaped plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone, a plurality of bone screws for securing the plate along an non-fractured portion of the radial bone, and a plurality of bone pegs which extend from the plate and into bone fragments of a Colles' fracture. The plate includes including a plurality of screw holes and a plurality of threaded peg holes. The bone pegs can be articulated through a range of angles within respective peg holes and fixed at a desired angle within the range. For each peg, once the peg has been appropriately positioned within the peg hole, a set screw is threaded into the peg hole and tightened, thereby securing the peg in the selected orientation.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate is provided with recesses specially adapted to be engaged by the jaws of a drill guide tool, whereby the plate can be held while holes are being drilled through the plate into underlying bone, and while screws are inserted through the holes into the bone. Tools designed for this task are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The method and apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8-10 in which a fluid expandable member (208) is positioned in concentric relation about a needle (202). The fluid expandable member (208) is expanded into the nucleus pulposus potential space bordered by the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disk. Then, thermoplastic material in a flowing state is injected by a needle (202) within the annulus fibrosus to collapse the fluid expandable member (208) and occupy the space formerly occupied by the fluid expandable member (208).

Abstract: A transverse connector for a spinal column corrective device for interconnecting two components connectable with vertebrae of a spinal column includes a first member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the first component, a second member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the second component, and a clamp extending between the first and second member body portions, the clamp being movable into a tightened position to lock the first and second members into position relative to one another, and a loosened position to permit adjustment of the position of the first and second members relative to one another. The first and second member body portions having mating retaining surfaces to prevent relative movement between the first and second members when the clamp is in the tightened position.

Abstract: A device for making micro-abrasions on human tissue including a handle having an inlet passage and an outlet passage which communicate with an aperture provided in the handle and intended to be positioned on the surface to be treated, and supply means for the metered supply of reducing substances in a pneumatic carrier from a supply container connected to the inlet passage, to the aperture of the handle. The device is further arranged for selective and controlled supply of a liquid to the aperure of the handle.

Abstract: Enhanced surface area spinal fusion devices have upper and lower sections which are implanted directly within the bodies of the vertebrae being fused, thereby surrounding the implanted sections with cancellous bone which is more conducive to ingrowth and permanent fusion. A preferred device comprises a frame-like structure composed of biocompatible material such as carbon fiber, the structure having a substantially hollow interior and open side walls or apertures to receive bone-graft material. The device is preferably used in conjunction with adjoining intervertebral cages, which may be rigidly joined to one another and/or to the inventive device. One or more physical features are also preferably provided to engage with surrounding bone or minimize back-out, such features including teeth, ridges, grooves, or outriggers. One or more shape-memory elements may also be used, each of which is preferably compressed for insertion then expanded when the device is in place.

Abstract: A spinal fixation assembly includes a fusion cage to which a plate is mated. The plate is configured to receive, retain and orient bone screws.

Abstract: An illuminated rectal 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: The invention relates to a method of detecting the shape of a treatment device (3), in which the treatment device (3) is referenced in a computer-controlled, camera-assisted navigation system by means of a positional marker array (4) attached to the treatment device (3), wherein, by means of at least one radiographic image, projections of the treatment device (3) are detected and, via the position of the positional marker array (4) in the projections, the total outer shape of the treatment device (3) is assigned in the navigation system.

Abstract: External fixation apparatus and method are disclosed for use in osteotomy and other medical procedures. The apparatus includes a stabilizing portion adapted to be externally coupled to an anterior portion of a tibial bone. The apparatus also includes a angulation portion adapted to be externally coupled to another anterior portion of the tibial bone and coupled to the stabilizing portion. The angulation portion may be selectively adjustable to angulate a portion of the tibial bone about an axis of rotation offset from a longitudinal axis of the tibial bone following an osteotomical procedure on the tibial bone.

Abstract: A hip neck screw having a shank, a male-threaded portion at the proximal end thereof and areas for engagement by a tool wherein the screw is designed in such a way that it is adapted to be passed through a bore of a supporting device adapted to be mounted on the femur, preferably a locking nail and to be held therein. The neck screw has axially parallel grooves extending from the distal end are formed at opposite sides, of which at least one extends into the threaded portion. A fork-like blade is provided having blade legs which are accommodated by the grooves and has a connecting portion of the legs adapted to be connected to the distal end of the screw shank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant element for permanent anchorage in bone tissue in which at least the surface intended to face the tissue in the implantation region is made of a biocompatible material such as titanium and having a clinically well documented surface. The element is provided with a thin, uniform and adherent calcium-phosphate coating with a well controlled dissolution rate. The coating follows the topography of the underlying well documented surface in order to combine properties for rapid bone growth during the healing phase and properties for a guaranteed long-term stability during clinical loading conditions.

Abstract: A method for turning pages of a multi-purpose learning system comprising a picture book package in a form of a cassette having a memory, a main body having a number of controllers for reading data stored in said memory, an audio/video output unit having a monitor and a speaker for outputting audio and video signals processed by said controllers. The method includes the steps of setting circuits of the main body to a standby mode, displaying a starting display having page icons which can be selected by an user to turn pages to proceed in interacting with the multi-purpose learning system, determining whether one of said page icons displayed on the starting display is selected by the user, and outputting the corresponding server display data of the selected page to the audio/video output unit for a visual display.

Abstract: The invention is directed to manipulator assembly (2) for holding and manipulating a surgical instrument (14) in a telerobotic system. The assembly comprises a base (6) by fixable by means of passive or power driven positioning devices to a surface, such as an operating table, and an instrument holder (4) movably mounted on the base. The instrument holder comprises a chassis (6) and an instrument support (70) movably mounted on the body and having an interface engageable with the surgical instrument to releasably mount the instrument to the instrument holder. A drive assembly (7) is operatively coupled to the instrument holder for providing the instrument with at least two degrees of freedom. The instrument holder is separable from the base and the drive assembly so that the holder can be sterilized. The assembly further includes a force sensing element (52) mounted distal to the holder and the drive assembly for detecting forces exerted on the surgical instrument and providing feedback to the surgeon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating bearing knee joint prosthesis having a fixed tibial post used for replacing the articulating knee portion of a femur and a tibia. The floating bearing knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, a guide post and a bearing member. The femoral component includes an engagement member, a first femoral bearing surface and a second femoral bearing surface. The tibial component includes a tibial bearing surface. The guide post extends from the tibial component and is operable to be engaged by the engagement member of the femoral component. The bearing member includes a first bearing surface that articulates with the first femoral bearing surface, a second bearing surface that articulates with the second femoral bearing surface and a third bearing surface that articulates with the tibial bearing surface.