Abstract: A bone nail including a hollow shank which has at least one cross-bore to receive a bone screw. A retaining sleeve is inserted into the shank to receive one or more signal generators. The signal generators received in the sleeve are adapted to emit signals at a predetermined spacing from and in a predetermined alignment relative to the cross-bore wherein the retaining sleeve has recesses or through openings in its wall to accommodate the signal generators.

Abstract: A joint distraction device for facilitating joint arthroscopy disclosed. In the first embodiment of the invention, the distractor disclosed is a series of fluidly fillable spheroid members to form a toroid. The joint distractor is placed between articular cartilage surfaces and filled to hold the joint surfaces apart. In a second embodiment of the invention, a string of spheroidal members is disclosed. The spheroidal members have varying diameters and are used to separate the articular surfaces of a joint.

Abstract: An implant and method for replacement of the proximal portion of a femur, and specifically for replacement of the natural femoral head is provided. The implant includes a body member for insertion, in use, through the natural femoral neck and in substantial alignment therewith; a head member with a spherical portion for engagement with a natural or a prosthetic hip socket; a joining portion for joining the head member to the body member; and a rod for insertion, in use, through the transverse passage of the body member. The rod is designed such that it has a cross-sectional configuration that contacts the cortical surfaces in the bone and inhibits micro-motion within the bone. In addition, the transverse passage of the body member is configured to complement the configuration of the rod such that the need for stabilizing screws toward the distal end of the rod is eliminated when the implant is assembled within the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for the implant of a surgical plate for osteosynthesis, comprising a rod that slides inside a tubular sleeve subject to the action of a return spring, which ends with a circular handle in the rear part and with a point with lateral cut in the front part, whose opening is closed by a small tooth located at the end of the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to intervertebral spacers for use in orthopedic treatment of spinal defects. The intervertebral space is formed of a shape memory polymer. The spacer can be fabricated into a desired configuration and then deformed into an alternative or deformed configuration. Cooling the deformed spacer effectively freezes the spacer into its deformed conformation. The deformed configuration can be selected to facilitate implantation of the spacer into a prepared disc space between adjacent vertebrae. During operation, the surgeon can heat the spacer to allow it to revert to its original configuration. The spacer in its original conformation is sized to restore and/or maintain the adjacent vertebrae in a desired conformation and disc space height.

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: A method and a system for a spinal fixation incorporate a plurality of polydirectional fixation screws and a plurality of linkages. The polydirectional fixation screws include an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is attached to the linkage. The upper member includes a first hemispherical portion. The lower member engages the bone and includes a second hemispherical portion which cooperates with the first hemispherical portion to define a sphere. The second hemispherical portion is coupled to the first hemispherical portion for relative pivotal movement about an axis. Relative movement between the first and second hemispherical portions readily permits sagittal plane adjustments. The polydirectional fixation screw further includes a biasing member for biasing the first member away from the second member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis. The linkages are provided with various vertical offsets to readily permit coronal plane adjustment.

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: The present invention is an alignment system by which a needle or other similar invasive device can be positioned for insertion so as to have a real-time, predetermined trajectory to a targeted tissue region, thereby reducing the need for repetitive needle insertion and withdrawal to move the tip of the instrument accurately to the target site.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus comprising a hydrogel core surrounded by a constraining jacket. The hydrogel core is configured to expand from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state. In the dehydrated state, the hydrogel core has a shape selected to facilitate implantation through an anulus opening. Further, in the hydrated state, the hydrogel core has a shape corresponding generally to a portion of a nucleus cavity, the hydrated shape being different from the dehydrated shape. Upon hydration, the hydrogel core transitions from the dehydrated shape to the hydrated shape.

Abstract: An surgical instrument for use during procedures to harvest saphenous veins simultaneously retracts tissue and exposes sections of the vein. Removable spacer limbs are selectively attached to the instrument to aid in retracting tissue and to make the instrument self-retaining.

Abstract: A medical screwdriver for inserting a medical screw connected to a suture into a bone. The screwdriver includes a shaft adapted to hold a medical screw at its distal end, a motor adapted to rotate the shaft, and a suture-receiving channel leading from the distal end of the shaft to a point distanced from the distal end of the shaft by at least 50% of the length of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing and or maintaining adjacent bone portions in predetermined desired relationships and for constraining one, two or three-dimensional motion and/or rotation of the adjacent bone portions. Prostheses according to the present invention include cooperating magnetic arrays, preferably with plural magnets generating composite magnetic fields with predetermined field characteristics. The predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that the magnetic arrays on opposing prosthetic components cooperate to urge the bone portions into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between the adjacent bone portions in various dimensions, e.g., rotation, flexion and/or extension thereof. Such magnetic constraint permits absorption and/or release of stress generated by externally applied forces.

Abstract: In order, in the case of a surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the intervertebral implant even when access is difficult, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprises two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical technique is provided for preparing a site for implantation of a fusion device or implant. In accordance with one embodiment of the technique, a laparoscope is provided having an outer sleeve with distraction fingers at one end to distract the disc space. The laparoscope includes a laparoscopic port at its opposite end through which instruments and implants are inserted. The laparoscope provides a sealed working channel to the disc space, through which the disc space is distracted, the vertebral endplates and surrounding disc is reamed, and the fusion device inserted. The laparoscope is alternately engaged within bilateral locations in the disc space for insertion of a pair of fusion implants. A switching sleeve extends through the laparoscope to protect the tissue at the surgical site as the laparoscope is moved between the bilateral fusion locations.

Abstract: A method for aligning a resection guide relative to a patient's bone has applications during arthroplasty. An alignment guide is coupled to a patient's bone, to which there is coupled a resection guide. The resection guide is positioned along a transactional path and a plurality of rotational paths by manipulation of the alignment guide, thereby providing three degrees of freedom of manipulation over infinitely adjustable ranges.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for installing bioabsorbable plates for general bone repair, as for example, facial or cranial osteosynthesis. The present invention includes an improved plate and fastener system which reduces if not eliminates stresses within the plate. It also includes an improved fastener container and driver for handling and installing fasteners. The system employs a unique water bath for heating the bioabsorbable plate so they can be deformed to the contours of the bone being repaired. Additionally, there is a hand tool for localized heating and deformation of the plate when positioned against the bone to further ensure conformity with the bone structure. These and other features are contained within a kit which is easily sterilized.

Abstract: A posterior spinal osteosynthesis device for providing a transverse connection between two vertebral rods extending along a spinal segment wherein the device includes pairs of hooks adapted to laterally engage the vertebra with each pair being connected by a pair of parallel rods which are elastically bent to form a transverse arc whose ends are engaged in bores within the hooks.

Abstract: The ultrasonic angioplasty transmission wire for use in an ultrasonic angioplasty device comprises an inner layer of a first ultrasound transmitting material, and at least one outer coaxial shell or tube of a second ultrasound transmitting material different from the first ultrasound transmitting material. The first inner layer and one or more of the outer coaxial shells or tubes can be formed of ultrasound transmitting metal compositions such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium, or aluminum, or other similar suitable ultrasound transmitting metals. In one embodiment, the first inner layer is formed of a nickel-titanium alloy, and at least one outer coaxial shell or tube is formed of stainless steel. In another embodiment, the first inner layer is formed of nickel-titanium alloy, a first outer coaxial shell or tube is formed of stainless steel, and a second outer coaxial shell or tube is formed of the nickel-titanium alloy.