Abstract: A coring drill used to harvest bone from a donor area of the human body is described. The drill bit in its preferred embodiment is formed with a cylindrical, hollow shaft and a half-conical tip or cutting head. The cutting head is provided with a sharpened edge which meets at an apex with a non-sharpened edge, forming an obtuse angle of approximately 120.degree.. The sharpened edge is configured to cut into bone when the drill bit is rotated in a clockwise direction, with the apex directed against a section of bone, the cutting edge sheers off fragments of bone which are then drawn upwardly through the hollow shank of the drill bit. As the drill bit is forced downwardly, continuous cutting action occurs and the morselized bone can then be removed, as by use of the described hand tool, from the shank and used to build-up bone in other areas to which it is transplanted.

Abstract: An intramedullary femoral rod provides a hollow rod body with five openings including a first group of three openings and a second group of two openings spaced at 180.degree. from the first opening. The five openings define three passageways including two upwardly oblique passageways for femoral repairs or one downwardly oblique passageway for recon repairs.

Abstract: An anchoring member is provided which comprises a shaft 2 to be fastened to a bone and a head 3 for connection with a rod 10, the head having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and being connected with the shaft 2 at the base 5 thereof, the head further comprising two free legs 6, 7 defining a channel 4 for receiving the rod 10. The free legs 6, 7 are provided with an internal thread 8 extending in direction of the legs. A fastening member 11 and a member 12 embracing the legs at the outside thereof are provided. In order to allow not only straight rods, but also curved rods to be received and thus to allow an individual adaptation to the conditions of the spinal column to be treated the free legs have an external thread 9 and the member 12 has an internal thread cooperating therewith. The fastening member 11 comprises a thread cooperating with the internal thread 8 to allow the fastening member to be screwed in.

Abstract: An apparatus for self administration of acupressure that comprises a surface for supporting the individual. A pressure arm supported above the surface moves between a first position displaced from the individual and a second position where pressure probes apply acupressure. The position of an actuation arm supported below the surface is controlled by the individual and is linked to the pressure arm. This enables the individual to control the magnitude and duration of force applied through the pressure arm and pressure probes. The individual can operate another linkage to position the pressure probes relative to the pressure arm and along the individuals' spine.

Abstract: The present invention is a bone fixator for repairing fractures of the distal radius and wrist. It includes, in the preferred embodiment, at least two generally parallel spaced-apart elongate distal mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the metacarpal bone and at least two generally parallel spaced-apart elongate radial mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the radius. A distal pin clamp assembly secures the distal pins to an elongate distal member. The clamp assembly and pins are movably coupled to the distal member for translational movement along its elongate axis and pivotal motion about a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the elongate axis of the distal member and the elongate axes of the distal pins. The fixator further includes a proximal pin mounting block for securing the radial pins and an elongate medial assembly of adjustable length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinal fixation system. The system comprises a screw for pivotally attaching a bolt to a vertebrae to be treated. A pivot block is threaded onto the bolt to move the pivot block up and down the bolt. A rod is secured at each of its ends to vertebrae on either side of the vertebrae to be treated and a clamp block is attached to the rod and the pivot block to thereby allow the pivot block to push, pull or rotate the vertebrae to be treated.

Abstract: An osteotomy cutting guide is disclosed. The cutting guide utilities an angle cutting block which is removably and adjustably attached to a stabilizing base. Also utilized is a distal hole drill block which is removably and adjustably attached to the stabilizing base. The stabilizing base has at least one projecting element which can be inserted into an existing cut. The osteotomy cutting guide allows angled cuts and implant insertions to be performed with accuracy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the gradual distraction of bones, to be used especially in craniofacial dysostoses with early stenosis of the cranial sutures, comprising an internally threaded first sleeve intermeshing with an externally threaded spindle, which has an activating point. The spindle consists of an anterior extension, which slides into a second, unthreaded sleeve and rotates freely therein. The first sleeve is fitted with the first mounting plate, which rotates and features bore holes for the fixation via mini-screws to bone. The second sleeve embracing the spindle, is furnished with the holding elements for attachment in or to the bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for osteosynthesis at the vertebral column, in particular for stabilizing spinal segments including at least one rodlike connecting element (14) and at least two retaining units (12). Each retaining unit can be anchored to a spinal segment with a tuning-fork-shaped head, (15) the two limbs (16, 17) of which delimit an approximately U-shaped receptacle (18) for the connecting element (14) A clamping screw (19) can be screwed into the receptacle (18) to fix the connecting element (14) between the two limbs (16, 17) of the tuning-fork-shaped screw head (15) The floor (22) of the receptacle (18) has a concave shape to correspond to a swivel-bearing element (23) disposed between the floor (22) of the receptacle (18) and the connecting element (14) The element (24) has a bearing surface (24) faces the floor (22) of the receptacle (18) and, has a complementary convex curvature.

Abstract: Hip joints are reinforced preventively by a device composed of a tubular element fashioned from biocompatible material, accommodated by a socket drilled in the femoral bone parallel and adjacent to an axis connecting the ball and the diaphysis, and two independent locking assemblies operating unidirectionally and in mutual opposition, likewise of biocompatible material, by which the tubular element can be deformed and manipulated in such a manner as to lodge stably in the surrounding bone tissue of the socket, establishing a load-bearing axis that functions as a bridge between the weaker axis and the main axis of the femur.

Abstract: An adjustable locking handle securely grips an associated surgical tool for fixing the tool to the handle. The tool has first and second coupling portions, while the handle has an elongated body with fixed and movable jaws thereon respectively adapted for engagement with the first and second coupling portions on the tool. The movable jaw is pivotally movable about a fixed axis between locking and unlocking conditions relative to the fixed jaw by means of a linkage including a locking lever pivotally mounted on the body and a release lever pivotally interconnecting the locking lever and the jaw.

Abstract: A surgical procedure to correct astigmatism comprises performing a first pair of incisions across the cornea's steepest meridian at a first optical zone and an additional two to four incisions across the bisector meridians at a second optical zone that is greater than that of the first optical zone. This procedure is effective to improve astigmatism up to 6D without many of the detrimental effects of the known procedures. The invention further comprises a set of markers to be used by a surgeon for marking on the cornea the pattern of incisions to be made following the procedure of the invention.

Abstract: A method is described to repair hallux valgus which involves a medial incision as the primary incision, mechanical stabilization of the first and second metatarsals during and after a proximal chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal shaft, reorientation of the metatarsal segments to compensate for hallux valgus, and stabilization of the reoriented metatarsal during healing by insertion of a fixation device which may be removed later with little trauma to surrounding tissues. The fixation device comprises an elongated, relatively rigid stabilizing member of biocompatible material sized to pass from the medial side of the first metatarsal through the first and second metatarsals and out the lateral side of the second metatarsal, and two retainer members cooperating with the segments of the stabilizing member, medial to the first metatarsal and lateral to the second, adapted to prevent migration of the stabilizing member as the wound is healing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing, stabilizing, and fixating a pelvic ring fracture. The apparatus is a modular device that includes a plurality of clamps mountable to an exposed fractured pelvis with bone screws, at least one clamp on either side of the fracture. The clamps and the fracture are spanned by an elongated rod that is sufficiently pliable to be shaped to conform to the contours of the pelvis and sufficiently strong to stabilize and fixate the fracture. The method of treating the pelvic fracture includes affixing at least one clamp on each side of the fracture, cutting and shaping the rod, and securing the rod within the clamps to fixate the fracture. The modularity of the apparatus provides that the rod can be easily removed for reshaping as needed, and that the clamps can be easily removed for repositioning as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for interconnecting a pair of longitudinal members connectable with vertebrae of a spinal column comprises first and second connector members connectable with the longitudinal members. An elongate plate extends transverse to the longitudinal members and interconnects the first and second connector members. The first connector member includes a hook portion extendable around a portion of the longitudinal member. A set screw clamps the longitudinal member to the hook portion of the connector member. A nut threadably engages the set screw to clamp the elongate plate to the connector member. The elongate plate includes surfaces defining a recess for receiving the connector member. The surfaces defining the recess engage the connector member to prevent the elongate plate from pivoting relative to the connector member.

Abstract: An abdominal retractor comprising a deformable annular-shaped member with an opening therethrough, which is structured and dimensioned for retracting a linear incision in the abdomen and forming the surrounding tissue into a generally circular configuration, thereby providing an access opening into the abdominal cavity large enough for a hand. The annular member is also adapted to contact the retracted abdominal tissues so as to provide a sealing engagement therebetween. A collapsible sleeve is joined to the annular member and is disposed for extension exterior to the abdomen. The sleeve is structured to enable an arm member to be sealingly yet movably enclosed therein such that a hand at the end of the arm member can be introduced through the access opening into the abdominal cavity. The retractor further includes means through which the abdominal cavity can be inflated with gas such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2).

Abstract: A surgical instrument for driving and rotating a prosthesis of the type having a stem for implanting into a bone, and a neck extending from the stem. The surgical instrument includes a shaft having a first end for engaging the prosthesis, having a second end, and having an axis between the first and second ends; and a bracket adjustably attached to the shaft so that the relative position between the shaft and the bracket can be adjusted, and for gripping the neck of the prosthesis so that force applied along the axis of the shaft toward the first end of the shaft will drive the prosthesis into the bone and so that rotational force applied to the axis of the shaft will rotate the prosthesis.

Abstract: A spinal osteosynthesis device includes a plurality of implants, each having a yoke and an anchoring arrangement carried by the yoke for securing the implant to a selected vertebra. The device further has a connecting bar crossing each yoke; and a plurality of clamps tightening the bar to each yoke. Each clamp has a clamp body; and a pair of generally parallel-oriented claws spaced from one another by a slot and extending from the clamp body. The claws partially surround the respective yoke. The clamp body carries a tightening arrangement for rocking the clamp body about the connecting bar to tilt the claws toward the connecting bar so that the yoke is clamped thereagainst.

Abstract: A vertebral fixation device comprises a hooking element and a clamping element. The hooking element is provided at the top thereof with a plate portion having a fastening hole and at the bottom thereof with a hooked portion. The clamping element is provided at the bottom thereof with a fastening and clamping portion and at the top thereof with a threaded portion engageable with the fastening hole of the plate portion of the hooking element. The clamping element and the hooking element can be caused to hold securely a deformed or injured vertebra by turning and tightening the threaded portion of the clamping element.

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises two separate similar parts, namely a right part (1) and a left part (2), each formed by a cervical rod (3) having asperities and an elongate occipital plate (5) forming one piece with the rod and extending it toward the occiput (6) in the position of use, and adjustable means for anchoring the rod to the vertebrae and the plate to the occiput. Each part is so preangulated and shaped as to be adapted to the anatomy of the occipito-cervical connection. Each rod (3) has two rectilinear sections making therebetween an angle of between about 70.degree. and 90.degree., one of the sections being connected to the occipital plate (5), which is bent so as to correspond to the curvature of the occipital shell. The invention permits conveniently adapting the distance between the rods (3) to the anatomy of the patient and reduces the overall size of the instrumentation, which enables projections under the skin of the occiput to be considerably reduced.