Abstract: A holding and fixing mechanism for an orthopedic surgery makes use of a holding plug to fasten together a U-shaped clamping block, a wedging element and a rod body. The clamping block is provided with two through holes capable of cooperating with a wedging portion of the wedging element and the holding plug so as to form an appropriate angle as required between the wedging element and the U-shaped clamping block. The fixation position of the wedging element can be easily adjusted. The holding and fixing mechanism is attained by the knurl-fastening method in place of the conventional screw-fastening method.

Abstract: A screw for a lumbar-sacral fixator for use on the spine wherein the screw comprises a threaded part and a head which has a notched surface which is inclined with respect to an elongated axis of the screw by an angle of approximately 30.degree. to 45.degree..

Abstract: A surgical saw has a sector-shaped saw blade mounted on a shaft. The shaft is surrounded by a coaxial second shaft to which an eccentric member is mounted close to a saw blade and parallel therewith. Both shafts and thus the eccentric member and the cutting blade can be rotated with respect to each other and can be fixed in their rotational position. Depending on the rotational position, the saw blade is either covered by the eccentric member in a rest position to be inserted in a hollow bone, or is indexed in a position to be freely and gradually exposed to make a sawing operation possible.

Abstract: A single surgical instrument to both pass a wire under a bone and twist the ends of the wire together is comprised of a hooked member mounted to a handle assembly. The hooked member has a notch to feed a wire as the hooked member is pulled about the bone. The handle assembly incorporates a crank comprised of two handles rotatably mounted to a grip to thereafter quickly and tightly twist the wires about the bone with the same instrument.

Abstract: A spinal fastening apparatus for use in spinal fixation systems, comprising a bone screw, a collar and a locking pin. The bone screw has a threaded shaft portion with a generally longitudinal axis and a head portion having an eyelet with a central bore. The collar is generally U-shaped with a transverse axis and a slot adapted for placement over the eyelet portion of the screw. The elongated locking pin has an outer surface with gripping means on at least a portion of the outer surface and is sized and shaped to be slidably inserted through the eyelet. Surface portions of the collar and eyelet each include means for engaging the gripping means of the pin when the pin is inserted through the eyelet bore and the eyelet occupies the slot of the collar. The collar is capable of pivoting in relation to the eyelet to adjust for angulation between the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft and the transverse axis of the collar and being locked into a selected angled position.

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 and a rod extendable transverse to the longitudinal members and between the first and second connector members. The first connector member includes a recess for receiving the rod and a set screw for clamping the rod in the recess. The first connector member includes an opening through which a fastener for connecting one of the longitudinal members to the spinal column is extendable.

Abstract: A blade and clamp obtain a motion free coupling while remaining easily operable. The clamp comprises first and second clamping faces. The second clamping face includes a plurality of tapered lugs arranged in a radial pattern. The blade comprises a plate-like body having a primary U-shaped slot and a plurality of radial U-shaped slots which engage the tapered lugs of the clamp to produce a tight motion free coupling between the blade and clamp.

Abstract: An external fixation apparatus 2 that allows the transfixation wire 10 to be secured at a plurality of discrete positions to provide adjustability of the angular orientation of the wire with respect to the plane of a frame ring 6. The fixation apparatus 2 includes a transfixation wire or pin 10 that is connected between a transmitting clamp 20 and a receiving clamp 40 that are shiftably carried atop of a partial frame ring 6. A wire retainer 50 is secured to the distal end 14 of the transfixation wire. The receiving clamp 40 includes a raised member 46 adapted for receiving distal end 14 of wire 10 and mating with retainer 50 at a variety of discrete positions along the length of raised member 46. Retainer 50 uses two screws 54, 56 to secure distal end 14 of wire 10 within a longitudinal through bore 51. Screw 54 extends into longitudinal bore 51 to engage wire 10 near the proximal end of retainer 50.

Abstract: An ear piercing instrument that uses the gripping force of a hand to drive the earring post through the ear and into an earring nut. The earring and its nut are held in opposing jaws while the earlobe is placed between the jaws. When the ear is ready for piercing, the hand gripping the ear piercer is first tightened to bring the earring into closer proximity to the nut. A frangible tab holds the ear piercing process in abeyance until the hand squeezes sufficiently hard to break the frangible tab. Upon breaking the frangible tab, the earring and nut jaws are rapidly accelerated towards each other by the squeezing hand. The intermediate earlobe (or other body part) is pierced. With the insertion of the nut jaw into the earring jaw, a flexible tang catches the back side of the earring cartridge to expel it when the nut jaw is withdrawn from the earring jaw.

Abstract: Apparatus to treat scoliosis, particularly idiopathic scoliosis. The apparatus has a pair of longitudinal struts whose separation can be adjusted. The cross member is pivotally attached to each strut. The apparatus can be secured to a patient's pelvic girdle. The cross member can be pivoted and thus move the patient's sacrum towards the innominate bones. The apparatus also provides a method to treat scoliosis in a patient that comprises repositioning the patient's sacrum to correct the anatomical position to restore the symmetry of the patient's pelvic girdle. The patient's sacrum is stabilized in its restored position by locating the sacrum to the iliac bone. The non-deformed vertebrae in the scoliotic curve is pulled by members attached to the ilium extending to the vertebrae procesus. The members are tensioned as required.

Abstract: An awl for providing entry into and subsequent penetration of a bone is disclosed. The awl features a first section which is straight and has a first end, an exterior end, and a cutting tip at its exterior end. The second section of the awl is a connection region which has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second section extends essentially normal from the first end of the first section. The third section provides an external reference for the direction of the cutting tip and extends from the second end of the second section in a direction essentially parallel to the first section, such that the oriention of the third section represents the orientation of the first section.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone plug cutter for cutting a customized bone plug for use with prosthesis having stems of complex geometry, such as a cruciate stem. The bone plug cutter comprises an anvil which supports a piece of bone obtained intraoperatively. A specialized cutting head is forced against the anvil by a parallel jaw clamp. The cutting head can then be removed from the clamp and the bone plug extruded from the cutter with a plunger.

Abstract: A blade and clamp obtain a motion free coupling while remaining easily operable. The clamp comprises first and second clamping faces. The second clamping face includes a plurality of tapered lugs arranged in a radial pattern. The blade comprises a plate-like body having a primary U-shaped slot and a plurality of radial U-shaped slots which engage the tapered lugs of the clamp to produce a tight motion free coupling between the blade and clamp.

Abstract: A modular intramedullary nail includes three connectable sections that are connectable end to end. The three sections include an upper proximal nail component having an open ended bore. The second section is a central nail section that is an elongated curved nail component having an open ended longitudinal bore. The third section is a lower distal nail component having an elongated open ended longitudinal bore. The nail components are connected and the end using corresponding conical socket and conical projecting end portions of adjoining end nail components that can be fitted together and secured upon impact. Upon assembly, the connections are self orienting, providing corresponding tooled "flat" portions adjacent the respective conical socket and conical projecting end portions of the nail components. This interlocking tooled flats align and abut upon assembly so that the adjoining nail components only align in one relative rotational position.

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises a pair of vertebral implants (1) provided with screws (4) for anchorage to two corresponding vertebrae located on each side of a damaged vertebra, and a plate (3) having two end portions (3a) for connection to the two implants, and equipped with serration (6, 15) for fixing it to the implants. The end portions (3a) of the plate have a rounded periphery and the instrumentation comprises fixing screws (50) having heads (51) which are rounded so that their surface is flush with the surface of the plate when they are anchored in the apertures of the implant and the apertures of the end portion (3a) of the plate. This arrangement ensures that the ends of the plate (3) do not come into contact with the vertebral discs when the angular position of the plate (3) relative to the implants varies, and reduces the overall size of the instrumentation.

Abstract: A fastener for relieving stress on a disc adjacent at least two vertebrae which are mechanically connected during osteosynthesis of the spinal column which fastener includes a fastening rod having a first portion which is secured to the at least two vertebrae by tightening elements provided on pedicle screws and a second portion, whose diameter is smaller than that of the first portion, which slides in a guidance element which is anchored in of the vertebra located adjacent the at least two vertebrae which are mechanically locked relative one another.

Abstract: The alignment guide of this invention includes a cam rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the alignment guide as defined by an intramedullary rod. A base plate is pivotally connected to the intramedullary rod and includes a pair of cam followers positioned on opposite sides of the intramedullary rod. In use, as the cam is rotated relative to the rod, the cam followers ride against the cam causing the plate to pivot or angulate relative to the rod. A plurality of indicia are formed on the cam to indicate to the surgeon the relative angle between the plate and the rod. The base plate includes a quick connect mechanism to permit the surgeon to quickly attach a device such as a cutting guide or pinning guide to the base plate. The cutting guide is fixed relative to the base plate such that the cutting guide will be at the same angular orientation as the plate relative to the intramedullary rod.

Abstract: A prosthesis with double damper performing the function of intervertebral stabilizer which comprises at least two identical elements assembled together and comprising elastic bodies for regulating the bending-stretching movement between two vertebrae so as to approach as closely as possible the physiological course of a discal movement.

Abstract: A spinal rod coupler assembly providing four degrees of freedom for connecting a spinal rod to a vertebrae of a patient which includes a tubular coupler member, an eyebolt, an insert and a set screw. The coupler member has a longitudinal bore, a central axis, and an end portion that is open ended and internally threaded and a second end portion that is closed. A plurality of openings in the tubular coupler member that includes a first pair of openings intersecting the central axis of the bore at generally right angles and a second pair of openings intersecting the central axis of the bore at generally right angles. The first and second pairs of openings being perpendicular to each other. The first pair of openings are sized and shaped to receive a spinal rod. The eyebolt has a shank portion and an eye portion, with the shank portion being insertable through the second pair of openings of the coupler body. The eye portion has an opening sized and shaped to mate with a selected bone bolt or bone screw.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bone fixation device composed of two separate connectable sections: a compression device and an elongated member. The compression device is further composed of four interacting elements: a hollow, elongated body; a flexible compression wire; at least two compression blades and a hollow cylinder. The elongated member may be adapted to accept shims. The present invention also discloses a bone alignment device composed of: two adjustable circular members; a tubular, longitudinally extending member connecting the two circular members; at least two longitudinally extending connectors also connecting the two circular members and at least one adjustable bone alignment means attached to each connector for applying pressure to the limb containing the fractured bone. The present invention also discloses a system for using the bone alignment device and bone fixation device of the present invention together to align and fix a broken bone.