Abstract: An electrosurgical knife is provided with an improved surface coating designed for substantially non-stick hemostatic cutting of soft patient tissue. The electrosurgical knife includes a conductive knife blade adapted for connection to a suitable high frequency current source for electrocauterizing tissue at the point of contact to prevent or minimize bleeding. The knife blade includes the improved surface coating formed on at least a cutting edge thereof, wherein the outer surface of the coating includes a relatively non-stick constituent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon in combination with a relatively hard constituent such as a ceramic. The surface coating is additionally loaded with a substantially uniformly dispersed matrix of conductive material for transmitting the electrical energy to patient tissue primarily by conduction.

Abstract: An electrosurgical knife is provided with an improved surface coating designed for substantially non-stick hemostatic cutting of soft patient tissue. The electrosurgical knife comprises a conductive knife blade adapted for connection to a suitable high frequency current source for electrocauterizing tissue at the point of contact to prevent or minimize bleeding. The knife blade includes the improved surface coating formed on at least a cutting edge thereof, wherein the outer surface of the coating includes a relatively non-stick constituent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon in combination with a relatively hard constituent such as a ceramic. The surface coating is additionally loaded with a substantially uniformly dispersed matrix of conductive material for transmitting the electrical energy to patient tissue primarily by conduction.

Abstract: An electrosurgical knife is provided with an improved surface coating designed for substantially non-stick hemostatic cutting of soft patient tissue. The electrosurgical knife includes a conductive knife blade adapted for connection to a suitable high frequency current source for electrocauterizing tissue at the point of contact to prevent or minimize bleeding. The knife blade includes the improved surface coating formed on at least a cutting edge thereof, wherein the outer surface of the coating includes a relatively non-stick constituent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon in combination with a relatively hard ceramic constituent. The surface coating is additionally loaded with a substantially uniformly dispersed matrix of conductive material for transmitting the electrical energy to patient tissue primarily by conduction.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having an internal box geometry defined by a bone-engaging surface configured as a primary prosthesis. The femoral component has a threaded bore therein communicating with the bone-engaging surface. An adapter has a mating surface complementary to the box geometry of the femoral component and an internal box geometry defined by a bone-engaging surface configured as a revision prosthesis. A hole through the adapter is aligned with the threaded bore of the femoral component and has a recessed shoulder. An adapter screw has a head and a threaded shank, the head sized to be received within the hole of the adapter in engagement with the shoulder, and the shank being sized to be threadedly received within the threaded bore of the femoral component. The adapter screw includes a threaded bore therein.

Abstract: An acetabular component for an implantable hip joint prosthesis. An acetabular shell has an apex and a rim, and has a convex proximal surface for being received within a hemispherically reamed acetabulum in a press-fit relationship. The convex proximal surface is shaped as a surface of revolution defined by a curve segment rotated about an axis, where the curve segment and the axis lie in a common plane. The defining curve segment includes a first arc-segment and a second arc-segment. The first arc-segment has a center located on the axis, and the second arc-segment has a center offset from the axis. The convex proximal surface includes a first region defined by the first arc-segment in proximity to the apex and a second region defined by the second arc-segment in proximity to the rim. The convex proximal surface is diametrically oversized in the second region relative to the hemispherically reamed acetabulum.

Abstract: A self-venting cement restrictor or bone plug is provided for insertion into the medullary canal of a patient bone during orthopedic surgery. The cement restrictor includes a valve member which accommodates passage of air and body fluids therethrough as the cement restrictor is placed to avoid pressurizing the downstream medullary space. An installation tool is manipulated in the course of cement restrictor installation for shifting the valve member to a closed position, whereby the cement restrictor retains bone cement introduced subsequently under pressure within the upstream medullary space.

Abstract: An improved tibial prosthesis is provided for a prosthetic knee wherein the tibial prosthesis includes a mobile bearing member designed to better accommodate a natural range of flex knee motion and force loads applied to the knee joint. The improved tibial prosthesis comprises a tibial component defining a support tray for receiving and supporting a bearing member which in turn defines upwardly presented medial and lateral condylar recesses for respective seated engagement with medial and lateral condyles of a femoral prosthesis. A short lock rim of part-circular shape projects upwardly from the periphery of the tibial support tray, at the medial end thereof, to engage and constrain the bearing member for rotation within the lock rim through a short arcuate path of motion relative to a center axis defined by the geometry of the lock rim, thereby permitting a small degree of anterior-posterior movement of the bearing member lateral end relative to the tibial tray.

Abstract: A prosthesis having a proximal portion of a stem formed as a wedge having opposed tapers such that prostheses can be thrust into a medullary canal and achieve fixation without unduly stressing the cortical bone remaining in the femur. Ribs secure the prosthesis against medial-lateral motion. Simultaneously, a degree of flexibility is provided in an anterior-posterior direction. A slotted distal portion of the stem is flared to enhance fixation distally.

Abstract: A prosthesis having a proximal portion of a stem formed as a wedge having opposed tapers such that prostheses can be thrust into a medullary canal and achieve fixation without unduly stressing the cortical bone remaining in the femur. Ribs secure the prosthesis against medial-lateral motion. Simultaneously, a degree of flexibility is provided in an anterior-posterior direction. A slotted distal portion of the stem is flared to enhance fixation distally.

Abstract: An improved knee joint prosthesis is provided of the type having a femoral component for attachment to the lower end of a patient's femur and an interengagable tibial component for attachment to the upper end of the patient's tibia. The tibial and femoral components are each formed from a high strength biocompatible material, with the tibial component typically supporting a meniscal bearing member of a high density plastic or the like for engaging the femoral component to accommodate natural or near-natural knee flexion. The bearing member includes an upwardly projecting stabilizing post having a posterior cam surface for engagement by a removably mounted stabilization rod extending between medial and lateral condyles of the femoral component. When used, the stabilization rod contacts the stabilization post during moderate to severe flexion of the knee prosthesis to extend the range of stable flexion of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an upper tibia osteotomy comprising cutting a wedge from the bone using a first guide assembly to cut a first slot partially through a bone and a second guide assembly to cut a second intersecting slot to define a wedge shaped bone segment. An external compressor device draws the osteotomy closed by plastic deformation of the unsevered portion of the bone. The bone is secured by a plate and screws.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an upper tibia osteotomy comprising cutting a wedge from the bone using a first guide assembly to cut a first slot partially through a bone and a second guide assembly to cut a second intersecting slot to define a wedge shaped bone segment. An external compressor device draws the osteotomy closed by plastic deformation of the unsevered portion of the bone. The bone is secured by a plate and screws.

Abstract: A surgeon-assemblable asymmetric tibial prosthesis with a snap-in tibial insert for surface replacement of the proximal tibia. The tibial prosthesis, consisting of two parts, a baseplate and a right or left knee specific insert, is used in conjunction with prosthetic femoral and patellar components. Asymmetry is created by having the radius which describes the medial condyle slightly greater, preferably 1/8", than the radius describing the lateral surface. The baseplate exhibits symmetry about an anterior/posterior centerline, allowing it to be used on right or left proximal tibias by rotation of the component 180.degree. about the centerline. The insert is contoured to provide an anatomically correct surface which articulates with the condyles of the femoral prosthesis. The anatomic fit contributes to normal range of motion since there is less chance of lateral overhang to cause soft tissue impingement. The increased cortical rim contact permits direct load transfer to the stronger cortical bone.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic device is provided particularly such as a hip prosthesis for surgical implantation into a patient. The hip prosthesis comprises an improved femoral component having an upwardly and laterally open slot formed in an upper region thereof to permit compression of the femoral component to a reduced size configuration for easier installation into a resected patient femur. An improved installation tool cooperates with the femoral component for compressing and holding the femoral component in the reduced size configuration during installation, and then for releasing the femoral component for expansion to a tight fit within the patient bone. An antirotation fin is insertable into the slot of the implanted femoral component to maintain the femoral component in the expanded state. A portion of the antirotation fin may bridge into adjacent patient bone for improved prosthesis fixation against rotation.