Abstract: A walking cane retainer includes a resilient clasping member, a rubber gripping pad attached to an inside surface of the clasping member and a strap. The clasping member is generally C-shaped in cross section with yieldable clasping arms partially enclosing an open receiving pocket. The clasping arms are dimensioned for an interference fit with the body of the walking cane. The walking cane snaps into the receiving pocket of the clasping member as the clasping arms yield and deflect, and is held in place by compressive engagement against the gripping pad during use. The walking cane is released for immediate service simply by pushing downwardly or outwardly on the handle of the cane, so that the body of the cane snaps out of the receiving pocket as the clasping arms yield and deflect. The retainer may also be used to hold a flashlight, a billy club, a night stick, a weapon handle, a hammer, a tool handle, or a tool, for example.

Abstract: A traction bar for use in combination with a hand wrap or hand and arm wraps for suspending and orienting a patient's hand and arm in a substantially elevated position during a surgical procedure and for maintaining a patient's hand and arm in that orientation and location without unduly constricting circulation in the patient's hand or arm. The hand wrap is attached about the patient's closed fist and the traction bar is bendable and includes VELCRO hook material so that the traction bar may be conformed to the hand and attach itself securely in place to the top and two opposing side surfaces of the hand wrapped fist so that rotational or traction forces may be applied to the hand and arm. In this configuration, the lifting and orientation forces do not exert excess pressure at a particular position such as on the patient's wrist, so that the flow of blood to and from the patient's hand and fingers is not constricted.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for rigidly supporting a human arm and shoulder, having a positioning rod for infinitely varying the elevation of the arm through a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment, and having universal joints on the positioning rod for infinitely varying the orientation of the arm.

Abstract: A traction wrap for suspending a patient's hand and arm in a substantially elevated position during a surgical procedure includes a hand wrap for maintaining the patient's hand in a closed fist condition. A flexible panel is draped over a bar and is secured to the hand wrap along substantially the entire length of the patient's fist on both the palm and back sides. When the patient's hand is in closed, the fist defines a substantially conical shape. The lifting force exerted by a traction device is applied to the elongated bar and flexible panel member, which in turn applies the lifting force through the wrap substantially uniformly across the conical surface of the patient's closed fist. In this configuration, the lifting force does not exert excess pressure at a particular position, such as on the patient's wrist as in prior art devices, so that the flow of blood to and from the patient's hand and fingers is not constricted.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for orthopedic surgery provides locational guidance for insertion of an orthopedic nail through a pilot bore into the intramedullary canal of a fractured bone. The guide creates a protected channel through soft tissue which shields the soft tissue from contact by a reaming tool and prevents soft tissue from interfering with a reaming procedure. The guide collects marrow and bone fragments, removed during reaming to prevent their dispersion in soft tissue. Bone fragments and marrow collected on the guide are re-introduced into the canal for grafting. The apparatus includes an elongated chute having a concave, arcuate segment terminating at a spooned end adapted to be mounted controllably spaced in alignment with the pilot bore. An elongated pin secured to the backside of the chute extends beyond the spooned end of the chute for insertion into the proximate bone area. Both guide apparatus and method of utilizing the guide apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching surgical support apparatus onto the side rail of an operating table includes a clamp body having an attachment portion adapted for coupling engagement with surgical support apparatus, a fixed jaw member for engaging the upper corner portions of the side rail, a movable compression member for engaging the lower corner portions of the side rail, and driving means for moving the compression member to an open, retracted position allowing positioning of the jaw member and compression member about the opposite sides of the rail, and to an extended position in which the compression member is urged against a lower edge portion of the side rail with the rail being confined and compresssed between the fixed jaw and compression member. According to this arrangement, a compressive force is transmitted by the turn screw through the compression member against the side rail which firmly anchors the clamp at any desired position along the rail.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for use in surgical operating procedures and the like comprising a universal positioner which may be adjustably positioned along a support bar suspended from and substantially rigidly connected to an operating table or the like. The positioning apparatus includes a ball and circular jaw coupling including spaced apart clamp blocks having upper and lower clamp rings for forcibly engaging the ball in response to the urging of a plurality of compression springs. A lever actuated cam connected to a foot pedal is operable to release the biasing force on the support blocks whereby the position of the support arm connected at one end to the ball may be finely adjusted over a wide range of positions.

Abstract: A prep and operating stand is provided for use by orthopedic surgeons for supporting and positioning a limb for surgery, for holding a collection bag underneath the limb during preparation, and for holding a tray of surgical instruments during an operating procedure. A first hoop-shaped frame is supported by an adjustable leg structure at one end and by a pivoted linkage attached to a surgical table at the other end. The hoop-shaped frame can optionally be provided with collection bag supporting structure or with tray supporting structure. The stand is collapsible for compact storage after use.

Abstract: An improved surgical drape form maintaining a sterile condition about a selected surgical site on a body portion of a patient during a surgical procedure such as hip surgery and the like. The surgical drape comprises generally a sheet of conformable, impervious material having an opening for receiving the patient's limb and having side portions adjoining the opening for shielding the patient with respect to direct contact and ambient air flow. A boot of conformable impervious material is attached to the sheet for receiving the patient's limb. The boot has a tubular sidewall defining a pocket which is joined in registration with the sheet opening. The tubular sidewall is sealed against the sheet portions forming the border of the opening, thereby providing a continuous, sterile barrier.

Abstract: A ball joint coupling assembly permits universal movement and positioning of an object with respect to a vertical support shaft. Quick release/lock action is provided by a ball joint assembly having a housing in which a ball and piston are movably coupled. The ball is captured between annular jaw portions of the housing and piston, with locking action being provided by gripping engagement of the piston jaw portion and the housing jaw portion. The ball member is gripped in line-contact, compressive engagement by the annular edges of the piston jaw and housing jaw on opposite sides of the ball. The piston is constrained for axial movement within the housing with locking engagement and release being effected by rotation of a threaded actuator shaft.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for use in surgical operating procedures and the like comprising a universal positioner which may be adjustably positioned along a support bar suspended from and substantially rigidly connected to an operating table or the like. The positioning apparatus includes a ball and circular jaw coupling including spaced apart clamp blocks having upper and lower clamp rings for forcibly engaging the ball in response to the urging of a plurality of compression springs. A lever actuated cam connected to a foot pedal is operable to release the biasing force on the support blocks whereby the position of the support arm connected at one end to the ball may be finely adjusted over a wide range of positions.

Abstract: A suspension frame and clamp assembly for attaching surgical support apparatus onto an operating table is disclosed. The assembly includes a releasable clamp which allows the attachment part to be installed onto the side rail of an operating table or removed from the side rail at any intermediate side rail location. The suspension frame includes an elongated support tube or bar attached in such a manner that the support bar is offset laterally below the side rail and outside of the sterile field of the operating table. In a preferred embodiment, the suspension assembly includes parallel vertical struts which are rigidly attached at their lower ends to the horizontal support bar, and which are attached at their upper ends to a releasable clamp assembly. According to an alternate embodiment, the vertical support struts are releasably coupled to the horizontal support bar by a releasable box clamp. Transverse support struts provide additional stability.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for use in surgical operating procedures and the like comprising one or more generally vertically extending support arms which are connected at their lower ends to universal positioner mechanisms which may be adjustably positioned along a support bar suspended from and substantially rigidly connected to an operating table or the like. The positioning mechanism includes a ball and socket coupling including spaced apart support block having socket portions for forcibly engaging the ball under the urging of a plurality of springs. A lever actuated cam connected to a foot pedal is operable to release the biasing force on the support blocks whereby the position of the support arm connected at one end to the ball may be finely adjusted over a wide range of positions. The positioning mechanism may also comprise clamping members adjustable about three mutually perpendicular axes to provide universal movement of a support arm.

Abstract: A clamping or coupling apparatus for clamping an extension rod telescopically extendable from a tubular member includes two separate and independent clamping adjustments. The clamping apparatus is adapted to rotate freely relative to the tubular member, yet is prevented from axial movement relative to the tubular member. The extension rod is adapted to extend linearly relative to the clamping apparatus, but is prevented from rotating relative to the clamping apparatus. In this manner, a first clamping adjustment inhibits the axial movement of the extension rod relative to the clamping apparatus, so that the extension rod is prevented from axial movement and rotational movement relative to the clamping apparatus. A second clamping adjustment prevents the clamping apparatus from rotating relative to the tubular member.