Abstract: A surgical drill is disclosed which includes an electric motor and an elongate tubular support sleeve. A drill bur is mounted so as to extend through the support sleeve and extend outwardly from the free end thereof, and the bur includes a shaft which mounts a plastic sleeve bearing for relative rotation therewith. The bearing contacts the internal bore of the support sleeve, so as to provide a seal therebetween which prevents the passage of debris past the bearing and into the support sleeve. Also, a portion of the plastic sleeve bearing is visible during use, and the bearing includes a distinctive color which is correlated to the particular configuration or size of the cutting tip of the bur, to thereby facilitate its identification during use of the drill.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member 1.

Abstract: A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing part or all of the ossicles of the ossicular chain in the tympanic cavity. The prosthesis includes a porous body having an enlarged head for being closely associated with the tympanic membrane and having an elongated shaft for being coupled to the fenestra vestibuli. A metal core is encased within the body for collecting sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane and for transmitting the collected sound vibrations to the fenestra vestibuli. The metal core has substantially higher sound vibration and collecting qualities than the porous body.

Abstract: An improvement in bail-and-bucket, piston-type stapedial prostheses in which the bail is pivotally mounted to rotate about the open end of the bucket. Means are provided on the bucket for permitting overcenter pivotal movement of the bail in one direction and thereafter preventing overcenter pivotal movement of the bail in the opposite direction. The preferred means for accomplishing this function is an opposed pair of cam surfaces mounted on the bucket.

Abstract: The head or bridge portion of an otherwise standard medical staple is provided with an elongated groove in each transverse side thereof. The jaw members of a medical staple holder are provided with elongated ridges for extending into the grooves in the staple when the staple is being held by the staple holder to thereby securely hold the staple.