Abstract: Drive shaft for interchangeable reaming heads intended for surgical use, in particular a reaming head used prior to the positioning of an intramedullary nail in the femur or in a long bone. The shaft has a rod (20) made from composite material, e.g. carbon and/or glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a connection element (35) for the coupling of an interchangeable reaming head. One portion (32) of said connection element (35) is inserted into a cavity in the first end (21) of said rod (20). The inventive shaft has a constant diameter, a smooth external surface and a low cost such that it can be disposed of after use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical tool (10) for reaming the diaphyseal canal of long bones, in particular of the femur, humerus, or tibia, in order to insert an intramedullary rod. The modular reaming head includes: a central core (60) and a peripheral bushing (24) that is coaxial to said central core (60) and connected via a plurality of vanes (41a-41e) connecting a front surface (12) of the tool (10) to a rear surface (11) of the tool (10), and teeth (26a-26e) on the outer surface of said peripheral bushing (24). The openings allow material to pass toward the rear when the tool advances within the diaphyseal canal, minimizing pressure and friction, resulting in a positive effect on the rate of clinical complications. The tool is preferably made using the metal injection molding (MIM) technique in order to reduce production costs and enable the one-time use thereof. The reaming head of the invention can be perfectly combined with composite or metal drive shafts.

Abstract: Method for positioning a viewing axis in relation to a distal fixation hole (2) for an intramedullary nail (1). A rigid support (3) is fixed to the proximal end of the nail (1). An adjustable viewing device (9) is mounted on the rigid support (3). A coarse adjustment is done of the length of the rigid support according to the length of the nail (1). A coarse adjustment is done in order to move the viewing device (9) closer to the nail, taking account of the patient's build. A precise adjustment is done of the position of the viewing device in relation to the nail, involving the translational and/or rotational movement of the viewing device in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the viewing device (Z).

Abstract: Surgical implant for treating fractures of long bones, notably of the femur, having an intramedullary section (52) of elongated shape, adapted for being inserted into the medullary cavity (37), an extramedullary section (56) substantially parallel to the intramedullary section (52), a deformable curved loop (57) connecting the intramedullary section (52) to the extramedullary section (56), an inclined screw (61) traversing said intramedullary section (52) and said extramedullary section (56). By deforming the loop (57), a continuous adjustment of the angle (?) of the cephalic screw (61) and thus an optimal adaptation of the implant to the individual anatomy can be achieved. Thanks to its geometry, this implant induces a protection of the greater trochanter and limits the mechanical loads between the cephalic screw (61) and the rest of the implant.

Abstract: Drive shaft for interchangeable reaming heads intended for surgical use, in particular a reaming head used prior to the positioning of an intramedullary nail in the femur or in a long bone. The shaft has a rod (20) made from composite material, e.g. carbon and/or glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a connection element (35) for the coupling of an interchangeable reaming head. One portion (32) of said connection element (35) is inserted into a cavity in the first end (21) of said rod (20). The inventive shaft has a constant diameter, a smooth external surface and a low cost such that it can be disposed of after use.

Abstract: Method for positioning a viewing axis in relation to a distal fixation hole (2) for an intramedullary nail (1). A rigid support (3) is fixed to the proximal end of the nail (1). An adjustable viewing device (9) is mounted on the rigid support (3). A coarse adjustment is done of the length of the rigid support according to the length of the nail (1). A coarse adjustment is done in order to move the viewing device (9) closer to the nail, taking account of the patient's build. A precise adjustment is done of the position of the viewing device in relation to the nail, involving the translational and/or rotational movement of the viewing device in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the viewing device (Z).

Abstract: The charge pump device includes, in a cascade arrangement, a plurality of stages (1 to N) for transferring a potential charge from one stage to the next in response to clock signals (PHI, PA, PHINOT, PB), each stage including, arranged between an input (Ai) and an output (Ai+1), a switching circuit (100, 200) and a storage capacitor (Ca; Cb). Each switching circuit is formed of a first transistor (110; 130) and a second transistor (120; 140), the drains of the first and second transistors being connected to the input (Ai) of the stage, the source of the first transistor (110; 130) being connected to the gate of the second transistor (120; 140) and the source of the second transistor being connected to output (Ai+1) of the stage and to the gate of the first transistor. At each of the stages (1 to N) there are provided starting-up means (300; 400; 500) for keeping said second transistor (120, 140) in a non conducting state between two activation cycles of said charge pump device.

Abstract: The charge pump device includes, in a cascade arrangement, a plurality of stages (1 to N) for transferring a potential charge from one stage to the next in response to clock signals (PHI, PA, PHINOT, PB), each stage including, arranged between an input (Ai) and an output (Ai+1), a switching circuit (100, 200) and a storage capacitor (Ca; Cb). Each switching circuit is formed of a first transistor (110; 130) and a second transistor (120; 140), the drains of the first and second transistors being connected to the input (Ai) of the stage, the source of the first transistor (110; 130) being connected to the gate of the second transistor (120; 140) and the source of the second transistor being connected to output (Ai+1) of the stage and to the gate of the first transistor. At each of the stages (1 to N) there are provided starting-up means (300; 400; 500) for keeping said second transistor (120, 140) in a non conducting state between two activation cycles of said charge pump device.

Abstract: A cutter bit comprising a cutting edge (1), a nose (2) and a chip-breaker (3) formed by a throat situated along the cutting edge. This chip-breaking throat is delimited inwardly of the bit by a heel (6), whose height relative to the bottom of the throat decreases from the nose in a direction toward the center of the bit.

Abstract: The alloy of the invention comprises 75 to 90% by weight of a mixture of carbides, for example WC and TiC, and 10 to 25% of a binder. This binder comprises Co, Ni and Ru, representing together 7 to 15% of the alloy, as well as Mo.sub.2 C. This alloy is useful for the production of decorative articles having a density similar to that of stainless steel.