Abstract: A bone attachment assembly for a remaining portion of a long bone diaphysis following resection is provided. The assembly includes a main body, means for anchoring the device with respect to the remaining bone portion, such as an anchor body, and means for attaching the main body to the means for anchoring. The means for attaching the main body may preferably be in the form of one or more washer springs retained upon a connecting rod attached to the means for anchoring. The assembly may be connected to an orthopedic appliance, an interposed orthopedic appliance connected to a second bone attachment assembly, or a transcutaneous bar for attaching an external appliance. A reaming device for creating an intramedullary cavity, a guide device for guiding an aperture-forming procedure in a remaining bone portion, and a milling device for shaping an interface surface of the bone in a preselected geometry are also provided.

Abstract: A bone attachment assembly for a remaining portion of a long bone diaphysis following resection is provided. The assembly includes a main body, an anchor for anchoring the device with respect to the remaining bone portion and an attachment portion for attaching the main body to the anchor. The assembly may be connected to an orthopedic appliance, an interposed orthopedic appliance connected to a second bone attachment assembly, or a transcutaneous bar for attaching an external appliance. A reaming device for creating an intramedullary cavity, a guide device for guiding an aperture-forming procedure in a remaining bone portion, and a milling device for shaping an interface surface of the bone in a preselected geometry are also provided. In the method of the present invention, a cavity is created within a remaining bone portion using the reaming device. At least one aperture is created using the guide device, and the bone surface is milled to a preselected geometry using the milling device.

Abstract: A process for purifying diethoxymethane from a mixture containing ethanol and, optionally, water. The process involves the addition of an amount of water, DEM, or an appropriate mixture of any two or three of water, DEM and ethanol that is effective in moving the mixture into the two liquid phase region on an equilibrium tie-line which crosses the critical distillation boundary without the need for additional azeotrope-forming agents such as cyclohexane.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for use in joint replacement in a bone. The device includes an implant adapted to seat on a receiving surface of the bone, defining a bone/implant interface, and an attachment element adapted to be secured to a portion of the bone which is spaced from the interface by an axially extending bone region. The implant is connected to the attachment element by a connecting member adapted to allow substantially unhindered movement of the implant relative to the attachment member to freely accommodate elastic deformation in the bone region between the implant and attachment element. A low-modulus spring, operatively interposed between the connecting member and the implant or attachment element, functions to hold the implant against the bone surface with a selected compression force.