Abstract: An implant for use in fixing an resected portion of a bone to a proximal portion of the bone. The implant includes an anatomically shaped plate member having a generally straight first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a bone receiving groove on its inner side and at least one lower wire receiving groove on its exterior side. The bone receiving groove is adapted to receive a generally straight portion of the proximal portion of the bone. The second portion is coupled to the first portion at a first end and terminates at a distal end in at least one inwardly directed hook-shaped member. The second portion is curved to generally match the contour of an end portion of the bone. The hook-shaped member is adapted to abut the resected portion of the bone to prevent the resected portion from migrating from the straight portion of the proximal portion of the bone. A method for fixing an resected greater trochanter to a proximal femur is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching a ligament graft to the inside of a bone passage from a proximal location, the device including (1) a non-expansible ring having an interior passage through which the ligament graft may extend, the ring sized to fit within the bone passage; (2) a radially expansible gripping member sized to enter the ring and to press the ligament outwardly against the interior surface of the ring; and (3) an expander coupled to the expansible gripping member, constructed to expand the expansible gripping member to grip the ligament against the ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching a ligament graft to the inside of a bone passage from a proximal location, the device including (1) a non-expansible ring having an interior passage through which the ligament graft may extend, the ring sized to fit within the bone passage; (2) a radially expansible gripping member sized to enter the ring and to press the ligament outwardly against the interior surface of the ring; and (3) an expander coupled to the expansible gripping member, constructed to expand the expansible gripping member to grip the ligament against the ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering the stem of a femoral hip prosthesis in the cavity formed in the medullary canal in the proximal end of the femur. The apparatus includes a sleeve or other like device which is mounted onto the neck of the femoral hip prosthesis and which contains at least two projections extending from a lower surface thereof which are adapted to seat in correspondingly formed slots disposed on the upper proximal surface of the femur bone. The slots are positioned such that when the projections reside therein, the stem is centered within the cavity. The slots and projections are elongated in a direction generally transverse to the direction of elongation of the stem, and in this direction of elongation each slot and associated projection is not parallel to the other slot and associated projection. The device of this invention may be used either with prosthesis having a collar, or with a collarless prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical wire assembly comprises a first portion comprising a cable including multiple elongated strands of metal, and a second portion comprising an elongated solid strand of metal, the first and second portions being joined end-to-end. The first portion is more flexible than the second portion, and the second portion is provided with a tensile strength exceeding the tensile strength of the first portion. There is further disclosed a method for applying the surgical wire assembly to bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering the stem of a femoral hip prosthesis in the cavity formed in the medullary canal in the proximal end of the femur. The apparatus includes a sleeve or other like device which is mounted onto the neck of the femoral hip prosthesis and which contains at least two projections extending from a lower surface thereof which are adapted to seat in correspondingly formed slots disposed on the upper proximal surface of the femur bone. The slots are positioned such that when the projections reside therein, the stem is centered within the cavity. The slots and projections are elongated in a direction generally transverse to the direction of elongation of the stem, and in this direction of elongation each slot and associated projection is not parallel to the other slot and associated projection. The device of this invention may be used either with prosthesis having a collar, or with a collarless prosthesis.

Abstract: A tibial milling guide which incorporates a combination of instruments for producing a planar surface on a portion of the tibia using a milling device. The system includes: an extramedullary alignment guide with a detachable reference guide, an adjustable milling base assembly, a detachable milling template, a sizing gauge, and a milling depth gauge. The reference guide is used to position the alignment guide to the tibia. The reference guide has a T-shaped member which provides a planar reference and a centering reference to the tibial head. The reference guide also allows the surgeon to set the rotational alignment before the alignment guide is secured in place. The adjustable milling base assembly is also detachably connected to the alignment guide. The milling base assembly includes a slide and a shiftable base that allows for lateral adjustments of the template with respect to the articular surface after the alignment guide has been properly secured to the tibia.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tightening and crimping a surgical wire used for orthopedic purposes. The apparatus of this invention includes a pair of operating handles which are biased apart and which operate a pair of opposed jaws to which they are connected. Disposed on opposite sides of the operating handles are a pair of capstans. The jaws are adapted to hold a crimp member therein without deforming it while opposite ends of a length of wire are passed through the crimping member in opposite directions. Each end of the wire is wrapped about an associated capstan. A ratchet handle simultaneously rotates both capstans to wrap the opposite ends of the wire. Once the desired traction force has been achieved, the jaws are further activated to crimp the crimp member. A ring-shaped crimp member is also disclosed which has a central opening extending along the axis thereof and two parallel channels, one channel being disposed on either side of the central opening.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the human hip having elongated fins or other like protrusions which are provided on the underside of a collar and which extend into previously formed slots or grooves in the bone. Either a plurality of fins, or a single fin having a non-rectilinear shape is provided. Apparatus for formation of the grooves in the bone includes a mill guide which can be mounted onto the proximal end of a rasp embedded in a cavity formed in the bone. A milling bit is used in conjunction with the mill guide to form precisely located and shaped grooves into which the fins can seat. A clamp is provided for securing the prosthetic device to the femur while the cement is hardening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tightening and crimping a surgical wire used for orthopedic purposes. The apparatus of this invention includes a pair of operating handles which are biased apart and which operate a pair of opposed jaws to which they are connected. Disposed on opposite sides of the operating handles are a pair of capstans. The jaws are adapted to hold a crimp member therein without deforming it while opposite ends of a length of wire are passed through the crimping member in opposite directions. Each end of the wire is wrapped about an associated capstan. A ratchet handle simultaneously rotates both capstans to wrap the opposite ends of the wire. Once the desired traction force has been achieved, the jaws are further activated to crimp the crimp member. A ring-shaped crimp member is also disclosed which has a central opening extending along the axis thereof and two parallel channels, one channel being disposed on either side of the central opening.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the human hip having elongated fins or other like protrusions which are provided on the lower surface of a collar and which extend into previously formed slots or grooves in the bone. Either a plurality of fins, or a single fin having a non-rectilinear shape is provided. In one embodiment, previously formed fins are secured to a lower surface of the collar after formation of the collar. In this embodiment, pegs disposed on the fins preferably reside in correspondingly formed holes in the collar, or reside within slots extending inwardly from outer surfaces of the collar. Alternatively, the fins may be welded or otherwise bonded to the lower surface of the collar.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the human hip having elongated fins or other like protrusions which are provided on the underside of a collar and which extend into previously formed slots or grooves in the bone. Either a plurality of fins, or a single fin having a non-rectilinear shape is provided. Apparatus for formation of the grooves in the bone includes a mill guide which can be mounted onto the proximal end of a rasp embedded in a cavity formed in the bone. A milling bit is used in conjunction with the mill guide to form precisely located and shaped grooves into which the fins can seat. A clamp is provided for securing the prosthetic device to the femur while the cement is hardening.

Abstract: A clamp for the femoral stem of a total hip replacement. The clamp engages a top surface of the stem and a portion of the femur to urge the stem into the femoral cavity during hardening of the cement. The clamp includes a stem having a ball on one end which is adapted to seat in a depression on the upper surface of the stem. In one embodiment, the depression is disposed on a collar extending from the stem. The other end of the clamp includes spikes or the like for engagement of the femur. Typically, a spring biases the ball toward the spike to urge the stem downwardly into the femoral cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to milling instrumentation used for preparing a bone for receiving a prosthetic implant. The milling instrumentation includes a milling template for connection to an exposed end of a bone for guiding a milling device along the bone. A detachable cutting guide is removably connected to the milling template to permit a surgeon to either utilize either milling or cutting techniques in resecting the bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the human hip having elongated fins or other like protrusions which are provided on the underside of a collar and which extend into previously formed slots or grooves in the bone. Either a plurality of fins, or a single fin having a non-rectilinear shape is provided. Apparatus for formation of the grooves in the bone includes a mill guide which can be mounted onto the proximal end of a rasp embedded in a cavity formed in the bone. A milling bit is used in conjunction with the mill guide to form precisely located and shaped grooves into which the fins can seat. A clamp is provided for securing the prosthetic device to the femur while the cement is hardening.