Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: A system for collecting and compressing waste collected in a medical or surgical procedure. The system includes a bag for collecting the waste that is seated on a mobile cart. Once the waste is collected the bag is closed and, while on the cart, transported to a compactor. While on the cart, the bag is compacted. Air in the bag is discharged through a one-way valve fitted to the bag. The one way valve may be attached to a cartridge that is inserted into the bag opening. The air discharged from the bag is filtered prior to discharge into the ambient environment. The filter may be built into the one-way valve.

Abstract: A system for collecting and compressing waste collected in a medical or surgical procedure. The system includes a bag for collecting the waste that is seated on a mobile cart. Once the waste is collected the bag is closed and, while on the cart, transported to a compactor. While on the cart, the bag is compacted. Air in the bag is discharged through a one-way valve fitted to the bag. The one way valve may be attached to a cartridge that is inserted into the bag opening. The air discharged from the bag is filtered prior to discharge into the ambient environment. The filter may be built into the one-way valve.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula (18) in which there is an agglomeration of beads (20) and cement (22). A membrane is disposed over the open end of the cannula. When the agglomeration is discharged from the cannula it fills the membrane. The membrane thus forms the outer shell of the implant internal to the bone.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: A cart (32) for holding waste generated in a medical procedure that includes a frame for holding a bag (42) for receiving the waste and a sensor assembly (65, 66) for determining if metal waste is placed in the bag.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for installing bioabsorbable plates for general bone repair, as for example, facial or cranial osteosynthesis. The present invention includes an improved plate and fastener system which reduces if not eliminates stresses within the plate. It also includes an improved fastener container and driver for handling and installing fasteners. The system employs a unique water bath for heating the bioabsorbable plate so they can be deformed to the contours of the bone being repaired. Additionally, there is a hand tool for localized heating and deformation of the plate when positioned against the bone to further ensure conformity with the bone structure. These and other features are contained within a kit which is easily sterilized.

Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) through which irrigating fluid is discharged. A spray head (422) with spaced-apart shoulders (422) is moveably attached to the front of the discharge tube. When the spray head is in a first position, the shoulders do not interfere with the discharge of irrigation fluid. When the spray head is in a second position, the shoulders are in registration over the discharge openings; the discharged irrigation fluid is dispersed by the shoulders. A spray shield (181) is disposed over the discharge tube. The irrigation fluid defused by the spray head shoulders strikes the spray shield which further diffuses this discharge.

Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) through which irrigating fluid is discharged. A spray head (422) with spaced-apart shoulders (422) is moveably attached to the front of the discharge tube. When the spray head is in a first position, the shoulders do not interfere with the discharge of irrigation fluid. When the spray head is in a second position, the shoulders are in registration over the discharge openings; the discharged irrigation fluid is dispersed by the shoulders. A spray shield (181) is disposed over the discharge tube. The irrigation fluid defused by the spray head shoulders strikes the spray shield which further diffuses this discharge.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for installing bioabsorbable plates for general bone repair, as for example, facial or cranial osteosynthesis. The present invention includes an improved plate and fastener system which reduces if not eliminates stresses within the plate. It also includes an improved fastener container and driver for handling and installing fasteners. The system employs a unique water bath for heating the bioabsorbable plate so they can be deformed to the contours of the bone being repaired. Additionally, there is a hand tool for localized heating and deformation of the plate when positioned against the bone to further ensure conformity with the bone structure. These and other features are contained within a kit which is easily sterilized.

Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The handpiece (22) includes a drain tube (50) that extends through the body of the handpiece and outside of the handpiece to the complementary suction system. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) that is snap secured into the front of the handpiece and a suction tube (48) that seats in the open front end of the drain tube. A removable splash shield (181) is attached to the front end of the tip assembly. A trigger (44) allows one-handed control of, the position of the handpiece, the on/off state of the irrigator and the rate at which fluid is discharged from the irrigator. A rechargeable power pack (222) can be used to supply the energization current needed to activate a number of different handpieces at different speeds.

Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The handpiece (22) includes a drain tube (50) that extends through the body of the handpiece and outside of the handpiece to the complementary suction system. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) that is snap secured into the front of the handpiece and a suction tube (48) that seats in the open front end of the drain tube. A removable splash shield (181) is attached to the front end of the tip assembly. A trigger (44) allows one-handed control of, the position of the handpiece, the on/off state of the irrigator and the rate at which fluid is discharged from the irrigator. A rechargeable power pack (222) can be used to supply the energization current needed to activate a number of different handpieces at different speeds.

Abstract: A surgical knife for carpal tunnel surgeries having a housing with an adjacent light source and a light transmitting blade holder transmitting the light from the housing around the blade. The light illuminates the surgical site and assists the surgeon in precisely locating the cutting blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pistol-like housing having a handle and a barrel extending forwardly from the top of the handle. A finger actuable trigger is provided on the handle front edge. An axially elongate pulsing pump extends longitudinally in the handle. An outlet tube extending from the top of the pump bends forwardly toward the front end of the barrel. The trigger controls pulsed liquid outflow from the pulsing pump through outlet tube. A preferred pulsing pump provides a piston axially slidable in a casing and a poppit axially slidable with respect to the piston. A first spring urges the piston rearward in the casing. A second spring urges the poppit forwardly with respect to the piston. A pumped liquid chamber in the casing ahead of the piston responds to piston reciprocation to provide a pulsed liquid outflow.