Abstract: A fusion cage 10 having an external thread 12 can be surgically inserted into a threaded bore extending laterally between the adjacent bony structures such as two vertebrae 94, 95 with the thread 12 penetrating into cancellous bone of each of the vertebrae 94, 95. The fusion cage 10 is easily screwed into place by hand without damage to the bony structures 94, 95. Cage 10 is then packed with a bone-growth-inducing substance such as cancellous bone. When a pair of such cages 10 are implanted between adjacent vertebrae 94, 95, patients have been able to sit without pain by the second or third day, much earlier than has been possible in prior spinal fusions except those involving steel plates and screws. Eventually, the ingrowth of bone through perforations 13 in the valley 14 of the thread 12 of the fusion cage 10 forms a permanent interconnection between the two bony structures 94, 95.

Abstract: A fusion cage 10 includes a cage body defining an internal cavity with an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface defines a helical thread 12 comprised of a plurality of turns which define valleys 14 therebetween. Located in the valleys 14 are perforations 13 which provide communication between the outer surface and the interior cavity. Thus, when the fusion cage 10 is mated to a bone structure and the internnal cavity is packed with bone chips or other bone-growth-inducing substances, there is immediate contact between the bone structure and the bone chips through the perforations 13.

Abstract: A known kneeling attachment to an operating table includes a platform on which a patient kneels with the torso positioned over one end of the operating table while the buttocks rest against a buttocks support including a rigid U-shaped yoke, the arms of which are connected to opposite sides of the operating table. In the buttocks support of the invention, the arms of the U-shaped yoke are connected to the inboard end of the platform, and a mast fixed to the crosspiece of the yoke is telescopically connected to the outboard end of the platform. This permits the yoke to be lowered to the level of the platform, thus allowing a patient to kneel on or dismount from the platform without first disconnecting the yoke. By making the platform of radiotransparent materials, x-ray beams can pass from a generator positioned beneath the platform, through the front of the patient's body, and to an image tube positioned above the patient's back.

Abstract: A casing for a tissue stimulator includes a box portion for containing the stimulator circuitry and a cover hingeably mounted on the box portion. The cover has a clip for mounting on the user's belt. The box rotates away from the cover approximately 90.degree. to a generally horizontal position wherein the user can manipulate controls on the stimulator.

Abstract: For face-down operations, a head and chin rest can stand on the flat bed of an operating table and has a frame including cushioned forehead and chin supports, the frame being pivotable to raise or lower the chin support relative to the forehead support. The forehead and chin supports are spaced to make the patient's face almost fully accessible, and that spacing is adjustable to allow for heads of various sizes. Preferably the base which supports the frame has a rocker base, thus permitting the patient to pivot the head and chin rest with his head to the most comfortable attitude, after which the rocker base can be wedged, such as with a small towel.

Abstract: A lead for implantation in the epidural space has an inflatable balloon which is sealed against a first side of the lead so it inflates away from the first side. The balloon contacts walls of the epidural space and urges an electrode on the first side against the dura. A syringe for inflating the balloon has a spring to absorb travel of a plunger actuator when fluid pressure in the balloon exceeds tension of the spring.

Abstract: A biomedical stimulation lead for implanting in a living body having non-woven strands of fibrotic-inducing material attached to the distal tip of the lead for anchoring the lead in the body. The strands are sufficiently pliant to pull out of the fibrotic material along the path defined by the position of the strand within the fibrotic material, whereby the lead may be removed from the body with relatively minor trauma to body tissues.

Abstract: A body implantable lead having a barrel-shaped ring electrode with the ends of the barrel embedded into the lead casing material. A cylindrical flange within the bore of the ring electrode contacts the lead conductor. The lead and electrode are formed by placing the lead in a press with the electrode between a pair of collets with elliptical working surfaces and the lead casing and conductor passing through the axial bore of the collets, and forcing the collets together to shape the electrode and to force the ends of the ring into the casing and the flange into contact with the lead conductor.

Abstract: A length of tubing having an inside diameter equal to the diameter of a biomedical lead is slit along a direction parallel to its axis, with the length of the slits being equal to the desired circumference for lead anchor lobes. The tubing is slipped over the lead body and compressed so that the slit portions of the body expand into lobes, and while the tubing is compressed its ends are heated and compressed until they fuse to the lead body.

Abstract: A biomedical stimulation lead wherein the lead body is preformed into a helical configuration to assist in anchoring the lead. The lead includes a non-conducting member extending forward of the lead electrode along the axis of the lead body, and tines extending perpendicularly from the member. The tines are flat in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the lead.

Abstract: A body implantable connector for connecting to an implantable device, such as an electrical lead. The connector has a sheath for frictionally fitting over the end of the lead, the sheath being of a pliant material of sufficient strength to resist breaking under the forces normally exerted on the connector, but sufficiently pliable to deform under the frictional forces created between the sheath and lead when they are urged in opposite directions, so that when a force is exerted to pull the sheath from the lead it will stretch causing its diameter to decrease and grip the lead more tightly. In one embodiment a wire extends longitudinally within the sheath and mates with a lumen in the conductor of the lead to make electrical connection to the lead. A means for compressing the sheath about the lead, such as a suture or O-ring, may be used to further secure the sheath to the lead.

Abstract: A body implantable connector for connecting a plurality of implantable devices, such as connecting an extension to a lead. There is a sheath having two open ends, one of which frictionally fits over the end of the lead and the other of which fits over the end of the extension. The sheath is of pliant material of sufficient strength to resist breaking under the forces normally exerted on the connector, but sufficiently pliable to deform and to contract about the lead and the extension under the frictional forces created between the sheath and the lead, and the sheath and the extension when the lead and the extension are urged in a direction tending to separate them. A wire extends longitudinally within the sheath and mates with lumens in the conductors of the lead and the extension to make electrical connection between the lead and the extension. There is a member within the sheath, intermediate the open ends of the sheath, and integrally formed with the sheath which supports the wire within the sheath.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for propelling an epidural electrode (22) in an epidural needle (29), including a frame (41) having opposite inlet and outlet apertures for enabling axial passage of the electrode therethrough along a first axis of the frame, a pair of rollers (54, 57) mounted for rotation in the frame about further parallel axes orthogonal to the first axis, the rollers being configured and positioned to laterally engage the electrode therebetween, a driving interconnection (55, 60) between the rollers for simultaneous rotation about their axes in opposite directions to cause linear movement of the electrode along the first axis, disconnectable braking member (62) for opposing the rotation of said rollers while an electrode is being advanced and for allowing said rollers to rotate freely while the frame is being removed from an electrode, and an actuator (61) extending beyond the frame for causing rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: An anchor for a body stimulation lead. A first body member is provided with an aperture while a second body member has a post extending from a surface thereof into the first body member aperture. At least the proximal portion of the post is slightly larger than the aperture to establish a press fit therein. Grooves are provided within one of the body members and are adapted to accept a body stimulation lead of known generally circular cross section. In a preferred embodiment, the groove opening is no greater than the lead diameter and the groove depth is at least as great as the lead radius. Suture cooperating elements are provided to facilitate securement of the anchor to body tissue.

Abstract: A medical electrode placement system including a stylet insertable within an electrode carrying lead to provide stability to the lead during electrode placement within the body. The stylet includes a knob secured to one end thereof and a lead engagement device mechanically connected to the knob for imparting movement to a lead in accordance with manipulation of the knob. In a preferred embodiment, the lead engagement device is spaced from the knob to accommodate differences in length from lead to lead and may take the form of a clamp. The lead engagement device may be formed of a body member having a lead accepting groove therein, the groove being configured to compress a lead of desired cross section when placed within the groove. Finger(s) may be provided to project into the lead accepting groove to further enhance the engagement of the lead. In some instances, x-rays may be employed to provide a view of the lead placement.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument and method for placing a drug material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has a housing carrying a piston and cylinder assembly. An elongated flexible tubular probe attached to the housing carries an expandable sleeve. The piston and cylinder assembly is operable to fully collapse the sleeve prior to insertion through the cervical opening into the uterine cavity. After the sleeve is inserted into the uterine cavity, an ampulla storing the drug material is loaded into the instrument. The piston and cylinder assembly is then actuated to initially partially expand the sleeve. Operation of the piston and cylinder assembly moves a plunger into the ampulla to dispense the drug material into the uterine cavity above the partly expanded balloon. The sleeve is then fully expanded to move the drug material from the uterine cavity into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A dispensing instrument and method for simultaneously injecting fluids, as drug materials, into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female primate. The dispensing instrument has a body accommodating a container for storing the drug materials. An elongated member carrying an expandable balloon is mounted on the body. A sheath encloses the elongated member and balloon. The sheath is attached to a tubular needle which extends through the elongated member. A releasable lock holds both the sheath and needle in assembled relation with the body. A plunger moves the container into dispensing relation with the needle whereby the fluid in the container is carried via the needle into the uterine cavity. The fluid flows into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. The expandable member is subjected to fluid under pressure. The fluid is continuously monitored to maintain a continuous and uniform low pressure on the expanded balloon.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for placing a settable, fluid-like material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity into the Fallopian tubes of a female. An elongated probe carries an expandable member, and a housing connected to the probe has a piston and cylinder structure and a container for storing the material. Material and expansion drive mechanisms are connected to an actuator selectively controlled by an operator. By operating the actuator or control means, the operator causes the material to be dispensed into the uterine cavity while at the same time sealing the cervical entrance to the cavity, and causing the expansion means to fully expand to conform to the shape of the uterine cavity and force the dispensed materials into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus for placing a material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity into the fallopian tubes of a female. An elongated probe carries an expandable member, and a housing connected to the probe has a piston and cylinder structure and a container for storing the material. Material and expansion drive mechanisms are connected to a single actuator selectively controllable by an operator. When the actuator is operated it is moved into the housing to both dispense the material and expand the expandable member. Pressure control means are provided in the drive linkage for expanding the expandable member to assure that a predetermined maximum pressure is not surpassed. The operator may fully depress the actuator and the pressure control means will both determine the maximum pressure and substantially maintain that pressure should a leak occur.