Abstract: A cup impactor (1, 1?, 1?) is provided, adapted to assist a surgeon in controlling implantation of a cup prosthesis (9). The impactor has an impactor body (8), a drive train assembly (71), an impactor nose (38), and a clamping handle (5). The impactor body (8) has on its proximal end, an impaction plate (7) connected thereto, and an impactor handle (6) formed thereon for handling by the surgeon and, on the distal end, an impactor cup support portion (8a) having a receiver recess (8b) therein. A drive train assembly (71) has a prosthesis engaging interface (11) at a distal end thereof, and a proximal end on which a positioning knob (2) is formed. The assembly (71) received and rotatably mounted in the receiver recess (8b) of the body (8) so as to expose the prosthesis engaging surface (11). An impactor nose (38) mounts on the distal end of the impactor body (8), through which the prosthesis engaging interface (11) extends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated molecules, peptides, and polypeptides of specific consensus sequences or structures, and to compounds comprising or consisting of such molecules, peptides and polypeptides, which may act as transporter molecules that specifically recognize proteoglycans, in particular, chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S). The isolated molecules, peptides, polypeptides and compounds of the invention may be conjugated or otherwise linked to a biologically active moiety (BAM). Thus the BAM conjugates allow the specific targeting and delivery of the BAM, which may be, for example, a peptide, chemical entity or nucleic acid, into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of C4S expressing cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus that allow the surgeon and the IONM specialist to continuously get a feedback on the relative proximity from the instruments to a nerve and on the health of this nerve. By having a coupling device that allows every instrument to be electrically stimulated, the surgeon, through the instruments, continuously sends a small electrical input into the patient's body and depending on the relative proximity between this electrical stimulation and a nerve, a neuromonitoring modality is recorded through electrodes placed on the patient. The characteristics of this response allow the IONM specialist to determine the health status and or location of the nerves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated molecules, peptides, and polypeptides of specific consensus sequences or structures, and to compounds comprising or consisting of such molecules, peptides or polypeptides, that function as transporter moieties or compositions specifically recognizing the proteoglycan, chondroitin 6-sulfate (C6S). The isolated molecules, peptides, polypeptides and compounds of the invention may be conjugated or otherwise linked to a biologically active moiety (BAM). Thus the BAM conjugates allow the specific targeting and delivery of the BAM, which may be, for example, a peptide, chemical entity or nucleic acid, into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of C6S expressing cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated molecules, peptides, and polypeptides of specific consensus sequences or structures, and to compounds comprising or consisting of such molecules, peptides or polypeptides, that function as transporter moieties or compositions specifically recognizing the proteoglycan, keratan sulfate. The isolated molecules, peptides, polypeptides and compounds of the invention may be conjugated or otherwise linked to a biologically active moiety (BAM). Thus the BAM conjugates allow the specific targeting and delivery of the BAM, which may be, for example, a peptide, chemical entity or nucleic acid, into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of keratan-sulfate expressing cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical reamer (10), surgical reamer system, and kit including a surgical reamer. The surgical reamer has a domed shell (12) extending from the apex to the rim (13), a rotation axis (1), cutting teeth (14) disposed around the domed shell wherein a first connecting bar (15) having a first longitudinal axis and a first diameter is located on the inside surface of the domed shell, with its first longitudinal axis and a first diameter is located on the inside surface of the domed shell, with its first longitudinal axis being adjacent or closely adjacent to the rim and in which a second connecting bar (16) having a second longitudinal axis and a second diameter is located on the inside surface of the domed shell and spaced apart from the first connecting bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated molecules, peptides, and polypeptides of specific consensus sequences or structures, and to compounds comprising or consisting of such molecules, peptides and polypeptides, which may act as transporter molecules that specifically recognize proteoglycans, in particular, chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S). The isolated molecules, peptides, polypeptides and compounds of the invention may be conjugated or otherwise linked to a biologically active moiety (BAM). Thus the BAM conjugates allow the specific targeting and delivery of the BAM, which may be, for example, a peptide, chemical entity or nucleic acid, into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of C4S expressing cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: An improved insert for assembly with a bone plate is described. The insert has a first opening adapted to receive a set screw and a second opening adapted to receive a bone screw. The insert is connectable to the bone plate using a set screw. The insert in conjunction with the set screw provides an improved range of relative motion for placing the bone screw at outboard locations with respect to the bone plate. That way, bone fragments that are not necessarily reachable using the bone plate without the insert can be secured together for improved healing.

Abstract: A torque-limiting driver for orthopedic surgical use is described. The torque-limiting driver has a housing to which a torque force may be applied and transferred to a driver output shaft. The housing encloses a cam bearing assembly having a ball cage disposed so that balls of the ball cage move along a first vector path (Vr) radial to the axis of rotation. The bearing assembly also has an inner race abutting the ball. The inner race travels along a second vector path (F) parallel to the axis of rotation. The first vector path (Vr) and the second vector path (F) are not co-axial. A bearing load assembly applies a bias force (F) to the inner race of the cam bearing assembly to set the calibrated maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted via the housing through the cam bearing assembly to the output shaft of the torque-limiting driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone plate designed to secure locking screws inserted into the plate at various angles. The interior wall surface of the plate apertures include a series of protruding threaded ridges interspaced by relief notches. The threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the bone plate in combination with the threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the locking screw head allow the locking screw to bypass or “jump” threads of the bone plate. Thus, the locking screw can be inserted into the bone plate at a first angle and part-way through its advancement along the threads of the bone plate that angle can be changed. The second angle can either be greater than the first with respect to an orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate, or less than. This gives the physician a great amount of flexibility during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus that allow the surgeon and the IONM specialist to continuously get a feedback on the relative proximity from the instruments to a nerve and on the health of this nerve. By having a coupling device that allows every instrument to be electrically stimulated, the surgeon, through the instruments, continuously sends a small electrical input into the patient's body and depending on the relative proximity between this electrical stimulation and a nerve, a neuromonitoring modality is recorded through electrodes placed on the patient. The characteristics of this response allow the IONM specialist to determine the health status and or location of the nerves.

Abstract: A torque-limiting driver (10) for orthopedic surgical use has a housing (16) to which a torque force may be applied and transferred to a driver output shaft (18). The housing (16) encloses a cam bearing assembly (52) having a ball cage (54) disposed so that balls (56) of the ball cage (54) moves along a first vector path (Vr) radial to the axis of rotation (20). The bearing assembly also has an inner race (58) abutting the ball (56) and which inner race (58) travels along a second vector path (F) parallel to the axis of rotation (20). The first vector path (Vr) and the second vector path (F) are not co-axial. A bearing load assembly (70) applies a bias force (F) to the inner race (58) of the cam bearing assembly (52) to set the calibrated maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted via the housing (16) through the cam bearing assembly (52) to output shaft (18) of the torque-limiting driver (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a patellar cutting jig for use in a knee joint surgical procedure. The jig grips and holds a patella in situ in spatial reference to the femur to enable the appropriate cut to be made to the patella to accurately accommodate the patello-femoral gap at the replacement knee joint. The patella jig has a referencing component that provides a landmark connection between the patella jig and the femur which enables the patella clamp of the jig to be oriented relative to the reference feature prior to gripping the patella. Thus a patella held in the clamp is fixed in the cutting jig an appropriate orientation relative to the femur prior to its resection. Cutting the patella while it is referenced to the patellar groove on the femur increases the accuracy of the resection.

Abstract: A pedicle screw with a closure device (16) for securing a rod (10) for stabilization of the vertebral column comprises a screw-in part (2), a head part (3) provided on the screw-in part (2), and a U-shaped recess (4) disposed in the head part (3), which recess is formed by the inner surfaces (5, 6) of two arms (7, 8) and a bottom surface (9) connecting the two inner surfaces. The rod (10) is insertable into this recess, and is held by the closure device (16). The rod (10) is provided with ridges (12) and grooves (13) running transversely with respect to the rod axis (11). Likewise provided with corresponding ridges (14) and grooves (15) is the bottom surface (9). The closure device (16) comprises a support element (17), which is insertable between the two arms (7, 8).

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10, 10?, 10?) is intended in particular for the shaping of the cotyloid cavity in the event of a replacement of a hip joint by total prosthesis. The reamer (10, 10?, 10?) is typically of a truncated hemispherical form and is adapted for attachment to a reamer spindle in order to be driven in rotation about a cutter axis (11). The ability to cut a full, continuous hemisphere to the apex (12) of the hemispherical body (14) is suppressed, so as to attain the principal advantage of the invention, namely, to adequately prepare the acetabulum for receipt of a prosthesis while minimizing the possibility of breakthrough of the fovea/acetabular fossa. The reamer (10, 10?, 10?) has an interface 16 typically made tip of cross bars (20) which a holder engages for rotationally activating the reamer for cutting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that allow the surgeon and the IONM specialist to continuously get feedback on the relative proximity of instrumentation to a nerve and the health of this nerve. By using a coupling device that allows every instrument to be electrically stimulated, the surgeon, through the instruments, continuously sends a small electrical input into the patient's body. Depending on the relative proximity between this electrical stimulation and a nerve, a neuromonitoring modality is recorded through electrodes placed on the patient. This modality is read and analyzed by the IONM specialist. The characteristics of this response allow the IONM specialist to determine the health status and or location of the nerves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone plate designed to secure locking screws inserted into the plate at various angles. The interior wall surface of the plate apertures include a series of protruding threaded ridges interspaced by relief notches. The threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the bone plate in combination with the threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the locking screw head allow the locking screw to bypass or “lump” threads of the bone plate. Thus, the locking screw can be inserted into the bone plate at a first angle and part-way through its advancement along the threads of the bone plate that angle can be changed. The second angle can either be greater than the first with respect to an orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate, or less than. This gives the physician a great amount of flexibility during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A torque-limiting driver (10) for orthopedic surgical use has a housing (16) to which a torque force may be applied and transferred to a driver output shaft (18). The housing (16) encloses a cam bearing assembly (52) having a ball cage (54) disposed so that balls (56) of the ball cage (54) moves along a first vector path (Vr) radial to the axis of rotation (20). The bearing assembly also has an inner race (58) abutting the ball (56) and which inner race (58) travels along a second vector path (F) parallel to the axis of rotation (20). The first vector path (Vr) and the second vector path (F) are not co-axial. A bearing load assembly (70) applies a bias force (F) to the inner race (58) of the cam bearing assembly (52) to set the calibrated maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted via the housing (16) through the cam bearing assembly (52) to output shaft (18) of the torque-limiting driver (10).

Abstract: A pedicle screw with a closure device (16) for securing a rod (10) for stabilization of the vertebral column comprises a screw-in part (2), a head part (3) provided on the screw-in part (2), and a U-shaped recess (4) disposed in the head part (3), which recess is formed by the inner surfaces (5, 6) of two arms (7, 8) and a bottom surface (9) connecting the two inner surfaces. The rod (10) is insertable into this recess, and is held by the closure device (16). The rod (10) is provided with ridges (12) and grooves (13) running transversely with respect to the rod axis (11). Likewise provided with corresponding ridges (14) and grooves (15) is the bottom surface (9). The closure device (16) comprises a support element (17), which is insertable between the two arms (7, 8).

Abstract: Disclosed is a patellar cutting jig for use in a knee joint surgical procedure. The jig grips and holds a patella in situ in spatial reference to the femur to enable the appropriate cut to be made to the patella to accurately accommodate the patello-femoral gap at the replacement knee joint. The patella jig has a referencing component that provides a landmark connection between the patella jig and the femur which enables the patella clamp of the jig to be oriented relative to the reference feature prior to gripping the patella. Thus a patella held in the clamp is fixed in the cutting jig an appropriate orientation relative to the femur prior to its resection. Cutting the patella while it is referenced to the patellar groove on the femur increases the accuracy of the resection.