Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a fracture of the distal radius of a patient, having a pivot pin configured to engage the radius at an attachment point distal to the fracture, and a handle assembly configured to engage the pivot pin dorsal to the patient's hand is presented. The pivot pin is configured to insert through and fixedly engage at least a portion of the distal fracture bone fragment associated with the radius. The handle assembly, once coupled to the pivot pin, provides adjustment of the position of the distal fracture bone fragment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: Systems, device and methods are described for maintaining concentric reduction of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger with few as two orthopedic pins, one inserted through the head of the proximal phalanx concentric with the axis of rotation of the joint (i.e., a transverse pin), and the other through the middle phalanx at a location between the PIP and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint (a dorsal pin), and applying a force between the two pins. A surgical kit is described which may include such components as a dorsal pin, a transverse pin, a pin placement guide for use in reducing the joint fracture dislocation and then drilling holes for the pins or for inserting self-drilling pins, and a fixation device for coupling and applying a force between the dorsal and transverse pins. The components of the surgical kit are described, including various configurations of the fixation device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.

Abstract: Bone fragments resulting from a Colles' fracture of the distal radius bone are set in position by an external fixator that includes mounting structures attachable to the radius at a site proximal to the fracture and to a metacarpal, joined by a connector whose length is capable of both gross adjustment and precision adjustment, each mounting structure providing degrees of freedom independently of the connector length, the mounting structure at the radius end providing independent degrees of freedom for rotation around a proximal-distal axis and for rotation about an axis transverse to an axis parallel to the proximal-distal axis.

Abstract: Bone fragments resulting from a Colles' fracture of the distal radius bone are set in position by an external fixator that includes mounting structures attachable to the radius at a site proximal to the fracture and to a metacarpal, joined by a connector whose length is capable of both gross adjustment and precision adjustment, each mounting structure providing degrees of freedom independently of the connector length, the mounting structure at the radius end providing independent degrees of freedom for rotation around a proximal-distal axis and for rotation about an axis transverse to an axis parallel to the proximal-distal axis.

Abstract: A joint of a human upper extremity is biased by an apparatus that includes a U-shaped frame, a distal attachment portion mounted to the frame through a biasing member and attachable to the extremity at a location distal to the joint, and a wrist brace or proximal attachment portion that attaches to the extremity at a location proximal to the joint, the frame being rotatable relative to both the distal attachment portion and the wrist brace. Up to four distal attachment portions can be attached to the same U-shaped frame to bias joints on each of four distinct extremities, such as four fingers on the same hand.

Abstract: A wrist brace provides a mounting point, a means to hold the hand in position relative to the apparatus, and spreads the force evenly over a large area. Positioned over the dorsal surface of the brace is a "U" shaped transverse member that is attached to the wrist brace through two swivel joints on the ulnar and radial sides of the brace. The pivot means are positioned such that a straight line drawn between them generally passes through the axes of rotation of the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joints. Positioned dorsally above the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are two members, one of which has an arc shaped tail for its dorsal surface. The other is a slider block which engages and slides around this first arc member. The arc member is mounted to the middle phalanx of the subject finger in such a way that the projected center of the arc would be coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP Joint.

Abstract: Instrumentation is described for facilitating implantation of prosthetic devices in metacarpal bones, for example. Various embodiments are disclosed which include (a) means for determining the proper orientation of the prosthetic devices, and (b) means for defining the angle and location at which each metacarpal bone is cut in order to receive the prosthetic device.

Abstract: An improved splint is described for setting a Colles' fracture. The splint includes first, second and third elements connected together. A metacarpal bar is carried on the first element and is movable therealong. Two pins pass through the metacarpal bar and extend into a bone of a patient of one side of a bone fracture. The second element is pivotally mounted on one end of the first element for movement about an axis which forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first element. The third element is pivotally mounted on the second element for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second element. The third element includes transverse openings through which two pins extend which are inserted into the bone of a patient on the opposite side of the bone fracture. In one embodiment the metacarpal bar can be rotated about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first element.

Abstract: A splint, for setting a Colles' fracture, formed from a pair of relatively shiftable elements, one of which is an elongated support element having a traveling block shiftable along the length thereof, the second element being pivotally mounted on the first element. The pivotal axis of the two relatively movable elements is aligned with the rotational axis of the fracture site itself, specifically the distal radial-ulnar joint, the joint between the radius and ulna at the level of the wrist. The travelling block is adjusted by a first worm and rack, and the angular adjustment between the pivoted elements is achieved with a second worm and a worm gear, the traveling block and the second element each having holes for receiving bone pins which extend into the radius proximal to the fracture and the metacarpal bones distal to the fracture. The first element is preferably made of plastic and transparent to x-rays.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a patient's hand for surgery, the apparatus including a base plate for placement on an operating table, and an upper plate above the base plate and pivotally coupled thereto by an adjustable ball and socket assembly. The upper plate can be pivoted into any one of a number of operative positions, and the ball and socket assembly can be adjusted to releasably hold the upper plate in a fixed position. A pair of surface defining devices are located near one end edge of the upper plate, one of the devices having a flat upper surface coextensive with the upper surface of the plate, the other device being hingedly mounted to the first device to provide a flat surface coextensive with the upper surface of the plate when the second device is in an outwardly extending position with respect to the first device.