Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation for measuring forces applied to a wearer's foot, the apparatus providing an indication to the wearer when forces on the foot exceed pre-selected upper limits or do not meet pre-selected lower limits. A body member is disclosed for attachment around the wearer's foot, the body member having an exterior sole and an interior sole portion covered by a rigid foot plate. The foot plate includes an upper support surface for contact with the foot. The interior sole portion includes at least one cavity within, with a force sensing unit attachable partially within the cavity. At least one strain gage is positioned at a midpoint on the force sensing unit, and the force sensing unit is connectable to the underside of the foot plate. An electronic means is mounted within the cavity and is electrically connected to the at least one strain gage.

Abstract: A shoe to be worn by diabetic persons, or persons afflicted with various types of foot maladies, where excess pressure exerted upon a portion of the foot tends to give rise to ulceration. The shoe body is fabricated to have relieved areas in the inner surface that contacts the foot at locations where the excess pressure is thought to possibly occur. Mounted within each relieved area is a force sensing resistor unit that is connected to a switching circuit. When the switching circuit senses a pressure against the force sensing resistor of a value corresponding to a set threshold, the switching circuit causes the energization of an alarm unit to warn the wearer of the existence of this threshold pressure. At this point in time, the wearer can remove the shoe to prevent the damage to the foot. Provision can be made to adjust the critical threshold pressure at which the alarm is given.

Abstract: A device for monitoring force being applied by a wearer thereof to the wearer's foot, as during walking. The device is contained within a shoe-like structure which can be worn by a recuperating injured person or a person recovering from surgery, etc. The device includes a pressure sensitive element that produces an electrical signal that is related to the force, with this signal being used to alert the wearer when a force in excess of a preselected value occurs. Further, this signal can be used as input to data recording and analysis equipment. The signal transmission can be by direct wire connections, or via radio transmission. A vibratory motion is of particular value to alert the wearer of the point where the excess force occurs. The alerting device can be contained within the shoe, or in other apparatus utilized by a patient. Through the use of this device, a recovering patient will know how much weight to place on the leg in order to achieve maximum healing value.

Abstract: A force monitoring shoe (10) for monitoring the force being applied to a patient's leg, as during walking. The device is contained within a shoe-like enclosure which can be worn by a recuperating injured person. Provision is made, as with a spring, to absorb the shock of the step. When force equal to a selectable value has been applied, an alert system notifies the patient. With this device a recovering patient will know exactly how much weight to place on the leg during every step.

Abstract: The cutting head for a surgical reamer has a leading end for insertion into a bone canal and a trailing end for attachment to a drive shaft. The cutting head has a cutting surface formed about an axis of rotation of the cutting head. The cutting surface is formed by the rotation of the cutting edges on a plurality of flutes spaced around the axis of rotation. Each cutting edge has a first portion spaced a predetermined radial distance from the axis of rotation at the tip portion and terminates at a terminating point which is at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation than the starting point. The cutting edge on each flute has a second portion having a starting point at the trailing end of the cutting head which is at a second predetermined radial distance from the axis of rotation. The second portion extends axially towards the tip portion and terminates at a point at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation than the starting point thereof.

Abstract: A femoral component (10) for a hip prosthesis. The femoral component (10) includes a proximal body (18) having a lower portion for implantation into the proximal femur, and a neck portion (26) carried by the upper portion of the proximal body (18). A head portion (30) is mounted on the neck portion (26) for being rotatably received in the acetabulum (14) of an operatively associated acetabular component (12). Further, an extramedullary buttressing plate (38) is provided for supporting the proximal body (18) in a desired implanted position. The buttressing plate (38) includes an elongated body (40) for being secured to the exterior of the femur along a selected portion of the length of the femoral shaft, the elongated (40) body having a proximal end portion (44) for engaging the proximal body (18).

Abstract: An improved manual instrument for use in performing surgical procedures with the tool portion of the instrument being readily detachable from the handle portion. This instrument has a coupling between the handle portion and the tool portion that permits a full transfer of all forces, including axial, transverse and rotational, from the handle portion to the tool portion during use of the instrument. The primary portions of the coupling are mating (complementary) conical nondeformable surfaces on one end of the tool member and one end of the handle member. In the preferred form, the two mating surfaces are also provided with flat portions that prevent relative rotation of the components. Further, these mating flat portions permit a selected orientation between external portions of the handle member and the work portion of the tools member.

Abstract: A femoral component (10) for a hip prosthesis. The femoral component (10) comprises a femoral stem (18) including a proximal stem portion (24) for being implanted in the proximal portion of a femur and a distal stem portion (28) for being closely received in the medullary canal of the femur. The distal stem portion (28) is releasably secured to the lower end (32) of the proximal stem portion (24) such that the proximal and distal stem portions (24 and 28) can be independently sized to accommodate a specific femur configuration. The femoral component (10) further comprises a neck portion (20) and a head portion (22), the head portion (22) being releasably secured to the outboard end (52) of the neck portion (20). In the preferred embodiment, the proximal stem portion is held in place in the proximal femur through the use of a porous surface portion (42) which receives bone ingrowth from the femur.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument with detachable tool member (10). The surgical instrument (10) comprises at least one tool member (14) defining a work portion (15) and a rearward end portion (16). The rearward end portion (16) is provided with a tenon (28) for detachably mounting the tool member (14), the tenon (28) defining a narrowed waist portion (34) and an expanded portion (36) rearward of the waist portion (34). The tool member (14) is also provided with a locking rod receptor (42) defining an opening in the rearward end portion (16). The surgical instrument (10) also comprises a tool support member, which in alternate embodiments defines a handle (12) and flexible shaft (48) having a flexible shaft (49).