Abstract: A prosthesis including a load receiving surface for receiving a load applied to the prosthesis, a first surface provided with interlocking means for interlocking fixation of a first bone portion and for transferring a portion of the applied load to the first bone portion, and a second surface which is smooth to cause an increase in the portion of the applied load applied to the first bone portion to increase the stress produced therein thereby substantially reducing stress shielding in the first bone portion and resorption of bone therein.

Abstract: A prosthesis including a load receiving surface for receiving a load applied to the prosthesis, a first surface provided with interlocking means for interlocking fixation of a first bone portion and for transferring a portion of the applied load to the first bone portion, and a second surface which is smooth to cause an increase in the portion of the applied load applied to the first bone portion to increase the stress produced therein thereby substantially reducing stress shielding in the first bone portion and resorption of bone therein.

Abstract: A guide for a cutting device used to make a surgical cut in a first bone in desired spatial relationship with a pre-existing cut in a second bone is disclosed to include a means for contacting the pre-existing cut to establish a reference for the desired spatial relationship and a body member engaging the means for contacting and including a guide surface for establishing the desired spatial relationship and guiding a surgical cutting tool to cut the first bone in a plane which is not normally inclined with respect to the long axis of the first bone.

Abstract: A positioner for positioning a surgical instrument which acts as a guide for a cutting instrument which produces a surgical cut in an anatomical structure; in one embodiment the positioner positions a surgical instrument which acts as a guide for the cutting instrument at a predetermined position with respect to a previously resected surface whereby a further resection is made at a predetermined position with respect to the previously resected surface; and in a further embodiment the positioner acts as an adaptor for a surgical instrument which aids in producing surgical sections thereby allowing the surgical instrument to produce surgical cuts at various predetermined positions relative to a previous surgical cut made at one of several levels.

Abstract: An improved spherical kinematic joint which allows ease and convenience of assembly and disassembly, particularly assembly, by providing a plurality of substantially physically distinct bearing inserts in a sub-assembly such that the bearing inserts are effectively a unitary structure for the purpose of assembly and disassembly but which bearing segments expand easily with low manual force during assembly and disassembly of the various bearing insert embodiments from the head and/or cavity or spherical seat in another joint element or member, such as for example in the prosthetic joint embodiments, an acetabular cup. Further, such ease of assembly and disassembly can be accomplished while retaining great dislocation and separation resistance and can be accomplished in a manner which does not introduce significant axial play.

Abstract: Stem-type femoral prostheses including a collar disposed transversely on the proximal end of the stem and including portions extending outwardly anteriorly and posteriorly of said stem, the prosthesis for implantation in the proximal end of a femur, the collar is provided with a pair of access slots extending a predetermined distance inwardly into the collar portions extending outwardly anteriorly and posteriorly of said stem; the access slots extend generally in the lateral to medial direction, and upon implantation of the prosthesis in the femur, the prosthesis and femur develop prosthesis-bone fixation interfaces and the slots provide access to bone resection means to facilitate resectioning of the prosthesis-bone fixation interfaces thereby facilitating removal of the implanted prosthesis from the femur.

Abstract: An improved spherical kinematic joint which allows ease and convenience of assembly and disassembly, particularly assembly, by providing a plurality of substantially physically distinct bearing inserts in a sub-assembly such that the bearing inserts are effectively a unitary structure for the purpose of assembly and disassembly but which bearing segments expand easily with low manual force during assembly and disassembly of the various bearing insert embodiments from the head and/or cavity or spherical seat in another joint element or member, such as for example in the prosthetic joint embodiments, an acetabular cup. Further, such ease of assembly and disassembly can be accomplished while retaining great dislocation and separation resistance and can be accomplished in a manner which does not introduce significant axial play.

Abstract: Joint endoprosthesis for the total replacement of degenerate joints such as the ankle, knee, elbow, wrist and finger.

Abstract: Surgical suction apparatus for applying suction to surgical debris to clear a surgical wound and including structure for clearing any surgical debris lodged in the entrance aperture of the apparatus and which structure may also be used to vary the effective size of the entrance aperture to vary the suction applied to the surgical debris.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the surgical replacement of a dysfunctional knee joint is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a tibial platform, one or two tibial bearing inserts, and a femoral component.In a unicompartmental embodiment of the invention, the tibial platform includes a spike for securing the tibial platform to the tibia. The tibial platform, in the unicompartmental embodiment, includes a track, which may be curved, and which is slidably engaged in dovetail fashion by a tibial bearing insert, typically of high molecular weight polyethylene. The superior surface of the tibial bearing insert is concave spherical, designed to slidably engage the inferior surface of the femoral component. The inferior surface of the femoral component is generally convex spherical, with radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the tibial bearing insert. In some embodiments the inferior surface of the femoral component may have two or more differing radii of curvature at different points on such surface.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the surgical replacement of a dysfunctional knee joint. The prosthesis includes a tibial platform, one or two tibial bearing inserts, and a femoral component.In a unicompartmental embodiment of the invention, the tibial platform includes a spike for securing the tibial platform to the tibia. The tibial platform, in the unicompartmental embodiment, includes a track, which may be curved, and which is slidably engaged in dovetail fashion by a tibial bearing insert. The superior surface of the tibial bearing insert is concave spherical, designed to slidably engage the inferior surface of the femoral component. The inferior surface of the femoral component is generally convex spherical, with radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the tibial bearing insert.

Abstract: A prosthesis providing improvement over the floating center prosthetic joint of U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,451 by providing, inter alia, an improvement in the structure for retaining the floating ball in the humeral component and the strength of the lip of the floating ball, and further providing piston-cylinder means utilizing body fluid present in the implanted prosthesis to provide hydraulic action for reducing the amount of shock loads transmitted to the implanted prosthesis during normal human activity.