Abstract: A head for a modular humeral (or hip) prosthesis which mates couplingly to a head mounting seat on the end of on elongated humeral stem is described. The head has an enganing syherical shaped outer surface which has a radius measured from a center which lies along an offset line which is inclined at an angle which ranges from between 10 to 30 degrees from the normal longitudinal axis of the elongated stem. The head has a longitudinal axis which is shifted form between 2.5 to 7.5 mm from a normal longitudinal axis. The elongated humeral stem includes a shaft seat which passes through the head mounting seat, which is adapted to receive a shaft extending from head. An adjustable to receive a shaft extending from the head. An adjustable interlocking alignment pin ensures desired orientation between the head and the head mounting seat during mating of the parts and maintains stability of orientation when mated.

Abstract: A bone cerclage tool for conformally slidably abutting a device circumferentially about a bone, such that orthopedic surgical procedures can be performed on and/or in the vicinity of the bone with minimal access and/or visibility and satisfying the need for complex maneuvering around anatomical parts and minimizing unnecessary tissue removal and contact with delicate areas. The bone cerclage tool can be used to encircle a bone with a suture, wire, cable, band, or device, to secure the bone in place, or perform operations on the bone or in the vicinity of the bone. The bone cerclage tool has a resilient member housed within a curved tube for guiding a device adjoined to the resilient member circumferentially about the bone and an exit section for directing the device to conformally slidably abut against the bone as the device is extended from the exit section. A push-pull member housed within a tubular housing and adjoined to the resilient member is used to extend or retract the device.

Abstract: A measured dose dropper includes an adjustable extension fitted within a hollow barrel in an end opposite that of the opening of the barrel. The adjustable extension includes gradation marks which correspond to the volume within the hollow barrel as adjusted by sliding the adjustable extension. A float within the hollow barrel acts as a float valve when fluid is drawn into the hollow barrel, preventing no more than the desired precise amount of fluid to be contained within the hollow barrel. Accordingly, an adjustable measured dose of fluid can be reliably and accurately dispensed.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly for fracture(s) of the upper ulna, the ulna having an olecranon and a proximate end, comprising a elongated medullary pin and a head member. The elongated medullary pin has a longitudinal axis and distal and proximal ends and at least one aperture at its distal end for transverse locking screw(s). The head member is disposed at the proximal end of the pin for transmitting force to the olecranon along the longitudinal axis of the pin as the head member is tightened. The head member comprising at least one inwardly extending, projecting, pointed portion.

Abstract: The present invention uses an adaptation of a float valve installed within the barrel of the eye dropper at the time of manufacture. This prevents the operator of the eye dropper from intaking more than the predetermined amount of liquid into the barrel of the eye dropper. Once the eye dropper is filled, the operator expels the entire amount of liquid taken into the eye dropper, which is the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fixation of a bone and a method for locking an intramedullary nail. The bone has a medullary canal for use with an intramedullary nail that has been inserted into the medullary canal, the intramedullary nail having a longitudinal axis and distal and proximal ends and apertures in the ends. It essentially comprises a first member in the form of a sliding tubular member, a compression assembly, a guide member and an alignment fixture. The first member is in the form of an elongated first element having first and second ends, a central aperture, and a longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail. The first end engages the bone adjacent the proximate end of the intramedullary nail. The compression assembly bears against the second end of the first element and applies compressive force to the bone through the first element. The guide member is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the intramedullary nail; it has a proximal end and a proximal aperture.

Abstract: A windlass is mounted in fixed position external to the body and close to the nerve tissue to be lengthened. A first path in the form of a hollow member is made between the windlass and a second path, along which the nerve tissue is to be extended. A line is connected to the rotatable drum of the windlass and is passed along the first path and the second path to the nerve tissue. The line is connected by a protective cap to the nerve tissue. The drum is rotated, winding the line about the drum and drawing the line through the first and second paths while drawing the nerve tissue along the second path.

Abstract: A cement plug for sealing the medullary canal of a bone to restrict the flow of cement, debris, etc. beyond a predetermined point in the canal. The cement plug, which is executed in a biocompatible plastic, comprises (1) a tubular body that is a slit axially at three or more locations to define resilient fingers, (2) an obturator plate located at the upper end of the body, (3) a tapered conical plug that can be advanced through the lower end of the body and intot he interior thereof, and (4) a threaded bolt that extends through the tubular body and into the conical plug. Locator holes are formed in the obtrator plate, and sharpe edges, teeth, or locator tab(s) are formed on the outer surface of the conical plug so that said plug does not rotate relative to the tubular body of the plug. An insertion tool, including an inner tube and an outer tube, is engaged within the locator by depending plins. The lower end of the inner tube engages the upper end of the threaded bolt.

Abstract: A protector to prevent hip fracture and/or bed-sores and/or protect a wound or wound area is formed from an outer load bearing member reinforced by internal ridges. The protector is dome shaped with structured ridges to form an internal dome or clearance for the region of desired protection. A soft inner sheet is attached for comfort. This structure has less bulk and weight than a solid pad. The outer shell formation distributes the load or pressure to the edges of the device, protecting the organ covered by the dome. The pad may have different internal ridge patterns to provide flexibility for user comfort.

Abstract: A femur sliding screw plate is improved by adding flanges or wings on either side of a central portion, the flanges extending at least partially around the femur shaft. Preferrably, the flanges are provided integral to a centrally raised part which fits over a portion of the leg of a basic screw plate. Screw holes in the sliding screw plate align with screw holes in the basic screw plate and the sliding screw plate is attached to the basic screw plate and each screw plate is attached to the femur by common screws. The flanges each have screw holes, offset from the screw holes in the centralloy raised portion, screws being used to secure the flanges to outlying portions of the femur shaft in order to more fully consolidate fragments of the fractured femur. Alternatively a screw plate is provided with integral flanges extending from the leg of the screw plate.

Abstract: A novel bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture is disclosed comprising a strong, rigid non-absorbable structural member and a biologically absorbable element held in use under compression against the structural member. Use of the novel prosthesis combines an excellent initial stabilization of the fixed fracture with a gradual shifting of stress-bearing from the prosthesis to the bone in the fracture region as the fracture heals. Thus, problems associated with stress-shielding during healing are alleviated. The structural member may be, e.g., a bone plate, intramedullary rod or hip nail.

Abstract: An artificial joint for implantation into a living body comprising two members held together by magnetic forces of attraction with the magnetic lines of force running substantially along the direction of the pivotal axis and transversely across the primary direction of movement of the two members.

Abstract: A filter for the filtration of blood characterized by a high flow rate with low pressure drop, which filter comprises: a filter housing; an inlet in the housing for the introduction of the blood to be filtered; an outlet in the housing for the removal of filtered blood; and a filter element disposed within the housing, which element comprises a helically coiled strip of sheet material containing a surface layer of fibrous flocked material on at least one side thereof, the sheet material wound into a helical coil of desired tightness, and the flocked material selected to remove particles from the blood to be filtered.