Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthesis for implantation at the proximal articular surface of a proximal phalange, of a human great toe. The prosthesis comprises a base portion having a generally concave bearing surface shaped to articulate with the distal articular surface of a metatarsal bone, and a flat surface opposite the bearing surface for emplacement against a resected surface of the proximal phalange of the great toe of the human subject. A stem extends distally from the flat surface of the base portion, for implantation in the intramedulary canal of a proximal phalange of the great toe of the human subject. The stem has a generally frustoconical shape, with a substantially oval wide end at the flat surface of the base portion, tapering to a substantially circular end.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating scoliosis, comprising implanting at least one spinal facet cap into at least one facet joint of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: An ulnar cut guide alignment system including an ulnar alignment guide having a first end for attachment relative to the proximal end of an ulna, a second end for attachment relative to the distal end of the ulna, and a long axis for placement parallel to the long axis of the ulna; an ulnar cut guide holder including a body having an aperture extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis; and an ulnar cut guide locator for connecting the ulnar cut guide holder to the ulnar alignment guide with the longitudinal axis through the aperture of the body of the ulnar cut guide holder placed substantially coextensive with the articular axis of the trochlear notch of the ulna when the first end of the ulnar alignment guide is attached relative to the distal end of the ulna and when the second end of the ulnar alignment guide is attached to the proximal end of the ulna.

Abstract: A floor anchor pocket for mounting in a vehicle designed to carry wheelchairs or cargo is described. The pocket is provided with an internally located spring and a specially shaped cut-out so as to provide positive self locking for a tie down strap hook which is insertable therein.

Abstract: An elbow prosthesis having a humeral component which substantially replicates the natural trochlear and capitellum convex bearing surfaces has been generated by computer analysis and may be fabricated by a computer controlled cutting and polishing device or may be made by precision casting from a "best-fit" type generalized series of moulds. The prosthesis may be inserted from the medial side of the elbow after preparing the distal humerus to provide a smooth convex surface which fits closely to an inside concave surface of the prosthetic element. The centroidal longitudinal axis of said convex bearing surfaces is coincident with the centroidal longitudinal axis of the concave surface.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic metatarsal-phalangeal replacement joint is described. The joint includes a distal metatarsal component having a part-spherical convex distal superior phalangeal articular surface, and two inferior "side-by-side" sesamoidal articular surfaces, separated by an intersesamoidal ridge. The proximal phalangeal component is provided with a proximal circular surface at least a major portion of which has a part spherical concave surface having similar radius of curvature as the distal superior phalangeal surface of the metatarsal component. Natural, natural-resurfaced or prosthetic sesamoids are secured to a flexible mesh element arranged to be secured between the phalangeal component and the phalanx so that the sesamoids are positioned for articulation with the two inferior sesamoidal surfaces of the distal metatarsal component.

Abstract: A bone cutting device for precision elbow surface replacement arthroplasty and osteotomy is described. A humeral clamping device is provided with an outrigger to hold the ulna in preselected and rigid relation to the humerus. A bond cutting tool such as a burr is inserted into a selected guide sleeve mounted for oscillatory arcuate movement on the medial side of the clamping device, so as to precisely prepare the humerus. The humeral guide sleeve is removed and replaced with a slightly longer second sleeve which provides the precise spacing required to prepare the ulna in similar manner. A planar radial cutting guide may be mounted on the lateral side of the clamping device, to guide a planar oscillating saw used to prepare the proximal end of the radius.

Abstract: The apparatus enables the taking of multiple X-ray photographs of the legs and pelvis of a patient. A platform is rotatably mounted on a base member, and is provided with means for keeping the patient still in a standardized standing position. With only minor vertical and horizontal adjustment of an associated substantially point source of X-rays, side and front X-rays can be taken without movement of the patient, apart from rotation of the platform. Radio opaque marker means provided on otherwise radio-transparent spaced screens produce, on the X-ray film, images which can be interpreted to provide information for compensation of distortions in images on the X-ray film due to the use of a point source of radiation.

Abstract: A bone cutting device for precision elbow surface replacement arthroplasty and osteotomy is described. A humeral clamping device is provided with an outrigger to hold the ulna in preselected and rigid relation to the humerus. A bone cutting tool such as a burr is inserted into a selected guide sleeve mounted for oscillatory arcuate movement on the medial side of the clamping device, so as to precisely prepare the humerus. The humeral guide sleeve is removed and replaced with a slightly longer second sleeve which provides the precise spacing required to prepare the ulna in similar manner. A planar radial cutting guide may be mounted on the lateral side of the clamping device, to guide a planar oscillating saw used to prepare the proximal end of the radius.

Abstract: A simple planar saw blade stiffening element for use with an orthopaedic saw is described, which enables a surgeon to make very accurate bone cuts without flexing of a standard saw blade.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bone cutting jig and alignment frame for facilitating a series of controlled, precise bone cuts to fit selected prosthetic knees which promote bone imgrowth and do not rely upon cement for fixation.

Abstract: A bone clip for surgical repair of bones in vivo, having a body and depending legs at each end thereof and perpendicular thereto. Means are provided to draw the legs inwardly towards each other after insertion into the bone so as to draw the bone ends together under a preselected pressure.

Abstract: A bone clip for surgical repair of bones in vivo, having a body and depending legs at each end thereof and perpendicular thereto. Means are provided to draw the legs inwardly towards each other after insertion into the bone so as to draw the bone ends together under a preselected pressure.

Abstract: A wheel chair propulsion device particularly for use by quadriplegics that includes an annular ring smaller in diameter than the large wheel of a conventional wheel chair and having a plurality of spaced apart recesses in a surface thereof. The ring is fastened to the wheel of the wheel chair in co-axial relation therewith and spaced outward therefrom. A lever is pivotally mounted on the wheel chair axle and an opposite end of the lever projects above the conventional arm rest on the wheel chair. A drive mechanism is mounted on the lever arm and positively engageable with the annular ring for rotating the same and disengageable therefrom to allow free rotation of the wheel. The drive mechanism comprises a lug movable into and out of the recesses in the ring in response to movement of the lever in a direction transverse to the plane of the wheel and resilient compressible means which is compressed by movement of the lever in a direction to move the lug into a recess in the ring.