Abstract: A prosthetic wrist can replace a portion of an anatomical wrist. A bone replacing portion can be provided that also includes an augment member to assist in fixation of the bone portion or the prosthesis to the bone. The various prosthesis embodiments can allow for a hemi- or total, or revision wrist arthroplasty. Modular portions can allow for intraopertative customization.

Abstract: A prosthetic wrist having at least one of a radial insert, which is configured to be fixed to a radius of a patient, a carpal implant or a wrist bearing component. The carpal implant can include a body and a pair of flanges, each of which being skewed to the axis of the body in a manner that permits them to abut the ulnar side of the hamate bone and the radial side of the distal portion of the carpal bone complex, respectively. The radial insert may be provided with a plurality of modular portions to allow for selection and customization of an implant. Also the various portions can allow for a hemi- or total, or revision wrist arthroplasty. The modular portions can allow for intraopertative customization.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel release tool and methods for using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the carpal tunnel release tool include a guide with an angled track and a knife that fits into and follows the angled track. In one embodiment, the knife is retracted into the guide as it is advanced along the track to cut the ligament. In an alternate embodiment the blade is extended outwardly from the surface of the guide as the blade is advanced along the track. Other embodiments include a projection at the terminal end of the track that maintains the position of the ligament over the guide, serves as a type of cutting block to ensure complete bisecting of the ligament, and can aid the surgeon in placement of the guide beneath the ligament. Further embodiments include an inserter that inhibits tissue entering the track as the guide is advanced beneath the ligament.

Abstract: A prosthesis can replace at least a portion of an anatomical wrist. The prosthesis can include modular portions and bone ingrowth portions for fixation. The modular prosthesis can include selected portions that are assembled for implantation.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel release tool and methods for using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the carpal tunnel release tool include a guide with an angled track and a knife that fits into and follows the angled track. In one embodiment, the knife is retracted into the guide as it is advanced along the track to cut the ligament. In an alternate embodiment the blade is extended outwardly from the surface of the guide as the blade is advanced along the track. Other embodiments include a projection at the terminal end of the track that maintains the position of the ligament over the guide, serves as a type of cutting block to ensure complete bisecting of the ligament, and can aid the surgeon in placement of the guide beneath the ligament. Further embodiments include an inserter that inhibits tissue entering the track as the guide is advanced beneath the ligament.

Abstract: A prosthetic wrist having at least one of a radial insert, which is configured to be fixed to a radius of a patient, a carpal implant and a wrist bearing component. The carpal implant includes a body and a pair of flanges, each of which being skewed to the axis of the body in a manner that permits them to abut the ulnar side of the hamate bone and the radial side of the distal portion of the carpal bone complex, respectively. The radial insert may be provided with a plurality of modular portions to allow for selection and customization of an implant.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel device and method for performing carpal tunnel release surgery is provided. The carpal tunnel device includes a carpal ligament capture clip and a knife, useable therewith. The carpal tunnel capture clip includes a handle, a body portion and upper and lower skids. A central guide channel extends through the body portion of the capture clip. Channels located in the skids are aligned with the central guide channels. Under anesthesia an incision is made in a patient's palm. The carpal ligament capture clip is placed into the palm, facing towards the wrist with the upper and lower skids straddling the transverse carpal ligament. The capture clip is then advanced towards the wrist until the distal ends of the upper and lower skids extend beyond the carpal ligament and the carpal ligament is entrapped between the portions of the skids containing the upper and lower guide channels.

Abstract: An improved carpal tunnel tome for performing carpal tunnel release surgery is provided. In a first embodiment, a carpal tunnel tome including a slender handle with a blade at one end is provided. The blade is bounded on both sides by a pair of relatively blunt protuberances that extend distally beyond the cutting edge of the blade. In another embodiment, a carpal tunnel tome having a stem is provided. A cutting head, including a blade, is connected to the stem. One portion of the stem is angled so as to facilitate the use of the device in a small wound. The blade is bounded on one side by a short beveled protuberance, and on the other side by a longer blunted protuberance. In one embodiment, a disposable carpal tunnel tome is provided. The surgical procedure utilizing the tome requires only a single small incision in the palm of the patient's hand adjacent the distal end of the transverse carpal ligament.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel tome for performing carpal tunnel release surgery includes a slender handle with a blade at one end. The blade is bounded on both sides by a pair of relatively blunt protuberances that extend distally beyond the cutting edge of the blade. The protuberances allow the instrument to straddle the ligament and serve to protect surrounding tissue during the cutting procedure of the ligament. The surgical procedure utilizing the tome requires only a single small incision in the palm of the patient's hand adjacent the distal end of the transverse carpal ligament. The instrument is then placed in the incision straddling the ligament and is then advanced proximately toward the patient's wrist until the transverse carpal ligament is completely divided. The instrument is then withdrawn and the incision is closed with one or two sutures and an appropriate dressing is applied.

Abstract: A trapezial implant is provided for attachment to the trapezium of a hand. The implant includes a base member fabricated from an inelastic material such a medical grade metal or ceramic. The base member includes a generally planar proximal attachment surface from which extend two pentihedral-shaped spikes. The base member also includes a distal articular surface having a non-symmetrical, complex curvature. The implant is retained in place on the trapezium under compression of the first metacarpal.

Abstract: A surgery table for use when performing a surgical procedure on the hand and including a support platform, a drain pan, a flexible tube, means for securing the hand to the support platform, and means for holding in position portions of the hand so that the portions do not interfere with performance of the surgical procedure. The support platform has a top surface that has openings therein for drainage of fluid from the top surface. The drain pan has a lip around its perimeter and a support surface upon which the support platform rests. The lip extends above the support surface of the drain pan thereby forming a reservoir capable of collecting fluid which drains through the openings from the top surface of the support platform. There is an aperture in the lip to which the flexible tube is connected for draining fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic joint comprising a first member and a second member, both of which include a stem portion implantable in bone. The first member has a neck portion and a protuberant head portion attached to the neck portion. The second member has a head-receiving cavity and a slot in communication with the cavity to provide hinge-like motion of the joint as the neck portion is moved within the slot and the head portion rotated within the cavity. The head-receiving portion of the second member includes a transverse channel communicating with the cavity and a transverse slot communicating with the transverse channel whereby the head and neck portion of the first member may be inserted into the head-receiving portion of the second member in a direction transverse to the plane established by the hinge-like motion of the first member relative to the second member as the neck portion of the first member moves along the channel in the head-receiving portion of the second member.