Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved adenovirus vector and methods for making and using such vectors. The adenovirus vectors of the present invention retain at least a portion of the adenoviral E3 region, carry a deletion of at least a portion of the adenoviral E1 region. Vectors of the present invention preferably also include an additional deletion to accommodate a transgene and/or other mutations which result in reduced expression or over-expression of adenoviral protein and/or reduced viral replication. The vectors of the present invention further include a transgene operatively-linked thereto. By reducing or eliminating viral replication and viral protein expression, the immune response of the infected host to the virus and viral protein is decreased and persistence of transgene expression can be increased. The adenovirus vectors of the present invention are thus particularly useful in gene transfer and therapy.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the fixation of a component of an artificial joint for replacing a damaged natural joint. A cup-shaped socket member is formed with a plurality of radially directed through bores, each being threaded adjacent an outer hemispherical surface and each being tapered adjacent an inner hemispherical surface to define a seating surface. A fastener with an elongated shank secures the socket member to a bone and is received through each through bore. The fastener extends between a head at a first end and a tip at a second end. Mounting threads on the shank intermediate the first and second ends are threadedly engaged with the threads in the through bore and a tapered outer surface extending between the mounting threads and the second end is matingly engaged with the seating surface in the bore.

Abstract: A modular shoulder prosthesis for the replacement of a portion of the humerus is provided. The prosthesis is assembled from a kit that includes a stem sized to be received in the humerus, a body sized to replace a portion of the humerus, the body being attachable to the stem, and a head member sized to replace the head of the humerus, the head member being eccentrically attachable to the body. A collar is inserted between the head member and the body to help stabilize the assembled prosthesis.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis for the replacement of a portion of the femur is provided. The prosthesis is assembled from a kit that includes a stem member having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion sized to be received in the femur. The kit also includes a body member that is sized to replace a portion of the femur and is configured to be received over the upper portion of a stem member. The kit also includes a head member that is sized to replace the head of the femur. A neck member is provided to attach the head member to the body member to form an assembled prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly includes a single piece bearing component having an inner bearing surface for receiving a ball attached to a femoral prosthesis and an outer surface. The assembly also includes a shell component for attachment to an acetabulum to replace a natural hip socket includes an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the bearing component therein. The inner surface of the shell component is formed to include an arcuate groove therein. A formed wire is situated in the arcuate groove of the shell component. The wire is configured so that a portion of the wire extends radially inwardly from the arcuate groove of the shell component to engage an arcuate groove formed in the bearing component to retain the bearing component inside the shell component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the distal end of the humerus deformed by injury or disease in preparation for fixation of an elbow joint replacement. A through hole is first formed in the superior aspect of the olecranon fossa communicating with the humeral canal. A stem member which extends from the platform of a distal cut guide tool is received through the hole and extends into the humeral canal. The distal cut guide tool is held so that the platform is generally coplanar with the junction of the medial epicondyle and the trochlea with proper inclinations, both in an anterior view and in a lateral view. Thereupon, a first resected surface is formed by sawing, using as a guide, a planar guiding surface provided on the platform.

Abstract: A prosthetic glenoid component is provided for attachment to a glenoid surface of a scapula to replace a natural socket of a shoulder. The glenoid component includes a molded plastic body having an outer concave bearing surface for engagement by a corresponding humeral head and an inner convex surface for abutting the glenoid surface. A plurality of attachment pegs are integrally molded on the inner surface of the glenoid component for penetrating the glenoid surface to secure the plastic body to the glenoid surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to instruments for preparing a glenoid surface of a scapula to receive a prosthetic glenoid component to replace the natural socket of a shoulder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drill guide assembly for aligning and guiding a drill bit to form holes in the glenoid surface at predetermined locations to secure the glenoid component to the glenoid surface. A reamer assembly including a ratchet drive mechanism is also included to facilitate preparation of the glenoid surface prior to installation of the glenoid component.

Abstract: A surgical retractor is disclosed for use when surgery is performed adjacent a bone and remains in place for an appropriate duration without requiring manual assistance. A barrier member includes a plurality of cannulated fixation posts for its temporary placement on, and attached to, the bone and a soft tissue engaging surface which extends transverse of a surface of the bone. Guides, including the cannulated fixation posts, slidably receive mounting pins which supplement the fixation posts for temporarily attaching the barrier member to the bone. The barrier member is also provided with bottom and top flanges which extend transversely of the soft tissue engaging surface and cooperate therewith to prevent entry of the soft tissue into an adjacent surgical site.

Abstract: An improved acetabular cup for use in cement fixation has at least one flat area on its generally hemispherical outer surface. The flat area resists rotation of the cup in the cement mantle after implantation while avoiding concentrations of stress in the mantle.

Abstract: A transmission for converting rotary motion to simultaneous reciprocating motion of a tool in two mutually transverse directions. A driver is selectively attached to one end of an input shaft and the opposite end of the input shaft terminates at an eccentric cam. An output shaft extends between a driven end and a working end. The driven end is apertured to rotatably receive the eccentric cam and the output shaft is slidably received in the diametrically extending bore of a spherical bearing member. Upon rotation of the input shaft, the working end of the output shaft is caused to reciprocate toward and away from the input shaft and, simultaneously, laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the input shaft. The working end of the output shaft may be provided with appropriate cutting teeth to enable its use, for example, as a power broach for the precise removal of bone to enable proper implantation of a prosthetic device.

Abstract: A dynamic bone fixation screw for rejoining fracture fragments of a bone to their approximate original mutual dispositions. It includes a threaded distal end member for threaded engagement with one of the bone fragments and a head member at a proximal end for engagement with another of the bone fragments. A spring member integral with and extending between the distal end member and the head member enables a predetermined torque to be initially imparted to the bone. When stress relaxation in the bone occurs, the spring member relaxes accordingly while continuing to draw the bone fragments together. The bone screw is fabricated in a unique manner.

Abstract: A dynamic bone fixation screw for rejoining fracture fragments of a bone to their approximate original mutual dispostion. It includes a threaded distal end member for threaded engagment with one of the bone fragments and a head member at a proximal end for engagement with another of the bone fragments. A spring member integral with and extending between the distal end member and the head member enables a predetermined torque to be initially imparted to the bone. When stress relaxation in the bone occurs, the spring member relaxes accordingly while continuing to draw the bone fragments together. The bone screw is fabricated in a unique manner.

Abstract: A fixation system for drawing together into engaging relationship mutually opposed fracture surfaces of a pair of bone fragments at a fracture site. An elongated blade with a sharpened leading end is driven into a first bone fragment generally parallel to and spaced from a fracture surface of the first bone fragment. A flange member integral with the blade extends transverse of the blade and overlies the fracture site between the first and second bone fragments. At least one screw fastener with a head and threaded shank extends through an opening in the flange and is threaded into the second bone fragment along an axis which extends away from the blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the distal end of the humerus deformed by injury or disease in preparation for fixation of an elbow joint replacement. A through hole is first formed in the superior aspect of the olecranon fossa communicating with the humeral canal. A stem member which extends from the platform of a distal cut guide tool is received through the hole and extends into the humeral canal. The distal cut guide tool is held so that the platform is generally coplanar with the junction of the medial epicondyle and the trochlea with proper inclinations, both in an anterior view and in a lateral view. Thereupon, a first resected surface is formed by sawing, using as a guide, a planar guiding surface provided on the platform.

Abstract: A structural joint which may be for orthopedic use is effective to simultaneously resist bending and torsional loading. It includes a female member formed with a cone shaped bore and a mouth defining entry into the bore. A male member matingly engageable with the female member has a contoured outer surface which includes a coupling element sized and shaped for mating engagement with the bore. When the male and female members are joined, the coupling element extends to a location within the bore spaced from the mouth and joins, via a smooth surfaced intermediate element, to a transitional element whose transverse dimension is substantially smaller than the mouth of the bore as it extends through and beyond the mouth. The bore and the coupling element may be mutually tapered such that the male and female members become locked together when engaged.

Abstract: A modular intramedullary nail system for the repair of long bone fractures. The system comprises several base nails of different lengths and diameters, each of which may be anatomically curved, and several extension members of different lengths and diameters. By selection of various combinations of base nails and extension members, nails of substantially any length and diameter can be constructed at the time of surgery. Nails for left and right bones are interchangeable. A unique construction enables an extension member to be readily and fixedly joined to the trailing end of a base nail so as to prevent inadvertent separation of the base nail and extension member while maximizing strength of the modular nail. The base nail is preferably tri-flanged, each flange terminating at a sharp point at its distal end. Cross screws may also be employed to prevent relative motion between the bone and the nail and also serve to prevent unlocking of the extension member from the base nail.

Abstract: A bone vise for holding a bone or bone fragment immobile during surgery to enable a surgeon to perform desired sculpting or other operations thereon. The vise includes a planar base member with an integral threaded post upstanding from its central portion and a platform threadedly received on the post. A plurality of elongated gripper members are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the platform about axes which are tangent to a circle whose center lies within a bone receiving and engaging region. Each gripper member has a toothed surface at one end adjacent the bone receiving and engaging region and a cam surface at the opposite end weight biased into engagement with the base member. Rotation of the platform in one direction causes movement thereof away from the base member and enlargement of the bone receiving and holding region for insertion or removal of the bone.