Abstract: A surgical bone coring cutter is tubular in shape with the cutting end fabricated of a thicker section wall designed with both an inner and an outer cone. The double cone section causes the kerf to be wider than the wall thickness of the cutter shank, and the resulting clearance reduces friction and heat. Cutting element faces are at an essentially normal angle to the surface being cut and are supported by very long and relatively wide ramps of minimal relief angle. The ramps follow the cutting surfaces, carry off heat, and they prevent the cutter from digging in. The Cutter profile reduces tissue trauma and provides highly controlled advance of the cutter. The cutter is fabricated of several different materials; a hard material for sharpness and longevity of the cutting head and a resilient material for a shock resistant driving shank.

Abstract: A process with special instruments to Arthroscopically reduce certain joint fractures in humans and animals. The instruments are shaped and sized so as to afford remote manipulation of bone fragments, while viewing the procedure with an arthroscope and a fluoroscope in a C Arm. The process utilizes a lateral approach. This process with the instruments allows a skilled surgeon to affect an anatomically correct joint surface and then bone graft any bone deficit, all through small incisions local to the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the safe surgical placement of sharp instruments, such as trocars, is provided. The apparatus includes a safety guide that allows placement of a surgical trocar through a patient's skin and into a receiver. After placement of a sharp end of the trocar into the receiver, the trocar is then advanced through the patient's skin and removed from the body, thereby pulling a surgical drain, which is attached to the trocar, through the skin. The trocar and safety guide may then be disposed, the sharp end of the trochar remaining safely covered by the receiver.

Abstract: A surgical bone coring cutter is tubular in shape with the cutting end fabricated of a thicker section wall designed with both an inner and an outer cone. The double cone section causes the kerf to be wider than the wall thickness of the cutter shank, and the resulting clearance reduces friction and heat. Cutting element faces are at an essentially normal angle to the surface being cut and are supported by very long and relatively wide ramps of minimal relief angle. The ramps follow the cutting surfaces, carry off heat, and they prevent the cutter from digging in. The Cutter profile reduces tissue trauma and provides highly controlled advance of the cutter. The cutter is fabricated of several different materials; a hard material for sharpness and longevity of the cutting head and a resilient material for a shock resistant driving shank.

Abstract: A high strength fastener for bone fractures. This fastener consists of two members, a male and female. The male member has external machine screw threads that screw into matching internal threads in the female member at a predictable torque so that the force of fixation exerted upon the bone can be approximated by the installer. Because of the effective length of the threads, this fastener is easily adjusted to the proper length without cutting. Both members have a smooth shoulder region proximal to the heads and this shoulder region presents a low-stress bearing surface to each cortical wall. Each member has a head that fits rigidly into an installation tool providing for ease of insertion and fastening in the patient with minimal invasion and little periosteal stripping. Each head has a semi-spherical face that articulates with matching washers and plates, thus allowing the washer to assume the plane of the surrounding bone therefore distributing the load over a greater area.

Abstract: A hand formable rod, band or sheet, consisting of a plurality of elements which are linked together in such a way that the whole can be either very flexible, or semi-rigid, or rigid. In the band, the elements have six degrees of freedom, providing unusual flexibility. This fabrication may be hand formed to a desired shape and then rigidified to a substantial stiffness. In the rigid state, this fabrication is strong enough to retract living tissue, and to perform as a mold, template, or fixator. The rigidity may be varied in very small increments by using a screw or screws acting upon tensioning cables. Tension causes increased friction between sliding surfaces. This friction creates stiffness and strength. Bending the fabrication does not cause material fatigue.