Abstract: A prosthetic device for repairing or replacing connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons in the human or animal body is described. The device comprises a cord of artificial connective tissue formed from a composite, partly absorbable thread. The thread comprises a combination of permanent material and absorbable material susceptible to being dissolved into surrounding living tissue. The dissolving of the absorbable material leaves space for the living tissue to grow into and adhere to the structure formed by the permanent material.

Abstract: A surgical deflector or boring tool positioner specifically designed to help orthopedic surgeons in gaining access to hard-to-reach parts of a patient's anatomy and for guiding a drill bit, awl or reamer into a bone. The tool combines a curved blade and a triangular handle. The curved blade is terminated by an arcuate indentation designed to seat on a bone. The triangular handle doubles as a muscle deflector. One of a series of boring guides can be mounted on the blade to direct the tip of the boring tool into the bone at a desired angle. A fiberoptics light may be clipped to the shank of the tool to illuminate the work area.

Abstract: A tray for attachment to the edge of an operating table which provides horizontal support form the arm, wrist and hand, or leg of a patient during surgical operations on those parts of the body. The tray comprises a perimetric rectangular metal frame having a pair of spaced-apart, downward-facing, L-shaped projections on each side. Any side of the frame may be secured to the side rail of a typical operating table by securing any of the projection pairs to the side rail on either side of a typical operating table with the common screw-type clamps which may be anchored at any point along the rail. A rigid rectangular sheet of material transparent to both X-rays and visible light spans the gap between the two longitudinal frame sections, a gap being left at either end between the lateral edges of the sheet and each lateral frame section.

Abstract: A means and method for implanting bioprosthetic material surgically, in humans or animals, is disclosed. The means comprise lengths of connective tissue such as mammalian tendons which are covered entirely or partially with a synthetic, looseweave mesh which is stitched to the tendon and which augments the strength of the finished heterograft (or zenograft) by permitting the existing live tissue to grow around the mesh to provide a living bond. Another implementation of the basic idea involves the use of planar patch material such as porcine pericardium to which the mesh is bonded on one side, or part of one side, this patch being used in various ways, for example, hernia repairs, dural patches, arthroplasties, tendon pulleys, gliding surfaces, and blood vessel anastamoses.

Abstract: A means and method for implanting bioprosthetic material surgically, in humans or animals, is disclosed. The means comprise lengths of connective tissue such as cow tendons which are covered entirely or partially with a synthetic, looseweave mesh which is stitched to the tendon and which augments the strength of the finished heterograph (or xenograph) by permitting the existing live tissue to grow around the mesh to provide a living bond. Another implementation of the basic idea involves the use of planar patch material such as porcine pericardium to which the mesh is bonded on one side, or part of one side, this patch being used in various ways, for example, hernia repairs, dural patches, arthroplasties, tendon pulleys, gliding surfaces, and blood vessel anastamoses.