Abstract: An electronic mouse controlled substantially by finger movement. The translation of the mouse can be controlled by the index finger placed over a primary selection button. A device for facilitating translation of the mouse are provided for in the primary selection button. The device for facilitating translation include, but are not limited to, concave depressions, protrusions and surface texture with a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A measuring gauge for measuring the relative position of two bones during surgery, the measuring gauge comprising an anchor, an adapter, an outrigger and a locking joint.

Abstract: A suture relay that can be advanced, by pushing, through the hollow needle of a suture passer and which is adapted to carry a braided suture across the tissue.

Abstract: An electronic mouse controlled substantially by finger movement. The translation of the mouse can be controlled by the index finger placed over a primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation of the mouse are provided for in the primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation include, but are not limited to, concave depressions, protrusions and surface texture with a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispenser has a container with independent fluid chambers that respectively maintain fluid components for combination. Each chamber includes an outlet and a driver. For each chamber, actuation of the driver effects the discharge of the fluid component through its outlet. The outlets of the fluid chambers open into a second container to receive a fluid mixture consisting of the fluid components, where the second container also includes an outlet and a driver. Actuation of the driver for the second container effects the discharge of the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A core for forming a bone cement plug for deployment in a bone canal, the core including a base portion defining a bore having internal teeth therein and extending axially and distally from a proximal end of the base portion. A first leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the first leg portion having a first protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the first leg portion through a first arc, and a second leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the second leg portion having a second protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the second leg portion through a second arc and oppositely to the first arc. The toothed bore of the base portion is adapted to receive an expander member to wedge apart the first and second leg portions to expand the core widthwise to secure the core in the bone canal.

Abstract: A measuring gauge for measuring the relative position of two bones during surgery, the measuring gauge comprising an anchor, an adapter, an outrigger and a locking joint.

Abstract: A knot tier and method for advancing, tightening and locking a sliding knot.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly for producing a tunnel in a bone comprises a rack having a probe portion for engagement with a desired bony landmark, and a tool holder portion for holding tools for penetrating the bone. The probe portion is provided with an orifice therethrough. The tool holder portion is adapted to retain the tools for penetrating the bone, such that an extension of the axis of a tool passes through the orifice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing bone cement which produces bone cement essentially free of entrained air. The apparatus includes a cartridge having two telescoping cylinders. The outer cylinder receives a cap thereon which hermetically seals the cartridge. The cap includes an outlet port in which a break-away agitator is installed and a port for connection of a vacuum pump. In use, a desired vacuum pressure is drawn on the cartridge and the inner cylinder is allowed to be drawn into the outer cylinder while the vacuum is being drawn, whereupon the inner cylinder automatically stops moving relative to the outer cylinder when the desired vacuum pressure is reached. Mixing of the bone cement is then performed under the partial vacuum thereby created. The agitator paddles provide a scraping action against both inner cylinder walls of the telescoping cylinders thereby improving mixing.

Abstract: A bone cement plug for use in conjunction with bone cement dispensers to compact bone cement into bone canals during total joint replacement surgeries.

Abstract: A paste injector gun, especially adapted for injecting bone cement, has first and second mechanical advantages. In a first embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by two fulcrums engageable during different portions of the trigger stroke. In a second embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by a fixed fulcrum and a rotatable fulcrum. The first mechanical advantage is greater than the second such that the first facilitates pressurizing the bone cement and the second facilitates high volume dispensing of the bone cement. The injector gun also includes a pair of U-shaped slots. One of the slots is sized to accept a large cement cartridge and the other slot is sized to accept a small cement cartridge. An alternative embodiment provides a hinged cartridge retaining gate for closing the U-shaped slots for positive retention of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is presented a drill guide assembly for forming a transverse guide hole in a bone, the guide hole being adapted to receive a transverse screw, the guide hole intersecting a tunnel formed in the bone and adapted to receive a body to be retained in the tunnel and to receive the screw transversely of the body to secure the body in the tunnel. The drill guide assembly comprises a track member of an elongated curved configuration, the track member having a bore extending widthwise therethrough, and a curved slide track extending lengthwise thereof, a boom member having a first portion of an elongated curved configuration slidably disposed in the slide track of the track member, and a second portion for retaining a drill bit.

Abstract: A surgical fastener assembly for use in bone fracture fixation comprises an adapter, a surgical cable, a compression plate, and a crimp device, the adapter having a head portion having a bore extending therethrough adapted to receive the surgical cable, and a protrusion extending from an underside of the head portion and centrally of the head portion and adapted for insertion into a recess in the compression plate, the crimp device being deformable upon the cable to hold the cable in place around bone portions.

Abstract: A vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump and a vacuum indicator. The vacuum pump comprises a cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder, a piston rod fixed to the piston and extending through an end of the cylinder, the rod being movable reciprocally, a sealing ring disposed on and around the piston and in engagement with an inside wall of the cylinder, and stops extending radially outwardly from the piston, the stops including a proximal stop and a distal stop, the sealing ring being axially movable between the proximal and distal stops, the piston having an axially-extending groove therein, the groove extending from proximal of the distal stop to proximal of the proximal stop, whereby upon movement of the piston in a first direction, the sealing ring engages the distal stop and seals an annular space between the piston and the inside wall of the cylinder, and upon movement of the piston in a second direction, the sealing ring engages the proximal stop and leaves unobstructed the axially-extending groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement in a vacuum includes a container for mixing first and second components of a bone cement in a vacuum, the container having a sealed body defining an interior space and a selected quantity of the first component disposed in the interior space. The container is provided with an injection port for admitting the second component into the interior space vacuum source. A mixing paddle is disposed in the interior space and connected to a handle therefor extending out of the container. A plurality of indirect pathways extend between the interior space and the exhaust port which permit gas to pass therethrough out of the interior space, but prevent the bone cement first and second components from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide member, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a distal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide member, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate to the first guide member, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g. arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a proximal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, distal to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g., arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A bone canal pressurizer is disclosed which comprises a body made out of a soft foam material. This body has a planar proximal surface and a planar distal surface, with the proximal surface having a greater surface area than the distal surface, and with an inclined side wall extending between the proximal surface and the distal surface. A bore extends through the body, opening on both the proximal surface and the distal surface. This bore is sized so as to have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of a cement dispenser's nozzle. The entryway to the bore is preferably chamfered about the proximal surface. A rigid plate is fixed to the proximal surface of the soft foam body, and includes a hole extending therethrough. This hole is aligned with the bore extending through the pressurizer's soft foam body, and is sized so as to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of a cement dispenser's nozzle.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for use in bone fracture fixation comprises a top block portion having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to receive surgical cable, and a protrusion extending from an underside of the top block portion and centrally of the top block portion, and adapted for insertion into a compression plate recess which prevents sliding of the fastener along the bone during tightening of the cable around the bone fracture area.