Abstract: A paste injector gun, especially adapted for injecting bone cement, has first and second mechanical advantages corresponding to different portions of the trigger stroke. 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.

Abstract: A disposable telescoping mixing cartridge for mixing and delivering a quantity of bone cement. The cartridge cap includes a break-away agitator which opens an outlet port for the flow of cement. Therefore, the single opening serves as both an outlet port for the cement and the opening through which the agitator is reciprocated.

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 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 distal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate 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 two-component bone cement mixing system comprises a cartridge mixer having an interior volume containing a first predetermined quantity of a free-flowing, powdery, solid bone cement component under vacuum pressure; an ampoule containing a second predetermined quantity of a liquid bone cement component; a fluid transfer element for fluidically connecting the cartridge mixer and the ampoule for transfer of the liquid bone cement component to the cartridge mixer; and a plug element, receivable within the ampoule, for automatically hermetically sealing the fluid transfer element against passage of a material therethrough upon completion of the transfer of the second predetermined quantity of the liquid bone cement component into the cartridge mixer.

Abstract: A two-component bone cement mixing system comprises a cartridge mixer having an interior volume containing a first predetermined quantity of a solid bone cement component under vacuum pressure; an ampoule containing a second predetermined quantity of a liquid bone cement component; a fluid transfer element for fluidically connecting the cartridge mixer and the ampoule for transfer of the liquid bone cement component to the cartridge mixer; and a plug element, receivable within the ampoule, for automatically hermetically sealing the fluid transfer element against passage of a material therethrough upon completion of the transfer of the second predetermined quantity of the liquid bone cement component into the cartridge mixer. The two-component bone cement mixing system allows in vacuo mixing of liquid monomeric and solid polymeric bone cement components without air being incorporated into the mixture and insures the prevention of air passage into the cartridge mixer during and/or after monomer transfer.

Abstract: A two-component bone cement mixing system comprises a cartridge mixer having an interior volume containing a first predetermined quantity of a solid bone cement component under vacuum pressure; an ampoule containing a second predetermined quantity of a liquid bone cement component; a fluid transfer element for fluidically connecting the cartridge mixer and the ampoule for transfer of the liquid bone cement component to the cartridge mixer; and a plug element, receivable within the ampoule, for automatically hermetically sealing the fluid transfer element against passage of a material therethrough upon completion of the transfer of the second predetermined quantity of the liquid bone cement component into the cartridge mixer. The two-component bone cement mixing system allows in vacuo mixing of liquid monomeric and solid polymeric bone cement components without air being incorporated into the mixture and insures the prevention of air passage into the cartridge mixer during and/or after monomer transfer.