Abstract: An active &bgr;-endorphin fragment or an analog of such a fragment is provided to a patient for alleviating the effect of muscle-wasting disease and for inhibiting or reducing leakage of an enzyme from a living muscle. The &bgr;-endorphin fragment is selected from &bgr;-endorphin (30, 31), &bgr;-endorphin (29-31), &bgr;-endorphin (28-31) and stabilized analogs thereof.

Abstract: A kit of surgical instruments comprises a plurality of differently sized/shaped hollow tubes constructed to receive bone graft, and a plurality of differently sized and/or shaped plungers to be inserted into the hollow tube. A surgeon may select a hollow tube and plunger which correspond based upon the size and shape of the graft receiving area and the prosthesis to be implanted. The plungers are further constructed and arranged so that when the hollow tube is moved in a direction away from a graft receiving area, the bone graft is delivered to the graft receiving area. A set of modular plunger portions may be included for constructing a plunger corresponding to a tube.

Abstract: Surgical instruments comprise a hollow tube constructed to receive bone graft, and a plunger to be inserted into the hollow tube. The plunger is constructed and arranged with respect to the hollow tube so as to form a positive impression in the bone graft when the bone graft and the plunger are within the hollow tube. The plunger is further constructed and arranged so that when the hollow tube is moved in a direction away from a graft receiving area, the bone graft is delivered to the graft receiving area with the same positive impression that was formed within the hollow tube.

Abstract: A surgical technique for the delivery of bone graft to a medullary canal and implantation of a prosthetic device includes placing bone graft into an elongate hollow tube and arranging a plunger having an elongate rod portion into the hollow tube. The hollow tube, bone graft and plunger assembly are inserted into the medullary canal which has been prepared for the assembly by reaming the medullary canal with a reamer corresponding in size to the hollow tube. The hollow tube is withdrawn from the medullary canal while the plunger is pushed into the canal, resulting in bone graft exiting the hollow tube and being packed by the plunger. A trial prosthesis is used to shape the bone graft within the canal for the prosthesis. Space for a cement mantle can be left through the use of an appropriately sized trial prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical technique for the delivery of bone graft to a medullary canal and implantation of a prosthetic device includes placing bone graft into an elongate hollow tube and arranging a plunger having an elongate rod portion into the hollow tube. The hollow tube, bone graft and plunger assembly are inserted into the medullary canal which has been prepared for the assembly by reaming the medullary canal with a reamer corresponding in size to the hollow tube. The hollow tube is withdrawn from the medullary canal while the plunger is pushed into the canal, resulting in bone graft exiting the hollow tube and being packed by the plunger. A trial prosthesis is used to shape the bone graft within the canal for the prosthesis. Space for a cement mantle can be left through the use of an appropriately sized trial prosthesis.