Abstract: A multi-piece knee resection instrument for use in forming an anterior cut, an anterior chamfer cut, a posterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut on a distal femur which has already had a distal surface thereof resected which cuts are for the mounting of a prosthetic implant, has a first resection guide for attachment to the medial or lateral side of the distal femur. The first resection guide has a first surface facing generally anteriorly when mounted and a second surface extending distally from the first surface and angled thereto and a third surface extending generally parallel to the resected distal surface of the femur. A second resection guide is mounted on the first and second surfaces of the first resection guide for performing the anterior and anterior chamfer cuts. A third resection guide is mounted on the third surface of the first resection guide and extends in a medial-lateral direction therefrom across at least part of the resected distal femoral surface.

Abstract: A multi-piece knee resection instrument for use in forming an anterior cut, an anterior chamfer cut, a posterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut on a distal femur which has already had a distal surface thereof resected which cuts are for the mounting of a prosthetic implant, has a first resection guide for attachment to the medial or lateral side of the distal femur. The first resection guide has a first surface facing generally anteriorly when mounted and a second surface extending distally from the first surface and angled thereto and a third surface extending generally parallel to the resected distal surface of the femur. A second resection guide is mounted on the first and second surfaces of the first resection guide for performing the anterior and anterior chamfer cuts. A third resection guide is mounted on the third surface of the first resection guide and extends in a medial-lateral direction therefrom across at least part of the resected distal femoral surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a cutting instrument during a surgical procedure includes a guide having an elongated slot adapted to receive a cutting instrument for resecting a patient's bone during the surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a translational assembly and first and second rotational assemblies. The translational assembly is coupled to a housing adapted for effecting distal-proximal adjustment of the guide. The first rotational assembly is also coupled to the housing adapted for effecting varus-valgus adjustment of the guide. The first rotational assembly is releasably coupled to the guide. The second rotational assembly is also coupled to the guide and adapted for effecting flexon-extension adjustment of the guide.

Abstract: A multi-piece knee resection instrument for use in forming an anterior cut, an anterior chamfer cut, a posterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut on a distal femur which has already had a distal surface thereof resected which cuts are for the mounting of a prosthetic implant, has a first resection guide for attachment to the medial or lateral side of the distal femur. The first resection guide has a first surface facing generally anteriorly when mounted and a second surface extending distally from the first surface and angled thereto and a third surface extending generally parallel to the resected distal surface of the femur. A second resection guide is mounted on the first and second surfaces of the first resection guide for performing the anterior and anterior chamfer cuts. A third resection guide is mounted on the third surface of the first resection guide and extends in a medial-lateral direction therefrom across at least part of the resected distal femoral surface.

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: Fine fibers are formed and carried in a high energy, high temperature gaseous stream to a primary fine fiber collection surface where fine fibers are collected from the gaseous stream. Gases of the gaseous stream along with fine fibers not removed from the gaseous stream by the primary collection surface are drawn through the primary collection surface and formed into an exhaust gas stream which is passed through a secondary fine fiber collection surface to remove additional fibers from the exhaust gas stream before it is discharged to the atmosphere. To reduce the operating temperatures at and surrounding the primary and secondary collection surfaces, the gas streams are cooled by evaporative cooling. Water is sprayed into the gas streams by nozzles, shielded from the gas streams by scoops, so that fibers do not collect on the nozzles and form fiber wads.

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 plasma arc melter which is equipped with at least two transferred arc plasma torches of opposite polarities is used to melt normal batch materials for producing glass, ceramics, refractories and other such materials and for the recycling, combustion and/or vitrifying incineration of waste materials. To enhance the stability of the plasma jets, the anode torch is positioned farther above the surface of the materials being processed than the cathode torch and the materials being processed are introduced into the melter so that the materials first pass beneath the cathode torch. An oxidizing gas can be introduced into the zone between the torches in the region of the plasma jets to enhance the combustion process. For waste materials with a high organic content, a plasma arc afterburner can be used to further treat the exhaust gases from the melter.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a continuous or perturbated stream of liquid material, which process consists essentially of passing the said stream of liquid material through a plasma arc coupling zone in which at least two plasma arcs are coupled at the surface of the liquid stream in order to raise both the bulk temperature of the stream and the temperature of the outer surface of the stream of material, thereby to effect a treatment of the stream selected from thermal, chemical, and a mixture of thermal and chemical.