Abstract: The surgical reamer has a hollow dome with apertures spaced apart arranged in arcs extending from an apex of the dome to the base portion of the dome, and removable teeth positioned in the apertures. Each cutting tooth has a flange that is aligned flush with the external surface of the dome, and a raised cutting edge extending above the flange and the external surface of the dome, and an interior passageway communicating between the outside and inside of the dome. In one embodiment, a base plate is removably secured on the base portion of the dome to provide closure of the central cavity of the dome.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is described that has a distinctive torque-transmitting coupling assembly. A tubular member made of super-elastic alloy has a driven end and a driving end with an integral tongue member, which defines a passageway that extends along a first axis. A fitting member defines a shape presenting a first mating interface surface. A tool-bit member has a second axis and presents a second mating interface surface adapted for receptive complemental facing with the first mating interface surface, including a recess formed in the second mating interface surface. Relative motion activates the super-elastic alloy of the tongue, which detentively snaps into the recess to align the first and second axes with one another. A flexible surgical reamer is similarly disclosed, where the fitting has an aperture opening onto the first mating interface surface and the tongue projects through the aperture.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis for replacing a portion of a bone having an articulating end includes a neck having a bore extending therethrough, a body having a bore extending therethrough, and an elongated stem. A proximal end of the stem is received within the bore of the body and the bore of the neck so that at least a self-locking taper connection or a press fit connection is formed between the stem and each of the neck and the body.

Abstract: The surgical reamer has a hollow dome with apertures spaced apart arranged in arcs extending from an apex of the dome to the base portion of the dome, and removable teeth positioned in the apertures. Each cutting tooth has a flange that is aligned flush with the external surface of the dome, and a raised cutting edge extending above the flange and the external surface of the dome, and an interior passageway communicating between the outside and inside of the dome. In one embodiment, a base plate is removably secured on the base portion of the dome to provide closure of the central cavity of the dome.

Abstract: According to the invention, a torque-transmitting assembly is described. A female coupling member defines a shape with a tapered bore. A radially flexible sleeve member has a wall with a tapered exterior surface, received within the bore, and an inner surface defining a through-bore. An elongated shaft member made of super-elastic alloy has an outer surface that is received within the through-bore. Relative motion among at least two of the members causes the inner surface to contact the outer surface, inducing a super-elastic activation in the shaft, simultaneously securing the members together in a fixed relative position. The radially flexible sleeve member has a plurality of collet fingers, which preferably contact the shaft at discrete locations. It is further preferred that the super-elastic activation in the shaft occurs as a result of the discrete contact thereby changing the cross-sectional shape of the shaft, which is generally non-circular, e.g., polygonal, in a further preferred form.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis for replacing a portion of a bone having an articulating end includes a neck having a bore extending therethrough, a body having a bore extending therethrough, and an elongated stem. A proximal end of the stem is received within the bore of the body and the bore of the neck so that at least a self-locking taper connection or a press fit connection is formed between the stem and each of the neck and the body.

Abstract: According to the invention, a torque-transmitting assembly is described. A female coupling member defines a shape with a tapered bore. A radially flexible sleeve member has a wall with a tapered exterior surface, received within the bore, and an inner surface defining a through-bore. An elongated shaft member made of super-elastic alloy has an outer surface that is received within the through-bore. Relative motion among at least two of the members causes the inner surface to contact the outer surface, inducing a super-elastic activation in the shaft, simultaneously securing the members together in a fixed relative position. The radially flexible sleeve member has a plurality of collet fingers, which preferably contact the shaft at discrete locations. It is further preferred that the super-elastic activation in the shaft occurs as a result of the discrete contact thereby changing the cross-sectional shape of the shaft, which is generally non-circular, e.g., polygonal, in a further preferred form.

Abstract: The surgical reamer (20) has a hollow dome (24) with apertures (26) spaced apart arranged in arcs (28) extending from an apex (30) of the dome to the base portion (32) of the dome, and removable teeth (22) positioned in the apertures. Each cutting tooth (22) has a flange (52) that is aligned flush with the external surface of the dome (24), and a raised cutting edge (50) extending above the flange and the external surface (36) of the dome, and an interior passageway (39) communicating between the outside and inside of the dome. In one embodiment, a base plate (56) is removably secured on the base portion (32) of the dome (24) to provide closure of the central cavity (34) of the dome.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is described that has a distinctive torque-transmitting coupling assembly. A tubular member made of super-elastic alloy has a driven end and a driving end with an integral tongue member, which defines a passageway that extends along a first axis. A fitting member defines a shape presenting a first mating interface surface. A tool-bit member has a second axis and presents a second mating interface surface adapted for receptive complemental facing with the first mating interface surface, including a recess formed in the second mating interface surface. Relative motion activates the super-elastic alloy of the tongue, which detentively snaps into the recess to align the first and second axes with one another. A flexible surgical reamer is similarly disclosed, where the fitting has an aperture opening onto the first mating interface surface and the tongue projects through the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torque-transmitting coupling assembly and method, as well as flexible surgical reamers having such assemblies. The reamers employ a fitting with radially flexible member, e.g., a split collet or a super-elastic collar that receives an elongated tubular shaft of super-elastic alloy. A compression sleeve is applied to the collet, in one embodiment, while the collar is located within a counter-bore of the fitting in another embodiment. Relative motion between the shaft, fitting and collet (or collar) induces a super-elastic activation in the shaft to form the desired coupling.

Abstract: The surgical reamer has a hollow dome with apertures spaced apart arranged in arcs extending from an apex of the dome to the base portion of the dome, and removable teeth positioned in the apertures. Each cutting tooth has a flange that is aligned flush with the external surface of the dome, and a raised cutting edge extending above the flange and the external surface of the dome, and an interior passageway communicating between the outside and inside of the dome. In one embodiment, a base plate is removably secured on the base portion of the dome to provide closure of the central cavity of the dome.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular three-component assembly for replacing a portion of a patient's femur or humerus. A neck component attaches directly to a stem component that inserts into the bone, and a body component that also inserts into the bone is attached to the neck component and/or to the stem component. Methods for assembling the prosthesis are also provided, wherein the stem component is inserted within the body component, and the stem component is joined to the neck component. The prosthesis may be constructed from the components outside of the patient, or, components of the prosthesis may be inserted into the patient prior to final assembly of the prosthesis during surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular three-component assembly for replacing a portion of a patient's femur or humerus. A neck component attaches directly to a stem component that inserts into the bone, and a body component that also inserts into the bone is attached to the neck component and/or to the stem component. Methods for assembling the prosthesis are also provided, wherein the stem component is inserted within the body component, and the stem component is joined to the neck component. The prosthesis may be constructed from the components outside of the patient, or, components of the prosthesis may be inserted into the patient prior to final assembly of the prosthesis during surgery.