Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed to conduct fluid away from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient's body. For example, a catheter is provided having a terminal end with a non-linear shape such that fluid is delivered to or drained from an area of a treatment site.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprises an elongate member having a coupling region disposed at one end thereof. The retractor is adapted to engage a base of a head of a pedicle screw. The coupling region of the elongate member has a filament-receiving hole adapted to receive a filament which captures the head of the pedicle screw. During surgery, a physician may retract muscle and soft tissue by simply pressing the elongate member against such tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to conduct fluid away from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient's body. In one aspect of the invention, a catheter includes a terminal end with a fluid exchange portion. The terminal end may further include a diffuser. The terminal end may further include a barrier.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to conduct fluid away from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient's body. In one example, a catheter includes a fluid exchange portion and a member attached to the fluid exchange portion for biasing fluid flow at the treatment site.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes locating an anchor attachment point on a first elongated bone with a first bone axis, locating a second anchor attachment point on a second elongated bone with a second bone axis, the second bone axis being misaligned relative to the first bone axis and the bones being separated by an articulating joint.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10) has a cutting structure (12) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (14) with a domed shell portion (16). The shell (16) has an outer surface (18) presenting multiple cutting sites (20) and an inner surface (22) for accumulation of debris. The shell (16) has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions (24) generated about a first radius (30) with a center that lies on the axis (14) and a pair of second curved portions (26) generated about a center that is spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure (12) has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer (10) by a handle (40). Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transverse to the axis (14), the former being smaller than the latter.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer has a cutting structure rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a domed shell portion. The shell has an outer surface presenting multiple cutting sites and an inner surface for accumulation of debris. The shell has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions generated about a first radius with a center that lies on the axis and a pair of second curved portions generated about a center spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer by a handle. Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transferase to the axis, the former being smaller than the latter. Several distinctive alignment structures are described, alone and in combination with reamers having a conventional hemispherical shell, as well as in combination with present reamers that are less invasive.

Abstract: A bone plate(s) of complex form is provided, particularly suited to tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy and a distal femoral osteotomy. The bone plate has a main longitudinal axis, a bone-contacting bottom side (not shown) and a top side with at least three sets of overlapping holes which communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The sets of overlapping holes define threaded apertures having multifaceted surfaces. When applied to a bone, two sets of such overlapping holes are located so as to lie on opposite sides of an osteotomy site and on the tibial plate; a third is aligned at approximately 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis. The configuration of this complex bone plate vary, depending on the physiology of the patient. An object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic surgeon greater flexibility of choice in that a threaded peg providing secure fixing can be positioned at any interval along the bone plate, including at its extreme ends or on its elbow.

Abstract: A bone plate(s) of complex form is provided, particularly suited to tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy and a distal femoral osteotomy. The bone plate has a main longitudinal axis, a bone-contacting bottom side (not shown) and a top side with at least three sets of overlapping holes which communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The sets of overlapping holes define threaded apertures having multifaceted surfaces. When applied to a bone, two sets of such overlapping holes are located so as to lie on opposite sides of an osteotomy site and on the tibial plate; a third is aligned at approximately 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis. The configuration of this complex bone plate vary, depending on the physiology of the patient. An object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic surgeon greater flexibility of choice in that a threaded peg providing secure fixing can be positioned at any interval along the bone plate, including at its extreme ends or on its elbow.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprises an elongate member having a coupling region disposed at one end thereof. The retractor is adapted to engage a base of a head of a pedicle screw. The coupling region of the elongate member has a filament-receiving hole adapted to receive a filament which captures the head of the pedicle screw. During surgery, a physician may retract muscle and soft tissue by simply pressing the elongate member against such tissue.

Abstract: A rotary surgical reamer assembly for removing bone and tissue from a joint to facilitate the installation of a prosthetic device. The assembly includes a hollow reamer body having an opening and a base portion. The base portion includes a first pivoting link member, a wall with a surface defining a central cavity, and a plurality of spaced apart cutting sites defining apertures through said wall. A shaft is configured to be de-mountably attached to a rotary source of power. The shaft has a rotary axis and a second pivoting link member coupled to the first pivoting link member. The axis of the shaft forms an angle to the base portion. A mechanism adjusts the angle of the hollow reamer body from an un-deployed position to a deployed position.

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: A surgical instrument is disclosed having a male portion with a tapered hexagonal tip for engaging a socket head screw. A shaft operatively carries the male portion, for transmitting torque to the tip as it is matingly engaged with the screw. A metallic ring, mounted on the male portion, removably retains the tip matingly engaged within the socket head. The ring is formed with an oblique slit and is radially compressible, the ring presenting a substantially continuous circumferential surface that is in interference fit within the socket.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer (10) has a cutting structure (12) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (14) with a domed shell portion (16). The shell (16) has an outer surface (18) presenting multiple cutting sites (20) and an inner surface (22) for accumulation of debris. The shell (16) has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions (24) generated about a first radius (30) with a center that lies on the axis (14) and a pair of second curved portions (26) generated about a center that is spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure (12) has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer (10) by a handle (40). Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transferse to the axis (14), the former being smaller than the latter.

Abstract: An elongated cutting tool (10, 110) intended to plunge cut a blind form in a bone using a plurality of teeth (30, 130) arranged on the tool. At least one of the teeth is an undercut tooth (30, 130) having a cutting edge (470, 570). The undercut tooth (30, 130) has a profile defined substantially along a primary relief angle (480, 580) measured from a vertical reference plane (477, 577) passing though the cutting edge (470, 570) and by a positive rake angle (485, 585) measured from a horizontal reference plane (472, 572) passing through the cutting edge (470, 570). The undercut tooth (30, 130) has a parabolic, non-circular relief (490, 590) along which bone chips are guided substantially away from the bone being cut, thereby avoiding capturing debris in the teeth and, consequently, avoiding overstressing the bone during cutting.

Abstract: An elongated cutting tool (10, 110) intended to plunge cut a blind form in a bone using a plurality of teeth (30, 130) arranged on the tool. At least one of the teeth is an undercut tooth (30, 130) having a cutting edge (470, 570). The undercut tooth (30, 130) has a profile defined substantially along a primary relief angle (480, 580) measured from a vertical reference plane (477, 577) passing though the cutting edge (470, 570) and by a positive rake angle (485, 585) measured from a horizontal reference plane (472, 572) passing through the cutting edge (470, 570). The undercut tooth (30, 130) has a parabolic, non-circular relief (490, 590) along which bone chips are guided substantially away from the bone being cut, thereby avoiding capturing debris in the teeth and, consequently, avoiding overstressing the bone during cutting.

Abstract: A modular orthopedic prosthesis has a body with a generally triangular cross-section near one end, allowing its angular corners to bite or incise into the surrounding bone cavity for rotational stability. A stem, which may be either unitary or modular in structure, is received within a through-bore of the body, having a proximal neck and distal shaft. A connecting sleeve receives the stem and is, in turn, received within the bore of the body, then actuated to lock the stem and body together.

Abstract: A rotary surgical reamer assembly for removing bone and tissue from a joint to facilitate the installation of a prosthetic device. The assembly includes a hollow reamer body having an opening and a base portion. The base portion includes a first pivoting link member, a wall with a surface defining a central cavity, and a plurality of spaced apart cutting sites defining apertures through said wall. A shaft is configured to be demountably attached to a rotary source of power. The shaft has a rotary axis and a second pivoting link member coupled to the first pivoting link member. The axis of the shaft forms an angle to the base portion. A mechanism adjusts the angle of the hollow reamer body from an un-deployed position to a deployed position.