Abstract: A method is provided for forming an autologous graft by distending a donor blood vessel and harvesting the distended portion of the vessel. Also provided is a device for in vivo or in vitro vessel distension. Typically the device is implanted, for example using endoscopic techniques, in a patient sometime prior to another surgery on that patient which includes implanting a vascular graft. The device includes a stretching mechanism which is attached to a donor blood vessel, means for operating the stretching mechanism to cause the vessel to distend, and a controller, preferably externally located, for controlling the operating means. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a pair of opposed straps, attached to a healthy, small-diameter donor blood vessel such as a femoral artery in the leg. The straps are displaced from each other over a period of time to continuously distend or elongate the donor vessel. The distended portion of the donor vessel is excised at the time of the bypass surgery.

Abstract: An improved fixation assembly for orthopedic applications. The fixation assembly includes a screw having an upper shank portion, a middle section with a recessed area, and a lower threaded section. A locking ring surrounds the recessed area of the screw, with the diameter of the locking ring being greater than the diameter of the recessed area of said screw and less than the diameter of the shank and threaded sections of the screw. The screw and locking ring combination is used to attach an orthopedic plate to a bone. The orthopedic plate includes a hole for receiving the screw and the locking ring. The hole includes an upper section and a lower section, wherein the width of the upper section is less than the width of the locking ring so that the locking ring is compressed while in the upper section of the hole. The width of the lower section is greater than the width of the locking ring so that the locking ring is not compressed while in the lower section of the hole.

Abstract: The modular components of an orthopedic leg brace assembly are secured together around a flexible cable arrangement and the components are removable so that they may be dissambled for repair or for replacement with longer components to accommodate for a user's growth. The components inlcude an ankle-foot orthosis and upwardly extending side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's lower leg, a second pair of side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's thigh, and knee joint assemblies joining the ends of the braces to simulate the normal action of a user's knee during flexion and extension of the leg. The flexible cable arrangement allows the user to rigidly hold the entire unit in aligned, fixed relation when the leg is extended.

Abstract: The modular components of an orthopedic leg brace assembly are strung together in bead-like fashion on a flexible cable arrangement and the components are removable so that they may be unstrung and replaced for repair or for replacement with longer components to accommodate for a user's growth. The components include an ankle-foot orthosis and upwardly extending side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's lower leg, a second pair of side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's thigh, and knee joint assemblies joining the ends of the braces to simulate the normal action of a user's knee during flexion and extension of the leg. The flexible cable arrangement allows the user to rigidly hold the entire unit in aligned, fixed relation when the leg is extended.

Abstract: A knife particularly for opening corrugated board cartons efficiently and safely without damaging the carton contents includes a forward end receptor slot for a standard single edge razor blade which positions the cutting edge of the blade below and forwardly of the hand grip portion of the knife for safety. An automatically retractable and recloseable blade guard having a cantilevered connection with the hand grip portion of the knife also serves as a cover for a blade storage compartment in the hand grip portion and is permanently attached to the knife to preclude loss. Depth of cut is limited to avoid damaging carton contents.