Abstract: A microscopic lumber laminectomy surgical process and procedure which includes the steps of punching a hole in the supraspinous ligament, instead of removing the ligament, and of inserting a lamina spreader instrument through the hole and operating the spreader to open up the interspace between the lamina of the spinal column, with the ligament serving to stabilize the spine, and also serving to prevent the spreader from slipping out of the wound.

Abstract: A surgical table intended specifically for microscopic lumbar laminectomy surgery which may be quickly and conveniently adjusted to fit the needs of the individual patient, and by which the patient is properly positioned for the surgery in a matter of minutes. The table serves to hold the patient in the proper flexed position throughout the surgical procedure. The table includes a top which is supported on a frame base at its forward end by a post in a cantilever configuration, with the top being angularly adjustable about a horizontal axis and also about the vertical axis of the post, and with the post itself being adjustable to set the top to a desired elevation. For the procedure, the patient kneels on a support at the other end of the base with his upper torso extending over the table top to be supported on the top by his iliac crests and chest.

Abstract: A lumbar spine fixation system which includes two spaced lumbar rods extending upwardly from the sacrum on each side of the lumbar spine. The upper ends of the lumbar rods are affixed to the spine by the use of pedicle screws. In the practice of the present invention, fixation of the lower ends of the rods is achieved by mounting an offset hook onto the lower end of each rod. The hook is configured to extend to the alar portion of the sacrum which is laterally placed from the sacral facet. The offset sacral hooks allow for the placement of the rods toward the midline and protect the laminar area of the spine which is frequently removed in a laminectomy. The sacral hooks can be further stabilized with a screw which goes from the sacral hook out laterally into the thick portion of the sacrum. This provides for further compression fixation of the sacral hook. A gear nut system is provided to facilitate the fixation of the screw holder and sacral hook.

Abstract: A guide and method for use in arthroscopic knee surgery for the repair and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. The guide is in the form of a elongated flexible wire, and it enables the semitendinosus and the gracilas tendons to be pulled through the knee joint in an expeditious manner in order to replace the anterior cruciate ligament.

Abstract: An arthroscopic video camera system especially constructed to utilize a compact miniature CCD chip type of color video camera for high resolution and high light sensitivity. A disposable sterile plastic housing is provided for the camera. Prior to the arthroscopic procedure, the camera is placed in the sterile plastic housing, and is connected through a sterile electric cord to an electronic control unit. A gas sterilized adapter is attached to the front end of the camera, and the adapter is plugged into an arthroscopic mounting bracket, and a sterilized light cord extending from a remote light source is then plugged into the mounting bracket. Finally, a selected arthroscope is also plugged into the mounting bracket to be illuminated through the mounting bracket by light from the remote source, and to provide images through the mounting bracket for the video camera.

Abstract: A spinal retractor for use in lumbar or dorsal laminectomies or spinal fusions, and for microscopic lumbar laminectomies, which comprises a pair of parallel arms and a corresponding pair of toothed blades which are slidably received on the arms, the blades being forced apart from one another by the arms under the control of a rack and pinion mechanism. The blades are constructed so that their teeth and configuration serve to hold the lumbar musculature when they are forced apart and adequately to expose the facets, and the blades are also configured so that they will not slip out of the wound as they are spread apart by the retractor arms.

Abstract: An operating table intended specifically for microscopic lumbar laminectomy surgery by which the patient is properly positioned for the surgery in a matter of minutes, and which serves to hold the patient in the proper flexed position during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An arthroscopic assembly in which a video camera is enclosed in a tubular sterile housing formed, for example, of stainless steel, and which may be autoclaved for multiple procedures. The assembly includes a arthroscope detachably plugged into a mounting bracket which, in turn, is plugged into a socket at the front end of the housing, so that the arthroscope may be changed during an operation to incorporate other arthroscopes of different lens angles without fear of contamination of the assembly. An arthroscopic light for the arthroscope is detachably plugged into the mounting bracket so that light therefrom passes through the mounting bracket to the arthroscope. The video camera enclosed in the housing is plugged into an electric socket at the rear end of the housing.

Abstract: A bone plate clamp for attachment to a bone. The clamp includes a base member with a guideway and an abutment face. A jaw member has a pair of jaw faces which face the abutment face. The jaw member is slidably mounted to the base member at the guideway and is moveable toward and away from the abutment face by a leadscrew that is threaded to the base member. A coupler joins the leadscrew to the jaw member. A handle is provided on the base member. The leadscrew has a grip with a first and a second diameter to provide for different rates of movement of the jaw member.