Abstract: A method and apparatus detects and optionally determines the amounts of bacteria in a fluid sample that may include non-bacterial cells, such as somatic cells. The device has a processing chamber for receiving the sample. The processing chamber includes a somatic cell lysis agent that preferentially disrupts somatic cells to release their contents including somatic cell-derived ATP. The somatic lysis agent is selected to leave bacterial cells intact. The processing chamber also holds a plurality of beads that have an ATP-reactive enzyme, such as ATPase, bound to their surfaces. The somatic cell-derived ATP and endogenous ATP in the sample are eliminated by reaction with the ATP-reactive enzyme. Once the reaction reaches an end point, the sample is transferred to a detection chamber while the beads and the bound ATP-reactive enzymes are retained in the processing chamber.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate fastener body defining a longitudinal axis substantially central thereto. The fastener body has a continuous outer fastener shell laterally surrounding the longitudinal axis. The fastener shell longitudinally separates a fastener head end and a fastener tip end. A tool-engaging feature is provided on the fastener head end. A plurality of teeth are located on the fastener shell and extend substantially laterally outward from the longitudinally axis. The fastener shell is comprised of at least one undulate face and at least one substantially flat face. The plurality of teeth are located only on the undulate faces. Each tooth is longitudinally separated from adjacent teeth along an undulate face. A method of installing the fastener into a receiving structure is also described.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A nonmodular prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing and a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base.

Abstract: A ratcheting compression device is provided which is very strong, which can be customized in length, which can be retightened periodically to maintain compression, which allows precise placement and alignment of bones with both grossly tuned compression and finely tuned compression, and in which only a limited inventory of parts is required. The two-piece compression device comprises (a) a novel first piece having a bone screw located at a first end thereof and having a ratcheting member located near the second end thereof and comprising teeth having their crests lying substantially in a plane and (b) a novel second piece comprising an anti-rotation member which acts in cooperation with the ratcheting member of the first piece to compress two segments of bone together. In yet other embodiments, two embodiments of a driver are provided for quickly driving the stop onto the ratcheting member to a desired extent.

Abstract: An implant comprising a specially adapted bone screw having a threaded shank portion and a sleeve which mates with and operates in cooperation with the threaded shank portion is provided. Also provided is a driver specially adapted for inserting and removing the implant of the invention. A method of compressing a fracture in a bone is also provided. The implant generates bone compression by itself and can be used either alone or with plates and washers. It is easily inserted into a fracture and also is easily removed from the fracture. The driver which is specially adapted to be used in combination with the implant of the invention aids in the ease of insertion and removal of the implant.

Abstract: An implant comprising a specially adapted bone screw having a threaded shank portion and a sleeve which mates with and operates in cooperation with the threaded shank portion is provided. Also provided is a driver specially adapted for inserting and removing the implant of the invention. A method of compressing a fracture in a bone is also provided. The implant generates bone compression by itself and can be used either alone or with plates and washers. It is easily inserted into a fracture and also is easily removed from the fracture. The driver which is specially adapted to be used in combination with the implant of the invention aids in the ease of insertion and removal of the implant.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for threading a loop of suture material through a piece of tissue to be stitched or removed as part of a surgical procedure and for wrapping a loop of suture around a piece of tissue. The instrument includes an extractor shaft assembly which is slidably disposed inside an inner tube. The latter is slidably disposed inside an outer tube. The extractor assembly has a pointed front end and a hook directly behind the front end. A tissue clamping bracket is secured to the front end of the outer tube, both of which are sized to fit inside a conventional cannula of the sort used in closed surgeries. The outer tube is secured to a handle assembly which includes a movable member for causing the inner tube to reciprocate inside the outer tube so as to coact with the clamping bracket to clamp a piece of tissue therein.

Abstract: A novel method and system for inserting a surgical wire into a patient's bone is disclosed. The novel system includes a novel tool for guiding a surgical wire into the patient's bone at a universally adjustable position in relation to a previously inserted wire, and a novel guide pin-external sleeve combination whose use greatly facilitates the steps of guide pin insertion and, after the sleeve has been removed, insertion of a cannulated surgical implant over the guide pin. The novel system is particularly suited for use in a surgical procedure for fixing a fracture in the femoral neck with a plurality of parallel cannulated bone screws.

Abstract: The device includes a novel tool for guiding a surgical wire into the patient's bone at a universally adjustable position in relation to a previously inserted wire, and a novel guide pin-external sleeve combination whose use greatly facilitates the steps of guide pin insertion and, after the sleeve has been removed, insertion of a cannulated surgical implant over the guide pin. The novel device is particularly suited for use in a surgical procedure for fixing a fracture in the femoral neck with a plurality of parallel cannulated bone screws.