Abstract: System and method for fixing a distal femur having a Hoffa fracture. The system may comprise a main plate, an outrigger plate, and a coupling member that mounts the outrigger plate to the main plate. In an exemplary method, an elongated body portion of the main plate may be secured to a shaft region of the distal femur, and a wider head portion of the main plate may be secured to an end region of the distal femur. The outrigger plate may be mounted on the head portion of the main plate, and an arm of the outrigger plate may be fastened to a condylar fragment of the femur with one or more fasteners, such that the outrigger plate spans and stabilizes the Hoffa fracture.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for fixing a bone using a plate and a coupler that are connected to one another with flexible members. The plate may be configured to be attached to a shaft region of a bone. The coupler may be configured to be disposed on an end region of the bone, and may define a bore and an aperture. The flexible members may include a first flexible member and a second flexible member, each including a wire or cable. The first flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate, through the bore, and back to the plate. The second flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate to the coupler on a path that approaches the coupler transverse to a line that is parallel to the bore. The apparatus and method may be used to stabilize the greater trochanter of a femur.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation using a plate straddled by a retainer. In an exemplary system, the plate may be an elongated plate configured to be disposed longitudinally on a bone. The retainer may have a body interconnecting a pair of mounting regions. The body may define a recess, and each mounting region may define a first aperture and a second aperture. The retainer may be configured to be mated with the plate to position a section of the plate in the recess such that the retainer straddles the plate. The first apertures may be configured to define through-axes that are tangential to the bone, to enable use with a line including wire and/or cable, and each second aperture may be configured to define a through-axis that extends through opposite sides of the bone while avoiding a medullary canal thereof, to enable use with a threaded fastener.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for fixing a bone using a plate and a coupler that are connected to one another with flexible members. The plate may be configured to be attached to a shaft region of a bone. The coupler may be configured to be disposed on an end region of the bone, and may define a bore and an aperture. The flexible members may include a first flexible member and a second flexible member, each including a wire or cable. The first flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate, through the bore, and back to the plate. The second flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate to the coupler on a path that approaches the coupler transverse to a line that is parallel to the bore. The apparatus and method may be used to stabilize the greater trochanter of a femur.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation using a plate straddled by a retainer. In an exemplary system, the plate may be an elongated plate configured to be disposed longitudinally on a bone. The retainer may have a body interconnecting a pair of mounting regions. The body may define a recess, and each mounting region may define a first aperture and a second aperture. The retainer may be configured to be mated with the plate to position a section of the plate in the recess such that the retainer straddles the plate. The first apertures may be configured to define through-axes that are tangential to the bone, to enable use with a line including wire and/or cable, and each second aperture may be configured to define a through-axis that extends through opposite sides of the bone while avoiding a medullary canal thereof, to enable use with a threaded fastener.

Abstract: System and method for fixing a distal femur having a Hoffa fracture. The system may comprise a main plate, an outrigger plate, and a coupling member that mounts the outrigger plate to the main plate. In an exemplary method, an elongated body portion of the main plate may be secured to a shaft region of the distal femur, and a wider head portion of the main plate may be secured to an end region of the distal femur. The outrigger plate may be mounted on the head portion of the main plate, and an arm of the outrigger plate may be fastened to a condylar fragment of the femur with one or more fasteners, such that the outrigger plate spans and stabilizes the Hoffa fracture.

Abstract: An aspiration apparatus is described that includes a guide and a set of needles. The guide preferably has an approximately conical shape with a decreasing diameter in the distal direction. A plurality of lumens extend between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the guide. The needles have a tubular wall and are slidingly positionable in the lumens. The needles include a longitudinal section of the tubular wall that has a plurality of apertures that decrease in size in the proximal direction. The apertures define an approximately conically shaped area of harvest. The aspiration apparatus can connect to an external source of reduced pressure through the guide or directly to each needle.

Abstract: A spinal aspiration apparatus 10 is described that includes a needle 11 that has a shape suitable for the location of and penetration through a pedicle pathway of a vertebra 1. The distal end portion of the spinal aspiration apparatus 10 includes a plurality of apertures that are in fluid communication with a lumen 24 of needle 11. The size and angular orientation of the apertures are constructed using the principles of fluid mechanics to create separate and distinct harvest volumes of bone marrow 4 within a body 2 of vertebra 1. A proximal end portion 14 of needle 11 includes an external interface 17 that is adapted to provide a fluid tight coupling with an external source of reduced pressure. A handle 16 is connected to proximal end portion 14 that aids in the manipulation of needle 11.

Abstract: A tamping apparatus is described that includes a cannula that has a tubular wall that includes a distal end portion that defines a tamping face. The cannula defines a longitudinally aligned aperture or lumen that provides access for an insert and the injection of treatment materials such as a bone graft. The distal end portion of the cannula can also include a plurality of movable elements that can be a part of or connected to the tubular wall. The tamp apparatus can also include a cannula or stylet that can be moved within aperture of cannula and is employed to move elements between the first position and second position of tamp apparatus.

Abstract: A tamping apparatus is described that includes a cannula that has a tubular wall that includes a distal end portion that defines a tamping face. The cannula defines a longitudinally aligned aperture or lumen that provides access for an insert and the injection of treatment materials such as a bone graft. The distal end portion of the cannula can also include a plurality of movable elements that can be a part of or connected to the tubular wall. The tamp apparatus can also include a cannula or stylet that can be moved within aperture of cannula to move elements between the first position and second position of tamp apparatus.

Abstract: A tamping apparatus is described that includes a cannula that has a tubular wall that includes a distal end portion that defines a tamping face. The cannula defines a longitudinally aligned aperture or lumen that provides access for an insert and the injection of treatment materials such as a bone graft. The distal end portion of the cannula can also include a plurality of movable elements that can be a part of or connected to the tubular wall. The tamp apparatus can also include a cannula or stylet that can be moved within aperture of cannula and is employed to move elements between the first position and second position of tamp apparatus.

Abstract: An aspiration apparatus is described that includes a guide and a set of needles. The guide preferably has an approximately conical shape with a decreasing diameter in the distal direction. A plurality of lumens extend between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the guide. The needles have a tubular wall and are slidingly positionable in the lumens. The needles include a longitudinal section of the tubular wall that has a plurality of apertures that decrease in size in the proximal direction. The apertures define an approximately conically shaped area of harvest. The aspiration apparatus can connect to an external source of reduced pressure through the guide or directly to each needle.

Abstract: An aspiration apparatus 10 is described that includes a guide 12 and a set of needles 14. Guide 12 preferably has an approximately conical shape with a decreasing diameter in the distal direction. A plurality of lumens 32 extend between a distal end portion 18 and a proximal end portion 20 of guide 12. Lumens 32 have distal openings 34 in distal end portion 18 and proximal openings in proximal end portion 20. Lumens 32 are acute and oblique to the longitudinal axis and diverge from each other and the central longitudinal axis as they extend distally from distal openings 34. Needles 14 have a tubular wall 60 and are slidingly positionable in lumens 32. Needles 14 include a longitudinal section 80 of tubular wall 60 that has a plurality of apertures 72 that decrease in size in the proximal direction. Apertures 72 define an approximately conically shaped area of harvest. Aspiration apparatus 10 can connect to an external source of reduced pressure through guide 12 or directly to each needle 14.

Abstract: An elongated cannula with an inner tube that is designed to cooperate with a corresponding outer tube. The cannula may include a cam mechanism, a plurality of flexible members designed to expand and deploy when the inner and outer tubes move relative to each other, and a pressure ring disposed on the outer tube. The inner and outer tubes are slidably moveable relative to each other in at least one direction.

Abstract: A tamping apparatus 10 is described that includes a cannula 12 that has a tubular wall 22 that includes a distal end portion 16 that defines a tamping face 17. The cannula 12 also defines a longitudinally aligned aperture or lumen 23 that provides access for an insert 9, a guide wire 11 and the injection of treatment materials such as a bone graft. The cannula 12 can have a straight or arcuate shape. The distal end portion 16 of the cannula 16 can also include a plurality of movable elements 30 that can be a part of or connected to the tubular wall 22. The movable elements 30 have tamping faces that can increase the total tamping surface of the tamp apparatus 10. The tamp apparatus 10 can also include a cannula or stylet 26 that can be moved within aperture 23 of cannula 12. The stylet 26 has a distally directed tamping face 42 and is employed in aperture 23 to move elements 30 between the first position and second position of tamp apparatus 10.

Abstract: An aspiration apparatus 10 is described that includes a guide 12 and a set of needles 14. Guide 12 preferably has an approximately conical shape with a decreasing diameter in the distal direction. A plurality of lumens 32 extend between a distal end portion 18 and a proximal end portion 20 of guide 12. Lumens 32 have distal openings 34 in distal end portion 18 and proximal openings in proximal end portion 20. Lumens 32 are acute and oblique to the longitudinal axis and diverge from each other and the central longitudinal axis as they extend distally from distal openings 34. Needles 14 have a tubular wall 60 and are slidingly positionable in lumens 32. Needles 14 include a longitudinal section 80 of tubular wall 60 that has a plurality of apertures 72 that decrease in size in the proximal direction. Apertures 72 define an approximately conically shaped area of harvest. Aspiration apparatus 10 can connect to an external source of reduced pressure through guide 12 or directly to each needle 14.

Abstract: A spinal aspiration apparatus 10 is described that includes a needle 11 that has a shape suitable for the location of and penetration through a pedicle pathway of a vertebra 1. The distal end portion of the spinal aspiration apparatus 10 includes a plurality of apertures that are in fluid communication with a lumen 24 of needle 11. The size and angular orientation of the apertures are constructed using the principles of fluid mechanics to create separate and distinct harvest volumes of bone marrow 4 within a body 2 of vertebra 1. A proximal end portion 14 of needle 11 includes an external interface 17 that is adapted to provide a fluid tight coupling with an external source of reduced pressure. A handle 16 is connected to proximal end portion 14 that aids in the manipulation of needle 11.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: The present invention is a sun shield which can be easily attached and/or detached from most standard sized beach chairs. In another embodiment, the sun shield is attached to a frame which has a bag stretched around the frame to provide a carrying case for beach items as well as a comfortable pillow for the user to rest his/her head upon. Additionally, the sun shield may fold up to act as a handle, and to facilitate carrying that bag. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the sun shield is attached to a cooler which is designed to carry items in a cooling environment to or from the beach and/or the poolside. It also provides the user with a comfortable headrest to rest his or her head upon while sunbathing.

Abstract: A kit of accessories useful in extending the service life of a permanently assembled shock absorber and the resulting product provided thereby. The kit includes a boring tool, one or more self-tapping plugs and a container of sufficient fluid to replace the original fluid charge and having a viscosity effective to substantially restore the original operating characteristics of the shock absorber.