Abstract: Reference numeral 10.1 generally depicts a prosthesis which includes an implant 12.1 which is configured to imitate or replicate the anatomic characteristics and functions of a trapezium bone 14 and a mounting means 16 for mounting the implant 12.1 on a FCR tendon 18 of a patient to inhibit dislocation of the implant 12.1 in use. The implant 12.1 is formed from any synthetic plastics or metallic material suitable for insertion in a CMC joint capsule 20. The implant 12.1 is contoured and/or dimensioned to facilitate engagement with and/or articulation of the trapezoid 22, scaphoid 24, index metacarpal 26, and thumb 28 metacarpal bones as shown in FIG. 1.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an oxygen iodine laser includes a gas mixing section. Ground state oxygen and a carrier gas are introduced into the first gas mixing section, sometimes separately. The laser includes a discharge region to generate at least said excited oxygen from the flow of the first gas mixing section. A sensitizer gas having a lower ionization threshold than ground state oxygen is also introduced into the first gas mixing section, such that electrons are more easily produced in the electrical generator. The laser system includes introducing a source of iodine into the excited singlet delta oxygen flow to generate a laser-active gas. In another embodiment a conditioner is placed into the gas mixing section to help mix the flow and/or introduce one or more of the aforementioned gases.