An instrument for locating a hole of an intramedullary nail includes an end with a sleeve to carry a pin. The sleeve is substantially translucent when subjected to x-ray visualization and the pin is opaque so that the pin can be aligned with the hole of the intramedullary nail.

A composite implant prosthesis comprising a core constructed from a plurality of carbon fibers, a first casing formed from a braided sheath of carbon fibers and a second casing enclosing the core and first casing to define an outer surface contour for the composite implant prosthesis. The method for constructing the composite implant prosthesis includes the steps of pultruding the core from a polymer impregnated tow, braiding the first casing to the pultruded core and applying the second casing ...

A bone implant includes a nonmetallic core and a metallic porous surface secured to the nonmetallic core. The nonmetallic core is designed to closely approximate the modulus of elasticity for bone and the metallic porous surface is intimately engaged with bone to enhance bone growth into the metallic porous surface.

An irrigation system is provided to communicate fluid pressure to a body cavity for diagnostic or surgical proceedings. A pump control unit generates fluid pressure and a monitor control circuit provides feedback to the pump control unit to substantially avoid a build up of excessive fluid pressure within the body cavity. In combination with a hysterscope, the irrigation system extends a uterus in a safe manner so that fluid absorption within the uterus is substantially eliminated.

A wound evacuator is provided with a discharge valve assembly which permits body fluid contained within the wound evacuator to be drained to a collection bag. The discharge valve assembly is also designed to minimize leakage of body fluid when the collection bag is separated from the wound evacuator.

A tool for gripping a bone fragment is provided. A first member is engaged with the bone fragment while a second member is carried by the first member to prevent rotation of the bone fragment.

A surface treatment process for stainless steel orthopedic implant devices and an orthopedic implant device surface treated in accordance with the disclosed process are disclosed. A rough ground or machined stainless steel part is shot blasted with stainless steel shot. The device is then shot blasted with glass beads having a nominal size of between one-tenth and one-half that of the stainless steel shot. Electropolishing and passivation follow the shot blasting steps. A part thus treated inclu...

A mechanism, such as a motor driving a pump, creates a pulsating fluid flow. A sensor senses an operating condition of the system and provides a signal representative of the condition. A controller responsive to the signal controls the pulsating fluid flow mechanism in a predetermined manner in accordance with the condition sensed. In one aspect the sensor is a pressure transducer which senses when a throttle valve on a lavage head shuts off or turns on the fluid flow and provides a signal to a ...

A pressure relief valve includes a body coupled to a tube and a resilient sleeve cooperates with the tube and body to vent the interior of the tube when fluid pressure therein reaches a predetermined level.

A femoral component for a hip prosthesis includes a stem with a porous surface or the like to enhance bone fixation. The porous surface is applied to the stem in a predetermined manner to accommodate stress lines for the stem and generate a curvilinear inferior boundary for the porous surface. A method of construction utilizes the stress lines to approximate a boundary for the porous surface.