Abstract: A method and device for improving the placement of a second guide wire in relation to a first guide wire. A body having a first guide wire channel extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end includes a needle-like tip arranged to receive a first guide wire from the first guide wire channel. The body further includes at least one parallel guide wire conduit in close proximity and substantially parallel to the channel. An elongated slot, with a wide opening on the distal end, narrows at the proximal end with a terminus exiting the body in close proximity to the needle-like tip. A second guide wire can be selectively inserted in either the at least one parallel conduit or in the slot to arrange the second guide wire in close and parallel proximity to, or in close and intersecting the trajectory of, the first guide wire.

Abstract: System, including methods, devices, and kits, for hip fixation. The system may include a support member defining an aperture and including an intramedullary nail for a proximal femur or a plate member for a proximal femur. The system also may include a fixation element having a compliant region and configured to be received in the aperture of the support member such that the fixation element extends out of the support member from the aperture and into a head of the proximal femur and is slideable with respect to the support member along a long axis defined by the fixation element. The system further may include a set of stiffening inserts each insertable into the fixation element and configured to stiffen the compliant region differently from one another.

Abstract: System, including methods, devices, and kits, for hip fixation. The system may comprise an intramedullary nail configured to be placed longitudinally into a proximal femur. The system also may comprise a fixation element configured to be placed transversely through the nail, such that the fixation element is slideable along its long axis in the nail and extends out of the nail to a head of the proximal femur and is anchored in the head. A compliant member may be located in the nail and configured to deform reversibly in response to a load applied to the head of the proximal femur after placement of the fixation element, to reversibly change an angular orientation of the fixation element with respect to the nail.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones with bone plates having movable locking elements.

Abstract: Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.

Abstract: A method of repairing bone. In the method, a sleeve and a fastener may be provided, with the fastener projecting from the sleeve and having a trailing section disposed in threaded engagement with the sleeve. A leading section of the fastener may be driven into threaded engagement with bone. The sleeve may be advanced into contact with the bone to apply tension to the fastener and compress the bone. A trailing section of the fastener may be driven out of the sleeve and into threaded engagement with the bone.

Abstract: System, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for replacement of the proximal end of a radial bone with a prosthesis having a floating articular member. The prosthesis may include a head portion connected or connectable to a stem portion. While the stem portion remains operatively connected to the head portion, the head portion and/or an articular member thereof may be permitted to float in position relative to the stem portion. The head portion/articular member may float transversely (e.g., translationally) and/or rotationally with respect to the stem portion. The articular member may articulate with a humeral bone or both a humeral bone and an ulnar bone. In some embodiments, the head portion may include a fixed member for articulation with an ulnar bone and a floating member for articulation with a humeral bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for replacement of at least one surface region of a distal radioulnar joint using at least one prosthesis. In some embodiments, the system may provide restoration of normal, unconstrained biomechanics of the joint, which may preserve rotation and translation and ensure durability of the joint.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the placement of a second guide wire in relation to a first guide wire. A body having a first guide wire channel extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end includes a needle-like tip arranged to receive a first guide wire from the first guide wire channel. The body further includes at least one parallel guide wire conduit in close proximity and substantially parallel to the channel. An elongated slot, with a wide opening on the distal end, narrows at the proximal end with a terminus exiting the body in close proximity to the needle-like tip. A second guide wire can be selectively inserted in either the at least one parallel conduit or in the slot to arrange the second guide wire in close and parallel proximity to, or in close and intersecting the trajectory of, the first guide wire.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a bone connector with a pivotable joint.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for performing osteotomies to cut bone and, optionally, to adjust bone length.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a bone connector with a pivotable joint.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: Bone plate system, including methods and apparatus, for attaching a fastener to a bone plate at a selectable angle. In an exemplary method, a bone plate and a fastener may be selected. The bone plate may define an aperture having an internal thread. The fastener may include a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region may be tapered conically toward the distal region. The fastener may be disposed in the aperture and in bone, such that the serrated thread is cross-threaded with the internal thread to create an interference fit and locked engagement of the proximal region with the aperture.

Abstract: A method of repairing bone. In the method, a sleeve and a fastener may be provided, with the fastener projecting from the sleeve and having a trailing section disposed in threaded engagement with the sleeve. A leading section of the fastener may be driven into threaded engagement with bone. The sleeve may be advanced into contact with the bone to apply tension to the fastener and compress the bone. A trailing section of the fastener may be driven out of the sleeve and into threaded engagement with the bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for bone fixation using a pair of slender spanning members to span a fracture outside bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for bone fixation with a bone plate attached to a fastener assembly including a first fastener disposed in threaded engagement with the bone plate and a second fastener disposed in threaded engagement with the first fastener.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.