Abstract: A bone plate for fixation of proximal humerus fractures comprises an elongated shaft portion having a first width and a head portion connected to the shaft portion having a second width greater than the first width. The head portion and the shaft portion define a common longitudinal axis. At least one first screw hole may be located in the head portion, and at least one second screw hole may be located in the shaft portion. At least one of the first and second holes is configured to engage a head of a bone screw to form an angularly stable connection with the bone screw.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting screws into a patient, such that when the device is removed the device does not stick to the screw. The device, being a push-off driver, may have a handle, an inner driver, and a threaded driver sleeve having a button mechanism and a plurality of spheres, and an inner sleeve. The method includes the steps of assembling a push-off driver attaching a bone screw to the push-off driver inserting the bone screw and detaching the bone screw from the driver by unthreading the threaded driver sleeve from the polyaxial screw which causes the spheres in the recess of the inner driver to back up against the start of the recess and causing the threaded driver sleeve to “push-off” the polyaxial screw from the inner driver.

Abstract: A device for manipulating bone fragments includes a bone screw includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The shaft includes a first end having a first threaded portion with a first core diameter, a first external diameter and a first pitch. The shaft includes a second end having a second threaded portion with a second core diameter, a second external diameter and a second pitch. The second end further has a tool engaging surface, wherein the first external diameter is no greater than the second core diameter, the first and second pitches are substantially equal, and a non-threaded middle segment between the first and second threaded portions, an outer diameter of the middle segment being smaller than the first core diameter, and wherein the shaft includes a cannulation extending therethrough disposed coaxial with the screw longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bone fixation device comprises an elongated body extending from a head at a proximal end to a shaft at a distal end along a central longitudinal axis. A slotted opening extends distally into the head by a predetermined distance, the opening defining a spring portion on a lateral side thereof, the spring portion being biased toward the central longitudinal axis and configured to be deflectable away from the central longitudinal axis upon application of a radially expansive force thereto.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures of the femur and includes an intra-medullary pin (1) with a central longitudinal axis (2), a front piece (3), which is introduced into the medullary channel of the femur, a rear piece (4) and a hole (5) going through the rear piece (4) at an angle to the longitudinal axis (2) with a non-circular cross-section (6). A sliding sleeve (10) that is introduced through the hole (5) with non-circular cross-section, has a front end (11), a rear end (12), a central longitudinal drilling (13), an outer sleeve surface (14), an inner sleeve surface (15) and a longitudinal axis (16). A longitudinal bone fixation element (20) with a longitudinal axis (21), a head piece (22) with fixation element (23), which is brought into engagement with the femur head on use and a shaft (24), which is introduced co-axially into the sliding sleeve (10), whereby the outer sleeve surface (14) of the sliding sleeve (10) has a non-circular cross-section (17), at least in a partial region.

Abstract: A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non-articulating with respect to the bridge members. The spinal rod engaging members preferably include a spring, for example, a spring washer, to provide an opposing force so that the spinal rod engaging members can provisionally snap onto the spinal rods.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion operatively coupled to the spacer portion and one or more blades for securing the implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The blades preferably include superior and inferior cylindrical pins for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant may be configured to be inserted via a direct lateral trans-psoas approach. Alternatively, the implant may be configured for insertion via an anterior approach.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having an upper and a lower closing plate designed to engage the vertebral end plates. The implant has a deformable body between the closing plates. Between the deformable body and closing plates are cover plates. A plurality of fiber windings run between the cover plates to hold together the cover plates and the deformable body.

Abstract: An implant assembly device for use in inserting a bone fixation implant includes: (a) a handle portion for manipulation by a user and (b) a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the shaft connected to the handle portion. The distal end of the shaft includes a screw engaging portion configured and adapted to engage and rotate a connecting screw. The device also includes (c) an elongated rod extended through the shaft from a proximal end to a distal end thereof The proximal end of the elongated rod is non-movably coupled to the shaft and the distal end of the elongated rod extending distally past of the distal end of the shaft. The elongated rod is configured and dimensioned to simultaneously pass through an interior portion of, and support, an implant insertion handle, the connecting screw and the bone fixation implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp assembly which allows the surgeon to snap a bone fixation assembly onto a bone fixation rod at an intermediate location along the length of the rod. It is not necessary to “thread” the clamp onto the rod starting at the end and sliding it down the length of the rod to the desired location. In particular, this invention provides a novel clamp assembly for use with standard bone fixation rods, and bone pins. The clamp allows the interconnection of a bone fixation rod with a bone pin locking assembly including a bone pin vise. The clamp is a single-piece construction, having a jaw capable of loosely capturing the bone fixation rod when the surgeon presses the jaw onto the rod. The assembly may be rigidly fixed to the rod using a bolt which tightens the jaw onto the rod.

Abstract: A method for augmenting a facet joint. The method includes exposing the posterior aspects of a spinal motion segment in a first incision, preparing an access path through a separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision using a drilling instrument that traverses through at least a portion of the lamina and an inferior facet articulation surface, and terminates within the facet joint gap, and injecting augmentation filler into the facet joint gap.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a method of producing ceramic layers on magnesium and its alloys, a magnesium implant with a ceramic layer made by the method, and a magnesium implant having a biocompatible ceramic layer substantially free of material which impairs the biocompatibility of said biocompatible ceramic layer.

Abstract: An implant for use in orthognathic surgery of a mandible may include a longitudinal plate member and a plurality of pre-configured guides coupled to the plate member. The longitudinal plate member is pre-bent to correspond to the post-operative shape of the mandible; and the guides are pre-configured to align the plate member with the mandible when the implant is positioned against the mandible after the mandible has been separated.

Abstract: A sleeve for attachment to an end of a bone fixation element includes an elongated tubular element having a central bore extending therethrough. The tubular element has a proximal portion and a distal portion connected to one another by a web. The proximal and distal portions are separated from one another by a slot extending into the elongated tubular element.

Abstract: A flexible keel is provided for use as a bone anchoring element for use with a range of orthopedic implants having portions configured for anchoring into boney tissue. The flexible keel includes two wings terminating proximally in a pair of outward flares, the wings further spaced from a bone contacting implant surface by a void. The flexibility of the keel wings increases the ease of revision or explantation procedures.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures of a bone comprises a plurality of arms, each extending from a proximal end to a distal end and movable in a three-dimensional space, the proximal end of each arm coupled to a frame and a plurality of couplings, each of the couplings coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of arms, the coupling lockingly receiving a bone fixation element secured to a corresponding bone fragment such that each of the arms is coupled to a corresponding fragment of the bone in combination with a mechanical unit moving each of the arms relative to the frame and a controller receiving data corresponding to a desired final position of the fragments relative to one another and controlling the mechanical unit to move the arms relative to one another to achieve the desired final position of the bone fragments relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition for repairing and/or augmenting an intervertebral disc. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition can be cross linked with the surrounding tissue so as to potentially serve as a nucleus pulposus replacement or augmentation along with serving to repair annular tears or fissure. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition may include three main components: a thermal responsive polymer, an amine-containing polymer and a crosslinking component. All three components can be modified and combined in numerous ways to serve the need of the system as long as the amine-containing component is kept separate from the crosslinking component until the components are injected. The incorporation of a two-part crosslinking thermal responsive hydrogel permits smaller amounts of the crosslinking component to be used and enables the crosslinking dialdehyde to be delivered locally into the tissue that will react with the hydrogel.

Abstract: A flexible cable for sternal reconstruction, the cable including first and second ends, the first end of the cable including a crimp fitting member, and the crimp fitting member including a flattened disk-like head. Also provided are methods for sternal reconstruction including wrapping a flexible cable having first and second ends around the sternum, tensioning the flexible cable to a desired tension and securing the tensioned cable, wherein the first end of the cable includes a crimp fitting member, and the crimp fitting member includes a flattened disk-like head.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable flexible bone composites, and method for preparing the same. The flexible bone composite includes at least one polymeric layer and at least one calcium-containing layer. The polymeric layer can be a polymeric layer including a synthetic polymer. The calcium-containing layer can include a calcium compound such as ?-Ca3(PO4)2. The flexible bone composites of the invention are useful as bone void fillers and have improved handling characteristics.

Abstract: A system for fixing a fracture near a joint of a bone comprises (a) an intramedullary device including a longitudinal body and a head, the longitudinal body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the head being attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal body; and (b) a plate implantable into a head portion of the bone to provide support to a joint zone, the plate engageable with the intramedullary device. The plate is substantially U-shaped and includes a midsection and a pair of arms extending from the midsection, the pair of arms forming a space therebetween, the space sized and shaped to accommodate the head of the intramedullary device.