Abstract: A connection assembly connects a bone engaging fastener to an elongate member. In one example, the assembly includes a fastener connector that has two integrally formed portions. The first fastener connector portion is for location adjacent to the bone and has an opening through which the fastener can extend and into the bone. The second fastener connector portion has one part of a ball and socket connection. The assembly includes a member connector that has two integrally formed portions. The first member connector portion has another part of the ball and socket connection engaged with the part of the ball and socket connection of the fastener connector. The second member connector portion has an aperture for receiving the elongate member. In a specific example, the opening in the fastener connector is an elongate slot. An associated method is used to connect the bone engaging fastener to the elongate member.

Abstract: A clip to inter-connect primary and secondary bone zones having spaced apart edges, comprising in combination two clip sections, and a first tab to extend over a surface of the secondary bone zone at a first level, the first tab carried by one of the sections; a projection to anchor the other clip section to the primary bone zone, and a tab extension projecting below the first level, and having at least one through opening to receive a the projection for penetrating the primary bone zone below the first level.

Abstract: An applicator device for controllable injecting a cement into bones, particularly, in percutaneous vertebroplasty, comprising an elongated body with an inner axial cavity, a guiding block having an inner thread closing a first end of the axial cavity, a rotatable spin having a central outer thread portion and a distal end emerging from an axial cavity through the guiding block, the spin being axially movable within the axial cavity when being rotated, a syringe holder compartment for tightly holding a syringe body within an axial space being in axial continuation of the axial cavity, the syringe holding compartment comprising a hollow body being releasably fastened by fastening means within at least an end portion of said axial cavity, and at least a first axial rib outwardly protruding from the hollow body, the first axial rib fitting within a complementary first axial slot in said end portion of the axial cavity.

Abstract: A control element for media, for instance, a pneumatic valve or a hydraulic valve, comprising a valve body in which one or several channels are arranged, at least one moving element arranged in a channel and means for carrying out a relative movement of and/or deforming the moving element. The means are directly arranged on and/or directly act upon the moving element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and materials in combination for bonding screws to a fixation plate or to a skeletal bone using chemical means. The chemicals include solvents, glues, or bonding agents, which act to improve the strength of bone screw to plate or the bone screw to skeletal bone interface. Interface refers to the contact area between the bone screw and either the plate or skeletal bone. The fixation device usually comprises a plate with bone screws implanted within the human skeleton. The bone screw maintains the plate in contact with the bone or maintains another structure such as a tendon in contact with the bony skeleton. The chemical bonding is in addition to or in place of a mechanical means to bond the bone screw to the fixation plate or to the skeletal bone. It provides for added strength to the bone screw interface with a plate or skeletal bone, reducing the probability of screw loosening and or migration.

Abstract: A valve seat includes a seat body with an inlay and at least one groove. The seat body has a passage which extends from a first opening to a second opening in the seat body. A channel is located in the seat body adjacent the first opening and extends around at least a portion of the passage. The inlay is located in at least a portion of the channel. The groove extends along at least a portion of an inner surface of the passage from the first opening towards the second opening.

Abstract: An orthopedic method and device for correcting instability of an injured hinge joint. The device includes fixed and rotating rigid members connected by a pair of elongated, generally cylindrical shafts. When the device is mounted in place, a single end-threaded pin disposed through the fixed rigid member defines an axis of rotation, allowing the rotating rigid member, which is connected to the rotating member, to go through a range of motion so that the respective joint is not restricted. This motion mimics that of a natural joint and is made possible because the single end-threaded pin is not fixed in place by any structure other than the center-of-rotation bone and the fixed rigid member in which it is a supportably nested. The invention can include an operational surgical method for using the device to correct instability in the injured hinge joint.

Abstract: A femur rasp fastener has a frame and a linkage. The frame has a chamber for housing the linkage. When a femur rasp is engaged with the frame and a handle of the linkage is moved, an arched and elastic suspension bar will be driven to pull a bucking hear which is engaged with a front end of the suspension bar so that the bucking head will clamp a strut in an indented recess located at one end of the femur rasp. The femur rasp thus will be held securely and continuously by the frame of the fastener.

Abstract: Fixation devices for stabilization and fusion of the lamina after laminoplasty are described. The device comprises of a plate with several holes that receive bone fasteners. The plate is curved at the ends to contour to the vertebral structure and has a spacer in the middle to engage the displaced lamina in a fixed position. Several fixation devices for dynamically stabilizing the lamina after either the open door, double door or expansive laminoplasty technique are provided.

Abstract: A tool (10) for preparation of a cavity (12) in a long bone (14) for receiving a joint prosthesis (16) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The tool (10) includes a body (20) having an outer periphery (22) of the body (20). The outer periphery (22) is adapted to have a first shape (24) and a second shape (26) thereof of the body (20). The second shape (26) has dimensions different than the first shape (24), whereby the tool (10), when in the first shape (24), is capable of forming a first cavity (30) in the long bone (14) and whereby the tool (10), when in the second shape (26), is capable of forming a second cavity (32) in the long bone (14). The second cavity (32) is different than the first cavity (30).

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a slider controlling the water flow through the valve assembly and having a variably sized outer dimension. The slider has opposite ends, one of which receives a removable stop, whereas the other end is enlarged to form a flange arresting displacement of the slider in a predetermine position.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth projecting therefrom. At least a portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engages with the at least one tooth of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated while forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first device including an actuatable clamp for clamping on a fastener fixed to a first bone portion and a carriage that is movable relative to the clamp when subjected to a predetermined axial load. A second device includes a portion adapted for threaded engagement with the carriage and an end portion for supporting a member for securing a rod connected to a second bone portion to the fastener. Relative rotation between the first and second devices causes relative axial movement between the second device and the carriage of the first-device. The carriage is stationary relative to the clamp of the first device when a force necessary to produce relative movement between the first and second bone portions is below the predetermined axial load so that relative rotation between the first and second devices first bone portion relative to the second bone portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a fusion plate system, and method for installing this system upon a patient's spine. The system uses a distractor device which measures an appropriately sized fusion plate for a corpectomy or discectomy application. Once a properly sized fusion plate is selected, the distractor device compresses the vertebrae and any associated bone graft placed between the vertebrae, thereby assuring maximum contact between the vertebrae and bone graft at a corpectomy or discectomy location. Compression is maintained by the distractor device while the fusion plate is anchored upon the corpectomy or discectomy site. Furthermore, the inventive fusion plate system and method results in the fusion plate being properly centered upon a patient's spine, so that an aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional, surgical result is achieved.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.

Abstract: An instrument for utilization in the rotational alignment of a hinged prosthetic knee implant has two selectively coupled parts for mounting on the tibia. The prosthetic knee implant has a tibial portion and a femoral portion. The femoral component has a hinged portion. The first part of the instrument is a trial tibial template for engaging the resected proximal tibia. The second part is a trial hinge component that has a portion for selectively coupling with the trial template in an orientation forming the tibial portion of the prosthetic knee implant. The trial hinge component has a hinge portion which selectively mates with the hinge on the femoral component. The rotational alignment of the tibial portion of the prosthetic knee implant may be determined by coupling the hinged portion of the trial hinge component to the hinge on the femoral component and moving the resected tibia throughout the range of motion desired and pinning the trial tibia template in the appropriate position on the resected tibia.

Abstract: A closure system for fixing a spinal fixation element to a spinal fixation element receiving body includes a low profile outer locking nut for engaging an outer surface of the spinal fixation element receiving body and an inner set screw for engaging an inner surface of a spinal fixation element. The outer locking nut includes opposed proximal and distal ends, a generally cylindrical, low profile outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner bore, and a spinal fixation element closure surface provided on the distal end. An engagement element is formed on the inner surface adjacent the distal end for engaging an outer portion of the spinal fixation element receiving body so as to close the spinal fixation element to the spinal fixation element receiving body upon tightening of the engagement element. A driving element is formed at the proximal end within a periphery defined by the low profile outer surface and is configured to receive a driving tool to tighten the engagement element.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.

Abstract: A pressure compensating element (8) for a control valve (3) for controlling an overflow of a medium from a first pressure space (1) into a second pressure space (2) has a diaphragm (9) separating the pressure space (1, 2) from one another. The pressure compensating element (8) compensates forces acting on a valve body (5) of the control valve (3) and generated by pressure differences in the pressure spaces (1, 2). However, an overflow of a medium from one pressure space (1) into the other pressure space (2) takes place solely in the region of the control valve (3).

Abstract: A settable control valve (13, 50, 113) has a closure member moveable within a passage-way (17, 71, 81A, 101, 117), there being at least one groove for fluid flow (25, 26, 44, 56, 57, 97, 98, 107, 108, 125, 126) in the wall of the passageway. The groove is of varying transverse cross-sectional area along its length and the closure member may be set at different positions so as to expose varying lengths of the groove to fluid flow, hence enabling different fluid flow rates to be established.