Abstract: The implant is a fixation device shaped in the form of a plate for use in the fixation and stabilization of the thoracolumbar spine. The design and the configuration of the device allows for an anatomic fit of the plate in the spine. The improved fixation allows for an anatomical and biomechanicat advantage in stabilizing thoracolumbar spine trauma both in a primary fashion and/or in conjunction with vertebral body replacement. Its anatomic design allows the application of an ingrowth surface at the host/implant interface and encourages an additional point of fixation in cases at high risk for delayed or non-union such as severe trauma or malignancy. The thoracolumbar spine plate is anatomically designed to fit snugly against the thoracolumbar vertebral bodies through a twist around the Z (longitudinal) axis of the generally rectangular plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of tools and accessories used for properly positioning a stemmed humeral component, and/or a humeral stem provisional, within a canal in the humerus. The set of tools and accessories includes one or more fin clamps that are configured to be temporarily attached to a fin on the humeral component or the provisional; a ruler that is configured to be attached to the arm of the fin clamp, a fixation pin and pin driver configured to be used with the other tools for marking a position on the humerus; and one or more sleeves that are configured to slide over the stem of the humeral stem provisional to maintain it in the desired position.

Abstract: An orthopedic coupling device is used for simultaneous attachment of multiple heterogeneous orthopedic components, such as a spacer and plate, for implantation in the body. The device coupler includes a coupling base, at least one coupling member configured to attach to one an orthopedic spacer while also trapping or clamping an orthopedic fixation plate between the coupling base and the orthopedic spacer. The orthopedic coupler device may have a detachable handle to facilitate access and visibility of the spacer and plate after initial implantation.

Abstract: A device for straightening and stabilizing the vertebral column, particularly for stabilizing broken vertebrae, includes a supporting implant which is plastically expandable by internal pressure. The supporting implant can be placed into the interior of a vertebral body which has been fractured under compression or between adjacent vertebral bodies. A pressure balloon to which pressure fluid can be admitted may be arranged in the interior of the supporting implant for producing the internal pressure.

Abstract: A structured illumination probe is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: an optical fiber, to receive and transmit a light beam; a handpiece, coupled to the optical fiber; an optical element, comprising a distal optical fiber and a distal light guide, wherein the proximal ends of the distal optical fiber and the distal light guide can be selectably optically coupled to the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and scattering the light beam to illuminate an area, and wherein the surface area of the proximal end of the distal light guide is greater than the surface area of the distal end of the optical fiber; an actuator, coupled to the handpiece, for selectably coupling the optical fiber to the distal optical fiber and the distal light guide; and a cannula, coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for treating a proximal humeral fracture. A system according to one embodiment includes a longitudinal member configured to be received within the humeral shaft. The system includes a jig assembly configured to be coupled to the longitudinal member, wherein the jig assembly includes at least one hole defined therethrough that is configured to guide placement of at least one hole in the humeral shaft, and wherein the hole formed in the humeral shaft is configured to align with at least one hole in the humeral implant such that the jig assembly is configured to locate the position of the humeral implant in the humeral shaft.

Abstract: A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral spacer is disclosed. The spacer preferably includes a body and an interface extending away from the body for use during implantation of the spacer. Methods of implanting the spacer and tools used during such procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation and implantation of an osteochondral allograft of the intervertebral disc with the adjacent bone segments prepared in a matched fashion to allow for press-fit of the grafts into the recipient vertebral bodies to increase the mechanical fixation of the grafts to the host.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another comprises a resilient member having a plurality of extending portions which are spaced from one another and are capable of resiliently moving toward and away from one another. A plurality of attachment points are provided on the resilient member, for attaching a securing member, such as suture or a surgical screw, thereto. A spacer member is placeable between the plurality of extending portions to retain the extending portions at a fixed distance from one another, and is removable from between the plurality of extending portions after the securing members are in place so that said tension is transferred from the spring to the suture or other securing members. The result is an ability to hold two tissues in a state of compression beyond that which is commonly and consistently achieved with the hand tying of sutures.

Abstract: Surgical guiding tools for surgery on a bone head which include a cutting component, a guiding component and a collar having a patient-specific component are disclosed. The surgical guiding tools are interconnected which ensures secure and accurate placement of the guiding tool and thus guarantees accurate implementation of the pre-operative planning of the surgical intervention.

Abstract: A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A thread-forming screw includes a screw end, a shank, and a thread-free head, wherein the shank is provided at least partly with a thread and has a pre-forming region, an intermediate region, which is arranged to follow the pre-forming region, and an anchoring region, which is arranged so as to adjoin the intermediate region and below the head, wherein the pre-forming region is arranged so as to directly adjoin the screw end.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for controlling the distribution of bone cement on a surface of a prepared bone so as to prepare the bone to receive a resurfacing prosthesis. The instrument includes a shaft having a shaft axis configured to at least partially disposed within the bore of the bone, and at least one arm coupled to the shaft. The at least one arm is configured to rotate about the shaft axis and shaped so as to contact the cement on the bone when the at least one arm is rotated about the shaft axis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preserving and restoring cranial bone flaps. In one aspect, the method to preserve a cranial bone flap includes cleaning a cranial bone flap, washing the cranial bone flap with a sterile saline solution including gentamycin, and washing the bone with a sterile saline solution including vancomycin. The cranial bone flap may be dried, wrapped, and packaged before being stored in a freezer. The fixing method may include removing the preserved cranial bone flap from a freezer and unwrapping the preserved cranial bone flap from any wrappings. A previous wound may be opened for insertion of the preserved cranial bone flap. The preserved cranial bone flap may be washed with a sterile saline solution including gentamycin and a sterile saline solution including vancomycin. The edges of the previous wound may be refreshed by nipping free margins to expose diploic spaces, and the preserved cranial bone flap may be fixed in place within the previous wound.

Abstract: A force-limiting clutch for a surgical instrument includes a drive element and a transmission element. An actuator is coupled to the drive element, and a drive shaft is coupled to the transmission element for providing an output force. If the force input from the actuator to the clutch reaches a predetermined threshold, the force-limiting clutch “slips” and does not transfer the actuator force to the drive shaft to prevent excessive force/pressure output. Normally, drive features on the drive element engage with transmission features on the transmission element to transfer forces from the actuator to the drive shaft. When a threshold force is reached, the drive features slip past the transmission features. This clutch “breakpoint” determines the maximum loading that the surgical instrument can provide at its output. In various embodiments, multiple transmission features can be arranged in a serial manner, such that the force-limiting clutch provides multiple breakpoints.

Abstract: There is provided a knife-ring remover for chips having a knife ring arranged rigidly on an axis. The knife ring has a collar of knives and first and second bearing rings concentric to the axis. A housing, that partly encloses the knife ring, has a rear wall, an essentially cylindrical sheath and a door disposed opposite to the rear wall for driving out a rotor. The rotor has a pair of front walls that bear a plurality of blades. The rotor is mounted in a rotatable manner on the axis. First and second abrasion sealing rings are disposed in the regions of the first and second bearing rings. Each abrasion sealing ring has an inner axial edge that lies at least approximately in the same plane perpendicular to the axis as an axial inner edge of the corresponding bearing ring. One abrasion sealing ring is connected to the door and the other is attached directly or indirectly to the rear wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for milling the surface of low slope substrate has a milling device, such as a saw, and a track along which the milling device may move. The track is supported above the substrate by a plurality of adjustable supports which have adjustment means for orienting the track vertically or at a desired angle to horizontal. A mounting assembly for the milling device has means for engaging the track and enabling movement of the assembly along the track with the milling device depending from the mounting assembly. Adjustment means coact with the milling device and the mounting assembly enabling the device to be oriented in a desired manner relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A circular cylindrical bearing section for a die cutter blanket comprises two segments pivoted relative to each other at one interface therebetween and resiliently urged radially apart by spring plungers at a second interface therebetween. A blanket section is wrapped about the two segments which are resiliently urged against the overlying blanket section secured to the bearing section by a conventional channel in the bearing and mating male-female interlocking members on the blanket. An array of bearing-blanket sections on an anvil roll are axially coupled by annularly spaced mating pins and notches at opposite axially facing edges of the bearing sections. The array of bearing-blanket sections are selectively slid as a unit along the anvil roll to rapidly relocate the blanket sections to minimize local blanket wear. The interlock members of each blanket section may be misaligned axially with the respect to the interlock members of the adjacent blanket sections.