Abstract: A plate, installation tools, and method of installation are provided for preventing a spinal facet joint implant from expulsing from its location. The plate has posterior and inferior fasteners installed previously or in-situ. A k-wire is used in cooperation with the implant and installation tool(s) to guide the plate to the desired location. The plate includes a central threaded bore situated between a superior and inferior bone screw bore in one form, and a superior and inferior connection barb in another form. The installation tool includes a threaded plug at one end for receipt by the central threaded bore of the plate for releasably holding the plate during installation. The installation tool has a superior structure and an inferior structure that can be a cannula or a tang depending on the form of the plate. A cannula allows a tool to direct a fastener to screw bores of the plate for attaching the fastener and plate to vertebrae.

Abstract: A static fixation strut for constructing external orthopedic fixation constructs has a ball joint component, a piston component axially adjustably coupled to the ball joint component, and a swivel component coupled to the piston component opposite the ball joint component, the ball joint component for attachment to a first fixation ring, the swivel component for attachment to a second fixation ring, and the piston component for adjusting the overall length of the static fixation strut. The ball joint component provides a multi-axial adjustable connection to the first fixation ring, the piston component provides adjustability in axial length between the ball joint component and the swivel component via first and second cylinders, and the swivel component provides a rotationally adjustable connection to the second fixation ring. A C-clamp is disposed about the first and second cylinders to fix their axial movement and length.

Abstract: A lateral spine implant has a plate, configured bone screws, and configured setscrews providing locking of bone screw movement. The plate has at least two identically configured bone screw bores, each one with a spherical seat at a bottom opening, and threads around the inner circumference of a top opening. Each setscrew has a cylindrical body with external threads that mate with inner threads of the bone screw bore in order to affix the setscrew to the plate. A threaded spherical pocket is provided in a bottom of the setscrew body which conjoins with the spherical bone screw head to secure the setscrew with the bone screw head, fixing bone screw orientation/angulation. The bone screw head has a formation or formations about at least a portion of its exterior circumference that cooperate with the threads of the spherical pocket of the plate in order to fix bone screw orientation/angulation.

Abstract: A lateral spine implant has a lateral spine cage and an associated lateral spine plate with one or more folding vertebral attachment arms, each arm configured for attachment to vertebral bone. The ability of the one or more arms to fold allows the lateral spine plate to be inserted/implanted at a lower profile height than traditional lateral spine plates. The lateral spine plate is meant to be used at times of intended or unintended compromise of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) to prevent interbody cage migration, but may be adapted for any lateral plating application. Once expanded, each attachment arm is configured to receive a bone screw for securing the attachment arm to a vertebra, the bone screw retained by rotating cam lock nuts of the attachment arm.

Abstract: A spine implant for use in spinal facet joint fixation or to connect distracted portions of a vertebral lamina in a laminoplasty through use or non-use of a spacer. One or two bone screw plates are angularly adjustable relative to a base plate for attachment by bone screws to vertebral bone. One form of the spine implant has a base plate, a first plate pivotally connected to the base plate for angular adjustment relative to the base plate and configured to hold one or two bone screws for attaching the first plate to first vertebral bone, and a second plate configured to hold two bone screws for attaching the second plate to second vertebral bone. The second plate may be pivotally connected to the body for angular adjustment of the second plate relative to the base plate or fixed to the base plate at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An implant and method for spinal facet joint stabilization uses a wedge and plate adapted to accept prongs of a surgical instrument for installing the implant into a posterior spinal facet joint. The wedge has an anterior end with a threaded bore. A notch in each lateral side of the plate aligns with a groove in each lateral side of the wedge. Each notch and groove pair receives a prong of the surgical instrument to hold the wedge and plate during implantation. A superior tube of the surgical instrument supports a superior rod having an end configured for installing a bone screw attaching the plate to the superior vertebra of the spinal facet joint. An inferior tube of the surgical instrument supports an inferior rod having an end configured to attach to the threaded bore of the wedge along with the plate during introduction of the implant into the spinal facet joint, and installing the set screw to attach the plate to the wedge.

Abstract: Arthroplasty implants replace an articulating surface of a bone joint such as bone joints of the foot, and is characterized by a three-component device comprising a bone screw, a button, and a cap. The button incorporates knurling on its distal end to fixate onto bone, a center hole, a spherical pocket to mate with the bone screw for stabilization, and a proximal retention structure to mate with the cap. The bone screw incorporates distal bone (cortical) threads or threading, a spherical head, and a drive structure used to insert the bone screw through the hole of the button and into the bone (e.g. a distal segment of the first metatarsal). The cap incorporates a distal mating structure that retains the cap onto the button, a proximal smooth spherical head that mates with the distal surface of the bone (e.g. a phalange bone), and a tang that prevents rotation after implantation.

Abstract: A dynamic strut for external fixation constructs has first and second sub-struts that are axially adjustable in length and rotational position relative to one another, with the first sub-strut supporting a first dual universal joint with a first attachment peg for connection to an external fixator, and the second sub-strut supporting a second dual universal joint with a second attachment peg for connection to an external fixator. The first and second dual universal joints each include first and second ball-and-socket joints, whereby the associated attachment peg is adjustable in orientation. Set screws fix orientation of the attachment peg relative to the first ball-and-socket joint and the housing. Angular orientation of the first dual universal joint is fixed while angular orientation of the second dual universal joint is adjustable. The second sub-strut supports an axially movable shaft that supports the second dual universal joint.

Abstract: An expandable wedge implant for wedge osteotomies of the extremities has first and second components which are pivotally attached to each other such that up and down pivoting of the two components relative to one another causes increase and decrease of implant height. A pivot control structure is operably coupled to and between the two components to effect pivoting. Linear movement of a threaded ball on a threaded shaft associated with the first component while the threaded ball is concurrently constrained within an angled channel of the second component causes pivoting of the second component relative to the first component. Anchoring members associated with the first and second components attach the implant to adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A spine retractor provides lateral access to the spine for distracting soft tissue and psoas muscle for spinal fusion procedures utilizing position controllable blades. The retractor allows concerted linear distraction of two lateral blades and separate linear distraction of one medial blade. Individual angulation assemblies associated with each blade provides separately controllable angulation. Handles attached to the two lateral blades control their distraction while a medial knob controls medial blade distraction. An expansion knob associated with each handle provides individually precise distraction of its associated blade. Each angulation assembly comprises an angulation knob that threads into a distal arm of a blade holder assembly and is received into a spherical ball seated in a spherical pocket in a mating proximal arm of the blade holder assembly. Torque applied to the spherical ball by the angulation knob causes distal arm angulation relative to the proximal.

Abstract: A spine plate implant utilizes cam lock setscrews to retain bone screws in the plate once implanted. A cam lock setscrew is received in a setscrew pocket adjacent a configured bone screw bore of the plate and is configured to allow a bone screw to be received in the plate when in an unlocked rotational position, and to retain the received bone screw when in a locked rotational position. The bone screw may include a tang that allows engagement with external teeth of the cam lock setscrew when the cam lock setscrew is rotated into the locked position. Once the cam lock setscrew is in the locked position, the bone screw is inhibited from backing out of the bone screw bore. When the cam lock setscrew is in the unlocked position, a flat of the cam lock setscrew is adjacent the bone screw tang so the bone screw may be removed.

Abstract: Compression screw systems for stabilizing and/or compressing bones of the extremities, characterized by a compression screw component and a hook component. The hook component is received on the compression screw component in any rotational position relative to the compression screw component in order to orient the hook component relative to a bone or bones requiring stabilization and/or compression. The hook component includes an anti-rotation feature, while a configured flange thereof provides a hook that extends about and overhangs a part of the bone. The compression screw component and the hook component may include cooperating structures that allow the hook component to attach to the compression screw component or allow the compression screw component to self-orientate with respect to the hook component upon compressing engagement of the compression screw head with the hook component. The configured flange of the hook component may terminate with a single, double or multiple tined prong.

Abstract: The invention is a subtalar implant able to expand after implantation. The subtalar implant has two or more expansion segments or wings. In all forms, the expansion wings are hinged on the distal portion of the subtalar implant which causes only the proximal portion of the wing to expand relative to the midplane of the implant. The expansion wings and the entire subtalar implant are threaded to prevent the implant from backing out of the sinus tarsi once implanted. In one form, the subtalar implant includes an integral expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. In another form, the subtalar implant includes a separate expansion screw that, when rotated, expands the expansion wings. The integral and the separate expansion screw includes a socket that accepts a like driver tool for rotating the expansion screw and expanding the expansion wings.

Abstract: A static fixation strut for constructing external orthopedic fixation constructs has a ball joint component, a piston component axially adjustably coupled to the ball joint component, and a swivel component coupled to the piston component opposite the ball joint component, the ball joint component for attachment to a first fixation ring, the swivel component for attachment to a second fixation ring, and the piston component for adjusting the overall length of the static fixation strut. The ball joint component provides a multi-axial adjustable connection to the first fixation ring, the piston component provides adjustability in axial length between the ball joint component and the swivel component via first and second cylinders, and the swivel component provides a rotationally adjustable connection to the second fixation ring. A C-clamp is disposed about the first and second cylinders to fix their axial movement and length.

Abstract: A plate, installation tools, and method of installation are provided for preventing a spinal facet joint implant from expulsing from its location. The plate has posterior and inferior fasteners installed previously or in-situ. A k-wire is used in cooperation with the implant and installation tool(s) to guide the plate to the desired location. The plate includes a central threaded bore situated between a superior and inferior bone screw bore in one form, and a superior and inferior connection barb in another form. The installation tool includes a threaded plug at one end for receipt by the central threaded bore of the plate for releasably holding the plate during installation. The installation tool has a superior structure and an inferior structure that can be a cannula or a tang depending on the form of the plate. A cannula allows a tool to direct a fastener to screw bores of the plate for attaching the fastener and plate to vertebrae.

Abstract: A spine plate implant utilizes cam lock setscrews to retain bone screws in the plate once implanted. A cam lock setscrew is received in a setscrew pocket adjacent a configured bone screw bore of the plate and is configured to allow a bone screw to be received in the plate when in an unlocked rotational position, and to retain the received bone screw when in a locked rotational position. The bone screw includes a tang that allows engagement with external teeth of the cam lock setscrew when the cam lock setscrew is rotated into the locked position. Once the cam lock setscrew is in the locked position, the bone screw is inhibited from backing out of the bone screw bore. When the cam lock setscrew is in the unlocked position, a flat of the cam lock setscrew is adjacent the bone screw tang so the bone screw may be removed.

Abstract: A dynamic strut for external fixation constructs has first and second sub-struts that are axially adjustable in length and rotational position relative to one another, with the first sub-strut supporting a first dual universal joint with a first attachment peg for connection to an external fixator, and the second sub-strut supporting a second dual universal joint with a second attachment peg for connection to an external fixator. The first and second dual universal joints each include first and second ball-and-socket joints, whereby the associated attachment peg is adjustable in orientation. Set screws fix orientation of the attachment peg relative to the first ball-and-socket joint and the housing. Angular orientation of the first dual universal joint is fixed while angular orientation of the second dual universal joint is adjustable. The second sub-strut supports an axially movable shaft that supports the second dual universal joint.

Abstract: A bone implant, particularly but not necessarily, for fixing bones of the foot is provided having body in the form of a crescent or arced shaped wedge, or a wedge in the shape of a crescent or arc. The crescent shaped wedge has bone screw bores that are each configured to hold a bone screw at a particular angle for receipt in a bone, eliminating the need to also use a plate. The crescent shape provides a graft area that allows introduction and retention of bone graft material to promote bone fusion. One or both tapered sides of the crescent shaped wedge may also have teeth, serrations or the like.