Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for driving orthopedic bone screws. In one aspect the driver includes a powered driving rod that is configured to releasably couple with a recess in a bone screw via a threaded system for coupling and uncoupling the screw from the driving rod.

Abstract: An implant insertion assembly including an insertion handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a recessed portion, an outer wall of the recessed portion having a first shape about a perimeter thereof and including an engagement mechanism. The implant insertion assembly also includes an implant extending from a distal end to a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the recessed portion of the insertion handle, the opening having a second shape configured to mechanically interlock with the outer wall of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is inserted therein to transmit torque from the insertion handle to the implant, the proximal end including a receiving structure in a wall thereof, the receiving structure being positioned and oriented to receive the engagement mechanism to removably lock the insertion handle to the implant in the axial direction.

Abstract: A compression nut for treating a bone includes a head and a body extending longitudinally from the head to a free end. The body includes an exterior threading along an exterior surface of a threaded portion of the body separated from the head via an unthreaded portion. The nut also includes a channel extending longitudinally through the body. The channel includes an interior threaded extending along an interior surface of the channel configured to threadedly engage an end of a locking screw received therein.

Abstract: An implant insertion assembly including an insertion handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a recessed portion, an outer wall of the recessed portion having a first shape about a perimeter thereof and including an engagement mechanism. The implant insertion assembly also includes an implant extending from a distal end to a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the recessed portion of the insertion handle, the opening having a second shape configured to mechanically interlock with the outer wall of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is inserted therein to transmit torque from the insertion handle to the implant, the proximal end including a receiving structure in a wall thereof, the receiving structure being positioned and oriented to receive the engagement mechanism to removably lock the insertion handle to the implant in the axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for driving orthopedic bone screws. In one aspect the driver includes a powered driving rod that is configured to releasably couple with a recess in a bone screw via a threaded system for coupling and uncoupling the screw from the driving rod.

Abstract: A bone screw removal device includes a shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal removal tip. The removal tip includes a first portion at a distal-most end of the removal tip, a second portion extending proximally from the first portion and a third portion extending proximally from the second portion. The first portion is sized and shaped to be received within a retaining recess of a bone screw to clear away tissue growth as the first portion is inserted through a driving recess of a bone screw and into the retaining recess. The second portion is configured to be received within a driving recess. The third portion is configured to clear away tissue growth over a proximal end of the bone screw as the first and second portions are inserted into the retaining recess and the driving recess, respectively.

Abstract: A compression nut for treating a bone includes a head and a body extending longitudinally from the head to a free end. The body includes an exterior threading along an exterior surface of a threaded portion of the body separated from the head via an unthreaded portion. The nut also includes a channel extending longitudinally through the body. The channel includes an interior threaded extending along an interior surface of the channel configured to threadedly engage an end of a locking screw received therein.

Abstract: A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. The device has coplanar holes, which allow insertion of protective sleeves. A drill and bone screws can be inserted through the protective sleeves. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the intramedullary nail holes. The aiming arm has a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, wherein said aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail after implantation.

Abstract: An implant insertion assembly including an insertion handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including a recessed portion, an outer wall of the recessed portion having a first shape about a perimeter thereof and including an engagement mechanism. The implant insertion assembly also includes an implant extending from a distal end to a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the recessed portion of the insertion handle, the opening having a second shape configured to mechanically interlock with the outer wall of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is inserted therein to transmit torque from the insertion handle to the implant, the proximal end including a receiving structure in a wall thereof, the receiving structure being positioned and oriented to receive the engagement mechanism to removably lock the insertion handle to the implant in the axial direction.

Abstract: A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. The device has coplanar holes, which allow insertion of protective sleeves. A drill and bone screws can be inserted through the protective sleeves. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the intramedullary nail holes. The aiming arm has a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, wherein said aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail after implantation.

Abstract: Described herein is a surgical nail in the form of an intramedullary nail with a central axis made from a material M with a tensile strength Fz, compressive strength Fd, density ?2 and modulus of elasticity E. The nail has a transverse bore extending transversely to the central axis and having a cross-sectional profile F and a transverse axis, the cross-sectional profile F having a maximum length a that runs in the direction of the central axis and a maximum width b that runs perpendicular to the length. An insert with the longitudinal axis, made from material m and having a modulus of elasticity e that is smaller than the modulus of elasticity E of material M, can be introduced into the transverse bore. The insert also has a length L that runs in the direction of its longitudinal axis and satisfies the condition L>0.2 D.

Abstract: The surgical nail, here in the form of an intramedullary nail, has a central axis, a longitudinal borehole with a diameter D extending coaxially with the central axis, a casing with an inner surface and a transverse borehole, extending transversely to the central axis with the cross-sectional profile F and the borehole axis. A component, which narrows the cross-sectional profile F, is provided in the longitudinal borehole in the region of the transverse borehole. By these means, the clearance, which is usually present between the medullary nail and the locking screws that have been introduced therein, can be eliminated without risk and an improved holding force as well as an improved guiding effect between the locking screw and the medullary nail can be achieved.

Abstract: A device for facilitating implantation of an intramedullary nail includes a coupling portion extending from a first end configured to couple to a proximal end of an intramedullary nail to a joint portion and a radiolucent handle coupled to the joint portion and extending distally therefrom along a path which, when the coupling portion is coupled to an intramedullary nail in a desired orientation, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of the nail, the radiolucent part including first and second radiopaque markers positioned and oriented so that, when the nail is coupled to the coupling portion in the desired orientation, the first and second markers align with edges of the proximal portion of the nail.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes an elongated body extending along a central longitudinal axis. The intramedullary nail includes a straight proximal end portion along with a straight distal end portion extending proximally from a distal end of the nail by a predetermined length and a central portion extending proximally from a proximal end of the distal end portion to a distal end of the proximal end portion. The central portion includes a first curved portion having a first length with a first radius of curvature and a second curved portion having a second length shorter than the first length and a second, non-zero radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A locking screw for an intramedullary nail having at least one transverse hole. The locking screw has a central longitudinal axis and includes a screw shank, which is at least partially provided with an external thread, and a screw head. The diameter of the screw head is greater than the outer diameter of the external thread, and the screw head includes a passage extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw and the external thread. The passage is configured to receive a longitudinal wedge element. As a result, any gap between the locking screw and the intramedullary nail is eliminated and the screw is wedged in position in the transverse hole of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: A device for bone fixation comprises a bone fixation nail extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end having a helical structure configured to engage a bone, the proximal end having an opening extending thereinto and a first sleeve configured for insertion over a proximal portion of the bone fixation nail and through an intramedullary nail hole, the first sleeve permitting the bone fixation nail to move axially therewithin within a predetermined range of movement along with a locking screw configured to limit movement of the bone fixation nail relative to the first sleeve, the locking screw configured to lockingly engage the opening in the bone fixation nail and having a head and a threaded shaft extending distally therefrom.

Abstract: A device for facilitating implantation of an intramedullary nail includes a coupling portion extending from a first end configured to couple to a proximal end of an intramedullary nail to a joint portion and a radiolucent handle coupled to the joint portion and extending distally therefrom along a path which, when the coupling portion is coupled to an intramedullary nail in a desired orientation, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of the nail, the radiolucent part including first and second radiopaque markers positioned and oriented so that, when the nail is coupled to the coupling portion in the desired orientation, the first and second markers align with edges of the proximal portion of the nail.

Abstract: A system for inserting an intramedullary nail into a bone includes (a) a handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to couple to an intramedullary nail only in a desired orientation and (b) an aiming device extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured for attachment to the proximal end of the handle. The aiming device includes a guide opening extending therethrough sized and shaped to accommodate a protective sleeve therein. The guide opening is located and oriented so that, when the aiming device and the handle are coupled to one another, a bone fixation receiving hole in an intramedullary nail coupled to the handle is aligned with the guide opening. The aiming device further includes a locking pin fixedly mounted thereto. The locking pin extends into the guide opening to engage a protective sleeve inserted therein.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes (a) a longitudinal nail body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a central longitudinal axis and a diameter D, the nail body being configured for insertion into a medullary cavity of a bone, the nail body having a proximal portion and a distal portion longitudinally separated from one another; (b) a first transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a first transverse hole axis, the first transverse hole axis being offset from the central longitudinal axis of the nail body; and (c) a second transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a second transverse hole axis. The first transverse hole axis intersects the second transverse hole axis.

Abstract: A surgical nail in the form of an intramedullary nail with a central axis, consisting of a material M with the tensile strength Fz, the compression strength Fd, the density ?2 and the modulus of elasticity E. The nail has at least at least one transverse borehole extending transversely to the central axis with the cross-sectional profile F, where the cross-sectional profile F has a maximum length a in the direction of the central axis and a maximum width b perpendicularly thereto. The nail also includes a longitudinal bore, which extends coaxially with the central axis, and a wall, as well as an insert with a longitudinal axis, which can be introduced within the longitudinal bore of the nail into the region of the transverse borehole. The insert is formed of a material m, which has a lower modulus of elasticity e<E than does the material M.