Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a position of a first bone part relative to a second bone part. The apparatus has a unitary body made up of at least one elongate formed wire component and a base. A fastener is used to anchor the base to one of the bone parts to thereby maintain the apparatus in an operative position wherein at least a portion of the one elongate formed wire component engages at least the other bone part.

Abstract: A system for facilitating changing of a configuration of a bone having: a bone plate with a surface to overlie a surface of a bone; and a spacing assembly configured to be placed together with the bone plate selectively in: a) a cutting state wherein the spacing assembly maintains a gap region between at least a part of the bone plate surface and the bone surface which the bone plate surface is situated to overlie; and b) a second state wherein the at least part of the bone plate surface can be moved closer to the bone surface. A cutting component can be directed fully through a bone and into the gap region with the spacing assembly and bone plate in the cutting state. After the bone is cut, the bone plate and spacing assembly can be changed into the second state whereupon the bone plate can be placed against the bone surface in an operative position.

Abstract: The combination of: a) an implant having a body with a leading end and a trailing end and external threads extending around a lengthwise axis, the body having an axial through passage and configured to be directed into a bone passage whereby upon turning the body in a first direction around the lengthwise axis, the external threads engage a surface bounding the bone passage and cause the implant to be advanced in an assembly direction into an operative position; and b) a removal tool with a first component that is configured to be engaged with the body with the implant in the operative position in such a manner that the body will follow movement of the first component as the first component is: a) turned in a direction opposite to the first direction; and b) drawn in a direction oppositely to the assembly direction to thereby allow the implant to be separated from the bone.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, directing an elongate flexible component with a length through a part of a human body. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an apparatus having an elongate body with a length between axially spaced leading and trailing ends and a notch through a peripheral surface of the elongate body; directing a midlength part of the elongate flexible component into the notch to place the elongate flexible component into an operative position on the apparatus; and with the elongate flexible component in the operative position, advancing the elongate body through the part of the human body and thereby causing a portion of the elongate flexible component to be drawn by a drawing surface on the elongate body through the part of the human body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a configuration of a bone. The method includes the steps of: fixing a first part of a bone plate to the bone at a first location; securing a guide assembly in an operative position in relationship to the bone; engaging a bone part moving assembly with the bone at a second bone location spaced from the first bone location; cutting the bone to define first and second bone sections and so that the bone part moving assembly engages the second bone section and the first bone location is on the first bone section; relatively repositioning the first and second bone sections into a desired relationship and thereby causing a part of the bone part moving assembly to move guidingly, together with the second bone section, in a controlled path; and fixing the first and second bone sections in the desired relationship.

Abstract: A system for facilitating changing of a configuration of a bone having: a bone plate with a surface to overlie a surface of a bone; and a spacing assembly configured to be placed together with the bone plate selectively in: a) a cutting state wherein the spacing assembly maintains a gap region between at least a part of the bone plate surface and the bone surface which the bone plate surface is situated to overlie; and b) a second state wherein the at least part of the bone plate surface can be moved closer to the bone surface. A cutting component can be directed fully through a bone and into the gap region with the spacing assembly and bone plate in the cutting state. After the bone is cut, the bone plate and spacing assembly can be changed into the second state whereupon the bone plate can be placed against the bone surface in an operative position.

Abstract: A method of changing a configuration of a bone by placing a bone plate and a spacing assembly in a cutting state wherein: a) the bone plate is connected to the bone and overlies a surface of the bone; and b) the spacing assembly cooperates between the bone plate and bone so as to maintain a gap region. A cutting instrument is used to cut into the bone towards the gap region and at least substantially through the bone between first and second bone portions. After cutting into the bone, the bone plate and spacing assembly are changed from the cutting state into a second state. An apparatus allows performance of the method.

Abstract: An implant for fusing at least two bone components and method of using the implant. The implant has a body with first and second anchoring portions. The first anchoring portion has a stem configured to be directed to within a first bone component and is further configured to cooperate with at least a first fastener usable to fix the stem in an operative position relative to the first bone component. The second anchoring portion is configured to overlie at least a second bone component at a placement location at which bone has been strategically removed and is further configured to cooperate with at least a second fastener usable to fix a part of the second anchoring portion to the second bone component with the second anchoring portion in an operative position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a position of a first bone part relative to a second bone part. The apparatus has a unitary body made up of at least one elongate formed wire component and a base. A fastener is used to anchor the base to one of the bone parts to thereby maintain the apparatus in an operative position wherein at least a portion of the one elongate formed wire component engages at least the other bone part.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, directing an elongate flexible component with a length through a part of a human body. The method includes the steps of; obtaining an apparatus having an elongate body with a length between axially spaced leading and trailing ends and a notch through a peripheral surface of the elongate body; directing a midlength part of the elongate flexible component into the notch to place the elongate flexible component into an operative position on the apparatus; and with the elongate flexible component in the operative position, advancing the elongate body through the part of the human body and thereby causing a portion of the elongate flexible component to be drawn by a drawing surface on the elongate body through the part of the human body.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of engaging a U-shaped portion of an elongate flexible element with the apparatus. The apparatus has a body with an anchoring part, a channel extending up to the anchoring part, and an entry opening to the channel. With the U-shaped portion and body in an operative relationship, wherein the U-shaped portion straddles the anchoring part, the elongate flexible element can be tensioned to draw a side of the body against tissue. With the U-shaped portion straddling the anchoring part, the body can be reconfigured to change the size and/or shape of the entry opening and/or channel to avoid separation of part or all of the U-shaped portion from the body.

Abstract: A system for controlling a relationship between first and second bodies and made up of a suture assembly with at least a first suture configured to define a restrictable loop structure with the suture assembly in an operative state. At least first and second restrictable sub-loops cooperatively define a first loop that can be reduced in size to thereby produce a force on the first and second bodies that urges them towards each other. A first loop length has a first sliding portion with a second loop length having a second sliding portion. At least one knot extends around the first and second sliding portions. The first and second sliding portions, upon each being moved within the at least one knot in a tightening sliding direction, cause a size of a respective sub-loop to be reduced.

Abstract: A method of changing a configuration of a bone by placing a bone plate and a spacing assembly in a cutting state wherein: a) the bone plate is connected to the bone and overlies a surface of the bone; and b) the spacing assembly cooperates between the bone plate and bone so as to maintain a gap region. A cutting instrument is used to cut into the bone towards the gap region and at least substantially through the bone between first and second bone portions. After cutting into the bone, the bone plate and spacing assembly are changed from the cutting state into a second state. An apparatus allows performance of the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a configuration of a bone. The method includes the steps of: fixing a first part of a bone plate to the bone at a first location; securing a guide assembly in an operative position in relationship to the bone; engaging a bone part moving assembly with the bone at a second bone location spaced from the first bone location; cutting the bone to define first and second bone sections and so that the bone part moving assembly engages the second bone section and the first bone location is on the first bone section; relatively repositioning the first and second bone sections into a desired relationship and thereby causing a part of the bone part moving assembly to move guidingly, together with the second bone section, in a controlled path; and fixing the first and second bone sections in the desired relationship.

Abstract: The combination of a plate and inserter for the plate. The plate is configured to be operatively placed at a bone fracture site and secured with at least one fastener to stabilize bone portions between which a fracture is located. Structure cooperating between the plate and inserter is configured to releasably maintain the plate operatively engaged with the inserter. The operatively engaged plate is movable together with the inserter whereby a user can manipulate the operatively engaged plate through the inserter. The plate has a leading end with a tapered configuration to facilitate dissection of soft tissue from a bone surface to allow a surface on the plate that trails the advancing leading end to be operatively placed against the bone surface across the bone fracture site.

Abstract: A system for controlling a relationship between first and second bodies and made up of a suture assembly with at least a first suture configured to define a restrictable loop structure with the suture assembly in an operative state. At least first and second restrictable sub-loops cooperatively define a first loop that can be reduced in size to thereby produce a force on the first and second bodies that urges them towards each other. A first loop length has a first sliding portion with a second loop length having a second sliding portion. At least one knot extends around the first and second sliding portions. The first and second sliding portions, upon each being moved within the at least one knot in a tightening sliding direction, cause a size of a respective sub-loop to be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a fracture of a bone that produces first and second bone parts separated by a fracture line. A first implant has a first body. A second implant has a second body, A first elongate component can be directed through the bone to cooperate with each of the first and second bodies so that the first and second bodies and first component together act to maintain the first and second bone parts in a desired set relationship. The first component has a lengthwise axis and cooperates with the first body so that the operatively positioned first component is stabilized by the first body in a direction that is transverse to the lengthwise axis of the first component. The first component cooperates with the second body so that the first component is stabilized by the operatively positioned second body.

Abstract: A system for treating a fracture of a bone with an intramedullary canal. A first implant has a body with an elongate intramedullary portion and a paddle having a surface to engage the bone. The intramedullary portion has a length between first and second lengthwise ends and can be directed into the intramedullary canal to place the first implant into an operative position with the paddle exposed outside of the intramedullary canal. At least one fixation element maintains the implant operatively positioned. The intramedullary portion is elongate with a primary length portion having a first lengthwise axis. At least a portion of the paddle surface faces away from the first lengthwise axis.

Abstract: The combination of a plate and inserter for the plate. The plate is configured to be operatively placed at a bone fracture site and secured with at least one fastener to stabilize bone portions between which a fracture is located. Structure cooperating between the plate and inserter is configured to releasably maintain the plate operatively engaged with the inserter. The operatively engaged plate is movable together with the inserter whereby a user can manipulate the operatively engaged plate through the inserter. The plate has a leading end with a tapered configuration to facilitate dissection of soft tissue from a bone surface to allow a surface on the plate that trails the advancing leading end to be operatively placed against the bone surface across the bone fracture site.