Abstract: A plate is provided with feet located laterally of adjacent compression screw holes and absent from about threaded locking holes so as to suspend the plate segment having the threaded locking holes from over the bone. This forces a minimum gap between the threaded holes and the bone, and allows the plate thereat to deflect under loads that can be practically delivered by the locking screws. By allowing the plate to deflect, the threads on the head of the locking screw can be aligned, or timed, with the threads of the threaded plate hole to reduce the required torque to insert the locking screw into the locking hole and the bone.

Abstract: A bone plate includes first and second longitudinal sides, a plurality of through holes longitudinally displaced in the bone plate between the first and second longitudinal sides, and a plurality of tubular guide elements coupled relative to the plurality of through holes. Plate bending tools are provided. Each includes a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, and an end effector coupled to the first end of the handle. The end effector includes a retaining arm that is provided with a bore having a bore axis extending transverse relative to the longitudinal axis and a fulcrum. The bore is sized to received a portion of a tubular guide element coupled to the bone plate such that the retaining arm can stably engage the tubular guide element. The fulcrum is adapted to bear against one of longitudinal sides of the bone plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bone plate bending are provided which include bending tools that couple relative to the bone plate to bend the plate. Such system permit bending without necessitating that the bending tools are in direct contact with the holes in the plate, which could deform the holes.

Abstract: An orthopedic screw system includes a screw with a locking head that can both lockingly engage in a fixed angle threaded screw hole to secure a plate to a bone without compression, and non-lockingly engage at a compression screw hole to provide compression between the plate and the bone. The structure of the system is particularly well adapted to plates and screw of small dimensions, such as screws smaller than 3.5 mm and is capable of providing high compressive force, on the order of 120 lbs of axial load, without significant plastic deformation between the screw and plate. Further, the screw holes are structured for arrangement in tight clusters on the bone plate, thereby facilitating a compact design on the bone plate.

Abstract: A plate is provided with feet located laterally of adjacent compression screw holes and absent from about threaded locking holes so as to suspend the plate segment having the threaded locking holes from over the bone. This forces a minimum gap between the threaded holes and the bone, and allows the plate thereat to deflect under loads that can be practically delivered by the locking screws. By allowing the plate to deflect, the threads on the head of the locking screw can be aligned, or timed, with the threads of the threaded plate hole to reduce the required torque to insert the locking screw into the locking hole and the bone.

Abstract: Methods of bone plate reshaping are provided which include bending tools that couple relative to the bone plate to bend the plate and apply a sufficient force to the plate to remove portions of the plate. Such system permit bending without necessitating that the bending tools are in direct contact with the holes in the plate, which could deform the holes. In addition, such tools can be used while the plate is positioned on the bone.

Abstract: A low profile bone screw system includes a retainable washer and a low profile bone screw having a smooth conical head for insertion into the washer. The washer has an axial bore with a conical portion for fully seating the screw head and a smooth outer surface shaped like the head of a conventional compression bone screw head. Washer dispensing units are also provided for assembling screw and washer assembled units.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bone plate bending are provided which include bending tools that couple relative to the bone plate to bend the plate. Such system permit bending without necessitating that the bending tools are in direct contact with the holes in the plate, which could deform the holes.

Abstract: Removable guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a fracture fixation plate. The guide tips may be used with or without drill guides to guide a drill along the axes of threaded holes defined in the plate. In addition, the tips may be used with bending tools to contour the plate laterally, longitudinally and with twist. More particularly, such plate contouring can be performed while the plate is located on the bone.

Abstract: A fracture fixation plate system for use on a long bone having a metaphysis and a diaphysis, includes at least one end plate having a head portion for the metaphysis, and at least one diaphyseal plate having a first end and a second end with a plurality of screw holes therebetween. The end plate includes mating structure adapted to mate with and securely couple to at least one end of the at least one diaphyseal plate. The system preferably includes several end plates and diaphyseal plates to accommodate anatomy of various sizes. A method for coupling the plates to the bone is also provided.

Abstract: A bone plate includes first and second longitudinal sides, a plurality of through holes longitudinally displaced in the bone plate between the first and second longitudinal sides, and a plurality of tubular guide elements coupled relative to the plurality of through holes. Plate bending tools are provided. Each includes a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, and an end effector coupled to the first end of the handle. The end effector includes a retaining arm that is provided with a bore having a bore axis extending transverse relative to the longitudinal axis and a fulcrum. The bore is sized to received a portion of a tubular guide element coupled to the bone plate such that the retaining arm can stably engage the tubular guide element. The fulcrum is adapted to bear against one of longitudinal sides of the bone plate.

Abstract: A low profile bone screw system includes a retainable washer and a low profile bone screw having a smooth conical head for insertion into the washer. The washer has an axial bore with a conical portion for fully seating the screw head and a smooth outer surface shaped like the head of a conventional compression bone screw head. Washer dispensing units are also provided for assembling screw and washer assembled units.

Abstract: An orthopedic screw system includes a screw with a locking head that can both lockingly engage in a fixed angle threaded screw hole to secure a plate to a bone without compression, and non-lockingly engage at a compression screw hole to provide compression between the plate and the bone. The structure of the system is particularly well adapted to plates and screw of small dimensions, such as screws smaller than 3.5 mm and is capable of providing high compressive force, on the order of 120 lbs of axial load, without significant plastic deformation between the screw and plate. Further, the screw holes are structured for arrangement in tight clusters on the bone plate, thereby facilitating a compact design on the bone plate.

Abstract: An orthopedic screw system includes a screw with a locking head that can both lockingly engage in a fixed angle threaded screw hole to secure a plate to a bone without compression, and non-lockingly engage at a compression screw hole to provide compression between the plate and the bone. The structure of the system is particularly well adapted to plates and screw of small dimensions, such as screws smaller than 3.5 mm and is capable of providing high compressive force, on the order of 120 lbs of axial load, without significant plastic deformation between the screw and plate.

Abstract: A method for fastening a two-piece surgical fastener to bodily tissue whereby the surgical fastener has a safety position. The method comprises inserting first and second piercing posts through at least two layers of tissue and attaching a receiving portion to the coupling ends of the first and second piercing posts. Each of the first and second piercing posts have a fixed end and a coupling end, the first piercing post being fixedly-attached at its fixed end to a first base portion, the second piercing post being fixedly-attached at its fixed end to a second base portion, the first and second base portions being foldably coupled to one another by a hinge, where a bias device imparts a bias force on at least one of the first base portion and the second base portion in a direction toward the other and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hinge.

Abstract: A system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone includes a bone plate with threaded holes and two types of guides threadedly connected within the threaded holes. One guide is taller and smaller in diameter, whereas the other guide is shorter and wider in diameter. The guides provide guidance for drilling a hole through the guide and screw hole, and optional bending of the plate at the guide. The guides have structure allowing the guides to be individually removed through rotation.

Abstract: A low profile bone screw system includes a retainable washer and a low profile bone screw having a smooth conical head for insertion into the washer. The washer has an axial bore with a conical portion for fully seating the screw head and a smooth outer surface shaped like the head of a conventional compression bone screw head. Washer dispensing units are also provided.

Abstract: A system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of an elbow joint of a patient includes at least one bone plate, each bone plate having a plurality of holes and generally configured to fit an anatomical surface of the fractured bone. The at least one plate is adapted to be customized to the shape of a patient's bone. The system also includes a plurality of fasteners including at least one locking fastener for attaching the bone plate to the bone. At least one of the holes is a threaded hole. Guides for plate benders, drills, and/or K-wires can be pre-assembled to the threaded holes, and the locking fastener can lock into any of the threaded holes after the guides are removed.

Abstract: An orthopedic screw system includes a screw with a locking head that can both lockingly engage in a fixed angle threaded screw hole to secure a plate to a bone without compression, and non-lockingly engage at a compression screw hole to provide compression between the plate and the bone. The structure of the system is particularly well adapted to plates and screw of small dimensions, such as screws smaller than 3.5 mm and is capable of providing high compressive force, on the order of 120 lbs of axial load, without significant plastic deformation between the screw and plate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a clevis and first and second jaws mutually rotatable between open and closed positions. The jaws are proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to an axis of a control shaft of the instrument. The jaws hold first and second parts of a fastener, respectively. The first part includes a base having tissue-piercing posts, and the second part includes a second base defining apertures receiving the posts and a portion movable relative thereto between first and second orientations. When the posts are inserted into the apertures, the movable portion can be moved from the first unlocked orientation into the second configuration to lock the fastener parts together in an implanting position determined by various alignment measures, including markings or flags on the jaws or at the housing. The instrument is adapted to move the second part into the second configuration.