Abstract: Improved bone plate systems are described herein. In some instances, a bone plate system can include a base plate, at least one retainer plate, and at least one spacer. The at least one retainer plate is configured to reside on the base plate in a free floating manner and can receive at least one fastener to secure the retainer plate to the at least one spacer, thereby providing a plate system that attaches to a spacer. In other instances, a bone plate system can include a base plate having one or more push plates that can engage at least one spacer.

Abstract: The device has a body with holes to accept the bone screws. The bone screws have a layer of bioresorbable material on a surface portion of the head of the screw contiguous with the shaft. Engagement between the bone screws and the body is initially through the bioresorbable material, which engagement rigidly fixes the relative angular orientation between the bone screws and the body when the device is applied to a bone. As the bioresrobable material is resorbed the angular relation between the bone screws and the body is no longer rigidly fixed, thereby effecting a transformation from rigid osteosynthesis to flexible osteosynthesis to allow micromotion between the bone fragments which promotes healing.

Abstract: A bone fixation clamp includes first and second clamp members, a stud, and a locking nut. The first member extends along a curve corresponding to an outer surface of a first portion of bone and includes an opening extending therethrough along an axis extending adjacent to the bone. The second member extends along a curve corresponding to an outer surface of a second portion of bone. The stud is receivable within the opening of the first member. The nut includes a threaded channel threadedly engaging a portion of the stud so that, when the first and second members are in the operative configuration, the nut is threadable over the stud to fix the first and second members over bone. The nut includes an anti-loosening feature which, when the nut is threaded over the stud, results in an interference with threading along the stud.

Abstract: A fastener, for example a bone screw, is sized to pass into an aperture of an implant, for example, a bone plate, the fastener having an anchor portion engageable with body tissue, and a head portion formed by an assembly of an insert and an anchor extension. The insert and anchor extension cooperate to form a reduced dimension passable into the aperture, and an expanded dimension not passable out of the aperture. The size of the assembly may be configurable, for example, by tabs, ramped surfaces, or an expanding diameter of a threadable insert.

Abstract: A vertebral fixation plate system and a method for its use in a surgical procedure to fuse adjacent spinal vertebrae. A mounting member is attached to the vertebral fixation plate so that the fixation plate can move with respect to the mounting member through a range of available positions. The mounting member can be attached to a spinal interbody fusion device installed in place of a removed spinal disc, thus also loosely fastening the vertebral fixation plate to the fusion device. A fastener can tighten the vertebral fixation plate to the mounting member and establish a location of the vertebral fixation plate with respect to the vertebrae to be fused. Confronting surfaces of the mounting member and the vertebral fixation plate cooperate to keep the vertebral fixation plate in a desired location while it is fastened to the vertebrae being fused.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes an internal fixation device. The internal fixation device includes: an exterior surface; a threaded section including a reservoir and at least one threaded section channel fluidly communicating the reservoir with the exterior surface, each threaded section channel having an interior diameter and a length which is greater than the interior diameter; a head including a head channel fluidly communicating the reservoir with an exterior surface of the head, a channel diameter of the head channel being respectively larger than a largest interior diameter of each threaded section channel, the channel diameter of the head channel being the same as a large interior diameter of the reservoir; and a continuously tapering inner surface between the head channel and the reservoir.

Abstract: A fastener, for example a bone screw, is sized to pass into an aperture of an implant, for example, a bone plate, the fastener having an anchor portion engageable with body tissue, and a head portion formed by an assembly of an insert and an anchor extension. The insert and anchor extension cooperate to form a reduced dimension passable into the aperture, and an expanded dimension not passable out of the aperture. The size of the assembly may be configurable, for example, by tabs, ramped surfaces, or an expanding diameter of a threadable insert.

Abstract: A fixation system includes an elongate plate and an extension plate. The elongate plate includes an inner wall and has a longitudinal axis. The extension plate has first and second attachment portions offset from one another. An engagement portion extends outwardly from the first attachment portion. The engagement portion is couplable to the inner wall of the elongate plate. The second attachment portion defines an aperture for receiving a fastener. The second attachment portion is revolvable about the longitudinal axis of the inner wall when the engagement portion is coupled to and movable about the inner wall. A fastener is received into the first attachment portion to attach the extension plate to the elongate plate. Another fastener is received into the second attachment portion and into a bone part.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device having a cage having an opening or window in its front wall that allows for the insertion of bone graft therethrough after the cage has been placed into the disc space. The device further has a faceplate that covers the front wall of the cage and provides features for securing bone screws to the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bone anchor assembly is provided having a bone anchor with a head, a resilient locking cap extending about a portion of the bone anchor head, and a cap drive member having a depending annular wall. The annular wall and locking cap have engagement surfaces configured to engage and expand the locking cap as the cap drive member is shifted from an unlocked to a locked position. In another form, a bone plate system is provided including a bone plate having an elongated throughbore and a resilient support member received therein. The support member has an opening sized to receive a bone anchor head and an actuator device carried thereon. The bone plate and support member have interfering portions configured to be shifted to a locked orientation to lock the support member and the bone anchor head at an axial position in the throughbore.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a fastener affixable to a vertebral body and an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted for receiving the fastener and engaging a portion of the vertebral body. The fastener includes a shank and a collet. The collet includes a channel for receiving a spinal rod and a locking member.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, for example a cutting block for use in knee surgery, comprises a mounting surface defining at least one opening for receiving a mounting projection. The mounting surface further defines a blind recess which extends linearly from the at least one opening. The blind recess may extend to an edge of the mounting surface. A system including a surgical instrument and one or more mounting projections is also disclosed. The blind recess can be used as a track to guide a projection to an opening, increasing the area of the instrument that can be used to locate the projection in the correct position. The recess acts as a guide for the projection to enter the opening by providing tactile feedback to guide the projection towards the opening. If the recess also extends to the edge of the instrument, the recess may be visible more easily when the surgeon is installing the instrument providing visual as well as tactile feedback.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone. In various embodiments, the systems and plates may provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension may promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments, for instance if fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate may enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate, which may promote fracture healing by callus formation.

Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus may include a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole and a fastener shaft received in the fixation hole. The fastener shaft may include a first portion having an outer surface defining a first cam and a second bone-engaging portion. An annular member may be received in the fixation hole and may include an inner surface defining a second cam for cooperating with the first cam to selectively move the annular member in a radial direction between an unexpanded position permitting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole and an expanded position restricting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole. The annular member may be moved between the expanded position and the unexpanded position by rotation of the annular member relative to the fastener shaft following insertion of the fastener shaft into a bone.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for fixation of a fractured bone with a bone plate. In various embodiments, the systems and plates provide elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to an osteosynthesis plate. This elastic suspension can promote load distribution between the screws that connect a bone segment to the plate, thereby reducing stress risers and load shielding effect. In addition, stress at the screw holes, and within the construct as a whole, is reduced by incorporation of these elastic elements in the plate. Additionally, in some embodiments where fracture healing by callus formation is desired, elastic suspension of the receiving holes relative to the osteosynthesis plate can enable small, controlled amounts of relative motion between bone fragments connected by the plate. This relative motion can promote fracture healing by callus formation.

Abstract: A system comprises a bone plate and a bone screw. The bone plate is provided with a through-hole, which extends from an upper face to a bone-side lower face of the bone plate. A lip is formed in the through-hole, which lip protrudes from the curved surface of the through-hole and extends in the circumferential direction of the through-hole. The bone screw has a head thread, which is designed to reshape the lip in the through-hole in order to form a threaded connection. The lip has a step arranged between the curved surface of the through-hole and a central region of the lip, which step extends along the lip. The system has the advantage that a bone screw can easily cut into the lip.

Abstract: An improved insert for assembly with a bone plate is described. The insert has a first opening adapted to receive a set screw and a second opening adapted to receive a bone screw. The insert is connectable to the bone plate using a set screw. The insert in conjunction with the set screw provides an improved range of relative motion for placing the bone screw at outboard locations with respect to the bone plate. That way, bone fragments that are not necessarily reachable using the bone plate without the insert can be secured together for improved healing.

Abstract: A guide body is designed to receive longitudinal fixation elements such as wires nails, pegs or screws which are to be anchored within bone. The guide body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a number of openings connecting the top surface with the bottom surface. The central axes of at least two of the openings are transverse to each other. The guide body permits the insertion of fixation elements at various angles with respect to each other. The guide body may prevent fixation elements which extend into the intramedullary region or the spongiosa from being displaced either in the proximal or in the distal direction.

Abstract: A variable angle locking screw assembly that includes a plate material, a screw, and a washer at least partially located within the plate material, the washer and screw cooperating to create a wedge locking the screw in one of a plurality of axial and rotational positions, where the locked position may be undone and adjusted by manipulation of at least one of the screw and washer.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An integrated fixation plate and spacer having a retaining structure within the screw holes of the fixation plate to resist backout of screws attaching the fixation plate to the bone is provided. A movable joint may be provided between the fixation plate and spacer. In some embodiments, a screw hole insert is also provided to resist shear forces acting between the screw and fixation plate. In some embodiments, an integrated fixation plate and spacer system is provided, comprising two or more integrated fixation plate and spacer implants, wherein the fixation plates of each implant has a complementary configuration to allow attachment of the implants at adjacent intervertebral spaces. Alternative fixation systems are also contemplated.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone plate system having a bone plate for placement adjacent one or more vertebral bodies. The system further includes a locking element including a compression member and a fixation member wherein the compression member includes an aperture and at least one deformable portion. A bone fastener is also included in the present system which includes a bone engaging portion and a stem portion. The stem is capable of being slidably received within the aperture of the compression member while the locking member is capable of being received within an aperture of the bone plate. As the compression member is brought into proximity of a vertebral body along the longitudinal axis of the bone fastener, an increasing force is exerted against the fixation member and translated to the bone plate. The resultant force translated back to the fixation member to the compression member which causes the deformable portion of the compression member to clamp the bone fastener relative to the bone plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to retention devices for surgical procedures and, more specifically, relates to variable angle retention devices to mount bone to a plate material.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone fixation device for stabilizing a plurality of bone segments includes a bone plate and a screw assembly. The bone plate includes a body defining at least one thru-bore, wherein the thru-bore is defined to include a central cavity, the central cavity having a middle diameter, an entry diameter, and an exit diameter, the middle diameter being larger than both the entry diameter and the exit diameter. Further, the screw assembly is configured to be coupled to the bone plate, wherein the screw assembly includes a bone screw having a head section, a thread section, and a central bore, an expandable ring coupled to the head section, and a pin at least partially disposed in the central bore, wherein the pin includes a varying outer profile that engages the expandable ring to vary an outer diameter of the expandable ring to lock the screw assembly in the thru-bore.

Abstract: A spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae includes a body extending between a substantially contoured first end surface and a second end surface to define side surfaces and opposing top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces substantially symmetrical about a centerline axis. At least one opening defines a hollow inner body and includes first and second intersecting openings extending through the top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces. The second intersecting opening extends through the side surfaces. The second end surface includes at least one aperture formed therethrough in communication with the hollow inner body. A screw opening is defined through at least one plate insert configured to be removably coupled to the second end surface to substantially align the screw opening with the at least one aperture. The bone screw is configured to be threadingly secured within the at least one plate insert.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method to establish and maintain bone stabilization and enhance post-operative healing in a surgical site, such as the cervical spine of a patient, with reduced risk of erosion or other injury to adjacent anatomic structures from extrusion of surgical fasteners, such as bone screws. The surgical stabilization system according to the present invention provides for the secure plating of structures such as adjacent vertebral bodies with allowance for selective postoperative motion of the surgical fasteners used to secure the plate. Such motion imparts benefit from increased translational response and remodeling in the course of bone healing, thus resulting in strengthened fusion.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar plate for attachment with bone screws to selected vertebrae of a person's spine is combined: (a) with separate L5 and S1 drill guides separately and removably attachable to the lumbar plate, and (b) with lock plates removably attachable to the lumbar plate to prevent unscrewing of installed bone screws. This invention further provides a method for implanting and locking in place the L5 and S1 bone screws. This invention is adaptable for L4-L5, L4-L5-S1, and L5-S1 lumbar plates.

Abstract: One embodiment includes at least a fixed element designed to be secured to a vertebra or sacrum, at least a mobile linking element and at least an intermediate element that articulates the mobile element relative to the fixed element. The intermediate element is received in an internal volume of the mobile element and is deformable, so as to be introduced by impingement into the inner volume. The fixed element is received at least partly in an internal volume of the intermediate element and has a position for use wherein said fixed element has three degrees of freedom in rotation, but is linked in translation, relative to the intermediate element.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant (10) is provided for use in connecting elongate members (12) as well as vertebral spacers such as corpectomy devices, intervertebral fusion devices, and other prostheses. The implant (10) may have fittings (80) on either end comprising fixed (100) or articulating (200) jaws, endplates, or other engagement structures. The implant (10) comprises a housing (40) with an internal rotor (60); an extending shaft (20); and a locking collar (70). The extending shaft (20) has an external helical groove (23) that meshes with an internal helical groove (63) on rotor (20). Length adjustment occurs by transforming axial movement of the extending shaft (20) into a rotary movement of the rotor (60) via helical engagement. The locking collar (70) comprises protrusion (73) engaging grooves (63) of rotor (60), thus providing a simple, positive locking mechanism without requiring the surgeon to apply excessive force to lock the length.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes a fixation plate including at least one fixation hole and at least one fastener. The fastener includes a coupler and a shank for engaging a bone. The coupler is threadably engaged with the fixation hole and includes an aperture receiving a proximal portion of the shank. The proximal portion of the shank can move relative to the coupler. The proximal portion of the shank includes a driver engagement recess for rotating the shank and the coupler together relative to the fixation plate without rotating the shank relative to the coupler and for threading the coupler to the fixation hole.

Abstract: Device and method for bone fixation. The device may comprise a bone plate including a plate body and a locking element. The plate body may define a plurality of openings configured to receive fasteners that secure the plate body to bone. The plurality of openings may include an elongate opening. The locking element, in turn, may define a through-hole disposed under the elongate opening for placement closer to bone than the elongate opening. The locking element may be configured to be disposed in threaded engagement with a fastener received by the locking element at the through-hole from the elongate opening. The locking element may be connected slidably to the plate body, in the absence of the fastener, to permit movement of the through-hole along the elongate opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device destined to be coupled to at least one support, and in particular a surgical implant destined to be coupled to a bone. The invention relates generally to a device (1) including a fixing element (3) including a head (3A) and a pin (3B) destined to be anchored in a support. The device further includes an assembly part (4) including a through hole (5), and a ring (6) housed in a manner that can be oriented within the through hole (5). The ring (6) has a passage (6A) shaped so as to allow passage of the pin (3B) and to stop the head (3A). The ring (6) is expandable according to its axial direction between a configuration wherein the ring (6) can be oriented and a configuration wherein the ring (6) is blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. The coupling member includes an extended post with a proximal removable portion. The extended post facilitates placement of the plate member in position relative to the anchor assembly when engaged to the patient and be employed to reduce the plate member toward the anchor assembly when engaged to a vertebra.

Abstract: A cervical compression plate assembly having screw receiving elements at opposite ends that are configured for engaging bone fixation screws extending from respective vertebral elements. The assembly permits the distance between the screw receiving elements at opposite ends to be shortened but prevents the distance from increasing. A spring mechanism is housed within the plate assembly and is configured for continuously urging the screw receiving elements at opposite ends together for thereby providing continuous compressive loading on bone graft material disposed between the vertebral elements.

Abstract: Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.

Abstract: A bone fixation system. The bone fixation system includes a fixation plate including at least one fixation hole, and at least one fastener, the fastener including a coupler and a shank for engaging a bone. The coupler is threadably engaged with the fixation hole. The shank is angulatably retained by the coupler and orientable relative to the fixation plate at a selectable angle.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone plate system having a bone plate for placement adjacent one or more vertebral bodies. The bone plate has a first aperture extending along a longitudinal axis and an upper and lower surface. The bone plate system further includes a sliding element having a top portion and a base portion and an aperture extending along a central axis. The sliding element is adapted for being placed adjacent to the bone plate aperture. The system preferably includes a bone fastener having a longitudinal axis which is adapted for connecting the bone plate to a vertebral body. The bone fastener includes a stem and a bone engaging portion. The diameter of the stem may be less than a cross section of the sliding element aperture so that the stem may be oriented within the sliding element aperture at a plurality of angles. The system may further include a stopping element engageable with the sliding element base portion.