Abstract: A bone plate is especially adapted to solve the problems pertinent to all fracture types of the proximal humerus but especially all three-part and four-part fractures and fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus. The first bone plate (30) is configured and arranged to match the contour of a healthy unfractured proximal humerus. The bone plate (30) includes an elongate shaft portion (32) and a head portion (34). The shaft portion (32) is adapted for receiving bone screws to fix the bone plate to a shaft of a humerus. The head portion includes a first head section (53) and a second head section (54), with an obtuse angle defined therebetween. The first and second head sections (53, 54) extend laterally away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion (32) in generally opposite directions.

Abstract: A skull pin has a ceramic insulating portion between a titanium driving portion and a titanium tip portion. The driving portion of the skull pin terminates in a sleeve, and the ceramic insulator with a solid cylindrical shape is received such as with a press fit in the sleeve. The preferred ceramic material is zirconia. The tip portion has an opposing outer sleeve which receives the distal end of the ceramic insulator such as with a press fit. The ceramic insulator is believed to reduce or eliminate a burning sensation felt by patients during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which may be caused by transmission of high (radio) frequency electrical signals through the prior art skull pins.

Abstract: A fixator for internally fixating bone fractures includes an elongate plate portion, a head portion and a barrel extending from the head portion. The elongate plate portion defines at least one plate aperture extending through the plate for receiving bone screws to fasten the fixator to a shaft of a bone. The barrel extends from the head portion and has a generally cylindrical inner surface configured for slidably receiving an end of both keyed and non-keyed lag screws. The cylindrical inner surface further defines at least one keyway along a length of the tube for receiving a key of a keyed lag screw to prevent rotation of the keyed lag screw and for also allowing rotation of a non-keyed lag screw.

Abstract: An implantable bone plate comprises a solid, elongated, generally circular rod member having a plurality of axially-aligned flat members spaced apart along the length thereof. Each flat member has a width greater than the thickness of the rod member and an aperture for receiving a bone screw or the like. The apertures are normal to and intersect the axis of the rod member. The thickness of the flat members is preferably at least as great as the thickness of the rod member so that only the flat members bear against a bone. Preferably, the flat members are truncated spherical members whose spherical surfaces intersect the rod member.

Abstract: A fixation screw for attaching to a bone has at least one flute which traverses the proximal portion of the thread to form reverse cutting faces on the thread at the proximal portion. The cutting faces are arranged to cut the bone when the screw is rotated in a reverse rotational direction to ease in withdrawal of the screw. The flute forms a first plane containing the cutting faces on the thread and the axis of rotation of the screw. A base surface is formed by the flute forwardly of the cutting faces when the screw is rotated in a reverse direction. The base surface includes a rotational portion at the root diameter of the thread and a planar portion in a plane tangential to the rotational portion and arranged so that a substantial portion of the cutting face is axially offset from the leading thread to thereby engage the bone. Additionally or optionally, the thread is tapered at the proximal end to form a reverse self-tapping thread.

Abstract: A drill guide for use in corticotomy procedures includes a head having a first end forming tines for penetrating and gripping the bone, a second end generally opposite the first end, and a plurality of drill guide passages extending between the first and second ends. The drill guide passages are arranged at different angles to permit a drill bit to bore into the cortex at different angles and different depths to form a circumferential region of weakened cortex. In use, the drill guide is positioned on the bone at a selected fracture site and a drill bit is operated through selected guide passages to bore into the cortex at the fracture site, thereby weakening a circumferential region of the cortex. Any remaining cortex is broken to complete the corticotomy procedure.

Abstract: A pelvic stabilizer for quickly stabilizing fractures of the human pelvis and preventing excessive blood loss. The pelvic stabilizer comprises first and second curved arms which are rotatably attached to each other at first ends by an adjustable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism permits free second ends of the first and second curved arms to be adjustably spaced from each other. A first mounting pin and a second mounting pin are adjustably attached at the second ends of the first and second curved arms respectively.

Abstract: A tension adjuster is mounted on and is part of an external fixation device comprising frame segments rigidly supporting fixation pins that pass through and immobilize fractured bones during rehabilitation. This tension adjuster securely attaches the fixation pins to the frame segments and adjustably applies tension along the fixation pins to more rigidly secure the fixation pins and to improve the immobilization of the fractured bones. The tension adjuster comprises a threaded slotted screw attached to the fixation pins and comprises a mounting nut having an aperture through which is drawn the threaded slotted tension screw while adjusting the tension along the fixation pins. A tapered pin extending into the aperture of the mounting nut and into a chamfered slot of the threaded slotted tension screw, guides the threaded slotted tension screw through the mounting nut during tension adjustments.

Abstract: A dye injector apparatus is operatively disposed between a syringe containing an opaque dye suitable for x-ray photography and a cannulated screw or an orthopedic hip fixation device implanted in the ball head of a femur fractured at the femur neck. The dye injector comprises a cannulated shaft, a flange end suitably formed to receive the spout of the syringe, and a needle end suitably formed for insertion into the fixation device. The dye injector communicates the dye from the syringe to the cannulated screw. If the cannulated screw has extended beyond the femur ball head and penetrated the hip socket, an x-ray photograph of the hip socket shows the presence of the dye in the hip socket signaling the need for further operative care so that the cannulated screw will not postoperatively injure the hip socket.

Abstract: A cervical traction tong assembly for mounting cranial pins to the head of a spinal fracture patient. The cervical tong assembly includes an arcuate central support member having a pair of movable coupling assemblies connected to the ends thereof for radial movement relative to the central support. A pair of straps for carrying cranial pins are rotatably mounted to each of the coupling assemblies. The coupling assemblies and the rotatable straps may be adjusted to position cranial pins at desired locations upon a patient's head and to provide a traction force vector at any predetermned angle.

Abstract: A jig for fitting a halo to a patient with a cervical injury, which supports the patient's head during the fitting, and leaves the surgeon's hands free for manipulation and stabilization, is disclosed.