Abstract: A system and method for installing a shoulder prosthesis. The method includes removing the original humeral head and shaping the proximal end of the humerus with one or more implements to prepare the humerus to receive the shoulder prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of fusing a joint between two bones, comprising boring a hole through one of the bones across the joint therebetween and into the other bone, placing the leading end of a screw into the hole, where the screw has a threaded region having a pitch that is larger toward a leading end of the screw and smaller toward a trailing end of the screw, and driving the screw into the bone until the threaded region spans the joint.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis having a head and an elongate stem portion including a proximal end connected to the head, a distal section for insertion into a medullary canal of a humeral bone and an alignment section disposed between the proximal end and distal section. The alignment section includes a plurality of reference marks positioned to facilitate placement of the prosthesis in the bone at a previously-determined position.

Abstract: The present invention is a bone fixator for repairing fractures of the distal radius and wrist. It includes, in the preferred embodiment, at least two generally parallel spaced-apart elongate distal mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the metacarpal bone and at least two generally parallel spaced-apart elongate radial mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the radius. A distal pin clamp assembly secures the distal pins to an elongate distal member. The clamp assembly and pins are movably coupled to the distal member for translational movement along its elongate axis and pivotal motion about a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the elongate axis of the distal member and the elongate axes of the distal pins. The fixator further includes a proximal pin mounting block for securing the radial pins and an elongate medial assembly of adjustable length.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis having a head and an elongate stem portion including a proximal end connected to the head, a distal section for insertion into a medullary canal of a humeral bone and an alignment section disposed between the proximal end and distal section. The alignment section includes a plurality of reference marks positioned to facilitate placement of the prosthesis in the bone at a previously determined position.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis having a head and an elongate stem portion including a proximal end connected to the head, a distal section for insertion into a medullary canal of a humeral bone and an alignment section disposed between the proximal end and distal section. The alignment section includes a plurality of reference marks positioned to facilitate placement of the prosthesis in the bone at a previously determined position.

Abstract: The present invention is a bone fixator for repairing fractures of the distal radius and wrist. It includes, in the preferred embodiment, at least two generally parallel, spaced-apart elongate distal mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the metacarpal bone and at least two generally parallel, spaced-apart elongate radial mounting pins with lower ends for mounting in the radius. A distal pin clamp assembly secures the distal pins to an elongate distal member. The clamp assembly and pins are movably coupled to the distal member for translational movement along its elongate axis and pivotal motion about a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the elongate axis of the distal member and the elongate axes of the distal pins.

Abstract: A wire locking sleeve and a wire. The sleeve has a bore and a deformation recess adjacent the bore. The sleeve around the bore is deformable toward the recess into a serpentine configuration for interlockingly engaging a portion of the wire disposed therein. Deformation of the sleeve around the bore is achieved by applying a transverse compressive force to the sleeve.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis having a head and an elongate stem portion including a proximal end connected to the head, a distal section for insertion into a medullary canal of a humeral bone and an alignment section disposed between the proximal end and distal section. The alignment section includes a plurality of reference marks positioned to facilitate placement of the prosthesis in the bone at a previously determined position.

Abstract: A vise to aid in bending a bone plate. The vise includes an elongate handle and a first clamp mechanism. The clamp mechanism includes a plate-receiving slot having an axis perpendicular to the long axis of the handle and rotationally fixed to the handle. The clamp mechanism also includes a moveable jaw bordering the plate-receiving slot. A jaw tightening mechanism urges the moveable jaw against a bone plate positioned in the plate-receiving slot to thereby secure the plate in the vise.

Abstract: A screw having a root and threads formed on the root. The screw is configured to generate and/or maintain axial compression between threads formed in leading and trailing sections of the screw either by virtue of pitch differential in the threads or the way in which the screw is installed.

Abstract: A wire locking sleeve and a wire. The sleeve has a bore and a deformation recess adjacent the bore. The sleeve includes a locking stud positioned adjacent the deformation recess and bore. The locking stud is deformable toward the bore interlockingly to engage a portion of the wire disposed therein. Deformation of the sleeve around the bore is achieved by applying a transverse compressive force to the locking stud.

Abstract: A bone screw having a continuously varying pitch includes a tapered root portion having a relatively small diameter on a leading end of the screw and a larger trailing diameter. The pitch of the screw decreases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing the bone fragments in a fracture to be drawn together when the screw is installed across the fragments. The radially outer diameter of the threads increases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing each successive thread portion to cut into bone radially outwardly from the preceding thread portion thereby providing uncut bone in which the succeeding threads can gain purchase.

Abstract: A bone screw having a continuously varying pitch includes a tapered root portion having a relatively small diameter on a leading end of the screw and a larger trailing diameter. The pitch of the screw decreases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing the bone fragments in a fracture to be drawn together when the screw is installed across the fragments. The radially outer diameter of the threads increases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing each successive thread portion to cut into bone radially outwardly from the preceding thread portion thereby providing uncut bone in which the succeeding threads can gain purchase.

Abstract: A bone screw having a continuously varying pitch includes a tapered root portion having a relatively small diameter on a leading end of the screw and a larger trailing diameter. The pitch of the screw decreases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing the bone fragments in a fracture to be drawn together when the screw is installed across the fragments. The radially outer diameter of the threads increases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing each successive thread portion to cut into bone radially outwardly from the preceding thread portion thereby providing uncut bone in which the succeeding threads can gain purchase.

Abstract: An elongated tapered nail or rod having an elongated body with a curved tapered shank that may be secured within a proximal portion of the humeral shaft, with a contiguous butt portion of the nail extending proximally from the shank to provide a solid foundation to which the humeral head fragments may be secured. The butt portion has transverse holes oriented at selected angles to receive fasteners attached to the fragments. The nail has a varying taper angle that creates a ridge positioned away from the distal tip, reducing stress concentrations on the bone that may occur at the tip of any reinforcing implant.