Abstract: An orthopedic fixation system includes a sterile packaged implant kit and a sterile packaged instrument kit. The sterile packaged implant kit includes at least one surgical implant, an insertion device, and an implant package adapted to receive the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device therein. The implant package maintains the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged implant kit. The sterile packaged instrument kit includes one or more instruments necessary to use the sterile packaged implant kit and an instrument package adapted to receive the one or more instruments therein. The instrument package maintains the one or more instruments sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged instrument kit.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first and second legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which the first and second legs are substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which the first and second legs are substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first, second, and third legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which at least the first leg is substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which at least the first leg is substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is designed for use with a shape memory implant movable between an unconstrained shape and an insertion shape. The implant insertion device maintains the shape memory implant in its insertion shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone. Upon the release of the shape memory implant from the implant insertion device, the shape memory implant attempts to move from its insertion shape to its unconstrained shape, thereby releasing mechanical energy into the tissue or bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a bridge and at least a first leg extending from a first end of the bridge and a second leg extending from the second end of the bridge. The bridge includes a first upper section and a second lower section. The first upper section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the first upper section with a non-uniform cross-section. The second lower section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the second lower section with a non-uniform cross-section. The non-uniform cross-sections of the first upper section and the second lower section flatten the profile of the bridge, thereby producing an orthopedic implant with a smooth composite surface.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first and second legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which the first and second legs are substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which the first and second legs are substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first, second, and third legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which at least the first leg is substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which at least the first leg is substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first, second, and third legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which at least the first leg is substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which at least the first leg is substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first and second legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which the first and second legs are substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which the first and second legs are substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation system includes a sterile packaged implant kit and a sterile packaged instrument kit. The sterile packaged implant kit includes at least one surgical implant, an insertion device, and an implant package adapted to receive the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device therein. The implant package maintains the at least one surgical implant and the insertion device sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged implant kit. The sterile packaged instrument kit includes one or more instruments necessary to use the sterile packaged implant kit and an instrument package adapted to receive the one or more instruments therein. The instrument package maintains the one or more instruments sterile after sterilization of the sterile packaged instrument kit.

Abstract: An implant insertion device is designed for use with a shape memory implant movable between an unconstrained shape and an insertion shape. The implant insertion device maintains the shape memory implant in its insertion shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone. Upon the release of the shape memory implant from the implant insertion device, the shape memory implant attempts to move from its insertion shape to its unconstrained shape, thereby releasing mechanical energy into the tissue or bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a bridge and at least a first leg extending from a first end of the bridge and a second leg extending from the second end of the bridge. The bridge includes a first upper section and a second lower section. The first upper section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the first upper section with a non-uniform cross-section. The second lower section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the second lower section with a non-uniform cross-section. The non-uniform cross-sections of the first upper section and the second lower section flatten the profile of the bridge, thereby producing an orthopedic implant with a smooth composite surface.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a bridge and at least a first leg extending from a first end of the bridge and a second lee extending from the second end of the bridge. The bridge includes a first upper section and a second lower section. The first upper section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the first upper section with a non-uniform cross-section. The second lower section includes surfaces that are non-orthogonal and taper from a central surface to provide the second lower section with a non-uniform cross-section. The non-uniform cross-sections of the first upper section and the second lower section flatten the profile of the bridge, thereby producing an orthopedic implant with a smooth composite surface.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone plate constructed from shape memory material provides the ability to move from an open shape to a compressed shape and create compression on two bones or bone fragments to encourage healing. The plate may be any number of shapes, with two or more screws anchoring the plate to bone. The plate is affixed to bone in a sequence of steps that involve first placing the plate on an insertion tool, attaching drill guide tubes, placing the plate over bone, drill holes in bone, and then attaching the plate to the bone via screws. The insertion tool can then be removed at the surgeon's convenience allowing compression on the two bones.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone plate constructed from shape memory material provides the ability to move from an open shape to a compressed shape and create compression on two bones or bone fragments to encourage healing. The plate may be any umber of shapes, with two or more screws anchoring the plate to bone. The plate is affixed to bone in a sequence of steps that involve first placing the plate on an insertion tool, attaching drill guide tubes, placing the plate over bone, drilling holes in bone, and then attaching the plate to the bone via screws. The insertion tool can then be removed at the surgeon's convenience allowing compression on the two bones.

Abstract: A drill guide includes a shaft, a drill guide assembly securable to the shaft, and a first drill guide insert. The drill guide assembly includes a first drill guide body defining a receiving passage, a locking member, and terminating in a first grasping projection that flexes between open and closed positions. The first drill guide insert installs in the receiving passage and includes a bore, a grasping projection displacement surface, a locking groove, and a key member. The grasping projection displacement surface moves the first grasping projection from its closed position to its open position during installation of the first drill guide insert. Upon installation, the locking groove receives the first grasping projection to lock the first drill guide insert in the first drill guide body, and the key member engages the locking member to prevent rotation of the first drill guide insert within the first drill guide body.

Abstract: An implant storage and insertion system for a shape memory orthopedic implant allows the implant to be constrained in a deformed state, protected, insulated, held for insertion, and properly positioned in bone. The implant storage and insertion system includes a restraining block having an impact surface. The restraining block engages an implant at a first end, and further a medical instrument engages the restraining block and positions the restraining block at a bone such that the impact surface may be impacted to insert a second end of the implant into the bone.

Abstract: An intramedullary orthopedic implant includes a body section having a first end that provides a point of insertion for the body section and a second end. The body section further includes wings extending away from the point of insertion for the body section. The intramedullary orthopedic implant further includes first and second legs extending from the second end of the body section. The first and second legs begin in a first implanted shape, are movable to a second insertion shape, and remain in the second insertion shape as long as the first and second legs are mechanically constrained.