Abstract: A universal targeting apparatus includes a generally U-shaped body having one end configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the intramedullary implant and a mounting portion at an opposite end of said body. An arm is rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of the U-shaped body and includes bores defined at its opposite ends. Each bore is arranged at a different angle to correspond to the angle of a transverse aperture in the intramedullary implant. The arm can be rotated so an appropriate one of the angled bores is aligned with the transverse aperture to serve as a guide for creating targeting holes in 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.

Abstract: A fixation plate includes a set of threaded peg holes adapted to individually receive fixation pegs therethrough and non-threaded alignment holes having a relatively smaller diameter than the peg holes and preferably sized to closely receive a K-wire. The alignment holes are located between the peg holes. One peg hole is configured for aligning the plate during an osteotomy procedure, while other peg holes are configured for use after fracture reduction and receive K-wires to temporarily secure the plate to the bone and determine whether pegs inserted through adjacent respective peg holes will be properly located before drilling relatively larger holes for such pegs.

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: A distal volar fixation plate includes a body portion and a head portion angled upwards relative to the body portion. The head portion includes a lower surface, a central portion, a radial side and an ulnar side. The head portion defines a buttress portion extends greater distally on the ulnar side than on the radial side to support the volar lip of the lunate fossa.

Abstract: A bending tool is provided for reshaping a bone plate that is preassembled with a pair of spaced-apart threaded, cylindrical elements removably attached to the bone plate and extending above the top surface of the bone plate. The bending tool has a handle and a distal head attached to the distal end of the handle. The distal head has a cavity that is sized and shaped to fit over the pair of spaced-apart threaded, cylindrical elements. The user, while holding the bone plate, may manually apply a leverage force to the bending tool while the cavity of the distal head is fitted over the pair of spaced-apart threaded, cylindrical elements to transmit a sufficient, regionalized bending moment to the bone plate through the pair of threaded, cylindrical elements to reshape the bone plate.

Abstract: Removable drill guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a bone plate. The tips may be used with an extension to together function as a conventional drill guide. After drilling, the extension or another tool is used to remove the tips from the plate. According to another use, the tip is used as a guide for a drill bit without any additional extension and then removed with a tool.

Abstract: A bone plate system for joining together adjacent bone parts of a surgical patient includes a bone plate having a first slot defining a first centerline axis, a second slot defining a second centerline axis, and a third slot defining a third centerline axis. The first, second and third slots are disposed in a triangular arrangement and simultaneously positionable over each of three adjacent bone parts. Each of a first compressing screw, a second compressing screw and a third compressing screw has a threaded shank for passage through the first, second and third slots, respectively, and engagement into the underlying bone part.

Abstract: Plate shaping tools may be attached to a plate having pre-assembled guides while the plate is located on the bone to effect alteration of the plate shape in an effective and precise manner. The tools are designed such that a drill and K-wires can be inserted through the guides while the tools are coupled to the guides. In accord with tools disclosed and methods described, the plates are reconfigurable in shape.

Abstract: A volar fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone. The plate includes threaded holes for receiving fasteners which lock relative to the plate.

Abstract: A drill sleeve is provided for guiding a bone drill in alignment with the screw holes and drill guides. The drill sleeve includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The cylindrical body includes a longitudinal bore therethrough that is sized for passage of a bone drill. The drill sleeve also includes a frictional retaining element for exerting a bearing force against the surface of the bone drill, such that the frictional retaining element may support at least the weight of the drill sleeve on the bone drill. The bone drill has graduated indicia, and a portion of the drill sleeve may be referenced relative to the indicia so as to be used as a depth gauge for determining the length of a drilled hole in order to select a screw fastener having the appropriate length.

Abstract: A bone plate system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of a patient has a bone plate with one or more threaded bone fastener apertures and one or more non-threaded bone fastener apertures. The system also has a plurality of bone fasteners, each with a shaft and a head. The heads are dimensioned and configured to threadedly engage the threaded bone fastener apertures to provide a fixed angle locking construct. The heads also are dimensioned and configured to directly engage the non-threaded bone fastener apertures to provide a polyaxial non-locking compressive construct.

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: 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.

Abstract: A pair of plate benders are provided for bending a bone plate. Each bender includes a lever arm having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a fulcrum for placement on the upper surface of the plate, and a foot insertable through the oblong screw hole to contact the lower surface of the plate. The second end includes a cut-out with a central divider. The cut-out has a length dimensioned to extend widthwise about the plate at the location of the oblong screw hole with the divider extending into the oblong screw hole for stability. The second end may also be provided with a deep slot that accommodates the thickness of the plate. In use, plate benders with such structure can be used in pairs to longitudinal bend the plate; bend the plate in plane; or twist the plate along its axis.

Abstract: A modular bone plating system in one embodiment is a bone plate kit including a plurality of bone plates, each of the plurality of bone plates including a male coupling portion, a female coupling portion and a shaft extending between the male coupling portion and the female coupling portion, wherein each of the male coupling portions of each of the plurality of bone plates is configured to couple with each of the female coupling portions of each of the other of the plurality of bone plates.

Abstract: A drill guide system is provided for forming a hole along a desired trajectory in the bone of a surgical patient. The drill guide system comprises a drill bit defining a drill bit axis and a drill guide comprising a frame having a proximal arm and a distal arm fixedly spaced apart. The drill guide further comprises a first guide portion extending from the proximal arm and including a first channel defining a first guide axis, and a pointer projecting proximally from the distal arm and aligned with the first guide axis. The drill bit is transversely insertable into the first channel into an operational position in which the drill bit is constrained to translate only along the first guide axis.

Abstract: A volar fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone. The plate includes holes for receiving fasteners along a fixed axis relative to the plate. The plate is positioned against the radius bone, and a portion of the plate is preliminarily fixed to the radius bone. The fracture is reduced, and a plurality of fasteners are each inserted through a respective plate hole so as to extend immediately below the subchondral bone of the radius bone and is fixed in axial relationship relative to the plate. Together the fasteners form a stabilizing construct that conforms to the concave curvature of the articular surface of the radius 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.

Abstract: A polyaxial locking screw system includes a bone plate defining a plate hole with an inner spherical surface and a relatively harder split polyaxial bushing with a outer spherical surface provided within the plate hole for receiving a bone screw. In one embodiment, the plate is formed from titanium alloy, while the bushing is formed from a cobalt chrome alloy. The outer surface of the polyaxial bushing includes a plurality of spikes. When the screw is inserted into the bushing, since the bushing material is considerably harder than the plate material, the forceful expansion of the bushing during screw insertion causes the spikes to penetrate into the inner spherical surface of the hole, thereby increasing the frictional engagement of the bushing to the plate to lock the screw at a desired angle.