Abstract: Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices with an elastic force are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated body. The tip having a visual cue indicating a location of at least one cutting element extending from the elongated body.

Abstract: A disclosed fastener guide includes first and second longitudinal body portions that include, respectively, first and second distal segments. These body portions are connected together to form a fastener through-bore therebetween into which a fastener can be received for guiding the fastener into a hole in a bone plate. This connection can be flexible to allow the fastener guide to move between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a spacing of the first and second distal segments relative to one another is such that a combination of the two can be received in the hole in the bone plate for attaching the fastener guide to the plate; however, in the open position, this combination can no longer be received in the hole due to the segments being spaced relatively further apart from one another in comparison to the spacing in the closed position of the fastener guide.

Abstract: A device for positioning an orthopaedic fixation device includes: a compression attachment mechanism; a fastener guide coupled to the compression attachment mechanism; and a spring member disposed in the fastener guide. The compression attachment mechanism is biased toward a closed position and comprises a gripping portion that is movable by a user for transitioning the compression attachment mechanism from the closed position toward an open position for loading a plate onto the compression attachment mechanism.

Abstract: Implant positioning devices and fastener guides for implant positioning devices are disclosed for assisting in positioning orthopaedic fixation devices (such as bone plates, etc.). A fastener guide may include a body with slits in a first end of the body that form a guide arm proximal to the first end of the body. The guide arm is configured to releasable hold a fastener in the fastener guide. The fastener guide may also be coupled to a bone plate to facilitate ease of alignment and insertion of the fastener into a fastener apertures of the bone plate.

Abstract: A ratchet fastener includes a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth and a ratchet wheel disposed in mating arrangement with the teeth. The ratchet fastener is configured to receive a tether. The ratchet wheel is configured to be rotated to tighten the tether.

Abstract: A fastener guide that includes a body. The body includes a through-bore configured for receiving a fastener and an end configured for contacting a bone plate. The fastener guide further includes at least one member configured for contacting and retaining the fastener within the body.

Abstract: A closure system may secure a first bone portion to a second bone portion. The closure system may include a bracket, a band and a tensioning device. The bracket may include a first portion adapted to engage the first bone portion and a second portion adapted to engage the second bone portion. The band may engage the bracket and may be adapted to be looped around the first and second bone portions. The tensioning device may include a body and a threaded member. The threaded member may be received in the body and may engage the band such that rotation of the threaded member relative to the body moves a first end of the band relative to a second end of the band.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fixating bone include repairing or remodeling a hard tissue defect with a composite bone structure. The composite bone structure includes at least two hard tissues or bones and a scaffold material fixed together by an adhesive component. The apparatus and methods include positioning the hard tissues/bones, conforming the scaffold material to at least a portion of a surface of the hard tissues/bones, contacting the adhesive component with the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, and changing the material state of the adhesive component to another material state at which the adhesive component fixes together the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, thereby forming a composite bone structure having a desired rigidity.

Abstract: A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/ driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.

Abstract: An assembly for surgically treating a chest-wall deformity may include an implantable stabilizer member, an implantable pectus bar and an implantable stopping member. The implantable stabilizer member may include first and second base parts and a channel defined by the first and second base parts. The stabilizer member may include first and second retaining bars extending between the first and second base parts and traversing the channel. The first and second base parts may be adapted to be secured to tissue of the chest wall. The implantable pectus bar may be receivable within the channel of the stabilizer member. The implantable stopping member may be adapted to be engaged with the pectus bar between the first and second retaining bars after the pectus bar is inserted into the channel to restrict movement of the pectus bar relative to the tissue.

Abstract: A method is provided and may include rotating a biocompatible, non-metallic threaded fastener at a rotational speed greater than 15,000 revolutions per minute and driving said fastener into a bone at said rotational speed.

Abstract: A surgical implant may include a first implant member, a second implant member and a fastener. The first implant member may include a first aperture having first and second ends. The first aperture may include a female threaded portion and a barrier member disposed between the first and second ends and extending radially inward into the first aperture. The female threaded portion may be disposed between the first end and the barrier member. The second implant member may include a second aperture. The fastener may extend at least partially through the first and second apertures and may include a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include a flexible tab and a male threaded portion engaging the female threaded portion. The male threaded portion may be disposed between the flexible tab and the head portion.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing ends of an implantable fabric including a plate member having an aperture therethrough. A cam member is rotatable relative to the aperture between a locked state and an unlocked state. The implantable fabric is movable relative to the plate member when the cam member is in the unlocked state and restricted from moving relative to the plate member when the cam member is in the locked state.

Abstract: An assembly for surgically treating a chest-wall deformity may include an implantable stabilizer member, an implantable pectus bar and an implantable stopping member. The implantable stabilizer member may include first and second base parts and a channel defined by the first and second base parts. The stabilizer member may include first and second retaining bars extending between the first and second base parts and traversing the channel. The first and second base parts may be adapted to be secured to tissue of the chest wall. The implantable pectus bar may be receivable within the channel of the stabilizer member. The implantable stopping member may be adapted to be engaged with the pectus bar between the first and second retaining bars after the pectus bar is inserted into the channel to restrict movement of the pectus bar relative to the tissue.

Abstract: A pectus bar stabilizer assembly and method includes a first base part separable from a second base part. The first and second base parts combine to define a channel therebetween. A pectus bar is received by the channel and a retainer assembly retains the pectus bar in the channel.

Abstract: A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.

Abstract: A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.

Abstract: A pectus bar stabilizer assembly and method includes a first base part separable from a second base part. The first and second base parts combine to define a channel therebetween. A pectus bar is received by the channel and a retainer assembly retains the pectus bar in the channel.

Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure may include determining a load to be supported across separated bone regions by a bridge region of a bone plate. The method may further include determining an acceptable cut force (CF) for the bridge region, determining a cross-sectional area (a) of the bridge region based on the determined load, and determining a height (h) and a width (w) of the bridge region. A bone plate may be provided including a bridge region having the height (h) and width (w) for securing the separated bone regions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fixating bone include repairing or remodeling a hard tissue defect with a composite bone structure. The composite bone structure includes at least two hard tissues or bones and a scaffold material fixed together by an adhesive component. The apparatus and methods include positioning the hard tissues/bones, conforming the scaffold material to at least a portion of a surface of the hard tissues/bones, contacting the adhesive component with the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, and changing the material state of the adhesive component to another material state at which the adhesive component fixes together the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, thereby forming a composite bone structure having a desired rigidity.