Abstract: Spinal implants and methods for spinal stabilization and/or fusion are provided. Exemplary implants described herein can be configured for delivery to a facet joint to stabilize and/or fuse the facet joint, and can optionally be anchored within the pedicle for added fixation. The implant can optionally include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint is provided.

Abstract: A surgical distractor comprising a base plate (2), an intermediate stage (6) telescopically coupled to the base plate (2) and a distraction plate (4) telescopically coupled to the intermediate stage (6). The intermediate stage (6) is arranged to rotate relative to at least one of the base plate (2) and the distraction plate (4) to cause telescopic movement between the intermediate plate (6) and at least one of the base plate (2) and the distraction plate (4) such that the distraction plate (4) moves towards or away from the base plate (2). Surgical instrument kits incorporating distractors and drive elements and a method of distracting two bones within a joint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone fixation system is provided. The bone fixation system may include a plate, one or more fasteners configured to attach the plate to a target anatomical location such as bone, and a surgical device that facilitates the attachment of the plate and the fasteners.

Abstract: The present application discloses embodiments related to an external bone fixation device configured to correct bone deformities or repair bone injuries. The device can include a plurality of bases configured to be attached to portions of a bone and a plurality of struts configured to be adjustable in length to change the position and orientation of the plurality of bases and the attached bone portions.

Abstract: An intramedullary pin for insertion into the medullary space of the femur through the lateral compacta of the trochanter major. The pin has a proximal pin section and an adjoining distal pin section. Each pin section includes one or more bores for one or more bone screws. The proximal pin section has at least one bore running obliquely to the longitudinal axis, so that bone screws can be inserted through the bore into the head of the femur, or a screw can be inserted in the antegrade direction through the bore. The distal pin section is at least partly straight and the proximal pin section has a curvature in the lateral-posterior direction.

Abstract: Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for use in determining the deviation of an intra-operative position of an orthopaedic implant from a planned position is described. The position of the orthopedic implant in the bone is defined by a plurality of implant position parameters. The distance of a plurality of anatomical features in a three dimensional model of the surface of the bone relative to a model of the implant at a first position is calculated. The first position corresponds to a first set of values for the implant position parameters. The distance of the plurality of anatomical features to a model of the implant at a second position in the bone is calculated. The second position corresponds to a second set of values for the implant position parameters, and the second position is different to the first position.

Abstract: A surgical cutting guide is described which can guide a cutting implement to cut in a pair of planes at a defined relative orientation. The cutting guide comprises a first plate defining a first cutting plane, a second plate defining a second cutting plane at an angle to the first cutting plane; and a base member to which both the first plate and the second plate are attached. The first and second cutting planes intersect each other at a line of intersection and both the first plate and the second plate extend beyond the line of intersection.

Abstract: An expansion ring for a braided stent includes a plurality of elongated forked frame elements forming the expansion ring. Each of the frame elements includes first and second legs extending in one direction and connected together at a junction portion forming a fulcrum allowing compression of the frame elements, and each of the frame elements are threaded through interstices in a tubular body of the braided stent so that the junction portions engage the tubular body of the braided stent. Each of the frame elements is connected sequentially to adjacent frame elements at the ends of the first and second legs, and the expansion ring has a compressed configuration with a first diameter and an expanded configuration with a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A bone fixation nail having an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a bone. The elongated body has a first slot extending from the leading end to a first end and defining first and second wings, the first and second wings configured to splay radially outward upon application of an internal stress thereto.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes an attachment device, an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument, and a cutting block. The attachment device includes a housing, a rail extending outwardly from the housing, and a mounting frame positioned on the rail that is configured to slide relative to the housing along the rail. The intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument is removably coupled to the housing, and the cutting block is removably coupled to the mounting frame.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes an insertion end, an opposing engagement end, and first and second opposed main surfaces configured to contact respective adjacent vertebral endplates. Each of the first and second main surfaces has an anterior edge, a posterior edge, and extends between the insertion and engagement ends. Anterior and posterior walls are formed between the first and second main surfaces and along the respective anterior and posterior edges and converge at the insertion and engagement ends. A slot is formed at the engagement end and extends continuously between and at least partially along the anterior and posterior walls. A post is positioned within the slot, spaced from at least one of the anterior and posterior walls and extending at least partially between the first and second main surfaces. The post includes a plurality of exposed facets and is configured for engagement with a pivotable insertion instrument.

Abstract: A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for attachment to a cutting block having a cutting slot defining a cutting plane is described. The surgical instrument comprises a dual purpose indicator (2) member. The indicator member is configured to (i) allow visualization of a first plane and (ii) to indicate a predetermined distance from a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The surgical instrument also comprises an attachment member (14,16,18,20) for attaching the surgical instrument to the cutting slot in either of two mutually perpendicular orientations such that either the first plane or the second plane is parallel to the cutting plane. The surgical instrument can therefore be used both to visualize a plane of a cut and to indicate a distance from the plane of a cut, depending on the orientation of the attachment member in the cutting slot. This allows inventory to be reduced because the surgical instrument can replace two prior art instruments.

Abstract: A fixation device comprises a biodegradable inner core extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal tip to a proximal end in combination with a sleeve surrounding the core along a portion of a length thereof and comprising a thermoplastic polymer formed of a material which softens and expands into surrounding bone tissue when activated by an energy source.

Abstract: An impacting device for inserting, positioning and/or removing an implant and/or performing other impacting applications. The impacting device may have a head having at least one recess. The recess may have a insertion channel and a locking chamber. In one embodiment, the insertion channel and the locking chamber may be connected by an axial channel. The recess may pass through a lateral surface of the head so that the base surface may remain cohesive or unobstructed. A guide means, such as a guide rod, may be positioned though the recess so that the head may be moveable on the guide means and not disengage the guide means. A shaft having a handle may be attached to the head to assist a surgeon in moving the head on the guide means.

Abstract: A bone plate includes a first three-part combination hole extending through a proximal portion of the plate, a first portion configured to engage a threaded head portion of a bone fixation element, a second portion configured to receive a bone fixation element along an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone and a third portion defining a screw axis extending toward the distal end of the elongated body at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis in combination with a first two-part combination hole extending through the proximal portion, a first threaded portion configured to engage a threaded head portion of a bone fixation element and a second portion defining an elongated slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the plate for receiving a bone fixation element so that the plate may slide along its longitudinal axis relative to the bone fixation element.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip joint comprising: (a) a femoral component including a femoral head; and, (b) an acetabular component including an acetabular cup and an acetabular cup insert, the acetabular cup insert sized to receive the femoral head, where the femoral head is sized to have a spherical center that matches a spherical center of a patient's native femoral head, where the acetabular cup is sized to have a cavity with a spherical center that matches a spherical center of a cavity of a patient's native acetabulum and, where the femoral head center of the femoral component is concentric with the center of the cavity of the acetabular cup.

Abstract: A surgical resection guide comprising: a housing (36); a stylus arm (38) extending through the housing (36) arranged such that when the housing (36) is coupled to the side of a bone, a tip of the stylus arm (38) is arranged to contact an end of a bone; and a linear adjustment mechanism. The linear adjustment mechanism comprises: a shaft (30) at least partially received within a bore extending through the housing (36) such that the shaft (30) can slide along its longitudinal axis relative to the housing (36), the shaft (30) incorporating a shaft tooth or groove (50); and a dial (44) rotatably coupled to the housing (36) and incorporating a helical dial groove or rib (48) defining a longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft (30).