Abstract: An apparatus for a bone fusion assembly is provided for compressing adjacent bones across a bone fusion site to encourage fusion thereof. The bone fusion assembly includes a generally elongate member comprising a plate that has one or more fixation apertures to receive fasteners that are configured to be coupled with the adjacent bones. A threaded fastener comprising a bone screw, including a head portion and a shank, is configured to traverse the bone fusion site. A slanted aperture disposed in the plate is configured to receive the bone screw at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane of the plate. The slanted aperture comprises a smooth countersunk surface and one or more teeth that are configured to cooperate with the head portion of the bone screw to compress the adjacent bones together and encourage bone fusion therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a syndesmosis treatment construct configured to be placed into a cinched configuration that presses a first bone against a second bone. The syndesmosis treatment construct comprises a proximal fixator to contact the first bone and a distal fixator to contact the second bone. A first suture and a second suture are parallelly looped through the proximal fixator and oppositely looped through the distal fixator. Distal ends of the first and second sutures are fixated within a washer disposed between the proximal fixator and the first bone. Proximal ends of the first and second sutures are passed through openings in the washer and through the proximal fixator. Pulling of the proximal ends by a practitioner places the syndesmosis treatment construct into a cinched configuration. Any of various suitable suture knots may be formed so as to fixate the cinched configuration.

Abstract: A plantar bone plate and a method are provided for treating fractures of metatarsal bones. The plantar bone plate comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface. Two or more fixation apertures and a compression slot are disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member. The fixation apertures receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to a metatarsal bone. The compression slot receives a fastener at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion. A curvature along the elongate member is configured to mate the plantar bone plate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In one embodiment, the curvature is comprised of at least a first bend and a second bend, such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5th metatarsal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fusing bones of the human body. The apparatus comprises a bone plate which generally is a member having one or more fixation apertures, configured to receive fasteners, and an insert aperture. The bone plate comprises a semi-rigid material, such as a biocompatible metal or Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizing bones. A convertible insert is configured to be retained within the insert aperture. The convertible insert is configured to optimally direct a fastener towards a chosen point of purchase for fixating or compressing bones. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the fusion plate. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at a substantially right angle relative to the fusion plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for an improved ankle prosthesis, comprising a talar component which includes a talar upper face defining a first articular surface and which extends between a talar anterior edge and an opposite talar posterior edge according to a first average direction, said first articular surface being curved according to said first average direction, said first articular surface comprising a first curved portion and a second curved portion, each extending according to said first average direction, said first curved portion having a first curvature and said second curved portion having a second curvature, said prosthesis being characterized in that said first curved portion and said second curved portion define respectively an anterior portion and a posterior portion of said first articular surface, said first curvature being greater than said second curvature.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a surgical bending instrument for bending surgical implants. The surgical bending instrument comprises a body including a longitudinally extending threaded hole. A shaft comprising a threaded portion is rotatably engaged within the threaded hole. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the shaft, and a distal extension of the shaft comprises a driver. A distal force applicator comprises the driver centered between a first grip and a second grip. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to retain a surgical staple, such that the surgical staple may be changed to a distracted configuration suitable for implantation at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to bend a bone fusion plate so as to tailor the plate to specific anatomy of the patient's bone.

Abstract: A metatarsal alignment apparatus and methods are provided for orienting and maintaining a 1st metatarsal bone in a natural anatomical position during surgical procedures for treating a hallux valgus deformity by way of arthrodesis of the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint. The metatarsal alignment apparatus includes a cuneiform block for pinning a cuneiform bone and a distal metatarsal block for pinning a 1st metatarsal bone. The cuneiform block is threadably engaged with a shaft for moving the cuneiform block longitudinally with respect to the distal metatarsal block. The distal metatarsal block is adjustable within a distal frame to facilitate moving transversely and rotating the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone. The distal metatarsal block may be fixated by way of a lock screw to fixate the orientation of the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone during preparing the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint for arthrodesis.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a suture anchor to fixate sutures and tissue to bone. The suture anchor comprises an elongate member to be inserted into a bone hole. Barbs along the length of the elongate member engage with an inner wall of the bone hole. An eyelet in a distal aspect of the elongate member is configured to receive a suture. First and second channels extend helically along opposite sides of the elongate member. The eyelet includes first and second openings on opposite sides of the distal aspect. The first opening and the first channel enable applying tension to the suture after implantation into the bone hole. The second opening enables placing the suture into a final position along the barbs after implantation into the bone hole. A proximal aspect of the elongate member receives an instrument for implanting the suture anchor into the bone hole.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fusing bones of the human body. The apparatus comprises a bone plate which generally is a member having one or more fixation apertures, configured to receive fasteners, and an insert aperture. The bone plate comprises a semi-rigid material, such as a biocompatible metal or Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizing bones. A convertible insert is configured to be retained within the insert aperture. The convertible insert is configured to optimally direct a fastener towards a chosen point of purchase for fixating or compressing bones. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the fusion plate. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at a substantially right angle relative to the fusion plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fusing bones of the human body. The apparatus comprises a bone plate which generally is a member having one or more fixation apertures, configured to receive fasteners, and an insert aperture. The bone plate comprises a semi-rigid material, such as a biocompatible metal or Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizing bones. A convertible insert is configured to be retained within the insert aperture. The convertible insert is configured to optimally direct a fastener towards a chosen point of purchase for fixating or compressing bones. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the fusion plate. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at a substantially right angle relative to the fusion plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a trephine bone graft harvester for extracting morselized bone from patients. The trephine bone graft harvester includes a bone cutter affixed to an outer hub. The bone cutter comprises a hollow tube having cylindrical wall and a distal cutting edge. A bone graft collector is sheathed within the bone cutter. The bone graft collector includes a distal scoop adjacent to the distal cutting edge of the bone cutter. The distal scoop is configured to move morselized bone away from the distal cutting edge. An inner hub is affixed to the bone graft collector and coupled with the outer hub. The inner hub includes a proximal shank configured to be engaged with a rotary tool suitable for applying torque to the inner hub.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fusing bones of the human body. The apparatus comprises a bone plate which generally is a member having one or more fixation apertures, configured to receive fasteners, and an insert aperture. The bone plate comprises a semi-rigid material, such as a biocompatible metal or Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizing bones. A convertible insert is configured to be retained within the insert aperture. The convertible insert is configured to optimally direct a fastener towards a chosen point of purchase for fixating or compressing bones. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the fusion plate. In some embodiments, the insert is configured to direct a fastener at a substantially right angle relative to the fusion plate.

Abstract: A metatarsal alignment apparatus and methods are provided for orienting and maintaining a 1st metatarsal bone in a natural anatomical position during surgical procedures for treating a hallux valgus deformity by way of arthrodesis of the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint. The metatarsal alignment apparatus includes a cuneiform block for pinning a cuneiform bone and a distal metatarsal block for pinning a 1st metatarsal bone. The cuneiform block is threadably engaged with a shaft for moving the cuneiform block longitudinally with respect to the distal metatarsal block. The distal metatarsal block is adjustable within a distal frame to facilitate moving transversely and rotating the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone. The distal metatarsal block may be fixated by way of a lock screw to fixate the orientation of the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone during preparing the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint for arthrodesis.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a sterile staple implant kit that a surgeon may unpack and utilize during a surgery. The staple implant kit comprises a group of complementary surgery-specific instruments that are packaged in a sterile state. An instrument tray is configured to preserve the instruments in the sterile state until the staple implant kit is opened during the surgery. The instrument tray is configured to provide the surgeon with easy access to the instruments during the surgery. The staple implant kit comprises at least a staple inserter and a surgical staple suitable for being implanted in parallel holes drilled across a bone fusion or fixation site of a patient. The surgical staple preferably is loaded in a relaxed configuration into the staple inserter. A staple retention clip retains the surgical staple in the staple inserter until the staple is distracted during the surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a bowed plate for fixating osteotomies and joint arthrodeses. The bowed plate includes a backplate comprising a support portion and an aperture portion that share an intervening central portion. The central portion angles the support portion and the aperture portion toward a midline of the bowed plate. A leg extends from the support portion and includes fixation features that enable the leg to grip an inner wall of a hole drilled in bone. A slanted aperture in the aperture portion is configured to countersink a bone screw. The central portion is configured to be straightened by way of a surgical bending instrument and implanted at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. Upon relaxing the surgical bending instrument, the leg and the bone screw compress the fusion site.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a trephine bone graft harvester for extracting morselized bone from patients. The trephine bone graft harvester includes a bone cutter affixed to an outer hub. The bone cutter comprises a hollow tube having cylindrical wall and a distal cutting edge. A bone graft collector is sheathed within the bone cutter. The bone graft collector includes a distal scoop adjacent to the distal cutting edge of the bone cutter. The distal scoop is configured to move morselized bone away from the distal cutting edge. An inner hub is affixed to the bone graft collector and coupled with the outer hub. The inner hub includes a proximal shank configured to be engaged with a rotary tool suitable for applying torque to the inner hub.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a syndesmosis treatment assembly that includes an insertion assembly and a syndesmosis suture construct for securing a first bone against a second bone. The syndesmosis suture construct is configured to be passed through a bone hole drilled across the first bone and the second bone and cinched to press the bones together. In an embodiment, the insertion assembly includes a sleeve and a push rod for inserting the syndesmosis suture construct through the bone hole. The sleeve maintains the syndesmosis suture construct in an elongate configuration suitable for being inserted through the bone hole. The push rod enables deploying a distal fixator comprising the syndesmosis suture construct to be anchored against a distal contact surface of the second bone. The sleeve and push rod are removable from the bone hole before the syndesmosis suture construct is cinched to secure the bones.

Abstract: A subtalar plate implant (12) for correcting and/or altering the alignment of a hyperpronated foot (10) comprises a plate portion (22) and an insert portion (24) that is connected to the plate portion (22). The plate portion (22) is selectively attachable to a lateral aspect of the calcaneus (16). The insert portion (24) is positionable within the subtalar joint (18). The insert portion (24) includes a top surface (236) that Is selectively positionable substantially adjacent to a base of the talus (14), the top surface (236) being angled to allow the talus (14) to articulate over the top surface (236). The insert portion (24) further includes a bottom surface (238) that is selectively positionable substantially adjacent to a dorsal surface of the calcaneus (16), The insert portion (24) can include a groove (356) that is formed along the bottom surface (238) substantially parallel to the plate portion (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a syndesmosis treatment assembly that includes an insertion assembly and a syndesmosis suture construct for securing a first bone against a second bone. The syndesmosis suture construct is configured to be passed through a bone hole drilled across the first bone and the second bone and cinched to press the bones together. The insertion assembly includes a sleeve and a push rod for inserting the syndesmosis suture construct through the bone hole. The sleeve maintains the syndesmosis suture construct and the push rod in an elongate configuration suitable for being inserted through the bone hole. The push rod enables deploying a distal fixator comprising the syndesmosis suture construct to be anchored against a distal contact surface of the second bone. The sleeve and push rod are removable from the bone hole before the syndesmosis suture construct is cinched to secure the bones.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for treating radial head fractures. The system includes an implant, a sterile instrument kit for radial head arthroplasty, and a head sizer and assembly tray for sizing and assembling implants. The implant includes a head that is coupled with a stem. The head is adapted to be placed into sliding contact with a capitellum of the radiocapitellar joint. The stem is configured to be inserted into a hole reamed into a medullary canal of the radial head. The sterile instrument kit comprises a multiplicity of instruments including any one or more of trial heads and trial stems, a starter awl, a reamer, a planar, an inserter cap, and an impactor. The instruments are configured for implanting the implant into the radiocapitellar joint such that the implant restores biomechanical properties of the joint.