Abstract: A palatal splint composed of titanium or other metal of similar characteristics, the splint configured in a horseshoe or strut configuration and designed to minimize coverage and contact with the teeth. The splint has alternating tooth recesses and interdental extensions.

Abstract: An occlusal splint having an occlusal plate portion, two sets of exterior prong members and two sets of interior prong members disposed on the occlusal plate to define a pair of channels to receive the upper and lower dental arches, the prong members configured to match either the interdental regions or the central crown regions of the teeth. The prong members are composed of a material allowing the prong members to flex when the splint is mounted onto the dental arches and then rebound to provide a biasing force against the teeth to retain the splint on the dental arches.

Abstract: A surgical guide used in computer-aided orthognathic or similar bone surgery, the guide being structured to properly locate the osteotomy marking members and implant fixation screw-receiving holes on the bone surfaces of the patient, and/or the cutting of the osteotomy or the drilling of implant fixation screw-receiving holes. The guide has a bone-conforming member and a dental-interface member connected by a bridging member, the inner surfaces of the bone-conforming member and the dental interface member conforming to the topographical surfaces of the patient's bone and teeth. The dental-interface member abuts the front and sides of the teeth. A similarly designed fixation implant may also be provided.

Abstract: An implant assembly and its method of use, used in computer-aided orthognathic surgery for properly repositioning a mobile bone segment separated by osteotomy from a malformed mandible, maxilla or chin, the implant assembly comprising fixation bone plates, at least one removable alignment plate for proper pre-osteotomy placement of the implant assembly onto the mandible, maxilla or chin, at least one removable post-osteotomy alignment plate for proper positioning of the mobile bone segment relative to the mandible, maxilla or chin, and a removable cutting guide for guiding the osteotomy saw during separation of the mobile bone segment from the mandible, maxilla or chin.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing and affixing two separated bone segments, the system having a bone plate with a pair of positioning slots, and a pair of elongated manipulating members with anchoring structures, the anchoring structures sized to pass through the positioning slots and for advancement into the bone segments. The bone plate is loosely mounted to the bone segments across the separation gap and a manipulating member is screwed into each bone segment through a positioning slot. The manipulating members are then used to reposition the bone segments by moving them together longitudinally within the slots. Fixation bone screws are inserted into the bone segments through screw receiving apertures to securely affix the bone plate to the repositioned bone segments. The manipulating members are then removed.

Abstract: A bone plate locking cannula and drill guide assembly having a locking cannula detachably mountable onto screw-receiving apertures of a bone plate and a drill guide received within the locking cannula such that pilot holes are drilled through the apertures into bone at the proper angle to receive bone screws. The screw receiving apertures have a proximal bore of greater diameter than a distal bore, and the proximal bore is provided with internal threading to mate with external threading located on the distal end of the locking cannula. The bone screws are inserted through the locking cannula after removal of the drill guide and fastened into the bone to secure the bone plate in position without having to remove the locking cannulas from the bone plate, the internal diameter of the locking cannula bore being greater than the maximum diameter of the screw heads. The locking cannula is detached from the bone plate after the bone plate has been secured in place on the bone.

Abstract: A method of affixing a cranial burr hole cover comprising an elongated internal bracing member, a locking external cover member joined by one or more connecting members, and a locking mechanism, whereby the interior bracing member is tilted and one end is inserted through the burr hole and under the skull. The internal bracing member is then moved laterally relative to the burr hole to allow the opposite end of the internal bracing member to clear the opposite edge of the burr hole. The internal bracing member is then centered beneath the burr hole. The external cover member is now moved distally toward the skull to cover the burr hole. The locking mechanism secures the cover in place on the skull and the connecting members extending from the cover member are cut flush with the cover member.

Abstract: A maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) device having an arch bar with a plurality of spaced tabs and gaps, and further having apertured mounting plate members mounted onto the arch bar, each mounting plate member having a slot to receive a tab on the arch bar, whereby the mounting plate members may be repositioned laterally along the arch bar from one tab to another prior to affixing the MMF device to the maxilla or mandible of a patient in order to position the mounting plate members at locations where the underlying tooth root will not be damaged by insertion of a bone screw.

Abstract: A bone plate locking cannula and drill guide assembly having a locking cannula detachably mountable onto screw-receiving apertures of a bone plate and a drill guide received within the locking cannula such that pilot holes are drilled through the apertures into bone at the proper angle to receive bone screws. The screw receiving apertures have a proximal bore of greater diameter than a distal bore, and the proximal bore is provided with internal threading to mate with external threading located on the distal end of the locking cannula. The bone screws are inserted through the locking cannula after removal of the drill guide and fastened into the bone to secure the bone plate in position without having to remove the locking cannulas from the bone plate, the internal diameter of the locking cannula bore being greater than the maximum diameter of the screw heads. The locking cannula is detached from the bone plate after the bone plate has been secured in place on the bone.

Abstract: A maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) device having an arch bar with a plurality of spaced tabs and gaps, and further having apertured mounting plate members mounted onto the arch bar, each mounting plate member having a slot to receive a tab on the arch bar, whereby the mounting plate members may be repositioned laterally along the arch bar from one tab to another prior to affixing the MMF device to the maxilla or mandible of a patient in order to position the mounting plate members at locations where the underlying tooth root will not be damaged by insertion of a bone screw.

Abstract: A detachable actuator arm as part of or in combination with an osteogenesis distractor device, the actuator arm being detachable from the distraction mechanism of the distractor device by manipulation of a proximally disposed release mechanism.

Abstract: One or more arrays of flexible, disposable, bone plate sizers with corresponding arrays of permanent bone plates, systems using these bone plate sizers and/or templates, and methodologies using these bone plate sizers and/or templates are embodied. Each array of disposable bone plate sizers has a plurality of sizers having differing configurations and sizes, each of the disposable sizers in a given array corresponding to a particular bone screw size. Each of the disposable bone plate sizers in a given array are mounted upon and easily detachable from a frame member. The disposable bone plate sizers may be malleable such that may be manipulated by the surgeon into the desired three-dimensional shape to match the contour of the bone segments to be joined, thereby providing a template to shape the corresponding permanent bone plate.

Abstract: A pair of bone plates adapted for attachment to cranial bone segments, the cranial plates being mounted to a distraction mechanism such that the cranial plates can be separated gradually in very small increments. Each of the cranial plates is mounted to the distraction mechanism with a ball and socket connector assembly, such that each of the plates can move in multiple directions and orientations relative to the distraction mechanism to better accommodate a convex, planar or concave surface topography presented during the distraction procedure.

Abstract: A sternal clamp having a first sliding body member and a second sliding body member telescopically mated, and a suture-receiving channel disposed on the exterior of the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member, wherein the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member are securable about a severed sternum by encircling and securing a suture about the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member, the suture being received and retained within the suture-receiving channel.

Abstract: A cranial implant molding device having a frame or base that receives a bottom or convex molding plate and a top or concave molding plate in a manner whereby the two plates are separated a distance to receive a settable or curable implant forming material therebetween. The plates are separated by a compressible member such that by the use of threaded mechanical fasteners or similar members the distance between the two plates can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the mechanical members. The thickness of the implant is varied by varying the separation distance on different sides of the frame.

Abstract: A method of cranial repair and the cranial implant molding device used therein, the device having a frame or base that receives a bottom or convex molding plate and a top or concave molding plate in a manner whereby the two plates are separated a distance to receive a settable or curable implant forming material therebetween. The plates are separated by a compressible member such that by the use of threaded mechanical fasteners or similar members the distance between the two plates can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the mechanical members. The thickness of the implant is varied by varying the separation distance on different sides of the frame.

Abstract: A sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, and its method of use, the device having a pair of body members each having engagement members adapted to abut the sides of the sternal halves, and at least one rib extension member having rib retaining members and attached to at least one of said body members, such that the rib extension member can be secured to a rib to reduce the force being applied directly to the sternal halves.

Abstract: A sizable sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally or transversely divided halves of a sternum, the device having four body members and four engagement members that are positioned in inter-rib spaces on both sides of the sternum. The body members are interconnected in a sliding or telescoping manner that allows the device to be expanded or contracted in two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, the device having four laterally extending engagement members that are positioned in inter-rib spaces on both sides of the sternum. The engagement members are connected to a centralized main body in a manner that allows the engagement members to be shortened or contracted such that the sternal halves may be pressed together and held in abutting relation. Each of the engagement members contracts in a direction non-perpendicular to the sternal incision, and the engagement members on a given side are non-parallel to each other such that device has a generally X-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A bone distractor having four bone plate attachment members for affixation to the posterior and anterior maxilla and/or zygomatic buttress and to the posterior and anterior mandible, the attachment members mounted onto a pair of parallel rods, one rod being a threaded drive rod and the other being a releasable guide rod, whereby rotation of the drive rod causes dimensional separation of the anterior attachment members from the posterior attachment members. The guide rod can be quickly removed such the superior attachment members joined to the maxilla and/or zygomatic buttress are physically separated from the inferior attachment members joined to the mandible such that the jaw can be opened.