Abstract: A stabilization device is provided including an axle and a portion that can be affixed to a bone. The device is used to stabilize a joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory and it is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems. Additionally, methods for using the device are provided that include, in various sequences, inserting the axle into a bone of a joint, adjusting the geometry of the device and attaching the fixable portion to another bone of the joint. The device can be provided as part of a system including an axis trajectory guide useful for locating the axis of rotation of the joint prior to insertion, adjustment and attachment of the device.

Abstract: A grooved slot is provided in a bone fixation device for osteosynthesis that permits adjustment of the bone fixation device relative to the bone, before the bone fixation device is finally fixed to the bone. The grooves are formed on the two longitudinally extending, facing walls of the slot, with the grooves on a first side wall of the slot having a vertical displacement of exactly one-half pitch relative to the grooves on the second, opposite side wall of the slot.

Abstract: A device is provided including a distal nail portion and a proximal nail portion that can be connected to each other to attain a rigid configuration. The device is to be placed internally within the medullary cavities of bones. The device is placed intramedullarily in order to minimize incision size, excessive bone resection and post-operative tendon damage and tenderness. Additionally, one particular method for using the device is provided that includes placing and affixing the distal nail in bone, placing the proximal nail in bone, connecting the distal nail to the proximal nail, doing the desired geometrical adjustments, affixing the proximal nail to the distal nail by tightening the connection and affixing the proximal nail to attain a rigid configuration.

Abstract: A system, devices and methods for performing an osteotomy on a bone of a multi-axis joint are provided. A cutting guide system is provided for performing one or more cuts to the bone, using the articular surfaces of the articulating bones as a reference. If desired, a prosthesis can be used to emulate the osteotomy and substitute for a damaged articular surface of a bone of a multiaxis joint.

Abstract: An endo-surgical device, system and method are provided. The endo-surgical device includes a flared prow that limits the displacement and rotation of the cannula to keep the knife away from tissues that are not intended to be cut. The endo-surgical tool can be utilized as part of a system for performing an endo-surgical procedure.

Abstract: Devices, implements and methods are provided for performing trapezioplasty of the osteoarthritic trapezium. Once a palmar osteophyte has been removed from the trapezium bone, a trapezial rasp is used to shape the central portion of the trapezium bone into an initial saddle shape. A contouring tool having a double curvature reverse saddle shape is used to contour the trapezium bone into a final, smooth saddle shape.

Abstract: A drill guide is provided for assisting in the placement of an intramedullary nail including a distal nail portion and a proximal nail portion that can be connected to each other to attain a rigid configuration. The guide may also be used to measure a depth of a hole drilled to assist in the selection of a maximum desired length of the screws used to affix the nail portions to the bone. The distal nail portion can include a plurality of screw receiving holes, a single screw receiving hole, or no screw receiving holes, as desired.

Abstract: A system, devices and methods for performing an osteotomy on a bone of a multi-axis joint are provided. A cutting guide system is provided for performing one or more cuts to the bone, using the articular surfaces of the articulating bones as a reference. If desired, a prosthesis can be used to emulate the osteotomy and substitute for a damaged articular surface of a bone of a multiaxis joint.

Abstract: An endosteal nail plate for fixing bone segments is provided. More particularly, there is provided an endosteal nail plate that can be made up of a single piece, or of multiple pieces, as desired. Additionally, the intramedullary nail utilizes a threaded slot on the body thereof, for engaging locking screws for fixation of the intramedullary nail within a bone of a patient.

Abstract: An internal device is provided for stabilizing a joint having multiple axes of rotation. The device includes two axles, separated by a body portion. The two axles are maintained by the body portion in a geometric relationship that replicates the geometric relationship of the rotational axes of the joint. The axles are installed into the bones of the joint to stabilize the joint.

Abstract: A device is provided including a rotating portion that can be attached to a plate affixed to a first bone forming a joint and a portion that can be affixed to a second bone of the joint. The device is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems and to stabilize the joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory. Additionally, a method for using the device is provided that includes attaching the rotating portion to a plate attached to a first bone forming a joint, and attaching the fixable portion to a second bone of the joint.

Abstract: A device is provided including a distal nail portion and a proximal nail portion that can be connected to each other to attain a rigid configuration. The device is to be placed internally within the medullary cavities of at least two bones forming a joint to accomplish arthrodesis of the joint. The device is placed intramedullarily in order to minimize incision size, excessive bone resection and post-operative tendon damage and tenderness. Additionally, one particular method for using the device is provided that includes placing and affixing the distal nail in a bone of a joint, placing the proximal nail in another bone of a joint, connecting the distal nail to the proximal nail, doing the desired geometrical adjustments, affixing the proximal nail to the distal nail by tightening the connection and affixing the proximal nail to the other bone of the joint to attain a rigid configuration.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring blood pressure are provided. More particularly, a non-invasive device utilizing an ultra-sound transducer and a conventional blood pressure cuff are used, in combination, to measure blood pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid orthopedic implant is provided. The implant includes a hybrid plate including a metal skeleton engaged with a plastic covering. Holes passing through the hybrid plate receive screws therethrough, to secure the hybrid plate to bone.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that use a formable bone plate and a clamping apparatus for small bone reconstruction. The formable bone plate includes a plate body having a plurality of nodes separated by internodes. Each node includes a hole formed therein for receiving a screw, wire, tack, or other fixation device screwed or placed into a bone. A clamp engages an engagement section of the node to facilitate bending of at least one of the internodes to contour the plate to the bone in-situ or ex-situ and when at least partly screwed to or not screwed to the bone.

Abstract: An osteotomy system includes anchoring screws and advancement screws having a head with a surface defining a first angled plane. A plate has anchoring holes and advancement holes with countersunk surfaces defining respective second angled planes for compression or distraction. The first angled plane contacts one of the second angled planes upon tightening an advancement screw, causing advancement of the plate and step compression or distraction of one bone segment relative to another. In another embodiment, a wedge has a surface defining a first angled plane. A plate has one portion with inclined surfaces defining second angled planes. An advancement screw tightens the first angled plane against one of the second angled planes to advance one of the plate body portions for compression or distraction of one bone segment attached thereto relative to another segment. A plate, a method, a drill guide and a saw guide are also provided.