Abstract: A bone fixation device is disclosed that permits some movement of different portions of a fractured bone when the device is affixed thereto. Various embodiments are disclosed, including bone plates that have fixed holes and floating holes therethrough for receiving bone screws, and bone plates including oblong holes allowing for screw movement.

Abstract: A fixation clamp is used in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements. The clamp has at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception and at least one locking element extending through the clamping assemblies for blocking the position of the clamping assemblies in a defined angular position. Between the locking element and the at least one clamping assembly there is arranged a washer. The clamping assembly comprises a first contact surface and the washer comprises a second contact surface wherein the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface. The washer has a through bore and an opening extending radially from the bore to an outer surface of the washer.

Abstract: An external fixation frame for correcting a bone deformity includes a first fixation ring and a second fixation ring. A posterior adjustable length strut couples a posterior portion of the first fixation ring to a posterior portion of the second fixation ring and has universal joint. Medial and lateral adjustable length struts couples medial and lateral portions of the first fixation ring to medial and lateral portions of the second fixation ring respectively, each of the medial and lateral adjustable length struts including a constrained hinge joint. The fixation frame also includes a half ring hingedly coupled to the second fixation ring, and an anterior adjustable length strut coupling an anterior portion of the first fixation ring to the half ring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are external fixation devices including at least an elongate rod, a housing and an actuation member. The housing is coupled to the elongate rod and the actuation member is rotatably coupled to the housing such that a central longitudinal axis of the actuation member is angled and offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. Rotation of an actuation portion of the actuation member about the central longitudinal axis thereof in a first radial direction causes the housing to translate along the central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod in a first direction.

Abstract: A surgical assembly has a first section having a first hole with a smallest diameter and a second section having a threaded second hole with a minor thread diameter smaller than the smallest diameter of the first hole. The first hole encloses a center axis of the second hole and a clearance is provided between the first section and the second section. The assembly includes a screw member having a length for engaging the first hole and the second hole so as to bridge the clearance. The screw member has a first portion with a largest outer diameter smaller than or equal to the smallest diameter of the first hole, and a threaded second portion axially spaced from the first portion and configured to threadedly engage the second hole. A major thread diameter of the second portion is larger than the smallest diameter of the first hole.

Abstract: A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements has at least one clamping assembly having a pair of jaws with at least two different size grooves to accommodate a bone fixation element such as a pin or rod. An alternate clamping assembly has at least three grooves wherein at least two of the grooves have a different size adapted to accommodate a correspondingly sized bone fixation element such as a bone pin. The longitudinal axes of the grooves define a polygon. The jaw pairs can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis to present different size reception cavities towards the pins or rocks depending on their diameter.

Abstract: Described herein are external fixation systems for correcting bone deformities in adjacent bones or fragments thereof. The systems herein include first and second elongate rods that translate with respect to one another via rotation of an actuation member at an end of one of the rods. At least one housing is coupled along a length of one of the rods. The at least one housing includes at least one pin clamping member for clamping an end of a fixation pin therein. When the at least one pin clamping member is in an unlocked state, the fixation pin can rotate in polyaxial directions. When in a locked state, the angle of fixation wire with respect to the rods is set. The locked and unlocked state of the at least one pin clamping member is determined by the positing of a fixation member with respect to the housing it is coupled to.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes a bone plate and a bone screw having a threaded head. The inner surface of the bone plate is adapted for facing a bone surface on which the plate is mounted. The outer surface of the bone plate faces away from the bone surface. A through opening extends from the inner surface to the outer surface of the plate wherein the through opening comprises a guiding portion and a blocking portion. The guiding portion of the opening is provided with a guiding thread for guiding a thread of a shaft of the bone screw. The blocking portion is provided with a blocking thread for blocking a thread of the head of the bone screw. The blocking thread has a larger diameter than the guiding thread and the guiding portion is located closer to the inner bone plate surface than the blocking portion.

Abstract: A bone fastener for use in orthopedic surgery for fixing an implant to bone has a threaded or unthreaded shaft configured to engage bone and a head having a thread on an outer surface to engage the implant. The thread on the head of the fastener has a profile in cross section that includes arcuate peaks with a flat on the outer surface of the peak.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manipulating the orientation of a plurality of bone fragments with respect to one another. A bone transport frame including first and second rings, a plurality of elongate struts, and a plurality of ring transport assemblies for orienting a first bone segment with respect to a second bone segment is disclosed. A third ring may be included in the bone transport frame for orienting a third bone segment with respect to the first and second bone segments. Manipulation of an adjustable member of the bone transport frame can transport a ring in either a proximal or distal direction with respect to other rings of the frame. Manipulation of another adjustable member of the bone transport frame can translate a central axis of one of the rings either toward or away from the central axes of the plurality of elongate struts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cable plugs for securing surgical cable to a bone plate. The cable plugs each have a cable retaining member and a fastening member. The cable retaining members each have a receiving portion adapted to receive a portion of the surgical cable therein. The cable retaining members are first coupled to the fastening members prior to securing the cable plug to the bone plate. The cable retaining member may rotate with respect to the fastening member about 270° along a longitudinal axis of the cable plug when the cable retaining member is coupled to the fastening member. When securing the surgical cable to the bone plate, the cable retaining member is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the cable plug until an axis of the receiving portion is parallel to an axis of the surgical cable. The surgical cable is then placed within the receiving portion, tightened, and crimped to secure the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: A bone-fixation system is disclosed, the system comprising a bone plate having a section with a plurality of holes and a recessed area at least partially surrounding one or more of the holes, the recessed area defining a floor surface situated below a top surface of the plate, the floor surface extending at least partially between some or all of the plurality of holes, and an aiming device having a plurality of holes arranged to align with the plurality of holes in the plate and an extension, the extension being receivable within the recessed area and defining a bottom surface adapted to at least partially rest on the floor surface.

Abstract: A fixation clamp, more particularly for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception opening to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception opening. At least one locking element extends through the clamping assembly which locking element provides a clamping force to clamp the fixation element upon tensioning the locking element. The fixation clamp further comprises an actuation element which is in connection with the locking element such that the locking element is actuateable by the actuation element, and the actuation element is designed such that it is detachable from the locking element after use and that remounting onto the locking element is prevented after having detached the actuation element from the locking element.

Abstract: An external fixation system comprising: first and second planar at least part-circular ring elements, the first ring element having a circumferential track extending along the part-circular circumference thereof; a plurality of struts each having a first and second end, the first end of each strut coupled to the first ring by a first connector and the second end of each strut coupled to a second ring by a second connector, the first connector including a spherical joint; the second connector non-rotatably coupled to the second ring, the strut second end being coupled to the second connector by a U-joint; shuttles mounted on the track of the first ring for movement there along with one shuttle coupled to each strut; and means for controlling the angular position of each strut second end and means for controlling the position of each shuttle along the circumferential track on the first ring.

Abstract: A torque-limiting assembly for a surgical powertool has an input shaft and an output shaft. Two relatively rotatable parts of the assembly are configured to be locked against relative rotation by at least one shearable piece for torque transfer between the input shaft and the output shaft up to a torque limit. The assembly further comprises at least one shear off structure rotationally fixed to one of the two relatively rotatable parts for shearing off a portion of the at least one shearable piece above the torque limit so as to unlock the two relatively rotatable parts for relative rotation.

Abstract: The rod coupler according to the present invention comprises two clamping jaws and locking means for locking said clamping jaws against one another. Each clamping jaw comprises an outside surface and a clamping surface, the latter providing at least a first and a second groove. Each groove runs laterally from a different part of the outside surface extending into the rod coupler, wherein longitudinal axis of the first groove and the second groove include an angle that is equal to or less than 160 degrees. Opposing grooves form an aperture. The apertures are adapted for receiving a rod if the locking means is released. Clamping jaws that are locked by the locking means clamp the rods received in said apertures.

Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.

Abstract: A bone plate for fixing bone fragments to bone is provided. The bone plate comprises an elongated body portion as well as a hook portion. The elongated body portion comprises an attachment opening configured to receive an attachment element for attaching the bone plate to bone. The hook portion extends from an end of the body portion and comprises one or more hooks configured to grasp a bone fragment. Additionally, at least one guiding opening is provided in the hook portion to receive an elongated guiding member for guiding the bone plate towards the bone fragment.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation ring for an external fixator has a ring or a ring-segment extending around a center axis. The ring comprises a first surface running perpendicular to the center axis, a second surface which is parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart through openings running parallel to the center axis and extending through the fixation plate. The fixation plate has at least a third surface which is parallel to the first surface spaced outwardly thereof with respect to the center axis. A further set of through openings extends from the first surface to the third surface. A fourth surface may be provided which is axially displaced from the second surface with respect to the center axis. The ring preferably is circular or part-circular and is molded from carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.