Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.

Abstract: An extractor is provided to extract an insert used with a bone connection element such as a bone plate having at least one opening for a bone screw used with the insert. The extractor has an outer hollow sleeve having proximal abutment surface for engaging a surface portion of the bone plate, and an inner bar having a diameter enabling the insertion of the bar into the hollow sleeve. The bar has a threaded leading end to engage the thread of the insert to be extracted. The hollow sleeve has an inner thread and the inner bar has an outer threaded element for engaging the inner thread of the hollow sleeve. The outer threaded element is positioned with respect to the bar in a longitudinal position to enable the threaded locking end to extend beyond the proximal abutment surface of the sleeve to be threaded into the insert.

Abstract: A two-piece clamping element comprises two separate, i.e., non-integral, opposing first and second clamping jaws forming a laterally open cavity to receive a pin or rod-shaped element. Each clamping jaw has a bore aligned with one another to receive a screw, wherein a pivot bearing is arranged opposite said cavity allowing the two opposing clamping jaws to come in contact to one another. The pivot bearing comprises at least one set of complementary part-cylindrical bearing surface portions. An anti-rotation pin extends between the two jaw members.

Abstract: An extractor device is provided to extract an insert to be used with a bone connection element such as a bone plate having at least one opening for a bone screw used with said insert. The extractor device has an outer hollow sleeve having proximal abutment surface being able to engage a surface portion of the bone connection element, and an inner bar having a diameter enabling the insertion of the bar into the hollow sleeve. The bar has a threaded leading end to engage the thread of the insert to be extracted. The hollow sleeve has an inner thread and the inner bar has an outer threaded element for engaging the inner thread of the hollow sleeve. The outer threaded element is positioned with respect to the bar in a longitudinal position to enable the thread at its leading end to extend beyond the proximal abutment surface of the sleeve to be threaded into the insert.

Abstract: Bone plating implants, instruments, systems and methods for fracture fixation are provided. The systems includes the instruments and implants comprising a trial component, handle, aiming block, bone plate, tissue spreader, drill guide, K-wire guide, monoaxial screw-locking inserts, polyaxial screw-locking inserts, cable plugs, K-wires, monoaxial screws and polyaxial screws. The methods include the use of the instruments and implants for either open or minimally invasive fracture fixation surgery.

Abstract: A screw fastener for attachment to an orthopedic component such as an orthopedic plate for use in connection with fracture fixation, joint reconstruction or spinal stabilization or fusion is disclosed as having a shank with at least two different shank diameters, one in a plate engaging portion of the shank and one in the bone or other component engaging portion of the shank. At least two of the different shank diameters on the shank include threads, the threads on the two different diameter portions each having substantially the same thread height and pitch. A plate having a threaded aperture, or an adapter having a threaded aperture, is sized such that the threads of the smaller diameter shank portion engage and cooperate with the internal threads of the aperture to correctly align the screw fastener and the implant as the screw fastener is threaded through the implant.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail, comprises a proximal portion, a middle portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a longitudinal slot and the distal portion has at least one transversal bore. The proximal portion has a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal bore extending over the longitudinal extension of the slot in the distal direction. The longitudinal bore has an internal thread. An insert which is intended to be inserted in the longitudinal bore. The insert comprises a guiding bore in the form of a slot which is intended to receive fixing elements. The alignment of the guiding bore of said insert is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion. The insert has a compression screw adapted to be screwed into said internal thread of the longitudinal bore of the proximal portion to move a fixing element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used for solidly connecting a part such as a plate to an underlying support using at least one fixing element such as a screw. According to the invention, said fixing element takes the form of a threaded rod a screw which passes through a hole housing a ring belonging to the part, such that it is screwed into the support material. The inventive device is characterized in that the above-mentioned ring is a constriction ring comprising a non-circular outer profile which co-operates with the non-circular inner profile of the hole, which is in the part. In this way, when the ring is rotated in the hole and wedged in place therein, it is constricted, thereby blocking the threaded rod against movement with respect to the plate.

Abstract: An external fixation system has clamps, rods and pins having anti-magnetic core parts and a non-conductive sheath part covering essentially the exterior surfaces of the core part. The rods, pins and clamps are especially MRI safe for a patient when used in any frame configuration for fractures of the upper and lower extremities and pelvis wherein the usual MRI field parameters of a static field of 2 Tesla, a time-varying filed of max. 20 Tesla/sec and a specific absorption rate (SAR) of max. 0.4 Watts/kg averaged over the whole body of the patient apply.

Abstract: A device for positioning and locking rods, pins or wires, particularly for an external fixator in the field of orthopaedics is provided. The device comprises two jaw faces and a tightening assembly exhibiting a connecting element secured to a tightening member, the assembly allowing the jaws to form at least one opening exhibiting at least one cavity in the form of a gripping jaw allowing a hoop, a rod, a pin or a wire to be clipped by pressure against the action of an elastic member keeping the device in position prior to the locking action which is performed using the tightening member.