Abstract: A prosthesis for a joint includes a stem for engagement with a bone. The stem includes a surface defining a bore. The prosthesis further includes a joint component. The joint component includes a bearing surface for articulating engagement with at least one of a natural opposing joint component and a prosthetic opposing joint component. The prosthesis further includes a mounting element. The mounting element includes a proximal portion for engagement with the joint component and further includes a substantially solid articulating portion having a contiguous periphery. The substantially solid articulating portion is configured to facilitate articulating movement of the substantially solid articulating portion within the bore when the contiguous periphery is not forcefully engaged with the bore, and the substantially solid articulating portion and the bore are configured to fixedly couple the mounting element to the stem when the contiguous periphery is forcefully engaged with the bore.

Abstract: An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor includes a handle connecting a set screw driver with a reduction collar. The handle includes an inner shaft engageable with the set screw driver, an outer shaft engageable with the reduction collar, and a clutch connecting the inner shaft to the outer shaft and permitting selective rotation of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft, and thus, selective rotation of the set screw driver relative to the reduction collar, upon application of a torque to the reduction collar and the outer shaft greater than a preselected torque value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a bone-regeneration material. According to the method, a bio-compatible, open-pored body is exposed to a vacuum and osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances are absorbed into the pores of the body, for example by means of a vacuum generated therein. It is thus possible to produce a bone-regeneration material, which contains osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances in the pores of the bio-compatible body, said substances acting as a network structure for new somatic cells that are to grow into the porous body.

Abstract: A vertebral distractor system includes a crossbar and a first distractor arm having a first end portion coupled to the crossbar and a second end portion with a first bore configured to axially receive a first coupling portion of a first pin. A second distractor arm includes a third end portion coupled to the crossbar and a fourth end portion with a second bore configured to receive a second coupling portion of a second pin. A first pin locking mechanism is configured to couple the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm within the first bore such that when the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm are coupled, movement of the first pin outwardly of the first bore is not allowed.

Abstract: A device for implantation in an intramedullary space of a bone via a curved insertion path, the device comprises a curved proximal portion extending along an arc substantially similar to an arc of the curved insertion path, the proximal portion including a coupling arrangement at a proximal end thereof adapted to couple to a tool for one of intramedullary implantation and explantation and a flexible distal portion extending from a distal end of the proximal portion, the distal portion extending substantially straight in an unstressed state and having flexibility sufficient to permit being along the arc of the insertion path substantially without permanent deformation.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor has a locking element shaped and configured to allow an anchoring member (e.g., a screw or hook) to polyaxially rotate at large angles about a central axis of the bone anchor before compression locking the anchoring member within an anchor head.

Abstract: An aiming device for bone fixation includes (a) a handle extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, (b) a guide arm connected to the second end of the handle and having an opening extending therethrough, the guide arm being connected to a protection sleeve; and (c) a drill guide configured and dimensioned for insertion through the opening of the guide arm. The drill guide has first and second guide channels extending therethrough to guide an insertion of a guide wire into a bone. The drill guide is movable between a first position wherein the drill guide is axially and rotationally movable relative to the guide arm to a second position wherein the drill guide is axially and rotationally locked relative to the guide arm.

Abstract: An instrument for preparing bone. The instrument includes a medial side having a plurality of extraction teeth extending over at least a portion of the medial side and an anterior side having a plurality of compaction teeth extending over at least a portion of the anterior side. The instrument further includes a lateral side having a plurality of extraction teeth extending over at least a portion of the lateral side and a posterior side having a plurality of compaction teeth extending over at least a portion of the anterior side. The medial side and lateral side also include a plurality of chip breakers extending over at least one of the plurality of extraction teeth, the chip breakers sized and shaped so as to evacuate bone from the instrument.

Abstract: A flexible chain implant for insertion into an interior volume of a vertebral body. The implant may be implanted in an insertion position for sliding through a cannula and is flexible for packing into the interior volume in an implanted configuration. The implant randomly separates in the implanted configuration. The implant includes a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top and bottom members are coupled to one another at a coupled portion. The top and bottom members preferably each include an inner surface such that the inner surfaces include a plurality of alternating projections and recesses so that the projections are received within the recesses in an insertion position. Alternatively, the implant may include a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies and a plurality of substantially flexible links interconnecting the bodies. The non-flexible bodies include a plurality of facets and/or abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A device for temporarily splinting toes, especially for the treatment of hammertoes and other defective positions of toes, consisting of a tube composed of a bio-absorbable material and a guide wire. The tube has an inner diameter of d, whereas the guide wire has an external diameter D, such that D<d. The device enables contact between the ball of the toe and the floor to be reestablished.

Abstract: A glenoid component for use with a prosthetic humeral component for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The glenoid component may be fitted at least partially into a cavity formed in the glenoid vault. The glenoid component includes a body having a stem portion for inserting at least partially into the cavity formed in the glenoid vault. The stem portion cooperates with the interior wall of the cavity formed in the glenoid vault. The body has a bearing portion for articulating cooperation with the prosthetic humeral component.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting implant data includes an orthopaedic implant, a wireless receiver, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the wireless receiver. The orthopaedic implant is configured to transmit implant identification data and implant sensor data to the wireless receiver in response to a power signal. The orthopedic implant may transfer the data over, for example, a wireless network. The processing circuit receives the implant identification data and the implant sensor data from the wireless receiver and is configured to retrieve patient-related data from a database based on the implant identification data. The processing circuit may also be configured to update a patient queue, assign a patient room to a patient, and/or transmit the patient-related data and the implant sensor data to a client machine located in the patient room.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly includes a screw body, including anchor portion and rod-receiving portion, and a rod seat movably mounted in the screw body to allow for controlled angulation between a spinal connection element disposed in the rod seat and the screw body. The rod seat is pivotable in one or more selected directions about one or more axes relative to the screw body. The rod seat may include a first lower rod seat element disposed in a recess of the screw body having a cylindrical bottom surface to facilitate pivoting in a first direction. A second lower rod seat element is stacked on the first lower rod seat element and has a conical bottom surface abutting a top surface of the first lower rod seat element to facilitate pivoting in a second direction.

Abstract: A force dissipating impactor device comprises a bar member including a hollow shaft, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the impactor device provides an impaction surface and the opposite second end of the impactor device provides an implant engagement surface. The implant engagement surface is contoured to mate with a surface of the implant member. The impaction surface is configured to be struck with a mallet or other tool. A plurality of holes are provided in the shaft and penetrate the surface of the bar member. The plurality of holes provided on the shaft surface of the bar member may be arranged such that a line passing axially along the shaft surface intersects at least one of the plurality of holes. Further, the plurality of holes may be arranged in a staggered matrix around the shaft surface.

Abstract: An adjustable intervertebral implant for implantation into a patient's spine in-between first and second adjacent or neighboring vertebrae. The implant may include one or more of the following features: (i) inner and outer members coupled by a radiographically imageable expansion ring, (ii) detachable endplates coupled to the implant via a polygonal press-fit coupling interface that accommodate a range of lordotic endplates to be applied to the implant using any surgical approach, (iii) an interference pre-loaded set screw for selectively locking the height of the construct, (iv) a radiographically imageable marker for determining the expansion of the implant, and (v) an asymmetric thread coupling between the expansion ring and the inner member.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing an intervertebral space for receiving an implant. An adjustable trial implant has an adjustable stop mechanism having a stop member connected thereto to vary the distance that a body portion of the trial implant can move into the intervertebral space. Cutting tools for forming cutouts in the adjacent vertebrae use the trial implant and/or a guide to position a cutting tool which may be a burr or a chisel. The chisel cutting tool can be moveable relative to a selected trial implant or the chisel cutting tools can be fixed onto a trial implant shaped body portion.

Abstract: A surgical nail for treating a fractured bone includes a nail body extending along a longitudinal axis from a trailing end to a leading end and including a trailing end locking aperture extending transversely through a trailing end portion thereof and a leading end locking aperture extending transversely through a leading end portion thereof; a trailing end connecting element located at the trailing end of the nail body adapted and configured to be coupled to a trailing end aiming guide; and a leading end connecting element at the leading end of the nail body adapted and configured to be coupled to a leading end aiming guide.

Abstract: Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

Abstract: A cable fixation device comprises a clamp including a head portion and a body portion along with a lumen extending therethrough. The head portion is removably coupleable with an actuating mechanism. The lumen is sized and shaped to slidably accommodate a cable in combination with a clamping ring including a channel extending therethrough. The channel includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sized and shaped to slidably accommodate the cable therethrough. The second portion is sized and shaped to engage the clamp. A portion of the clamp is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the cable slidable therethrough in the first configuration. The portion of the clamp moves radially inward in the second configuration to clamp the cable.