Abstract: An apparatus for treating a bone comprises an implant to be received within the bone, including a plurality of bores extending therethrough and a cavity formed therewithin, each of the bores being dimensioned to receive a bone fixation element and a plurality of inserts receivable in the cavity. Each insert includes an opening extending therethrough and configured to align with a corresponding bore. Each insert is movable between a resting configuration in which an opening width is smaller than a width of a bone fixation element inserted therethrough and a stressed configuration in which the opening width is expanded to a width greater than that of the bone fixation element in combination with a compression member movable into the cavity to apply a force moving the inserts from the resting configuration to the stressed configuration, withdrawal thereof reducing the force and permitting a return to the resting configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a curable composition, a method for augmenting a structure in a patient with a resorbable biocompatible polymer, and a biodegradable, resorbable implant comprising a biocompatible copolymer. An exemplary embodiment of the curable composition comprises (a) 60 wt. % to 95 wt. % of one or more vinyl ester monomers and/or vinylcarbonate monomers, wherein said one or more vinyl ester monomers and/or vinylcarbonate monomers are respectively selected from compounds of the general formulas (I) and (II) below: wherein n, m R1 and R2 have the meaning defined herein; (b) 0.1 to 40 wt. % of one or more multifunctional thiols; and (c) 0 to 10 wt. % of a biocompatible polymerization initiator.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of locking caps including a barrel and a magazine. The barrel has a longitudinal passage extending through the barrel and a lateral passage extending through the barrel and intersecting the longitudinal passage. A second open end of the barrel is configured to engage a rod receiving head to which one of the locking caps is threadingly connectable. The magazine has a housing with a chamber for receiving a plate carrying a plurality of locking caps. The chamber of the housing is aligned with the lateral passage of the barrel so that the plate is movable from the chamber into the lateral passage so that one of the locking caps is positioned in the longitudinal passage so as to be matingly engageable with a drive tool insertable through the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: An outrigger for connecting to an external bone fixation clamp comprises an elongated member having a length, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a threaded portion. The outrigger also comprises a connecting member operably associated with the elongated member, the connecting member having a tightening portion at a proximal end and a gripping portion at a distal end, the gripping portion having a greater diameter than the tightening portion. The outrigger also comprises a slide lock disposed about the threaded portion, the slide lock being longitudinally movable along the length of the threaded portion and having a non-smooth engagement surface configured to engage a non-smooth surface of the external bone fixation clamp in order to prevent rotation of the elongated member relative to the external bone fixation clamp.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide a snap fit rod and fastener system including one or more fasteners for securing one or more rods to secure a spine or other anatomical structure. The fasteners include a fixation shaft, a clamp and a connector. The fixation shaft (for example a pedicle screw) is configured to frictionally engage a bone (vertebra) or other workpiece. The clamp has a pressure responsive portion that defines an opening configured to receive a rod. The connector is configured to connect the clamp to the fixation shaft and exert pressure on the clamp to modify the opening and secure the rod. A bias mechanism, such as a washer spring may be included to urge against the pressure responsive portion and which can be overcome by pressure on the rod for the “snap fit” effect. For additional adjustability, the clamp may be pivotally mounted on the fixation shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transbuccal plate holding cannula used in osteofixation procedures. The transbuccal plate holding cannula of the present invention can be releasably secured to a bone plate such that tools and fasteners may be passed through the plate holding cannula in order to secure the bone plate to a bone.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for customizing an intervertebral implant includes the initial step of obtaining a 3D anatomy of a series of vertebrae including an abnormal vertebra in a computer. The 3D anatomy of the series is then repositioned in the computer to eliminate the deformity caused by the abnormal vertebra. It is next determined whether a superior or inferior surface of the abnormal vertebra is an abnormal surface which causes the deformity, whereby an approximate gap between the abnormal surface and a desired normal surface is determined. Using that gap determination, a custom implant is constructed to engage the abnormal surface and fill the determined gap. Thus, when the implant is implanted between the abnormal surface and an adjacent surface of an adjacent vertebrae, the deformity is substantially compensated for. The implant may have articulation between the endplates to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing bone cement includes a cartridge for containing the bone cement. The apparatus also includes a plunger insertable into the cartridge. An impedance sensor is coupled to the plunger and configured to produce an output signal indicative of an impedance of bone cement contained in the cartridge. The apparatus may also include a processing circuit configured to determine an impedance value of bone cement contained within the cartridge based on the sensor signal. The processing circuit may activate a visual indicator based on the impedance value to indicate that the dough time, the end-of-work time, and/or setting-time of bone cement contained in the cartridge has been reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a patient includes at least one femoral paddle and a tibial paddle. At least one of the femoral paddle and the tibial paddle is movable away from the other. The apparatus also includes a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to the femoral paddle or the tibial paddle. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system.

Abstract: A coating for a CoCrMo substrate including a first layer located directly on the substrate and including Ta(CoCrMo)0.5-2.0, a second layer located directly on the first layer and including tantalum, a third layer located directly on the second layer and including tantalum carbide, and a fourth layer located directly on the third layer and including diamond-like carbon (DLC).

Abstract: A rod connector (1) is provided for use in attaching a bone anchor (5) to a support rod (3). The connector (1) comprises a first portion (2) defining a clamping means (6) with an aperture (7) in which the support rod (3) can be located, and a second portion (4) defining a first bore (9) in which a stem of the anchor (5) can be inserted. The connector (1) also comprises a means (12) defining a pivot axis (14) enabling it to be connected to an implantation instrument (11) and orientated in a first position wherein the clamping means (6) can be located around a support rod (3) and then rotated around the rod (3) into a second position relative thereto wherein said bone anchor (5) can be inserted into the bore (9) and then secured to an adjacent bone. In addition, the connector defines first and second retaining means (15, 16) enabling it to be retained by the instrument (11) respectively in said first position and in its second position.

Abstract: An intramedullary pin for insertion into the medullary space of the femur through the lateral compacta of the trochanter major. The pin has a proximal pin section and an adjoining distal pin section. Each pin section includes one or more bores for one or more bone screws. The proximal pin section has at least one bore running obliquely to the longitudinal axis, so that bone screws can be inserted through the bore into the head of the femur, or a screw can be inserted in the antegrade direction through the bore. The distal pin section is at least partly straight and the proximal pin section has a curvature in the lateral-posterior direction.

Abstract: An implant includes a section made of polymer, wherein at least a portion of the section has a layer of a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material. A method for fixation of a bone plate having several plate holes using the implant includes removing a cover sheet protecting the layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material, activating the layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material with electromagnetic energy or with moisture, introducing the implant into one of the plate holes of the bone plate when the bone plate is positioned on a bone, pressing on an end of the implant in order to contact the activated layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material with the bone underneath the bone plate, and allowing the activated and pressurized layer of polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material to polymerize and/or cross-link and to adhere to the bone.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (300) for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The implant includes a spacer portion (310), a plate portion (330) operatively coupled to the spacer portion and one or more blades (350) for securing the implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The blades preferably include superior and inferior cylindrical pins (360) for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant may be configured to be inserted via a direct lateral transposals approach. Alternatively, the implant may be configured for insertion via an anterior approach.

Abstract: The invention concerns monolithic foam sleeves that comprises titanium or titanium alloy foam having a porosity of 50 to 85% and possesses a proximal surface, a distal end, an interior wall that defines an interior channel and extends from the proximal surface to the distal end; and a terraced outer surface that tapers such that said sleeve is widest at the proximal surface and most narrow at the distal end.

Abstract: A bone fixator for securing a first bone portion in a position relative to second bone portion is disclosed, including at least two clamping assemblies each for receiving at least one bone pin and a main body disposed between the clamping assemblies. The main body includes at least one joint for orienting the clamping assemblies with respect to each other. The at least one joint may permit pivoting or rotation. Some joints permit the articulation of several components to be simultaneously and releasably lockable.

Abstract: A method to impregnate a porous bone replacement material (1) with a liquid impregnating agent (5), wherein a) the bone replacement material (1) is or will be enclosed in a chamber (2) with two openings (3, 4) that can be closed, b) the impregnating agent (5) is introduced into the chamber (2) until the bone replacement material (1) is at least partly immersed in the impregnating agent (5), c) one of the two openings (3, 4) will be closed, d) the chamber (2) is evacuated at least partly via the other, open, opening (4, 3), so that the air contained in the pores of the bone replacement material (1) is at least partly removed from it, e) the vacuum produced in the chamber is terminated again by supplying air or a gas through one of the openings (3, 4), and f) the vacuum produced in the pores of the bone replacement material (1) is terminated by the impregnating agent (5) penetrating into the pores of the bone replacement material (1) immersed into the impregnating agent (5).

Abstract: An intervertebral implant including a central axis, a bottom cover plate and a top cover plate, which are respectively provided with an exterior surface that extends transversal to the central axis, and a central part.

Abstract: A method of assembling an orthopaedic implant includes positioning a first orthopaedic component in contact with a second orthopaedic component and coupling the first orthopaedic component to the second orthopaedic component with a bolt. The method also includes applying an empirically-determined starting torque to the bolt such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a first predetermined clamp load. The bolt is then rotated by an empirically-determined rotation angle such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a second predetermined clamp load.