Abstract: A bone plate includes a first through hole extending through the plate along a first longitudinal axis from a proximal surface of the plate to a bone-facing distal surface thereof which, when the plate is placed on a target portion of bone in a desired orientation, faces the bone. An outer wall of the first through hole includes three wall sections provided with projections for receiving a screw head of a bone screw. The three wall sections are straight or convex.

Abstract: A reduction sleeve for facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may include a through-bore sized and configured to receive the bone fixation element and a substantially transverse channel sized and configured to receive the spinal rod. The channel being substantially aligned with the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element so that, once the bone fixation element has been inserted into the reduction sleeve, the spinal rod can pass through the aligned channels. The reduction sleeve may also include at least one break-off point or region for facilitating breaking and removal of the reduction sleeve once the spinal rod has been clamped into the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: A spinal distractor for distracting opposed vertebrae in which a pair of elements are threadably connected by a screw having opposing threads, wherein actuating the screw spreads the elements apart and pushes the vertebrae apart.

Abstract: A method of expanding the spinal canal of a vertebra including inserting a bone anchor into a first lamina of the vertebra, cutting completely through the first lamina to create a space in the first lamina, cutting partially through a second, contra-lateral lamina of the vertebra to create a partial cut in the second lamina, engaging a first segment of a plate with the bone anchor, pivoting the bone anchor and the first lamina about the partial cut in the second lamina to increase the extent of the space in the first lamina, and connecting a second segment of the plate to a portion of the vertebra across the space from the first segment of the plate such that the plate spans the space and stabilizes the vertebra.

Abstract: An implant assembly includes a first implant member, a second implant member, and a contractible element that is connected between the first and second implant members. The first implant member is configured to be placed against a first bone portion, and the second implant member is configured to be placed against a second bone portion. The contractible element is fixed at a first end to one of the first and second implant members, and movable at a second end with respect to one of the first and second implant members so as to induce tension in the suture, thereby providing a compressive force against the first and second bone portions. The second end can then be fixed with respect to the first and second implant members. The contractible element can contract in length in response to bodily fluids, thereby ensuring adequate post-operative compression. An instrument is also disclosed that is configured to implant the first and second implant members adjacent the first and second bone portions, respectively.

Abstract: A bone plate for fixation to a phalanx includes a head extending from a first end to a second end and having first and second fixation element holes extending therethrough, a connection portion extending from the second end of the head to a third end along the central longitudinal axis, the connection portion including an oblong hole elongated in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and a shaft extending from the third end of the connection portion to a fourth end along the central longitudinal axis. The shaft includes third and fourth fixation element holes extending along the central longitudinal axis. The shaft includes a plurality of first projections and a plurality of second projections. The first and second projections include corresponding projection fixation element holes extending therethrough and being connected to the shaft. The first and second projections are alternatingly provided on the shaft.

Abstract: A spinal anchor assembly for securing a spinal fixation element has an anchor element adapted for attachment to bone. The anchor element has an opening for receiving a spinal fixation element and side walls on opposed sides of the opening with a plurality of inferior surfaces defined on the side walls. A twist-lock closure closes the opening and captures the spinal fixation element. A locking element can be provided on the closure element and the anchor element. The locking element can be configured so that when the closure element is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the locking element engages to deter the closure element from twisting back to the open position.

Abstract: Cable and crimp assembly kits for fixing bone fractures include long-nose crimp pliers that have a pair of operating handles and connected opposed long jaws. The long jaws are designed to hold and crush a wire crimp. The jaws are long and narrow enough to be able to insert and crush a crimp through a small incision, such as used by a known wire passer tool, at a deeply located bone without spreading or opening wider the small incision. The long-nosed pliers can be used with a crimp alone or with a crimp and an intermediate part that provisionally holds a tension applied to an associated cable or wire.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a bone includes a bone plate including first and second portions joined to one another via a connecting portion, a rigidity of the connecting portion being less than rigidities of each of the first and second portions in combination with a first sensor mounted on the first portion measuring strain on the first portion and a second sensor mounted on the second portion measuring strain on the second portion.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: Sacral fixation implants can include first and second implant segments. One of the first and second implant segments is received in the other of the first and second implant segments, and the first and segments can be fixed with respect to movement toward and away from each other, thereby stabilizing a sacral fracture.

Abstract: A bone access instrument comprising a shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first shaft portion has a first diameter, a proximal end, a tapered distal end including at least three straight cutting edges being equally spaced circumferentially about the tapered distal end, and at least three flutes extending from the tapered distal end toward the proximal end in a parallel relationship to one another. The second shaft portion has a second diameter and a tapered distal end. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the second shaft portion extends axially from the distal end of the first shaft portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cerclage member about a bone within a living body comprises a crimp including a first space extending longitudinally therethrough from a first space proximal opening to a first space distal opening, the first space sized and shaped to slidably receive a cerclage member therein and a second space extending parallel to the first space from a second space proximal opening to a second space distal opening, the second space including a proximal portion to receive the cerclage member and a distal portion decreasing in cross-sectional area and an insert that, when inserted into the second space distal opening adjacent to a cerclage member, a decreasing cross-sectional area of the second space distal portion forces the insert laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the second space, pinching and locking the cerclage member against movement relative to the crimp.

Abstract: The present application discloses embodiments related to an external bone fixation device configured to correct bone deformities or repair bone injuries. The device can include a plurality of bases configured to be attached to portions of a bone and a plurality of struts configured to be adjustable in length to change the position and orientation of the plurality of bases and the attached bone portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cerclage member about a bone within a living body comprises a crimp including a first space extending longitudinally therethrough from a first space proximal opening to a first space distal opening, the first space sized and shaped to slidably receive a cerclage member therein and a second space extending parallel to the first space from a second space proximal opening to a second space distal opening, the second space including a proximal portion to receive the cerclage member and a distal portion decreasing in cross-sectional area and an insert that, when inserted into the second space distal opening adjacent to a cerclage member, a decreasing cross-sectional area of the second space distal portion forces the insert laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the second space, pinching and locking the cerclage member against movement relative to the crimp.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous spacer implant that is configured to be inserted into an interspinous space that is defined between a spinous process of a superior vertebral body and a spinous process of an inferior vertebral body is provided. The implant may include a superior housing, an inferior housing, and a distracting member. The superior housing may have an outer surface that is configured to engage the spinous process of the superior vertebral body and the inferior housing may have an outer surface that is configured to engage the spinous process of the inferior vertebral body. The distracting member may be disposed between the superior and inferior housings, such that activation of the distracting member distracts the superior and inferior housings apart from each other.

Abstract: A spinal fixation element rotation instrument with two lever arms is provided. The lever arms are connected to each other at distal ends thereof. The second lever arm rotates relative to the first lever arm. The distal ends of the first and second lever arms are adapted to couple to a spinal fixation element. The distal ends of the lever arms may have a dual ratchet feature that prevents rotation in a set direction. When one arm rotates back and forth, the other arm is held stationary. As a result, the spinal fixation element rotates in a predetermined direction and is prevented from rotating back toward its initial position. The direction of the rotation of the spinal fixation element may be set using knobs or switches provided at a proximal end of one or both of the lever arms.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures, comprises a plate receiving structure including on a bone facing side thereof a recess sized and shaped to receive a fixation plate anchored in a desired position on a bone and a mating structure sized and located to engage a corresponding structure of the fixation plate to prevent relative movement between the fixation plate and the device in combination with at least one leg projecting laterally away from the recess, a first one of the at least one legs including a first fixation element receiving hole extending therethrough, the first leg being positioned and oriented so that, when the device is received on a fixation plate anchored to the bone in the desired position, the first fixation element receiving hole is aligned to pass a fixation element inserted therethrough into the bone without passing through a longitudinal axis of the medullary canal.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes: (1) an implant having at least one sensor and configured for at least partial insertion into a patient, a first one of sensors being in contact with a perimeter of a hole in a body portion of the implant for accepting a fastener; (2) a microchip associated with the implant and the sensor, the microchip configured to receive at least a first signal from the sensor; (3) a transmitter associated with the microchip for transmitting a second signal, representative of the first signal; (4) a receiver located outside of the patient, the receiver configured receive the transmitted second signal; and (5) a display device associated with the receiver, the display device configured to provide an audible or visual representation of the second signal to a user.