Abstract: Bone fragments resulting from a Colles' fracture of the distal radius bone are set in position by an external fixator that includes mounting structures attachable to the radius at a site proximal to the fracture and to a metacarpal, joined by a connector whose length is capable of both gross adjustment and precision adjustment, each mounting structure providing degrees of freedom independently of the connector length, the mounting structure at the radius end providing independent degrees of freedom for rotation around a proximal-distal axis and for rotation about an axis transverse to an axis parallel to the proximal-distal axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implant for replacing an articulating bone end adjacent a skeletal joint. The implant includes individual subcomponents having different physical and/or mechanical properties joined together into a multipart implant component.

Abstract: A fixation plate includes a set of threaded peg holes adapted to individually receive fixation pegs therethrough and non-threaded alignment holes having a relatively smaller diameter than the peg holes and preferably sized to closely receive a K-wire. The alignment holes are located between the peg holes. One alignment hole is configured for aligning the plate during an osteotomy procedure, while other alignment holes are configured for use after fracture reduction and receive K-wires to temporarily stabilize the fracture and secure the plate to the bone and determine whether pegs inserted through adjacent respective peg holes will be properly located before drilling relatively larger holes for such pegs.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint is provided including a generally hemispherical acetabular cup with a generally hemispherical liner mated within the acetabular cup and with a locking ring to secure the liner within the acetabular cup. The acetabular cup is adapted to be secured within a hip bone. The liner includes a hemispherical inside surface for pivotably supporting a head at an upper end of a femur. The locking ring resides within an annular groove in the acetabular cup and an annular seat in the liner. The locking ring includes a captured end and a free end. The captured end includes a slot which cooperates with a post in the acetabular cup to slidably hold the captured end to the acetabular cup. The locking ring removably attaches the liner to the acetabular cup.

Abstract: An artificial disc replacement (ADR) is designed to protect a cushioning component from excessive force. Physical features on the front and back of the ADR enable the device to replicate the normal movements of the spine through predetermined, limited, movements of the endplate components relative to one another. For example, though not limited to these characteristics, the components of the ADR could be dimensioned to allow 15 degrees of flexion, 5 degrees of extension, 5 degrees of lateral bending, and 1-2 mm of translocation. In the preferred embodiment the physical features are axles that extend through overlapping lateral portions associated with the endplate components. A desirable configuration includes a pair of axles, one in the anterior portion and another in the posterior portion, wherein some or all of the axles extend through an oversized aperture that allows the limited relative movement of the endplate components.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint including a femoral component to be attached to a femur and a tibial component to be attached to a tibia, wherein in the femur component a medial condyle thereof is thicker than a lateral condyle thereof; in the tibial component, a medial articular surface thereof, which supports the medial condyle of the femur component, is thinner or deeper than a lateral articular surface thereof, which supports the lateral condyle of the femur component; and a joint line joining the lowest points of contact surfaces between the medial and lateral condyles of the femur component and the medial and lateral articular surfaces of the tibial component in a longitudinal cross section in a medial-lateral direction is inclined inward at virtually the same angle over the entire region of an angle of flexion-extension.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., polymeric bone cements, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: A femoral reference tibial cut guide for cutting the proximal tibia to receive a tibial implant. The cut guide references the femur to determine the appropriate tibial resection.

Abstract: A bone screw has a spring section to allow the screw to elongate while it is being installed. The screw has a cavity with a proximal drive surface and a distal drive surface. The drive surfaces are located on opposite sides of the spring section. A drive tool that has proximal and distal drive members fits within the cavity. Rotating the drive tool transmits torque to both the proximal and distal drive sockets simultaneously.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated member and a reinforced retention structure. The device can be used for draining substances from organs or abscessed areas within a body of a patient. The elongated member is made of a flexible material. The reinforced retention structure extends from or is formed integrally with the elongated member and comprises an elastic member and the flexible material. The reinforced retention structure provides retention strength while providing flexibility and patient comfort. The use of the reinforced retention structure also provides increased stability to the device within the patient's body and combats migration and/or expulsion of the device. The nature of the reinforcement in the retention structure may extend into the elongated member, which allows for larger drainage openings in the device and increases the radiopacity of the device.

Abstract: A pelvis fixing device with a screw for the latter is provided. The screw comprises a screw element with a threaded shank and a head. Also provided is a holder which receives the head and which comprises a lower portion facing towards the shank side and an upper portion facing away from the shank side. The two portions encompass a rod. Also provided is a screw element for connecting the two portions and simultaneously fixing the rod. The pelvis fixing device comprises at least two such screws and at least one rod connecting them.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis and method for emulating movements, during flexion, of a natural knee joint replaced by the knee prosthesis, by enabling engagement and relative movement between the femoral component and the tibial component of the knee prosthesis along arcuate tracks, including rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of rotation, during flexion about a transverse axis of rotation, and maintaining the transverse axis of rotation essentially in a generally medial-lateral longitudinal plane maintained in close proximity with a generally coronal plane passing through the centers of curvature of the arcuate tracks during flexion within at least a prescribed range of flexion extending from about 0° of flexion to a predetermined degree of flexion, preferably about 60° of flexion.

Abstract: A medical implant has a secured bone screw which is guided through a bore of the implant. The bore has a thread matching the thread of the bone screw. Between the head of the bone screw and the thread thereon, there is an unthreaded portion whose diameter is not greater than the free inside diameter of the threaded bore. These threads prevent axial passage of the bone screw through the bore without turning. Turning is inhibited or excluded by an arrangement preventing turning.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating fractures in or adjacent the wrist and distal forearm employ an intramedullary interlocking fixation rod (i.e, it interlocks the distal and proximal fracture fragments together) to stabilize the skeletal structure in a manner which can inhibit the amount of collapse or loss in skeletal length exhibited by a patient with a distal radius fracture.

Abstract: A system, including methods, apparatus, components, and kits, for guiding a hole-forming tool and/or a fastener through a bone and then to a bone-repair device that is connected to the bone. In some embodiments, the system may include a guide device including (1) a coupling portion configured to be connected to the bone-repair device adjacent a first surface of a bone; and (2) a guide portion connected to the coupling portion and configured to be disposed adjacent a second surface of the bone that generally opposes the first surface on the bone. The guide portion is configured to guide the at least one hole-forming tool and fastener into the bone and then to a predefined position of the bone-repair device.

Abstract: A connector for an osteosynthesis system is intended to provide a connection between a rigid correction rod of circular cross section and a transverse connection element of a spinal osteosynthesis system. The connector comprises a hook having a first semicylindrical seat oriented substantially along a first axis to receive the correction rod in a sliding manner. The connector also having a second seat having an axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second seat opening into the first seat to receive a substantially spherical end of a transverse rod of the transverse connection element. The second seat comprises a tapped hole with an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second seat in order to receive a clamping screw which will exert pressure on the spherical end of the transverse rod, the spherical end coming to bear on the correction rod.

Abstract: A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.

Abstract: A drill guide has a handle for holding and is configured to actuate a plate-engaging mechanism. An elongated member extends between proximal and distal portions with the proximal portion associated with the handle portion and the distal portion associated with the plate-engaging mechanism. The plate-engaging mechanism is actuated by an actuating member actuated by the second handle portion. The drill guide includes at least one guide sleeve rotatably coupled to the elongated member by a proximal and distal coupler. Furthermore, the plate-engaging mechanism includes a bone plate-engaging portion configured to couple with a bone plate when the second handle portion is moved in a first direction with respect to said first handle portion.

Abstract: An adjustable weighted speculum for use during vaginal surgery to separate the vaginal walls. The speculum includes a telescopic blade including a primary blade having first and second ends and a recess extending therethrough, and a secondary blade having a first and second end telescopically positioned within the recess of the primary blade. A handle extends from the second end of the primary blade. A locking mechanism is contained within the handle and connected to the secondary blade for selectively moving the secondary blade or locking the secondary blade in position. A weighted element is releasably attached to the second end of the handle. A plurality of channels extend along a side of the secondary blade from the first end to a point along a length of the secondary blade and a single channel extending along the side of said secondary blade from the second end to the point along the length of the secondary blade wherein the single channel mates with the plurality of channels at the point.

Abstract: The invention concerns a staiblizing device (150) designed to link two vertebrae, comprising at least two chambers (156, 158, 186, 188) arranged proximate to said vertebrae, said chambers containing a shock absorbing fluid. Means (192, 194) are provided for providing fluid communication with controlled flow between said two chambers, thereby adequately damping the patient's movements.