Abstract: A method of implanting a bone anchor in a vertebra comprises engaging a tip of a flexible drill bit with boney structure of the vertebra, rotating the flexible drill bit at a slow speed, pushing the drill bit into exterior cortical bone of the boney structure of the vertebra, guiding the flexible drill bit into cancellous bone of the vertebra, receiving a tactile output generated by the flexible drill bit indicating resistance of interior cortical bone of the boney structure against the flexible drill bit, and reorienting a trajectory of the flexible drill bit toward the cancellous bone of the vertebra in reaction to the tactile output.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation system fuses bone, bones, or bone pieces in a predetermined anatomical position. The orthopedic fixation system includes an implant that transitions between an unconstrained shape and a constrained insertion shape, a drill guide, first and second K-wires, and a cannulated drill bit. The drill guide and the first and second K-wires retain the bone, bones, or bone pieces in an anatomical position corresponding with the predetermined anatomical position. The cannulated drill bit fits over the first and second K-wires and drills, respectively, first and second drilled holes into the bone, bones, or bone pieces. After insertion of the implant into the first and second drilled holes, the implant attempts to transition from its constrained insertion shape to its unconstrained shape such that the implant continuously compresses the bone, bones, or bone pieces thereby holding the bone, bones, or bone pieces in the predetermined anatomical position.

Abstract: Bone and joint stabilization devices or systems are described that include multiple-layer bodies. The approach offers dramatically improved fatigue life as compared to one-piece spring members that are otherwise similar or comparable. Coordinated improved-strength anchor embodiments, anchor loading tools and methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A bone screw for sacroiliac joint fusion is characterized by a longitudinal bone screw and a cylindrical sleeve received on a proximal end of the bone screw. The sleeve has axially extending fins or flutes on its outer surface that extend generally from one end of the sleeve to the other end of the sleeve. This feature allows the sleeve to resist reverse rotation which, in turn, aids in preventing back-out of the bone screw once installed. The bone screw has a self-tapping tip that allows the bone screw to be installed without need for a pilot hole, and self-harvesting geometry that gathers and retains bone shavings in and along the bone screw that are produced by bone screw installation for use as graft for bone fusion.

Abstract: Arthroplasty jigs and related methods are disclosed. Some of the arthroplasty jigs may comprise a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, and a positioning component. Certain of the methods may comprise providing such an arthroplasty jig, and aligning the jig body with a surface of a bone so that the positioning component provides at least one of a visible, audible, or tactile indication that such alignment has been achieved. Some of the arthroplasty jigs may comprise a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, and that is marked with identifying information. Certain of the methods may comprise providing an arthroplasty jig comprising a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, or providing an arthroplasty jig blank, and marking the arthroplasty jig or the arthroplasty jig blank with identifying information.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided that includes a device having a body extending along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends. The body includes a proximal chamber, a distal chamber and a wall between the chambers. The body includes a first port in communication with the proximal chamber and a second port in communication with the distal chamber. A shaft is movably positioned within the body. The shaft extends through the wall and includes a proximal plunger positioned within the proximal chamber and a distal plunger positioned within the distal chamber. Pressure introduced through an opening in the proximal end moves the shaft such that the proximal plunger moves a fluid within the proximal chamber out of the first port and the distal plunger moves a fluid within the distal chamber out of the second port to simultaneously actuate a bone filler dispenser. Systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments herein employ a flexible orthopedic alignment guide for surgical implantation of flexible bone plates. Specifically, the alignment guide is designed to be used in conjunction with flexible bone plates whereby flexible sections of the alignment guide aid in alignment of drill bits and fasteners with the fastener holes of the bone plate. The flexible guide is designed to flex in a similar manner to the bone plate, thus maintaining positive engagement without compromising hole alignment.

Abstract: A kit (4000, 5100) including a guiding system and a cannulated bone material removal device, the bone material removal device (4004, 5200) having a longitudinal shaft (4024, 5202) and comprising on the longitudinal shaft a radially expandable cutting portion (4028, 5208) having a longitudinally-oriented cutting edge (2124), the radial expansion comprising an increase of a cross-sectional diameter of the bone material removal device at the longitudinal position of the expandable cutting portion; and the guiding system including an arcuate element (4008, 5102), a guiding element (4010, 5104) configured to be attached to the arcuate element, and a cannula (4002, 5106), slidably insertable into a portion of the arcuate element; wherein the bone material removal device is axially displaceable within said cannula. The kit can be used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Abstract: Implants, devices, systems, and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant comprises a cap member comprising an internally threaded opening extending from a first end thereof, an anchor portion comprising a first end that defines a tip of the implant and external threads, and a coupling portion extending between the cap member and the anchor portion. The coupling portion of the implant includes an externally threaded portion threadably coupled within the internally threaded opening of the cap member. The cap member of the implant is longitudinally moveable along the coupling portion. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone cutting and shortening system and the method of using the same, the system comprising a bone plate and a cutting guide adapted to slidingly engage by inserting the cutting guide into the bone plate from the overhead direction, the cutting guide adapted to facilitate parallel cutting planes on a bone at precisely ascertainable offset distances, and the bone plate adapted to stabilize the shortened bone after cutting.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a model of a patient specific cut guide instrument for harvesting a graft comprises a model of a graft defined by an implant interface surface, a bone interface surface, and a spatial geometry therebetween, the model being specific to a patient.

Abstract: A differential compression bone screw and a method are provided for compressing adjacent bone portions together to encourage bone fusion. The compression bone screw is comprised of a head portion and a shank. A center hole extends from the head portion to a distal end of the shank. A superior end of the head portion includes a shaped opening that receives a tool for driving the compression bone screw into a hole drilled in a patient's bone. An inferior end of the head portion includes barbs that engage with surrounding bone tissue. A smooth portion of the shank is disposed between proximal threads and distal threads that rotatably engage within the hole in the patient's bone. A thread pitch of the distal threads is greater than a thread pitch of the proximal threads, such that the compression bone screw comprises a differential pitch configured to compress the adjacent bone portions.

Abstract: An method for installing a fusion implant into a sacroiliac joint (“SI Joint”) without the use of a rotary cutting instrument. The method incorporates a multimodal abrading device having abrading surfaces on opposing sides and an open tip comprising a cutting edge. The method includes the step of using the abrading head to cut bone tissue from the SI Joint at an insertion point while simultaneously using the abrading surfaces to decorticate the cortical bone at the insertion point.

Abstract: Guide tools for installation of fixation devices. At least one example embodiment includes: a delivery tube, the delivery tube defines a slot that runs from the distal end to the proximal end; a guide tube coupled to the delivery tube; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the delivery tube and coupled to the proximal end of the guide tube. The handle may include a first channel into an interior of the delivery tube through the slot, and a receptacle in operational relationship to the delivery tube and the first channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a fixation device including a median zone, a first fixation zone including a base region extending from the median zone and an end region distant from the median zone, and including an expandable region in between the base region and the end region, the expandable region adapted to move between a closed position and an expanded position, wherein the first fixation zone is adapted to be positioned within a bone hole and, with the expandable region in the expanded position, the expandable region is positioned against bone surrounding the bone hole, and a second fixation zone including a base region extending from the median zone at a position different from the base region of the first fixation zone and an end region distant from the median zone.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a medical instrument includes a pinion and a face gear that move a push-pull element. The pinion has a mounting that permits rotation of the pinion by an external control system such as a robot. The face gear meshes with the pinion. The push-pull element may have a proximal end coupled to the face gear and a distal end coupled to a tool at a distal end of an instrument shaft. A manipulator coupled for manual rotation of the actuation mechanism may include a slip clutch to prevent manual application of excessive force to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus register a bone for milling during a procedure. A surgeon mills the bone without first performing an explicit registration of a tool relative to the bone. Tool location measurements in combination with a 3-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's bone, such as a segmented CT scan, are used to automatically construct a registration. The 3D model identifies a border where cancellous bone within the bone ends and the cortical bone begins at an inner cortical bone surface. Responsive to movement of the tool within the bone along an initial trajectory, and, using a localizing system to identify the location of tool when in contact with the inner cortical bone surface, a shape/map of the cortical bone is generated and fit to the 3D model automatically to obtain a registration. An updated trajectory may be output such as from 3D implant plan information to guide further milling.

Abstract: A chevron osteotomy guide for use in a minimally invasive bunionectomy procedure comprises an oblong base plate having a modified rectangular shape with two parallel longitudinal sides, and having a semi-circular proximal end and a chevron shaped distal end. The chevron shape is isosceles triangular in which a dorsal edge and a plantar edge intersect to form an apex angle that is less than 90 degrees and greater than 60 degrees. In the bunionectomy procedure, the chevron osteotomy guide is attached to the first metatarsal bone using two K wires or pins through proximal and distal apertures in the guide. The proximal aperture is surrounded by two concentric tubular projections which are orthogonal to the plane of the base plate. These projections consist of an inner tubular core, having a circumference that coincides with that of the proximal aperture, and an outer tubular haft, which serves as a handle by which the surgeon adjusts the position of the guide on the first metatarsal bone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical guide structure configured for placement on a resected bone surface includes a body with at least one aperture and an opening. The at least one aperture extends through the body and is sized for placement of a hole formation instrument therethrough. Additionally, the at least one aperture is defined by an inner wall that includes a first portion having a first slope and a second portion having a second slope different from the first slope so that a cross-section of the aperture varies over its depth. The opening is sized and positioned so that when the surgical guide structure is positioned on a first resected surface of a bone, the first resected surface and a second resected surface of the bone are visible through the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are device and methods for determining an orientation of an instrument for inserting a medical device in a bone. One such method includes simulating an insertion point and an orientation of a simulated surgical hardware installation on a diagnostic representation of the bone, and then using an electronic device to align an instrument for inserting a surgical hardware installation at a desired orientation through an insertion point of the bone by indicating when an orientation of the electronic device is within a threshold of the simulated orientation.