Abstract: A compact external fixation device for the treatment of bone fractures of reduced dimensions and of children comprises a pair of clamps (2, 3) for bone screws (V) connected by respective spherical joints (5, 6) and a central body (4) formed by at least one male element (7) and one female element (8) which are telescopically coupled. In a preferred embodiment, one element (7) is made of a material of high radiotransparency and the other element (8) is made of a substantially radiopaque rigid material with walls of such minimum thickness as to be at least partially radiotransparent. Antirotation means are provided between the male telescopic element (7) and the female telescopic element (8); transverse eccentric pins (34, 35) contained in each clamp act on respective slides (28, 29) for locking the ball (24, 25) of each joint.

Abstract: Bone fixation device for keeping two or more bone pieces together, either pieces of a broken bone or two distinct bones, for undergoing junction of the pieces by natural welding, the device being capable of immobilizing flat or round bones, long or short bones, parts of a broken femur or two contiguous vertebrae, the device comprising a fixation plate and fixation screws, the plate having orifices for passing the screws through the plate and fastening the screws into the bone tissue, a screw blocking or locking mechanism being provided in the plate to block the screws in the fastening position once the screws have been passed through the plate and screwed into the bone pieces, for preventing the screws from unscrewing from the bone pieces and moving out of the fixation plate once and after the fixation plate and the screws have been firmly installed in the bones, with the risk of entering into contact with the patient inner tissues, muscles or organs, the blocking mechanism being easily operated by a surgeon

Abstract: A surgical tool for resecting bone has a pneumatic motor within a tool body which rotates a coaxial tool implement. The tool implement is provided with irrigation fluid from a fluid reservoir. The reservoir and the motor are charged with pressurized air from a pressurized air source. A fluid control valve is located between the reservoir and the tool, and an air control valve is located between the air pressure source and the motor. The air control valve is controlled by a variable foot pedal or hand valve so that the speed of the motor is variably actuated by the foot valve.

Abstract: A rod, screw, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw which has a shaft which is insertable into a vertebral bone, a tapered neck, and a head portion which includes a rod receiving channel and an annular recess. The vertebral body staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it. The hole has a slotted rim which is downwardly sloped so that it may permit the expansion of the hole when a force is applied to it. The screw is advanced into the hole in the staple until the tapered neck thereof snaps through the hole and the rim seats in the annular recess of the screw. This permits the screw and staple to rotate relative to one another, but not to translate axially relative to one another. The staple also includes several barbs which independently hold the staple to the bone surface to which it is to be affixed.

Abstract: An external fixator for setting fractured bones, comprising a flexible, articulable column comprised of a series of ball and socket members linked by a tensioning cable threaded therethrough. Tightening the cable forces the ball and socket members together and makes the column rigid. There is a mechanism for tightening the cable and keeping the cable in a tightened position to allow the bones to set without moving. A plurality of pivotable pin holders are arranged along the column for attaching to pins inserted into the fractured bones, thus attaching the column to the bones to be set. There is also a mechanism for fixing each pin holder into a rigid position so that there can be no pivoting motion after the proper position of the fixator has been achieved. The external fixator according to the invention has the advantage of added flexibility during positioning of the fixator onto the fractured bones, while being able to obtain the necessary rigidity for proper bone setting.

Abstract: This invention relates to segmental spinal instrumentation, specifically metal spinal hooks and rods used for the correction of spinal deformities such as idiopathic scoliosis. It includes an apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column. The apparatus is comprised of a body having an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable the longitudinally extending member, spinal rod, to be moved into the recess. The recess having a side opening, a first end opening formed in a first side of the body and intersecting the side opening, and a second end opening formed in a second side of the body opposite from the first side and intersecting the side opening to enable the longitudinally extending member to be moved into the recess through the side opening and to extend from the first and second sides of the body through the first and second end openings.

Abstract: A self-locking orthopaedic clamp includes first and second jaws, each jaw having a work engaging surface and a handle comprising first and second actuation members, each actuation member having a first end proximate to the first and second jaws and a second opposed end, and the second actuation member being rigidly coupled to and integral with the second jaw. A four-bar linkage connects the first and second jaws and the first and second actuation members. The design of the clamp and the four-bar linkage is such that the clamp is self-locking. The clamp may be configured for use in a variety of orthopaedic procedures, but it is especially useful for clamping a prosthesis to a resected natural patella.

Abstract: A patella clamp and method for use in resecting a patella for the reception of a patellar prosthesis holds the patella in a preparation position and provides the surgeon with a direct and interoperative accurate visual indication of the bone thickness of the patella prior to and subsequent to resection, as well as a direct and interoperative accurate visual indication of an interoperatively settable depth of resection, all without the necessity for introducing supplemental instruments or other apparatus during the resection procedure.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a hand fracture, burn and contraction treatment device that is capable of imparting the desired amount of long term force and moment to the interphalangeal and metacarpalphalangeal joints so as to effectively combat deformity due to burn scar or trauma, to prevent and/or correct contractures, and to reduce and immobilize fractures. The invention comprises two axial members slidably mounted within respective housings and joined by a spherical joint (with a slot to provide a selectable axis of increased range of motion). The invention permits movement of one axial member with respect to the other axial member in up to five degrees of freedom. The invention further provides for the adjustable mobilization of each axial member.

Abstract: Tools for use in installing osteosynthesis apparatus utilizing a set screw having a break off head, a lower threaded portion and a cylindrical bore extending at least partially through the set screw head. Several of the tools comprise socket type tools having a handle, a stem and a head with a socket formed therein. A projection extends axially into the socket from an inner end of the socket and includes an outwardly biasing element thereon. The projection is sized for insertion into at least a portion of the bore extending into the set screw head, when the set screw head is positioned in the socket. The outwardly biasing element biases against an internal wall of the head which defines the upper section of the cylindrical bore, in order to grip the head. In another tool of the set the tip of the stem is threaded and sized for threaded insertion into the set screw receiving bore of an osteosynthesis implant.

Abstract: A cross-linking member for rigidly coupling interbody fusion devices such that they have reduced tendencies to dislocate subsequent to implantation as well as an interbody fusion assembly which includes at least two interbody fusion devices rigidly coupled together by a cross-linking member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed to hold a bone piece in position relative to a host bone for attachment or re-attachment purposes. A body having a plurality of claws extending therefrom engages with the bone piece, at least one of the claws including a mechanism facilitating a first position wherein the claw is opened to fit onto the bone piece and a second position wherein the claw is actively urged into the bone piece. Depending upon the embodiment, the mechanism may include a claw-bearing member having one or more barbs, a claw-bearing member having teeth that engage with a gear, or a threaded post having a pointed end which is tightened through a portion of the body and locked into a desired position with the point actively urged into the bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinal instrument for essentially smooth adjustable connecting rods. The spinal instrument has a nut (5) that clamps receiving and locking assembly (8) to a multi-threaded bone anchor member (1). The receiving and locking assembly (8) has a compressible ring (24) disposed within a clamp (9) having a lower branch (10) and an upper branch (11) coupled between a connecting area (12). The connecting rod fits into the compressible ring (24). With the cavity-ring assembly forming a ball joint, the connecting rod may be clamped into the required angular position. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument is provided in accordance with the present invention for guiding the resection of the bone. Instrument includes a saw guide formed to include a slot. The slot is defined by an upper guide surface and lower guide surface. Guide surfaces are intermittent surfaces to provide a low-friction saw guide surface. Guide surfaces form waves, the upper surfaces of which lie in a common plane.

Abstract: A distraction pump for manipulation of the spinal column and associated bodily structures having a pump body and two arms coupled to the body, one of the arms being movable relative to the other arm. Each arm has displacement means coupled to it. The distraction pump has a handle that is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position and actuator means operatively for causing the two displacement means to be moved from a first relative position when the handle is in the non-actuated position to a second relative position when the handle is in the actuated position.

Abstract: A surgical cable system and method for securing surgical cable around a portion of a human element (e.g., bone) is described. The surgical cable system may include a connector and a tensioner. The connector may be adapted to hold a pin, positionable within the connector, such that the pin may secure the cable within the connector. The pin may be repositioned, after securing the cable, to allow the cable to move freely through the connector. The cable may be oriented within the connector such that the ends of the cable are pependicular or parallel with respect to each other. The tensioner is preferably adapted to vary the tension of the cable. The cable may be passed through the connector, around a portion of a human bone, and back through the connector. The cable may be tensioned by use of the tensioner and secured into position within the connector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic template system for use with a bone (14) having a shaft and a bearing surface at an end of the shaft. A first template (30) is attachable to the bone end adjacent to the bearing surface, and includes a first saw guide surface or slot (40). A joint locator (10) is used to position the first template (30) relative to the bearing surface. A second template (50) is pivotally attachable to the first template (30), whereby the second template (50) may be selectively positioned at one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to the first template. A third template (70) includes a second saw guide surface or slot (78), and is attachable to the first template (30) at a plurality of locations (72, 74, 76), whereby the second saw guide slot (78) may be selectively positioned relative to the first saw guide slot (40).

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: The invention provides anchoring devices and methods for coupling an object, such as a suture or soft tissue, to bone. In one aspect of the invention, a bone anchor is placed into compression fit with a predrilled bone hole by pulling an insertion stem at least partially into an anchoring element. In its non-expanded state, the anchoring element is slidably mounted on the proximal end of the insertion stem. The anchoring element has an axial channel at least a portion of which has an inner diameter (or cross-section) smaller than an outer diameter (or cross-section) of at least one portion of the insertion stem. As that larger portion of the insertion stem is pulled through the channel, it causes the walls of the anchoring element to expand outwardly and, thereby, to engage the bone hole walls in a pressure or compression fit.

Abstract: A bone fixator for a ligament anchor system and a process its use in an arthroscopic procedure for mounting a ligament graft end in a tunnel formed into a bone. The bone fixator includes threaded footing member for mounting in a bone tunnel, that includes a longitudinal opening formed therethrough, and a ligament carrying member that has a forward of proximal portion for fitting through the threaded footing member longitudinal opening and including a coupling arrangement for securing the ligament carrying member in the threaded footing member.