Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus comprises an extramedullary component, an intramedullary component, and a fastener configured and dimensioned to interconnect the extramedullary component and the intramedullary component. The fastener has a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the extramedullary component. The shank portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the intramedullary component. The fastener has a first longitudinal axis extending through both the head portion and the shank portion. The extramedullary component has a second longitudinal axis. The extramedullary component also includes an elongated surface defining an opening through which the shank portion of the fastener passes when the shank portion is received in the intramedullary component. The opening has a V shape. The V shape is oriented transverse to the first longitudinal axis and to the second longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Screws for anchoring in cancellous or other low-quality bone are described. One type of screw addresses the problem of extravazation of bone cement when filling an area of low-quality bone. The screw includes an expandable container for retaining bone cement and anchoring the screw in low-quality bone. The screw also includes an anchoring device for holding the screw in place in the bone while it is supplied with bone cement or other appropriate filler. The screw further includes a head for connecting to a rod or other apparatus. A second type of screw uses an expandable container to deform two or more fins to compress cancellous bone and/or anchor in cancellous bone.

Abstract: The collapsible laryngoscope includes a substantially U-shaped frame having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the proximal and distal ends being raised with respect to a central portion thereof to form a substantially saddle-shaped frame. A bite block is secured to the proximal end of the frame, fixing the proximal end. A distal end of a flexible rib is secured to the distal end of the frame, the proximal end of the flexible rib being positioned adjacent the bite block. An elastomeric sheath is secured to and covers the substantially U-shaped frame and the upper surface of the central portion of the flexible rib. A strap or the like is secured to the proximal end of the flexible rib for lifting the central portion of the flexible rib with respect to the substantially U-shaped frame. The flexible rib is then selectively locked in this deployed, lifted position.

Abstract: A reamer for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical approaches is provided. The reamer spindle includes an offset elongate housing portion that extends from a proximal housing end portion a distal housing end portion. A handle assembly, preferably comprising a durable lightweight material such as carbon fiber that is removably connectable to the housing of the reamer spindle. A reamer head is removably connectable to the distal neck portion and has a surface configured to cut bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for joint arthroplasty includes a patient-specific alignment guide constructed and configured for a specific patient from medical scans that show a bone surface of a bone of the patient without any overlying soft tissue. The patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific inner surface configured to be offset from and mimic the bone surface and form a clearance for soft tissue overlying the bone surface. The alignment guide also includes a plurality of patient-specific contact areas configured to mate and register directly on the bone surface without intervening soft tissue for direct bone registration. The plurality of patient-specific contact areas includes non-contiguous surface contact areas.

Abstract: An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant.

Abstract: A surgical resection guide comprising: a housing (36); a stylus arm (38) extending through the housing (36) arranged such that when the housing (36) is coupled to the side of a bone, a tip of the stylus arm (38) is arranged to contact an end of a bone; and a linear adjustment mechanism. The linear adjustment mechanism comprises: a shaft (30) at least partially received within a bore extending through the housing (36) such that the shaft (30) can slide along its longitudinal axis relative to the housing (36), the shaft (30) incorporating a shaft tooth or groove (50); and a dial (44) rotatably coupled to the housing (36) and incorporating a helical dial groove or rib (48) defining a longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft (30).

Abstract: A four-component artificial intervertebral disc may provide six degrees of movement: flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation, axial deflection, and anterior/posterior translation. The disc may include a superior endplate, a superior core, an inferior core, and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate may include a concave mating surface, and the inferior endplate may include a spherical mating surface. The superior endplate may roll across the superior core to provide flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The superior endplate may twist or rotate atop the superior core to provide axial rotation, and the superior endplate may slide over the superior core to provide anterior/posterior translation. The superior core may be connected to the inferior core, and the inferior core may be connected to the inferior endplate. The inferior core may be made from a flexible material that may enable the artificial disc to expand or compress vertically.

Abstract: An expandable implant for treating bone preferably in a minimally invasive manner includes a preferably cylindrical core element extending along a longitudinal axis and preferably a plurality of nestable, expandable sleeves extending along a longitudinal axis for placement radially about the core element. The plurality of nestable sleeves are sequentially insertable over the core element in such a manner that a first nestable sleeve is inserted over the core element and each subsequently inserted nestable sleeve is received between the core element and the previously inserted nestable sleeve such that the insertion of each additional sleeve causes each previously inserted sleeve to outwardly expand.

Abstract: An access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member including a threading extending at least a portion of an internal length of the tubular member. The access assembly further includes a first ring secured at the proximal end of the tubular member and a second ring secured at the distal end of the tubular member. The first ring and the second ring are expandable rings.

Abstract: A targeting jig apparatus for targeting interlocking holes of an intramedullary nail. The targeting jig includes a support-arm extending substantially parallel to the intramedullary nail. A targeting mechanism including a pair of targeting mechanism drill-guide orifices is adjustably disposed on the support arm for aligning the targeting mechanism drill-guide orifice with the interlocking holes of the intramedullary nail. The targeting mechanism includes a saddle having a U-shape including a base and parallel legs that are slidable along the support-arm. A connection mechanism includes a horizontal slot on the support-arm aligned with a vertical slot on the targeting mechanism and a pivot screw extending through the slots for facilitating adjustment of the targeting mechanism relative to the support arm.

Abstract: Devices and systems for repairing bone fractures and more specifically a fracture repair plate that provides for fixation of a metaphysis to the diaphysis of a long bone, for instance a fracture between the proximal humerus and the diaphysis of the humerus. The fracture repair system includes an implantable repair fracture repair plate and a bone anchor for fixing the fracture repair plate to a bone. In one embodiment, the fracture repair plate may also be adapted to serve as an anchor for a suture. The fracture repair system may also include a fracture reduction mechanism attachable to the fracture repair plate for imparting a controlled translational movement between two bone segments along a plane that lies substantially parallel to the surface of the bone to which the fracture repair plate is attached and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bone shaft.

Abstract: A method of performing an osteotomy including the steps of: providing a guide assembly; placing the guide assembly in operative relationship to a bone to be cut so that the guide assembly defines first and second guide edges that are in fixed relationship to each other to each guide movement of a cutting tool; guiding the cutting tool along each of the first and second guide edges to produce first and second cut lines in the bone to facilitate separation of a fragment of the bone from between first and second bone surfaces formed respectively at the first and second cut lines; separating the bone fragment so that a gap with a first width is formed between the first and second bone surfaces; and changing the width of the gap to be less than the first width.

Abstract: An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant.

Abstract: A sternal clamp having a first sliding body member and a second sliding body member telescopically mated, and a suture-receiving channel disposed on the exterior of the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member, wherein the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member are securable about a severed sternum by encircling and securing a suture about the first sliding body member and the second sliding body member, the suture being received and retained within the suture-receiving channel.

Abstract: A method and tool for creating a location for a fixation device to be secured to a bone. The method includes bringing a bone cutting tool extending along a longitudinal axis into engagement with an outer surface of the bone. The bone cutting tool is rotated about the longitudinal axis while driving it from the outer surface of the bone to a predetermined depth in the bone to form a bore. The bone cutting tool is then continuously rotated at the predetermined depth to establish an enlarged bone pocket at a distal end of the bore. The bone pocket defines a shoulder extending around a circumference between the bone pocket and bore. The bone cutting tool is removed from the bone pocket and bore. The fixation device is then inserted into the bone pocket through the bore, where it is seated against the bone pocket shoulder.

Abstract: A locking plate system includes a locking plate having a screw hole with an inner diameter and internal threads, and a slot formed in a top surface of the locking plate adjacent the screw hole. The system includes a screw guide having a main body including an upper end and a lower end, and an attachment flange projecting from the lower end of the main body for insertion into the slot. The screw guide includes a central opening having an inner diameter that matches the inner diameter of the screw hole. The system includes a locking screw having external threads extending along the length thereof. The external threads have an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the central opening of the screw guide. The locking screw is insertable into the central opening of the screw guide for being directed into the screw hole.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A guide apparatus having a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a first channel and a second channel formed therethrough, a handle coupled to the body, the handle having a locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the body relative to the handle in a first direction along the central axis of the body, and an arm coupled to the handle, the arm configured to engage at least a portion of a bone.

Abstract: A bone repairing kit including a drilling device, a pushing device, a clamping member and a hole saw. An end of a tube body of the drilling device is a knife portion. When the tube body rotates with respect to a femur, a bone column is cut by the knife portion and located in the tube body. The pushing device includes a hollow tube and a push bar. The hollow tube is for receiving the tube body. The push bar is for touching and pushing the bone column in the tube body. The clamping member is for clamping the bone column. The hole saw includes a receiving body and cutting knives. The receiving body has a recess for receiving an end of the bone column. The cutting knives surrounding on an inner wall of the recess are for cutting an edge of the end of the bone column.