Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a grooved director with a built in balloon which is inflated by a pump to a predetermined pressure to expand the walls of a collapsed vertebra. The device is inserted into the body of the compressed vertebra and the grooved director is positioned and aimed in a direction under the compressed superior end plate of the vertebral body. The balloon inside of the grooved director is inflated and the force and direction of balloon inflation restores the height of the fractured vertebrae. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director is circumferentially rotated while intermittently inflating and deflating the balloon to creates a symmetrical space within the center of the vertebral body. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director device with balloon is removed leaving a rebuilt vertebra which may be filled with a biocompatible material.

Abstract: The invention describes a femur marrow nail for insertion between the condylii of a knee joint having an anchoring (4) in the region of the nail tip (3), having a curvature (6) extending in the sagittal plane (5) and having a straight end piece (7) which has fastening bores (12, 13) with axes B, C for its fastening. At least two fastening bores (12, 13) with axes B and C cross the longitudinal axis X of the end piece (7) at a spacing X2, X3 less than 70 millimeters from the end (8) of the end piece (7), and with their axes B and C penetrating a plane (10) which includes the end (8) and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X at a distance r from the X axis in a region of 10 mm≦r≦116 mm in order to grip hard bone zones with fastening screws (15, 16) in the region of the condylii.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteophilic implant having improved osteointegration characteristics. The implant consists of titanium or a titanium alloy and is suitable for the implantation in bones. The implant is provided with a rouge, hydroxylated and hydrophilic surface which is at least sealed in a gastight and liquidtight covering. The interior of said covering is provided with an inert atmosphere, preferably consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and/or inert gas and/or is at least partially filled with purified water which optionally contains additives. The invention also relates to a method for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthesis screw (1) comprising a shaft (3) with a thread (2) and a head (4) formed at one end and having a notch (5) for a tool. The shaft region (3) with the thread has a configuration with a uniform thickness, ie. trilobular.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone screw for use with external bone fracture fixation devices, comprising a substantially cylindrical shank (2) with a longitudinal axis (X-X), a head (3) formed at a free end (4) of the shank (2) and having substantially the same thickness as the shank (2), and a threaded portion (5) terminated with a tip (6) at the opposite end from the free end (4). Advantageously, the screw head (3) includes a first flat (7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X-X) from the free end (4), at least a second flat (8) aligned to the first flat (7) at a predetermined spacing therefrom, and at least a non-flat spacer portion (9) provided between the flats (7, 8). The spacer portion (9) is arranged to enable said shank (2) to be cut off if necessary, and is formed with a groove (11) of predetermined depth to define a location of potential cut off of the shank (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone fixation device which includes a pair of bone plates and a longitudinal carrier. The longitudinal carrier can be used to permit the bone plates to telescope with respect to one another, such as in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. A joint also may be used to permit swivelling of the plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion device, microdermabrasion system employing the device and method of performing microdermabrasion. A device for exfoliating skin cells from an external surface of skin includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening which is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum.

Abstract: A hip replacement system including a socket having generally hemispherical cavity therein, a ball member cantably affixed within the socket, a stem affixed to the ball member and extending outwardly therefrom, and a lubricant located within a channel formed interior of the stem. The exterior surface of the ball member has at least one opening therein communicating with channel of the stem. The lubricant fills a space between the exterior surface of the ball member and the inner wall of the cavity of the socket. The lubricant is compressed body fat. An inlet is connected to the channel so as to extend outwardly of the stem for allowing the introduction of the lubricant into the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to body tissue fixation systems, including body tissue fixation hardware comprising biocompatible, bioabsorbable plates, with an osteropromoting coating layer on at least one surface of said plates, and methods of using those system and hardware.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone fixation implant includes an elongated member, one or more bone anchor assemblies, and stabilizer members which are fitted within the elongated member. A bone bolt having cancellous threads on one end and machine threads at the opposing end and an enlarged portion between these sections is also provided. The bone bolt is anchored into a bone via the cancellous thread end. The machine threaded end passes through an opening of the elongated member and the stabilizer, and is engaged by a coupled washer and nut. The washer includes an undercut within its oblong aperture, and the nut includes a projecting sleeve. The sleeve is inserted into the washer aperture and expanded, so that the undercut retains the sleeve within the washer without impairing the rotatability or translatability of the nut and washer with respect to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fixation device of the type useful for connecting soft tissue or tendon to bone or for connecting two or more bones or bone fragments together. The device comprises an elongate body having a distal anchor thereon. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device, to accommodate different bone dimensions and permit appropriate tensioning of the fixation device.

Abstract: Tools for resecting tibia and femur include anchoring devices, a three-way alignment guide attachable to the anchoring devices, two embodiments of a resection guide attachable to the alignment guide and equipped with couplings for trackers, a plane probe for examining the resected plane, and apparatus for EM alignment of the resection guide in the event of a computer failure. The methods of the invention include operating a computer aided navigation apparatus in the conventional manner including attaching one or more trackers to the bone to be resected; choosing a location for the anchoring device with or without guidance from the computer and installing the anchoring device; attaching the three-way alignment guide to the anchoring device; attaching a resection guide to the alignment guide; attaching one or two trackers to the resection guide; locating the resection guide with the aid of the alignment guide and the computer; fixing the resection guide to the bone with pins.

Abstract: A surgical bone preparation instrument that is effective to prepare the surface of adjacent bone structures, and more particularly to remove a predetermined portion of bone from the vertebral endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies, is provided. In general, the surgical bone preparation instrument includes a housing member having an inner lumen formed therein, and an elongate member rotatably disposable within the housing member. The housing member can include a distractor member adapted to be disposed between adjacent bone structures, and optionally a rotation limiting element, and/or a stop member. In use, the elongate member is rotated with respect to the housing, thereby causing the cutting element to penetrate and remove bone from the adjacent bone structures.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing lumbar and thoracic vertebra or individual bones in human spine or bone column is provided for the purpose of fixing a vertebra or individual bone with respect to other vertebra or individual bones and with respect to other parts of the spinal or bone column. While providing spinal stabilization, the stabilizer allows axial load sharing or construct dynamized action. The device allows the vertebra or individual bones to be held in compression allowing subsidence along the plate axis or to be fixed with respect to the plate for rigid stabilization. The vertebra or individual bones will be prevented from distraction by a stop lock clamp. The device may be configured as a fully or partially rigid system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. An approximately 3.75-5 centimeter (1.5-2 inch) anterior incision is made in line with the femoral neck. The femoral neck is severed from the femoral shaft and removed through the anterior incision. The acetabulum is prepared for receiving an acetabular cup through the anterior incision, and the acetabular cup is placed into the acetabulum through the anterior incision. A posterior incision of approximately 2.5-3.75 centimeters (1-1.5 inches) is generally aligned with the axis of the femoral shaft and provides access to the femoral shaft. Preparation of the femoral shaft including the reaming and rasping thereof is performed through the posterior incision, and the femoral stem is inserted through the posterior incision for implantation in the femur.

Abstract: A variable tilt angle shoulder prosthesis includes a variable tilt angle, comprising a head component including a proximal portion configured to interface with a glenoid process and a distal surface including a socket depression defined therein; a humeral shaft; a humeral neck at the end of the shaft including a proximal ball end which is configured to couple with the socket depression of the humeral head as a ball-in socket joint, adjustable, upon coupling with said humeral neck, to a selected tilt angle among a plurality of tilt angles relative to an elongate direction of said shaft to substantially match said prosthesis to a natural tilt angle of a humeral head of a patient.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: Instrumentation for treatment of the spine, including an elongate member having a deformable distal end portion at least partially formed of a flexible and preferably elastic material. The distal end portion has an initial configuration for placement adjacent a vertebral body and a deformed configuration defining at least one outwardly extending projection for displacement of at least a portion of the vertebral body. The elongate member preferably comprises a rod member, a sleeve member and an actuator mechanism for imparting relative linear displacement between the rod and sleeve members to effect outward deformation of the distal end portion of the sleeve member. In one embodiment, the instrumentation is used to compact cancellous bone to form a cavity within a vertebral body. In another embodiment, the instrumentation is used to reduce a compression fracture. In yet another embodiment, the instrumentation is used to distract a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a member (12) and a fastener (16) that connects the member to a bone portion. The fastener (16) has a first end portion (22) engageable with the bone portion, a second end portion (26) extending through an opening (50) in the member (12), and an intermediate portion (32) engageable with the member between the first and second end portions. A connecting ring (42) connects the member (12) to the fastener (16). The connecting ring (42) extends into the opening (50) in the member (12). The connecting ring (42) has a passage (54) with a longitudinal axis (56) through which the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) extends. A clamping member (28) engages the second end portion (26) of the fastener (16) and the connecting ring (42) to connect the connecting ring to the member (12) and connect the fastener to the connecting ring in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the connecting ring.

Abstract: A modular tool connection assembly includes a housing which defines the main axis of assembly with a linear bore for containing the components of the assembly. The housing contains a connector component presenting a first taper portion. The connector is retained in the linear bore of the housing with a spring interposed between the connector and the housing. A tool containing a second taper portion is placed in axial engagement with the first taper causing the components to be securely connected. The spring limits the force applied between the taper portions allowing them to be disconnected easily.