Abstract: A tibial alignment guide assembly for positioning a resection guide, the assembly including a main shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The assembly also includes an anchor arm having an engaging end and a connection end. The connection end is preferably attached to the proximal end of the main shaft and the engaging end preferably has at least one anchor pin extending outwardly therefrom. The at least one anchor pin is adapted to anchor the tibial alignment guide assembly to a tibia plateau in order that the resection guide may be correctly aligned to the tibia. The assembly further includes a lever including an actuation end and a handle. The lever is pivotally connected to the anchor arm, whereby movement of the lever while the actuation end bears against the tibia plateau surface, causes at least a partial extraction of the at least one anchor pin from the tibia plateau.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resectioning a patella without everting it includes a resection guide which grips the patella with gripping members, one of which can also function as an alignment guide for a surgeon using a saw for the resectioning. A sizing/alignment guide engageable with the resection guide is provided for aligning drills and/or reamers used in resectioning. Under one embodiment, a pair of reamers are provided for reaming the patella in two reaming operations.

Abstract: A fixation device for fixation and/or fusion of the bones and joints of the mid-foot includes a plate having a plurality of screw holes for attachment of the plate around the perimeter of the fusion site. Four screw holes are positioned at the corners of the plate and two screw holes are located at the opposite sides and mid-length of the plate. Four additional screw holes are defined at the interior of the plate to increase the number of points of attachment of the plate to the bones of the mid-foot or to increase the ability to stabilize multiple bone segments in the case of a difficult mid-foot fracture. The plate includes a plurality of cut-outs defined between or interior of the screw holes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly includes an inserter instrument and a driving instrument to engage an implant to a bony structure in a patient. The inserter instrument is positionable in a patient with the implant engaged thereto to position the implant at an operative site in the patient. A driving instrument is engageable to the inserter instrument to engage the implant to bony structure at the operative site. A template is provided and engageable by the driving instrument to facilitate preparation of the bony structure to receive the implant.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising an elongated member positionable inside the vessel against an internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension exceeding a dimension of the internal opening of the aperture to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture, and at least two curved legs positionable outside the vessel to help retain the elongated member in position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for interoperatively determining, during a trialing procedure conducted in connection with total hip arthroplasty at an implant site, a femoral neck length required in a femoral component to be engaged with an acetabular component of the prosthetic hip joint to be implanted at the implant site for establishing forces appropriate for proper articular engagement of the femoral component with the acetabular component, by moving a trial femoral head component and a trial femoral stem component relative to one another, while the trial femoral head component is engaged with an acetabular trial, to determine a measured distance corresponding to a trial distance between the trial femoral head component and the trial femoral stem component at which trial distance selected tensile forces are established in soft tissue at the implant site urging the trial femoral head component and the trial femoral stem component toward one another, the selected tensile forces corresponding to the forces appropriat

Abstract: A bone screw anchor capable of securely fastening a fixation device to weak or brittle bone. The anchor includes a distal region terminating in an open aperture or a solid tapered terminus. The distal region may include cutting flutes and a helical thread extending through an intermediate region, so as to make the anchor self-cutting. The proximal region has a receptor for receiving a driver for driving the anchor within a bore or hole within the bone. The anchor has an interior bore with internal threads for receiving a bone screw used to secure a fixation device to the anchor. The bore may have a plurality of ports providing passage to the exterior of the anchor. Once seated entirely within the receptor, the anchor's position is secured using bone cement. Bone cement is delivered to the bore or hole before the anchor is placed in the receptor or after via the ports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a fixation device like a bone screw and of a stabilization device like a rod to the spine. The locking mechanism includes a seat and a locking element. The seat includes a bottom portion configured to receive the fixation device such that a socket of the bottom portion engages part of the fixation device and prevents the fixation device from passing entirely therethrough. The seat further includes a side portion configured to receive the stabilization device and a locking element. The locking element, when fully engaged with the side portion of the seat, causes locking of the relative positions of the fixation device and the stabilization device.

Abstract: Implants (7) for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants (7) are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while being pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, the implant is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device that includes a generator (2), an oscillating element, and a resonator (6). The generator (2) causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator (6). The resonator (6) is used to press the implant (7) against the tissue part to transmit oscillations to the implant (7).

Abstract: A transmission system of eyebrow-beautifying device is disclosed. A lever member has two contacts at bottoms of both sides. The contacts rest on a periphery of a wear-resistant member. A pivot point of a transmission unit and the lever member is disposed above the contacts. A torque of the lever member is substantially the same as that of the transmission unit. A rate of wear between the lever member and the wear-resistant member is substantially the same as that between the transmission unit and the lever member. That is, no amplification of error or wear may exist therebetween. Hence, the prior drawback of deterioration of vibration of the motor shaft caused by serious wear of the action block is completely eliminated.

Abstract: A bone plating system is provided that permits maintenance of a compression force while also accommodating bony subsidence, among other features. Methods of implantation are also provided that improve alignment and placement during implantation and avoid maneuvers that weaken the vertebral bodies. A modular distraction screw is placed during the initial stages of surgery when all relevant landmarks are still intact. After completion of the surgical bone work, a proximal end of the distraction screw is detached, leaving a protruding distal segment implanted in the centerline of the vertebral bodies above and below the newly fused disc space. A bone plate is guided into proper position relative to the upper and lower vertebra by attaching the bone plate to the protruding distal segments. The distal segments of the distraction screws are tightened onto the plate and the plate is held stationary while bone screws are placed.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis designed to be substituted for fibrocartilaginous discs ensures a connection between the vertebra of the vertebra column or the end of the latter. The prosthesis includes a pair of plates spaced from each other by a nucleus. The prosthesis has increased stability by providing the nucleus with a translation or rotation stop, or by inducing an angular correction between its plates contacting vertebra, or a combination of these characteristics. The stop includes parts external to the nucleus and contact surfaces perpendicular to their contact directions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing annulus defects include at least one blocking member positionable in or adjacent to the annulus defect, and at least one anchor for securing the blocking member to adjacent tissue recessed into the adjacent vertebrae. The blocking member extends at least partially across the annulus defect for repair of the defect and/or retention of nucleus material, one or more implants, bio-compatible materials or device, and/or other objects positioned in the disc space. Instruments are provided to facilitate preparation of the implantation site of the annulus repair system.

Abstract: A system for removing osteal cement and prosthetic joint components in connection with a prosthetic joint revision includes a controller connected to and controlling operation of a transducer, such as a surgical saw or drill. A tool mounted on the transducer is adapted for engaging the prosthetic joint cement mantel and melting an engagement portion of same. The cement in the engagement portion is resolidified with the tool tip embedded therein. The tool thus bonds to the cement mantel, and is used for vibrating, softening and breaking up same when operation of the transducer resumes. An osteal cement and prosthetic device removal method includes the steps of melting an engagement portion of the osteal cement mantel, bonding a transducer-mounted tool to the cement mantel by resolidifying the cement engagement portion and reactivating the transducer for vibrating, softening and breaking up the cement mantel whereby it can be removed from the patient.

Abstract: Devices for affixing sutures, grafts and tissues to bone, and soft tissue such as periosteum. Such devices are designed to be deployed and selectively positioned at a target site and remain seated thereat. The devices are further provided with attachment structures for securing sutures, grafts, synthetic materials or tissues thereto which facilitates the ability of such devices to remain more firmly in position.

Abstract: Anchoring plate for a device for osteosynthesis of the vertebral column, including means for connecting it to one or more rods or to a plate. Its lower face is configured to match the shape of a contact zone situated to straddle two vertebrae, and it has openings for the passage of screws. The device for osteosynthesis of the vertebral column includes one or more rods or plates connected to vertebrae by way of connectors and anchoring plates. At least one of the anchoring plates is of the above type described above.

Abstract: N-level internally dynamizing cervical plates and cervical plate constructs in accordance with the present principles, provide unconstrained sliding interconnection between the various plate components after installation on a cervical spine. A tongue-and-groove configuration between the various plate segments provides a constant thickness over the dynamizing portions. Detents provided relative the tongue-and-groove portions allows the various plate components to be permanently joined, but movable relative to one another. Various bone screw anti-backing, anti-rotation or locking devices for cervical bone plates are also provided that allow releasable locking of bone screws relative to the cervical plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing bone graft material into a mammalian body comprises a barrel member having an inner surface with internal threads. The barrel includes an exit port through which bone graft material placed into the barrel exits the barrel. A plunger member is disposed coaxially within the barrel member for pushing the bone graft material toward the exit port in the barrel. A mechanism is provided for advancing the plunger member within the barrel member. The plunger member can be rotatable and include external threads that are complimentary to and engaged with the internal threads in the barrel member to assist in moving the bone graft material toward the exit port in the barrel.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical technique is provided for preparing a site for implantation of a fusion device or implant. In accordance with one embodiment of the technique, a laparoscope is provided having an outer sleeve with distraction fingers at one end to distract the disc space. The laparoscope includes a laparoscopic port at its opposite end through which instruments and implants are inserted. The laparoscope provides a sealed working channel to the disc space, through which the disc space is distracted, the vertebral endplates and surrounding disc is reamed, and the fusion device inserted. The laparoscope is alternately engaged within bilateral locations in the disc space for insertion of a pair of fusion implants. A switching sleeve extends through the laparoscope to protect the tissue at the surgical site as the laparoscope is moved between the bilateral fusion locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fixation device for retaining vertebra of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first member connectable to a first vertebra and a second member connectable to a second vertebra and interconnected with the first member. The first and second members are movable relative to one another across a range of motion. An adjustor member transitions between a first state and a second state, wherein the range of motion between the first member and second member spans a first distance when the adjustor member is in the first state, and wherein the range of motion between the first member and second member spans a second distance when the adjustor member is in the second state.