Abstract: A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.

Abstract: Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. Some of the methods include inserting a guide pin into the glenoid of the patient, advancing a reciprocating surgical rasp over the guide pin, reciprocating the surgical rasp so as to abrade bone tissue to form a cavity shaped to receive the glenoid component, and implanting the glenoid component in the cavity.

Abstract: Methods and devices that utilize segmental fixation between several adjacent vertebrae, thus allowing each vertebrae to be adjusted independently, are provided. In general, the device includes a spinal anchoring element that is adapted to seat at least one spinal fixation element, and a closure mechanism that is adapted to mate to the spinal anchoring element to lock the at least one spinal fixation element in a fixed position relative to the spinal anchoring element.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate assembly for supporting a bone can include a y-shaped first plate and a second plate separate from the first plate. The first plate can be attached to the bone and have a center line. The first plate can include an elongate body attachable to a first portion of the bone and extending along the center line and first and second arms transversely extending from an end of the body. The first and second arms can define an aperture in the first plate. The second plate can be attached to the bone. The second plate can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end configured to be disposed on and engaged with the first arm and the second arm, respectively. The second plate can be configured to span the aperture transverse to the center line when engaged with the first and second arms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a trial coupler system for use in preparing a patient for an implant. Certain embodiments provide a system including a coupling device (20) and a trial component interface (40) that allows a trial stem (100) to be offset in relation to the respective trial components at an orientation that matches the geometry of the patient. Once the precise positioning is obtained, the trial coupler device (10) can be locked while on the patient's bone so the assembly can be removed without disturbing the desired orientation.

Abstract: A ligament balancer for a knee is disclosed that includes a first guide portion having a first guide hole extending there through, and a second guide portion having a second guide hole extending there through, the first and second guide portions being moveable with respect to each other along a movement axis, the balancer being adapted such that, in use, the movement axis is substantially parallel to the anterior/posterior axis of a distal femoral surface. Also disclosed is a kit of parts that includes the ligament balancer and a drill guide for a knee, the drill guide includes first and second connected arms, each arm comprising at least two guide openings extending there through, the guide openings being spaced longitudinally along each arm, longitudinal axes of the first and second arms intersecting at a predetermined angle. Also disclosed is a method of attaching a cutting block to a distal femoral surface as part of a knee replacement procedure.

Abstract: A retractor assembly for positioning tissue during a surgical procedure, having two opposing arms disposed adjacent to one another and sized and configured to be urged substantially laterally away from one another during actuation of the retractor assembly into an open position, and one or more posts, each post being connected to, or integral with, and extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the opposing arms, each of the one or more posts having a length sufficient so that each of the one or more posts will extend through a respective aperture defined by a modular component to be detachably attached to the respective one of the opposing arms. Related methods of positioning tissue during surgery are also described.

Abstract: A cannulated bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism to fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The bone anchor includes a distal shaft having a first threaded section distal to a proximal head, a second threaded section distal to and adjacent the first threaded section, and a third threaded section distal to and adjacent the second threaded section. The first threaded section having a constant major and minor diameter. The second threaded section having a tapering major and minor diameter. The third threaded section having a tapering major diameter and a constant minor diameter.

Abstract: A bone anchor, orthopaedic device and orthopaedic system are described. A bone anchor for use in an orthopaedic procedure which comprises a bone fixation portion provided with a plurality of fixation openings, the fixation openings each being adapted to receive a fixation device for fixing the bone fixation portion to a bone of a patient, and a device attachment portion provided with a first attachment opening and a second attachment opening, the first attachment opening and the second attachment opening being connected to each other by a solid stabilizing portion and being adapted to receive an attachment device for attaching the device attachment portion to an orthopaedic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for modifying a patient's femur to receive a patellofemoral prosthesis, including: a distal punch, an anterior punch and a trochlear punch which are used in well defined orientations to remove material from the femur to accommodate complex geometries of a patellofemoral prosthesis; and optionally a guide operating to engage a distal end of the femur, the guide including a distal slot, an anterior slot and a transverse slot, which ensure that the punches achieve the desired orientations.

Abstract: An alignment tool (2) for a joint is provided comprising a reference member 4 that defines a reference plane R and a distraction member (6). The distraction member (6) comprises first and second distraction arms (70, 72), each of which is independently moveable with respect to the reference member (4) along a movement axis M. The movement axes M, M of the first and second distraction arms (70, 72) are substantially parallel. A kit of parts is also provided comprising an alignment tool (2), a drill guide (200) and a cutting guide (300).

Abstract: A retractor having a pair of blades is disclosed. A ring having an opening is attached to one end of the blades. The blades define a channel therebetween. The blades may be pivotally coupled to the ring. The retractor may have at least two conditions. In a first condition, the retractor is insertable through an incision in a patient's skin to an operative site. In a second condition, the retractor may be manipulated for retracting tissue surrounding the operative site. Instruments, prostheses, or tissue may be inserted or removed through the channel of the retractor.

Abstract: The osteosynthetic device for the fixation of a bone or bone fragments has a longitudinal axis (6) and comprises a bone screw (1) with a shaft (2) bearing a thread (3), a front end (4) and a rear end (5), said thread (3) having a maximum outer diameter d; and a wing-like blade (7) with a leading end (8) being connected to the front end (4) of the bone screw (1) and a trailing end (9) being connected to the rear end (5) of the bone screw (1). The blade (7) is further provided with a coaxial longitudinal aperture (17) having a length I extending between the leading end (8) and the trailing end (9) and a width w?d. Further the blade (7) is coaxially and rotatably mounted on said shaft (3) of said bone screw (1).

Abstract: The present invention includes a measurement/assessment technique based upon a collection of angular and distance measurements taken with respect to x-ray visible osteo-anatomical artifacts to arrive at accurate and easily reproducible component placement. In the context of hip arthroplasty surgery the method of the present invention involves determinations, from two different two-dimensional views, of the angles and distances from osteo-anatomical artifacts, to allow a surgeon to approach a hip resurfacing operation with the distance and angular measurements to be translated into actual markings and device settings to be able to accurately ream the femoral head structure, position and affix the femoral cap and acetabular cup components in accordance with the pre-determined distance and angular measurements.

Abstract: A method of producing a drilling jig for implantation of a hearing aid involves capturing a molded imprint (14) of a patient's upper teeth (12) by solidifying an elastic material on them; connecting the teeth print to a jig (16) having a lateral beam (20) and navigation benchmarks (22); positioning the jig on the patient's head (10) using the imprint; capturing a three-dimensional image of the patient's head with the jig in place; determining a minimal invasive drilling axis (28) for hearing aid implantation based on the three-dimensional image; and manufacturing a customized jig having a drilling guide opening (24) in the lateral beam of the jig for guiding a drilling tool (26). The position and orientation of the drilling guide opening are selected to guide the drilling tool along the determined minimal invasive drilling axis when the jig is positioned on the patient's head by using the imprint (14).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for immobilizing a synovial joint, such as a sacroiliac (SI) joint are disclosed. In one form, a multipiece fixation device, such as a dowel, includes multiple expandable fasteners that are configured to fix adjacent bones of a synovial joint with respect to one another. The expandable fasteners include expansion portions that are expanded radially via insertion of another expandable fastener or an expansion device to fix the expandable fasteners to the bone. The fixation device may be configured to provide for compression or distraction of the bones of the synovial joint while at the same time stabilizing the joint.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of bands and buckles, such that a band extends from the central body and is received by a buckle component. The band may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together. Various band tensioning devices, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone plate is configured for pancarpal arthrodesis. The bone plate can include a plurality of apertures that can be aligned with the metacarpal bones. The apertures can include a first portion and second portion that is longitudinally and laterally offset with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a device for securing a ligature to an osseous structure, the device comprising a first part, a second part, a flexible elongate member for engaging the osseous structure, a closure element, and a deformable element between the first and second parts for holding open a gap G between them. The flexible elongate member is threaded through an orifice in the first part and the gap G. The closure element is configured for clamping the first and second parts against each other, overcoming the resilience of the deformable element, so as to frictionally lock the flexible elongate member threaded through the gap G. Embodiments disclosed herein also provide a method for using the device.

Abstract: A speculum is provided herein which includes first and second arms, connected by a hinge, each having a channel formed thereon adapted to the shape of an eyelid. First and second elements are respectively located on the first and second arms configured to cooperatively retain the first and second arms in select rotational positions. A slot is defined in the second arm to partially separate first and second portions of the second arm with the first portion being displaceable away from the second portion. The second element is located on the first portion. Advantageously, with this arrangement, the first portion acts as a spring-loaded hinge which applies not only biasing force to the second element for retention, but also permits the second element to be separable from the first element. The subject invention provides a mechanical feature beyond the inherent memory of the material for operation of the speculum.