Abstract: A device is provided including a rotating portion that can be attached to a plate affixed to a first bone forming a joint and a portion that can be affixed to a second bone of the joint. The device is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems and to stabilize the joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory. Additionally, a method for using the device is provided that includes attaching the rotating portion to a plate attached to a first bone forming a joint, and attaching the fixable portion to a second bone of the joint.

Abstract: A surgical implant device capable of conforming to a variety of surface topographies facilitates the growth and regeneration of site to which the device is applied. The device employs a plurality of elongate members supporting a column of discrete, rotatable elements in contact with each adjacent element. Anchor plates secure the respective ends of the elongate members, such anchor plates attachable to bone. The implant device provides and ordered array of individually rotatable elements to form a surface that permits bodily fluids to pass therethough.

Abstract: An implant for fusing adjacent bones is disclosed. The implant includes an elongate threaded member and a flexible portion extending from the elongate threaded member. The flexible portion includes a plurality of prongs configured to be reversibly compressed toward an axis defined by the elongate threaded member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a bone fixation system includes a plate having a first opening a beam configured to traverse through the first opening and reside proximate to a subchondral fragment of bone in an installed position. The beam may be operable to rotate about an axis of rotation proximate to the first opening and reposition the subchondral fragment of bone.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a cannula system that is readily maneuverable in an operating room setting, can be used to expose different instrumentalities to a target site, and has directional capabilities to allow the user to treat multiple quadrants or areas of a target site. The present invention provides cannula systems including these different instrumentalities as well as methods of operating these cannula systems and methods of treating orthopedic conditions using these cannula systems.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon's arm. The fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis and may define a general hour glass configuration. A pair of flexible bands may be mounted about the fabric seal. The flexible bands are adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, a radial fusion plate includes a first portion and a fusion portion. The first portion is configured to conform to a dorsal side of a radius bone between a second compartment and a fourth compartment of the radius bone. The fusion portion is distal to the first portion and configured to conform to a scaphoid and a lunate. The first portion includes scaphoid hole and a lunate hole.

Abstract: A cutting instrument having a body, a blade at a distal end of the body, and a mechanism for rotating the blade from a first to a second position. The instrument can be used in a method of retrograde drilling a hole in bone. The cutting instrument is provided with a mechanism (for example, a pin and a slot) that converts linear motion into rotational motion and locks the blade into position. The cutting blade is configured to engage the shaft of the instrument and to lock into the shaft. The cutting blade is articulated between at least a first “straight” position (for example, about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument) when the instrument cuts in an antegrade manner, and at least a second “flip” position (for example, a non-parallel position relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument) when the instrument cuts in a retrograde manner. The cutting blade may be provided with a suture passing notch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a implant for implantation into a body of an animal, wherein the implant comprises material of inner core of drupes and/or palm tree fruits.

Abstract: An orthopedic impactor device for positioning an orthopedic prosthetic cup implant during a hip replacement surgery is described. The impactor is designed with a “one piece” elongated body portion, having a distal prosthetic cup engagement portion which is separated from a proximal strike plate by an annular sidewall. A handle portion is positioned circumferentially around the annular sidewall of the elongated body in a slidable relationship along a longitudinal axis. A rod, connectable to an orthopedic prosthetic cup, is positioned within a cavity of the body and connected to the proximal ring. A lever arm having a distal wedge portion is pivotally connected to the handle portion such that when the lever arm is pivoted towards the annular sidewall of the handle portion, the distal end of the rod moves within the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured for determining the size and/or height of an intervertebral implant insertable into an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two human or animal vertebrae. The implant includes a first abutment element for abutment against an articular surface of one of the two adjacent vertebral bodies and a second abutment element supported directly or indirectly on the first abutment element for abutment against an articular surface of the other of the two adjacent vertebral bodies. The instrument includes a holding part defining a longitudinal direction and at least one test implant, which includes a first and a second test-implant abutment element each having at least one abutment surface for abutment against one of the articular surfaces. A distal end of the holding part includes at least one abutment-element holding element for detachable connection to the at least one test implant 149.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for holding separated tissues in contact with one another. The device comprises a frame having two opposing first and second sides and a lower surface and an upper surface, and a band for extending around said separated tissues to be held together in conjunction with said frame. The band has two ends attached to the sides of the frame releasably. When the ends are secured to the sides of the frame, the band establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes first and second wings disposed in opposed relation relative to one another. Each wing includes a body portion, a distal portion and first and second portions. A side wall section hingedly connects the body portions of the wings to one another at the first portion thereof and at the second portions thereof. Each of the side wall sections is movable with respect to the other side wall sections between a first position and a second position wherein each of the side wall sections is angled with the first and second wings. The first and second wings are moveable between an approximated position corresponding to the first position of the side wall sections and a spaced apart position corresponding to the second position of the side wall sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a disc space and inserting an intervertebral disc implant therein are disclosed. Among the various instruments disclosed are a midline marker, a reference pin drill and insertion guide, a fin drill guide, a chisel guide, a sizer, a serrated broach, an implant dispenser, and an implant insertion tool. Methods of utilizing these tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly is disclosed that is configured and dimensioned for positioning within an opening in tissue providing access to and internal body cavity to facilitate the passage of a surgical instrument into an internal work site. The surgical access assembly includes first and second arms and third and fourth arms. The first and second arms and the third and fourth arms are configured and dimensioned for relative movement such that the surgical access assembly is reconfigurable between a first configuration, wherein a first transverse dimension is defined, and a second configuration wherein a second transverse dimension is defined. The first transverse dimension is smaller than the second transverse dimension.

Abstract: A self retaining adaptor enables hands free use of a balfour retractor blade. An elongated element includes a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated element includes an intermediate portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The intermediate portion has a predetermined width with an elongated slot being formed therein. The elongated slot includes a predetermined number of enlarged openings formed at predetermined intervals along the length of the slot. The enlarged openings enable the insertion of a wing-nut connection for attaching a member to the elongated element.

Abstract: A navigation system for placing an implant in orthopedic surgery is provided, comprising an orientation apparatus and a reference apparatus. The reference apparatus comprises an anchor for fixing the reference apparatus to a predetermined feature of the subjects body and an indicator for indicating at least one reference plane or axis. The orientation apparatus comprises a number of probes for contacting a number of predetermined features of a subjects body and defining a plane. The orientation apparatus and/or the reference apparatus comprises at least one connector for connecting the orientation apparatus and the anchor such that, when connected, relative translation of the connector and the anchor along a predetermined direction with respect to the plane defined by the probes is allowed and relative rotation of the connector and the anchor about that predetermined direction is prevented.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, a device for delivering a bone filler material comprising: a housing having a throughbore; a plunger comprising a shaft having external threads, wherein the plunger is configured for advancement through the throughbore of the housing; and a threaded receiving member configured to releasably engage the plunger. Methods for removing an instrument from a vertebral body comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the instrument, wherein a distal end of the instrument is disposed in a cavity in the vertebral body, wherein the cavity contains a filler material; and removing the instrument from the vertebral body.

Abstract: An ankle fusion device has a proximal portion generally aligned with a first longitudinal axis. The proximal portion includes a proximal end and a first fastener hole. The proximal portion has an arcuate curve such that the proximal end is spaced a distance from the first longitudinal axis in a first direction. The first fastener hole is configured to receive a first fastener along a first fastener axis. A distal portion of the ankle fusion device extends to a distal end from the proximal portion along a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is angled in second and third directions relative to the first longitudinal axis. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction being opposite the first direction. The distal portion includes a second fastener hole configured to receive a second fastener along a second fastener axis.