Abstract: The intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one hole that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and is situated in a plane with a defined diameter to accommodate a locking element, as well as a longitudinal slot extending in the plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the unexpanded state of the intramedullary nail the longitudinal slot has a width b, measured perpendicularly to the plane in the region outside of the holes, said slot being maximum 0.6 times that of the smallest defined diameter of the holes.

Abstract: An orthopedic damper system and method to control the degree of flexion and/or extension motion of the mobile vertebral segment while providing additional stability to the spine. The damper system includes an anchor having a spring hitch, a spring coupled to the spring hitch, and a cap coupled to the spring. The anchor is adapted to connect to a spinous process. The spring includes an inner hollow area adapted to accommodate the spring hitch. The cap includes an opening connected to an inner cavity that is adapted to accommodate the spring and the spring hitch.

Abstract: Methods and devices for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A tubular body is disclosed which includes in its side wall a plurality of longitudinal passages. Elongated blocking members are also disclosed which are inserted into the passages. The elongated blocking members block deflected interfering tissue during the surgery.

Abstract: A laparoscopic disk assembly, which includes an interwoven gasket seal, either flat or conical, comprised of four gasket sections, forms a seal without anything inserted or in the presence of a laparoscopic instrument or surgeon's hand, approximating an opening of a single through hole of a lip seal providing the same sealing as a lip seal. By breaking the seal through hole into multiple pieces, the direction and amount of strain applied to any section is less than the strain applied by the simple change in diameter. The layers form contact zones with the inserted probe or hand. The sum of the array of contact zones provides contact around the full diameter of the inserted tool or hand. Additionally, the hoop stress of the seal is reduced, thereby reducing the drag force on the instrument or the hand and wrist of the doctor.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a device and method for use in surgery, in particular hand assisted laparascopic surgery, the device comprising a flexible sleeve about one end of which is located a plurality of inflatable balloons, such that the sleeve may be located about a surgeon's forearm, with the balloons thus circumscribing the surgeon's wrist, the balloons being inflated once the surgeon's hand and wrist have been inserted into a surgical cavity, in order to distend the surgical cavity, thereby creating a space within which the surgical procedure may be performed.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for replacing a diseased or damaged intervertebral disc in the spine of a patient. The device provided having at least two units, each of the units having an articulation surface and a bone contacting surface, the articulation surfaces of each of the at least two being in articulating opposition one to the other, one of which having a convex articulation surface and the other having a complementary concave articulation surface. The bone contacting surfaces being provided with bone implantation securing elements such as keel type or spike type protrusions. Also provided is a method of implanting the device into an intervertebral space from a posterior approach.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system for implanting pedicle screw assemblies to be connected by a spinal rod is disclosed. In one form, the system includes a plurality of holding mechanisms for the pedicle screw assemblies, each holding mechanism for being inserted through an incision and configured to receive tools along an axis thereof for driving a screw anchor of the pedicle screw assembly into a vertebra and securing the spinal rod thereto and a rod inserter that is configured to adjustably hold the rod and insert the rod through a common incision with one of the holding mechanism for being fed into position in an initial direction that is transverse to the axes of the holding mechanisms.

Abstract: Prosthesis for inserting into a damaged intervertebral disc having an elongated tubular main prosthesis body with a length to fit laterally from one side of a disc to the other at its mid-plane. The main prosthesis body has a vertical height slightly greater than the height of normal disc space of the damaged intervertebral disc into which it is to be implanted, and a shape in cross section normal to its longitudinal axis so that main prosthesis body makes appropriate contact with vertebrae abutting to the damaged intervertebral disc. Heads having a vertical height greater than the vertical height of the main prosthesis body are mounted on the ends of the main prosthesis body. A method for implanting from one side only and a method for explanting from one side only.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orthopedic device assembly comprising a first assembly element, a second assembly element, and a retaining mechanism. The first assembly element has a recess that receives the second assembly element, and the retaining mechanism holds the second element in an assembled state with the first assembly element. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining member with an angular cross-section defined by a base portion and a lateral flange portion projecting from the base portion. The retaining member is inserted through an aperture of the first assembly element into a groove in a wall of the recess of the first assembly element, with the flange portion projecting laterally of the groove and overhanging a shoulder portion of the second assembly element so as to retain the second assembly element in the assembled state with the first assembly element.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a body for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, and one or more anchors extending from the body for securing the body between the vertebrae. A linear motion control mechanism is mounted in the body and operable to limit linear translation of the anchor(s) relative to the body. Also, a pivot control mechanism in the body operates to limit pivot motion of the anchor(s) relative to the body. The linear and pivot control mechanisms are configured in various arrangements and embodiments exhibiting adjustable dynamic settings, allowing a single implant to provide various types of dynamic fixation with ranges of motion that permit loads to transfer to graft material contained in the disk space.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for implanting a device in a fractured bone. The device has an elongated shape and includes a thermo-chemically activated portion including a polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius. The thermo-chemically activated portion is deformable at a first thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is greater than the glass transition temperature. The thermo-chemically activated portion is hard at a second thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is lower than the glass transition temperature. The method includes transforming the thermo-chemically activated portion from the second to the first thermo-chemical state. The method includes inserting the device into an intramedullary canal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deformable implant and a deformation apparatus. The implant has an elongated shape and may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of a fractured bone. The implant may have a support structure and thermo-chemically activated matrix material, deformable at a first state and hardened at a second state, surrounding the support structure. The deformation apparatus is shaped to be inserted co-axially into the implant, and includes a tube co-axially positioned inside a balloon, and a set of hoses connected to the tube and the balloon. A heat source, a cartridge and a pump may be connected to the apparatus to supply heat, and regulate temperature and pressure of a liquid or gas and circulate it through the balloon. Liquid or gas is introduced through the hoses into the balloon to inflate the balloon and cause the surrounding implant to expand radially, providing support to the fractured bone.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of treating a collapsed vertebra may include inserting cannulae into the damaged vertebral body and one or more adjacent vertebral bodies and repositioning the one or more adjacent vertebral bodies by manipulating one or more of the cannulae. Before or after repositioning the vertebral bodies, the method may further include passing through the cannula and into the damaged vertebra a disruption tool for fracturing the damaged vertebral body. Once the cortical bone is broken or otherwise disrupted, the height of the damaged vertebral body may be restored, for example by removing the disruption tool and inserting through the cannula another tool, implant, device and/or material to restore the height of the vertebral body and to restore normal spinal curvature in the affected area. Bone cement, bone chips, demineralized bone or other grafting material or filler may be added with or without an implanted device to augment the damaged vertebral body.

Abstract: An implant for permanent or temporary introduction into the human or animal body includes a base body for connecting spaced body parts and/or other implant components, the implant having a load axis, along which primarily tensile and/or compressive forces are transmissible, with at least one rotary axis formed at right angle to the load axis, the rotary axis facilitating at least limited bending of the base body about the rotary axis, especially of the ends of the base body arranged along the load axis, with the at least one rotary axis being defined by a swivel joint, which is formed in one-piece at the base body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fixation of a fractured bone with an intramedullary bone fixation device. During an implantation procedure, the fixation device may be guided by a removable guidewire which is not coupled to the fixation device. The guidewire and device may be inserted into an intramedullary canal along a pathway which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The fixation device may be composite, formed of a support structure and a matrix material. The matrix material may be thermo-chemically activated, transformable from a deformable first thermo-chemical state to a hardened second thermo-chemical state. The fixation device may be radially expandable to deform to the shape of the intramedullary canal, to provide support to the fractured bone.

Abstract: An intra-corporal expandable device incorporating a screw operating under traction. A first elongated part (1) receives a second telescopic part (2). Each of these parts comprises links (61), (62) to the organism at a first end (11), (21) and is linked to a rod (3) comprising at least one thread at a second end (12) and (22). The rotation of the rod (3) controlled by means (4) causes a relative displacement of the two parts (1) and (2). The rod (3) is thus assembled between two ends (12) and (22) which come closer when the device is elongated, the length of the loaded rod (7) is reduced when the device is elongated and the length of loaded rod (7) operates only under traction. The device according to the invention is intended in particular for the production of osseous lengthening nails and growth prostheses.

Abstract: A spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae includes a body extending between a substantially contoured first end surface and a second end surface to define side surfaces and opposing top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces substantially symmetrical about a centerline axis. At least one opening defines a hollow inner body and includes first and second intersecting openings extending through the top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces. The second intersecting opening extends through the side surfaces. The second end surface includes at least one aperture formed therethrough in communication with the hollow inner body. A screw opening is defined through at least one plate insert configured to be removably coupled to the second end surface to substantially align the screw opening with the at least one aperture. The bone screw is configured to be threadingly secured within the at least one plate insert.

Abstract: A bone fixation system and method for stabilizing a fractured bone by implantation into the intramedullary canal of an implant that is expanded by an implant deformation apparatus, or deformer. The deformer can use mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic expansion. Some deformers apply or remove heat. Some implants may include a support structure and a thermo-chemically activated matrix. The support structure may be radially expandable and contractible, and sufficiently flexible to be inserted into the intramedullary canal through an opening which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The matrix may attain a first thermo-chemical state via the addition of energy, and a second thermo-chemical state via the dissipation of energy.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.