Abstract: An orthopaedic implant includes an implant body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface includes a fixation feature. The fixation feature is configured to have a variable width for fastening the implant to a fixation bore formed in a bone. The implant body is D-shaped and has a straight edge and a curved edge. A length of the fixation feature is substantially parallel to the straight edge of the implant body. The fixation feature is configured to have a width that tapers along the length of the fixation feature.

Abstract: The present application provides external bone fixation systems. The systems include one or more pairs of bone fixation platforms in the form of rings or partial rings. The platforms may be coupled to corresponding bone segments. The pair of platforms are configured to accept a plurality of struts extending therebetween. The struts are configured to attach to the platforms via joints that provide three degrees of rotation. The struts are also configured such that their longitudinal length extending between the joints/platforms can be incrementally adjusted while attached to the platforms. The struts are further configured such that their total range of length adjustment can be increased by coupling at least one add-on component to the struts in situ. The lengths of each of the plurality of struts may be adjusted to arrange the platforms, and thereby the bone segment coupled thereto, in particular relative positions and orientations.

Abstract: Distal tip designs for bone fixation devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for bone fixation includes a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an expandable member having a proximal region and a distal region, wherein the expandable member is releasably attached about the distal end of the delivery catheter at the proximal region of the expandable member; a distal cap attached to the distal region of the expandable member to seal the expandable member; a light conducting fiber; and a light-sensitive liquid; wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of a light-sensitive liquid into the expandable member to expand the expandable member and an inner lumen for passage of the light conducting fiber into the expandable member to cure the light-sensitive liquid inside the expandable member.

Abstract: The invention primarily relates to fastening and stabilizing tissues, implants, and/or bondable materials, such as the fastening of a tissue and/or implant to a bondable material, the fastening of an implant to tissue, and/or the fastening of an implant to another implant. This may involve using an energy source to bond and/or mechanically to stabilize a tissue, an implant, a bondable material, and/or other biocompatible material. The invention may also relate to the use of an energy source to remove and/or install an implant and/or bondable material or to facilitate solidification and/or polymerization of bondable material.

Abstract: Articulated instruments that include tools for disrupting and/or distracting tissue, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A screw locating system including an intramedullary nail, a locating hole at the distal end of the intramedullary nail, a locator pin including a hollow section, and a locating end configured to fit in the locating hole, a cap configured to fill in the locating hole when the locator pin is in the locating hole, a screw configured to securely hold the locator pin, and a jig configured to guide a user to locate at least one distal screw at the distal end of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for distracting a long bone, comprising a first tube extending in an axial direction of the intramedullary nail, a second tube extending in an axial direction of the intramedullary nail, which is coupled with the first tube to be axially displaceable within one another, a first locking opening in an end area of the first tube facing away from the second tube, and a coil, which is disposed in a coil area of the first tube between the first locking opening and the second tube.

Abstract: Misaligned bones on opposite sides of a joint are aligned using a first rigid extension securable to one of the misaligned bones using a particular surgical approach, and a second rigid extension having a contacting surface positionable in contact with the other the two misaligned bones from the same surgical approach. The first and second rigid extensions are moved with respect to each other using a lever, whereby a pulling force is exerted on one of the bones, and a pushing force on the other, thereby aligning the first and second misaligned bones.

Abstract: A connector for connecting two supporting rods of a spinal column supporting device, which rods are placed or are to be placed along a portion of spinal column. The connector includes a transverse rod, a first coupling that couples the transverse rod to a first one of the supporting rods and a second coupling that couples the transverse rod to the second one of the supporting rods. At least one of the couplings has a clamping region that clamps the supporting rod with a clamping force and a force application component for generating an axial force that produces the clamping force, in particular in the form of an axial tensioning screw, the axial force being caused by screwing in of the screw, and the axial force being directed through the transverse rod.

Abstract: A system for preventing relative motion between bones or sections of bone, for example, an ilium and a sacrum. The system includes an insertion tool and an implant. The implant includes a trunk, a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a stem coupled to the trunk. A driver of the insertion tool receives an input for a drive shaft of the insertion tool to draw the stem proximally such that the trunk is drawn towards the insertion tool. The drawing of the trunk and engagement of first and second engagement features is configured to deploy the proximal anchor outwardly. The distal anchor may be an expandable member, and the implant may define a bore extending through the proximal anchor for the distal anchor to receive injectable material. The system may be cannulated such that the insertion tool and the implant may be directed over a guidewire to position the implant.

Abstract: A kit for preparing an intervertebral disc space for receiving an implant (100) includes a plurality of trials (152) having different sizes. Each trial (152) includes a body (154) insertible into an intervertebral disc space, the body (154) having a leading end (162), a trailing end (164), a top surface (156) and a bottom surface (160), the top surface of the body having a first groove (176) formed therein. Each implant also includes a flange (166) secured to the trailing end (164) of the body (154), the flange (166) having a first channel (180) aligned with the first groove (176), wherein each of the different sized trials has a different flange thickness. The flange thickness controls advancement of a cutting tool such as a chisel (192) into the first groove at the top surface of the trial body, which controls the depth of the cut into vertebral bone.

Abstract: A clamp for an external fixator, preferably of the quick attachment type comprises at least one first attachment provided with at least one bar housing seat for a bar of the external fixator and/or with at least one screw housing seat for a bone screw; at least one second attachment provided with at least one bar housing seat; a connector which, in a tightened configuration, passes through said first attachment and said second attachment locking the bars and/or bone screws within the bar housing seats and/or the screw housing seats; and which, in an open configuration, frees the entrance to at least the bar housing seat of said second attachment; and auxiliary connection means between said first attachment and said second attachment which are active in said open configuration.

Abstract: A digitizer pointer is provided as part of a system for correcting a curvature or deformity in a patient's spine based on the digitized locations of implanted screws and tracking the placement of the rod as it is placed in a minimally invasive fashion. The digitizer pointer includes an offset adjustment feature, a swivel feature, and a translation feature.

Abstract: A pivotal bone anchor assembly includes a pre-assembled receiver assembly and a bone anchor with a capture portion uploadable into the receiver assembly through a lower opening. The receiver assembly includes a receiver defining a channel for receiving a rod and an axial bore having a recess and a spherical seating surface above the lower opening. The receiver assembly also includes a retainer operable to capture the capture portion within the axial bore with the bone anchor extending downward through the lower opening, and a pressure insert having an upper surface operable to engage the elongate rod and a lower surface operable to engage the capture portion. The receiver assembly further includes a pair of opposed, semicircular-shaped shaped biasing members in overlapping engagement with the pressure insert and configured to bias the pressure insert against the capture portion to provide a pre-lock friction fit for the pivotal bone anchor assembly.

Abstract: A joint spacer for therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A frame defines a longitudinal axis extending between distal and proximal ends. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface and a threaded portion. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the threaded portion, and bears against said frame to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. A first endplate engages a bone of the joint, and has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage.

Abstract: An implantable, elongated fixation rod that, when coupled to a spinal column in a living patient, stabilizes a portion of the spinal column. The elongated fixation rod includes a plurality of different rod regions formed from surgical stainless steel that are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the elongated fixation rod. The different rod regions include different dimensions tailored to provide the different rod regions with different rigidities specific to support regions of the spinal column where the elongated fixation rod is to be installed. A smooth transition region at least 5 mm in length is integrally formed as part of a common monolithic structure with the different rod regions, and is devoid of a full, sharp step that forms a 90° angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated fixation rod and separates the different rod regions along the longitudinal axis of the fixation rod.

Abstract: A multi-portal method for treating a subject's spine includes distracting adjacent vertebrae using a distraction instrument positioned at a first entrance along the subject to enlarge an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae. An interbody fusion implant can be delivered into the enlarged intervertebral space. The interbody fusion implant can be positioned directly between vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae while endoscopically viewing the interbody fusion implant using an endoscopic instrument. The patient's spine can be visualized using endoscopic techniques to view, for example, the spine, tissue, instruments, and implants before, during, and after implantation, or the like. The visualization can help a physician throughout the surgical procedure to improve patient outcome.

Abstract: A pupil expander assembly includes a delivery device having a body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A discharge port extends distally from the distal end portion. An expander receiver is located inside the body in the distal end portion and has a proximal slot and a distal slot, each of which extends along the longitudinal axis. The proximal slot and the distal slot are both in fluid communication with the discharge port. A slider is slidingly disposed in the body and configured to longitudinally translate along the longitudinal axis. A hook extends distally from the slider and is configured to slide through the proximal slot and the distal slot and out the discharge port. A pupil expander is disposed in the expander receiver and configured to be pushed distally by the hook through the distal slot and the discharge port for delivery.

Abstract: A trochanteric nail for insertion in an intramedullary canal of a bone for treating bone fractures. The nail may include an elongate body having a head portion and a stem portion. One or more openings may be provided in the head portion for receiving an anchoring member, such as a bone screw, for fastening the nail within the bone. An intermediate opening may also be provided in the stem portion for receiving an anchoring member. A distal area of the nail may include or be free from anchoring members. In addition, a set of nails may be provided with each nail of the set of nails having a different length in which the intermediate opening is the same distance from the proximal end for each nail.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.