Abstract: An expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures is disclosed. The implant may include an outer member and an inner member receivable in the outer member. One of the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the other of the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implant may also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surface and the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.

Abstract: A tissue removal device and method of using the device to remove tissue from a patient is provided. The tissue removal device comprises a tissue removal probe and a sheath slidable relative to the probe. The probe has a tissue removal element, and the sheath has a portion that exposes the tissue removal element. The sheath distal end may be pre-shaped to bend when slid distal to the probe. The probe may have a window through which the tissue removal element is exposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthesis device having a plate (10) which includes a recess (12) which defines an inner edge (22) and receives ring (14) designed to receive the pin (20). According to the invention, the plate (10) has a threaded opening (26) on the edge of the recess (12), which opens into the inner edge (22), while the ring (14) is slit radially. The device includes a screw (32) that can be screwed through the threaded opening (26) so as to bear against the ring (14) and cause the ring (14) to bear with force against a portion of the inner edge (22) and tighten the ring (14) on the pin (20).

Abstract: Accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate to the spine. Positioning of the distal end of a radiolucent curved access cannula may be assisted by use of one or more radio-opaque markers. Markers may be positioned to form a cross hair image in fluoroscopy to assist in cannula placement. Radio-opaque inserts placed in and extended beyond the curved access cannula may have radiolucent windows to allow viewing of the cannula's radio-opaque markers. An appropriately placed curved access cannula may be clamped to prevent subsequent movement. Appropriate tools may be introduced through the curved access cannula and the distal radio-opaque tool heads may be viewed relative to the radio-opaque markers. The curved access cannula may be attached to the spine through one or more screws.

Abstract: A surgical guiding instrument for a surgical machining tool has a substantially elongated instrument body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. The instrument body carries a guiding device for the machining tool that can be used in minimally invasive surgery. The guiding device is arranged and constructed so as to enable the machining tool to be positively guided by it along a path of movement defined by the guiding device. The path of movement corresponds to a superimposed translational-pivotal movement.

Abstract: Medical implants are formed at least in part from porous metal wherein the pores of the metal are filled with a hardenable material. The hardenable material can be used to assist in the manufacture of the implant, permitting detailed machining of the implant. Further, the hardenable material can be a resorbable material that strengthens the implant during implantation but is resorbed, once implanted, to permit bone growth and infiltration. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the hardenable material can be a thermoplastic material that can be heated by ultrasonic energy to create an adhesive bond between a fastener and bone structure.

Abstract: A multi-axis connection for transferring load from the vertebrae of a patient to a plate extending from one vertebra to another vertebra when affixed to the respective vertebrae by screws extending through holes in the plate at the level of the respective vertebrae, each screw being oriented at any of a plurality of angles relative to the plate. The threaded shank of each screw is screwed into the vertebral body and the head is positioned in the central portion of the hole, the hole being defined by an aperture, an opening through which the screw extends, and the central portion between aperture and opening. The diameter of the head is larger than the aperture of the hole in the plate and is provided with a screw thread that engages the smaller diameter aperture of the hole to pull the head into the central portion of the hole when the screw is rotated, the head of the screw being retained within the hole by the smaller diameter aperture and the opening of the hole.

Abstract: A chamfer resection guide assembly for a distal total knee implant has an anchor member for anchoring into a resected distal surface of a femur, a block member including one or more cutting guide slots for guiding a cutting tool for making chamfer resections and a camming member. The camming member operably connects the block member and the anchor member and the position of the block member with respect to the anchor member is adjusted by operation of the camming member thus allowing adjustment of the position of the cutting guide slots with respect to the anchoring member.

Abstract: An implant (10) for anchoring on a bone (1) has a plurality of anchoring pins (20) which extend away from a fastening side of the implant and are provided for anchoring the implant in the bone. In different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the pin arrangement and/or the geometry of the pins are chosen differently. In particular, in different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the volume of the anchoring pins (20) per unit of surface area of the fastening side of the implant is different, preferably in such a way that the geometry and/or arrangement of the pins (20) is chosen according to the proportion of bone tissue in the total tissue of the bone substance, opposite which the area of the fastening side is provided, in such a way that, in areas where there is a relatively higher proportion of bone tissue as a whole, less tissue is displaced by the anchoring pins than in areas where there is a relatively smaller proportion of bone tissue.

Abstract: A stem-like bone fixation device allows for bony in-growth on its surface and across fracture fragments or between bones that are to be fused.

Abstract: The device with an adjustable bi-rotatable base assembly, aligns the central longitudinal axis of a drilling device with the axis of an x-ray beam that is coaxial with the axis of a line that extends through the distal openings of an intramedullary nail that has been inserted into the cavity of a tubular bone.

Abstract: A bone tap may be used to deliver and/or aspirate fluid to and/or from a bone. The bone tap may include a passage. A distal portion of the bone tap may be threaded. In some embodiments, openings in a distal portion of the bone tap may communicate with the passage. The bone tap may be driven into bone, and material may enter or exit the bone through the openings and passage.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another comprises a resilient body having a plurality of spring elements, and a plurality of stop members for limiting travel of the spring elements in order to control energy stored or delivered by the spring elements. A length of suture is also provided, wherein a first end of the suture is connected to the resilient body at a first attachment point and a second end of the suture is connected to the resilient body at a second attachment point. In one embodiment, the stop members contact one another to limit compression of the spring elements. When the suture is placed in tension, the spring elements move to an extended configuration and the stop members move apart, creating gaps between ends of each of the stop members.

Abstract: A boring tool for a bone, particularly the proximal femur, which has an elongate shank having a cutting portion at the front end, and a portion to mount a rotary driving device at the rear end of the shank. The tool has an axial through bore for receiving a guide wire, wherein the shank, in a rear portion, has at least one radial aperture which is open to the axial bore.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a deflectable cutting element extending from the distal end of the instrument. The deflection of the cutting element is controllable based on a user operating a moveable member of the instrument. The deflectable cutting element is normally disposed within a circumferential region defined by the distal end of the instrument. The moveable member can be moved in relation to the instrument to deflect the deflectable cutting element, such that the cutting element is at least partially outside of the circumferential region. The extent that the cutting element is outside of the circumferential region is a function of the position to which the moveable member is moved in relation to the instrument. The instrument further includes direct imaging of the distal end, such that the deflection of the cutting element for selective removal of bone tissue at the distal end of the instrument can be controlled in real-time.

Abstract: A universal targeting apparatus includes a generally U-shaped body having one end configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the intramedullary implant and a mounting portion at an opposite end of said body. An arm is rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of the U-shaped body and includes bores defined at its opposite ends. Each bore is arranged at a different angle to correspond to the angle of a transverse aperture in the intramedullary implant. The arm can be rotated so an appropriate one of the angled bores is aligned with the transverse aperture to serve as a guide for creating targeting holes in the bone.

Abstract: An instrument for insertion and placement of dynamic spinal fixation plates is provided. In general, the instrument is a clip that holds the plate at its maximum extension for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone dilator designed for treating compression fracture of vertebral body, and fractures of cancellous bones at other sites. The bone dilator comprises a head portion, a neck portion, a connecting tube, a handle and a rotary hilt. The head portion embodies different shapes for use at different locations. When the rotary hilt is rotated clockwise and the pull rod is pulled backwards, the upper and the lower parts of the head portion keep parallel or at a predetermined angle during expanding. When the rotary hilt is rotated counterclockwise and the pull rod is pushed forwards, the head portion and the neck portion completely join together, the distal end of the pull rod and the bar stays are completely or partially retracted in grooves inside the head portion and the neck portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods include a multi-axial anchor assembly engageable to a vertebra and a connecting element positionable through a receiver of the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a flexible member between the receiver and an anchor member of the anchor assembly, thereby providing a flexible joint in the anchor assembly for allowing limited movement after primary multi-axial capability between the receiver and the anchor member has been arrested.

Abstract: An instrument for handling a joint component of a joint prosthesis, which joint component includes a joint surface, includes a grip portion, a suction element in the form of a suction cup with an air-vent opening, the suction cup being placeable in a sealing manner against the joint surface, and a pressure-relief valve associated with the air-vent opening of the suction cup. The pressure-relief valve is coupled to an actuating element which is arranged so as to be movable in the region of the grip surface of the grip portion and, when gripped with one hand, is actuatable with a finger or the thumb of that hand, so that on actuation of the actuating element the valve is lifted away from the air-vent opening.