Abstract: A surgical procedure is disclosed utilizing a cordless surgical handpiece powered from a sterile battery pack that contains a battery in condition for immediate use without further charging or sterilization. The battery chemistry is based upon lithium/manganese dioxide, and the battery after a single use may be disposed of into non-hazardous waste. The compact surgical handpiece has a brushless DC motor and a manually operated external trigger for activating and controlling the motor operations. Interengaging sets of contacts on the handpiece and battery are adapted to become lockingly and conductively interengaged upon rotation of the battery pack relative to the handpiece, in a manner that rapidly achieves correct alignment of the parts and also ensures stable mechanical attachment and support during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a milling system and method that provides a precise triangular cut in a patient's proximal femur. The system allows the surgeon to mill in a single direction, that is, the drill is in the same or similar longitudinal place as the handle of the milling system, preventing the surgeon from having to enter the patient's leg at two different angles. The present invention also provides a milling system that can be pre-assembled (e.g., on the back table by a nurse while the surgeon is preparing the site), which enables the milling to take place in one step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone plate comprising at least one screw that is to be fixed at a stable angle to at least one through-hole and at least one bone screw which is provided with an external thread in the top region. Said external thread tapers more in the screwing direction than a mating thread of the through-hole embodied as an internal thread such that the top of the bone screw is clamped in a stable direction in a torsion-proof manner when the bone screw is screwed in. The bone plate is configured elastically in at least one area adjoining the through-hole such that the material of the bone plate is not deformed in the ductile area because of the expansion resulting from the head of the bone screw being screwed in.

Abstract: Methods and devices for distraction osteogenesis are disclosed employing an energy storage device and a controlled release of energy to provide a separating force. For example, bone expansion devices can include a first anchor element attachable to a first segment of bone, a second anchor element attachable to a second segment of bone, and an actuator for applying a separating force between the first and second anchor elements. The actuator can include a potential energy storage device and a controller for releasing energy from the energy storage device to provide the separating force.

Abstract: An automated screw rod bender includes a sensing system for sensing a position of each of a plurality of screws that are inserted into a vertebrae, a computing system for converting the positions into a geometric coordinates of the screws and generating a corresponding plurality of rod bending parameters, and a rod bending system for bending a rod based on the rod bending parameters.

Abstract: A bone fixation plate for fixation of fractures having a small terminal bone fragment, such as fractures of the lateral malleolus. The bone fixation plate includes an elongated body, and two hook members extending from a first end of the elongated body. Each hook member curves back upon a bottom surface of the elongated body, back towards a second end of the elongated body, and terminating in a pointed prong region. The elongated body includes a first region, a second region, and an angled region disposed between the first and second region. The prong region has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the angled region of the elongated body of the bone plate. A double barreled drill guide and associated interchangeable cooperating inner drill guides and gauges are provided to facilitate the drilling of pilot holes in a terminal bone fragment for axial insertion of the pointed prong regions of the hook members.

Abstract: A bone plate particularly suited for fractures that require the intraoperative correction in rotational and lengthwise axis described. The bone plate comprises a first, linear plate portion having a longitudinal axis and a first elongate hole extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The bone plate further comprises at least one second plate portion which extends substantially perpendicularly to the first plate portion. The second plate portion comprises a second elongate hole which extends roughly perpendicularly to the first elongate hole.

Abstract: A vertebral implant comprising a first base configured for securing to a first cut portion of a vertebra, and second base configured for securing to a second cut portion of the vertebra. A connecting member is configured to associate the first and second bases at a preselected spacing from each other, and the implant is preferable adjustable to select the spacing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone implant device, particularly for dental and orthopedic prosthesis on the vertebral column, having a quicker osteo-integration compared to the prior art devices. Particularly, the present invention relates to an implant device, of metal or polymer nature, a layer of hyaluronic acid being chemically bound on the surface thereof, for use in applications in contact with the bone, with activity of stimulating the bone tissue growth, as well as a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: A cervical plate system which includes a cervical plate having a thickness between a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and at least one slot extending through the thickness of the plate. The system further includes a first rotating element positionable within a first slot of the cervical plate, the first rotating element including at least one threaded hole, and at least one bone screw insertable into the at least one threaded hole of the first rotating element.

Abstract: An external midface distractor is disclosed for attachment to the bones of a patient's cranium and midface region for performing an osteogenesis procedure to gradually lengthen a portion of the craniofacial skeleton. The midface distractor generally includes an external halo assembly for engaging the patient's cranium, a central adjustment assembly, a vertical central rod, at least one horizontal cross piece assembly including at least one distraction screw, and at least one bone engaging portion which is mounted to the targeted facial bone to be distracted. The midface distractor may also include various individual adjustment mechanisms that provide surgeons greater and more precise control over the distraction vector than is available with current devices. That is, the midface distractor may provide surgeons with additional anterior-posterior and medial-lateral adjustments, thus permitting surgeons to more precisely and accurately control the direction of distraction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for implantation of an orthopedic device between skeletal segments using limited surgical dissection. The implanted devices are used to adjust and maintain the spatial relationship(s) of adjacent bones. Depending on the implant design, the motion between the skeletal segments may be increased, limited, modified, or completely immobilized.

Abstract: An alignment device comprises a guide having a tangible guide component, said guide being configured for arranging the guide component at an angle with respect to a reference element; and a positioning means; the positioning means and the guide component being operable to cooperate to position an item at the angle set by the guide component. The alignment device is particularly useful in surgical procedures for the alignment of surgical tools and implants.

Abstract: A posterior spine fixation assembly includes a first elongated plate having first and second ends and a second elongated plate having first and second ends. The first and second elongated plates are arranged in an X-shaped configuration and are attached to each other via a first screw. The assembly also includes a first elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the first elongated plate and a second elongated rod having a first end configured to be removable attached to the second end of the second elongate plate. The assembly is attached to a first spine location with the first screw. The first and second plates are configured to rotate around an axis passing through the first screw and the distance between the first elongated rod and the second elongated rod is adjusted via this rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one or more tibial spacer blocks used during knee arthroplasty, each configured to be temporarily positioned upon a resected proximal portion of a tibia (essentially mimicking the tibial component of the knee prosthesis), for performing a range of motion analysis and for checking flexion and extension gaps prior to cutting the distal or posterior femur. Preferably, the spacer blocks each include an attachment arrangement configured and arranged to mate with a complementary attachment arrangement of an alignment tower and/or a femoral cutting guide. The alignment tower, which is configured to be used with an alignment rod, is used for verifying the alignment of the limb's mechanical axis when the spacer block is positioned between the tibia and the femur. The femoral cutting guide is used for guiding a cutting member into proper orientation for resecting a distal or posterior portion of a femur.

Abstract: A system for fracture reduction includes a reduction plate for reducing a fracture between a first bone segment and a second bone segment. The reduction plate includes, on a first side of the reduction plate, a travel slot and a screw hole. The travel slot is configured to slidably engage a first positioning element that extends into the first bone segment through the travel slot and the first screw hole is configured to affix the first side of the reduction plate to the first bone segment. The reduction plate includes, on a second side of the reduction plate, an adjustment hole and a second screw hole. The adjustment hole is configured to engage a second positioning element that extends into the second bone segment through the adjustment hole and the second screw hole is configured to affix the second side of the reduction plate to the second bone segment.

Abstract: A system, device and method are disclosed for minimally invasive lateral intervertebral fixation. An intervertebral fixation device includes a weight-bearing shell configured to fit into a disk space between plural vertebrae, the weight-bearing shell including a keyway opening between and through plural sidewalls. A first plurality of anchors is rotatably disposed in a first orientation in relation to the weight-bearing shell. A second plurality of anchors is rotatably disposed in a second orientation in relation to the weight-bearing shell. A key is adapted to rotate the first plurality of anchors in divergent directions from the second plurality of anchors and to secure a first vertebra and a second vertebra, respectively.

Abstract: A miller assembly for creating a cavity in a bone. The cavity has a cross section which has a generally triangular profile having a first side generally parallel with an axis of the bone and a second side forming an acute angle with the first side, and is contiguous with a pre-existing conical cavity in the bone. The miller assembly includes a cutter and a frame for carrying the cutter. The frame includes a connection portion having a longitudinal axis and a cutter mount for mounting the cutter at a first angle approximating the acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection portion. The cutter mount extends at the first angle from the longitudinal axis of the connection portion and is configured to receive a portion of the cutter and maintain the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation. The frame further includes a handle configured to form a portion of a drive joint for coupling the frame to a drill, the handle having a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A stabilization system for implantation in a patient includes: a bone anchor including a head and a shaft, the shaft extending away from the head in a bone insertion direction and being operable for connection to a bone of the patient; and a tulip including: at least one channel having an opening for receiving an elongate member, the opening being oriented in a receiving direction having at least a component thereof substantially opposite to the bone insertion direction of the anchor, and (ii) a fastening mechanism operable to apply a tangential load on the elongate member to maintain the elongate member within the channel, wherein the tangential load is transverse to at least the receiving direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes an upper surface configured for engagement with a first vertebral body, and a lower surface configured for engagement with a second vertebral body. A wall extends between the upper surface and the lower surface, and forms a chamber for containing osteogenic material. At least a portion of the wall is collapsible from a first position associated with a first volume of the chamber to a second position associated with a second volume of the chamber. The second volume is less than the first volume.