Abstract: Improved method for removing large amount of bone and articulate surface including cartilage comprising a bone chipper, which can be adapted for usage with any large articular surface or bony structure through a small incision using minimally invasive surgical approach. The inventive device includes an oscillating chipper tip having a series of metallic blades with sharp cutting edges vertically situated and attached to a metallic circular platform. Said platform is situated at the distal end of shank blade. The circular platform and cutting blade will oscillate horizontally driven by the reciprocating eccentric cam with his attached proximally to a reciprocating central shaft. Each of the vertical blades has two sharp vertical cutting edges. The blade shank contains a suction channel, which allows of the removal of bone particles and tissue debris generated by the cutting process. The electromagnetic driver comprises three or four electromagnetic coils placed in a collinear fashion and in series.

Abstract: An instrument for multi-level percutaneous spinal procedures. The instrument can include a curved rack having length adapted for at least substantially spanning first and second vertebrae and one or more intermediate vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. The instrument can include first and second towers correspondingly engageable with the first and second vertebrae, and one or more intermediate towers engageable with the intermediate vertebrae. Further, the instrument can include first and second arms adapted for movably connecting the first and second towers to the rack, and one or more intermediate arms adapted for movably connecting the intermediate tower to the rack.

Abstract: A bone plate having a rear face and opposing front face, adapted to be abutted on a bone, and a through hole extending between the front and rear faces, and attached to a bone to be set by applying the bone plate to the bone, and by screwing a screw into the bone through the through hole. The bone plate has a blind first dimple provided in at least one of the faces thereof other than the rear face. One acute gripping tip of a pair of bone forceps may be abutted on the bone, with the other acute griping tip of the bone forceps being engaged in the first dimple. The first dimple is configured so as to converge from an opening portion thereof on the dimple-provided face toward a bottom portion thereof, whereby the other acute gripping tip of the bone forceps can slide toward the bottom portion.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An orthopaedic reamer, including a generally hemispherical shell rotatable about an axis having a plurality of tongues. Each tongue partially defines a corresponding C-shaped opening with a substantially constant width. Each tongue includes a cutting segment. The cutting segment includes at least one notch and a plurality of cutting teeth. Adjacent cutting teeth are separated by a corresponding notch. Each notch of each tongue has a corresponding cutting tooth of another tongue overlapping a cutting position of the notch during rotation of the orthopaedic reamer about the axis.

Abstract: Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system for acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations, includes a first fastener having an elongate body, and an inner pair of openings centered on the long axis of the body. A closed loop stitch passes through the openings, and the length of the stitch corresponds to the depth of a passage defined between the top of a first hole bored through a patient's clavicle, and the bottom of a second hole bored through the coracoid in axial alignment with the first hole. A second fastener has an elongate body arranged to slide under a portion of the loop stitch that protrudes from the top of the hole in the clavicle, after the first fastener is set beneath the coracoid and the stitch is pulled upward through the passage. In an alternate embodiment, the second fastener also has an inner pair of openings for passing and engaging the loop stitch.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: Provided is a novel multi-planar taper lock screw for connecting a connecting rod to bone. The screw is capable of multi-directional articulation while the connecting rod position can remain stable and aligned as needed. After the screw had been articulated and properly positioned, it can be locked such that the screw and the connecting rod will remain in relative position to the bone. The screw is configured for easy insertion and connection as well as easy removal and disconnection from the connecting rod. Also provided is a system for fixing two or more bones or bone fragments and a kit for fixing bones or bone fragments. A method of fixing bones or bone fragments is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a spinal condition. The method includes introducing a biological treatment into an area of a vertebral column, and mechanically unloading the treated area by applying a load-bearing device to the anterior region, the anterior column region, the posterior region, or the spinous process region of the vertebral column.

Abstract: A compression plate kit that allows for manual compression of a bone discontinuity includes a bone plate, two or more reduction screws, and a compression clamp. The compression clamp can include engagement members configured to engage the reduction screws, thereby allowing a practitioner to compress a bone discontinuity by manually closing the compression clamp. One or more implementations of a kit of the present invention can provide a practitioner with physical or tactile feedback during the compression of a bone discontinuity, and thus, provide the practitioner with the ability to better control the compression and spacing of bone portions during a reduction.

Abstract: A femoral tibial spreader (100) for spreading adjacent bones includes a radial measurement gauge (111) for providing incidia corresponding to an amount of force being applied to the forward ends (105,106) of the femoral tibial spreader (100). The femoral tibial spreader (100) may be used, for example, to separate the femur (301) and tibia (302) during knee surgery. The radial measurement gauge (111) may be used to determine an amount of force being applied to the femur (301) and tibia (302), for example, by the medial and arterial ligaments. Two handle members (104,109) are squeezed together, which causes the forward ends (105,106) to open. A biasing member (110) allows a measurement extension (108) to pivot towards a handle member under tension, thereby providing a measurement of force applied by the ligaments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compression and distraction shaft assembly used to apply compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum. The polyaxial fulcrum allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly. Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. A hour glass shaped bore for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly and the shaft B assembly. A distraction pliers having cylindrical tips is used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae they are locked in this position. A compression pliers having cylindrical tips is used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae they are locked in this position.

Abstract: A flexible piece of barrier material for use in preventing or minimizing adhesions and fibrous attachments following anterior lumbar surgery. In one embodiment, the barrier structure comprises a multiple level device shaped as a generally wider tongue to function as a barrier at or above the L4-5 level, and a generally narrower lower section to function as a barrier at or below the L5-S1 level. The structure also can include a recessed waist section along an edge opposite the tongue to allow for easier placement in the L4-5 area. In another embodiment, a single level barrier for use at or above L4-5 is shaped as a tongue with a tapered outer extension to allow the barrier to extend laterally onto the psoas muscle to provide for identification of the barrier upon reoperation.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum includes an upper blade member and a lower blade member that is movably connected with respect to the upper blade. The lower blade member includes an integrated handle portion having a receiving cavity configured for interchangeably receiving one of a first illumination assembly and a substantially different second illumination assembly. The first illumination assembly differs from the second illumination assembly by at least one structural and/or functional aspect, such as the form of power supply, the type of light source and physical size of the assembly housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insertion instrument for an endoprosthesis (1), which comprises a neck part (12) and a shaft part (10) which is to be inserted into a medullary cavity, comprising a clamping device (2) which is provided with a holding fork (25) and a thrust bearing (26), which are embodied in such a manner that the endoprosthesis (1) is held fixedly in a clamped state and is released in an unclamped state, in addition to a striker device (3). The aim of the invention is to simplify the safe and precise insertion thereof such that a guide rail (23) for a striker element is arranged in a fixed manner on the clamping device (2) and is oriented in such a manner that a path, which is determined by the guide rail, leads to an end face of the endoprosthesis (1) which is held in the clamping device (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and medical methods, in particular, devices and methods useful for stabilizing fractures of long bones. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device comprising a housing having a lumen; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the plunger is disposed within the lumen and is movable relative to the housing; a plurality of blades, where the blades can expand radially from the axis of the housing; and a manipulator functionally connected to the plunger, wherein the manipulator is operable to: move the plunger relative to the housing; expand the blades radially from the axis of the housing; and move the blades about the axis of the plunger.

Abstract: An orthopedic bone fixation device for stabilizing a plurality of bone segments includes a bone plate and a screw assembly. The bone plate includes a body defining at least one thru-bore, wherein the thru-bore is defined to include a central cavity, the central cavity having a middle diameter, an entry diameter, and an exit diameter, the middle diameter being larger than both the entry diameter and the exit diameter. Further, the screw assembly is configured to be coupled to the bone plate, wherein the screw assembly includes a bone screw having a head section, a thread section, and a central bore, an expandable ring coupled to the head section, and a pin at least partially disposed in the central bore, wherein the pin includes a varying outer profile that engages the expandable ring to vary an outer diameter of the expandable ring to lock the screw assembly in the thru-bore.

Abstract: A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround.

Abstract: A positioning device for placing a prosthesis device in a spinal column of a living mammal, the device including at least one holding means for cooperation with the prosthesis device and for guiding thereof during positioning. The positioning device may also include fixing means for fixation with respect to at least one vertebra, where the fixing means includes locking means, which in a first, free state, allows adjustable movement of the holding device and thereby of the prosthesis device, and in a second, locked state, fixes the holding means and thereby the prosthesis device in a selected position. Embodiments of the disclosure also include Embodiments of the invention also include a system.