Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: Intramedullary fixation assemblies (4, 8) and intramedullary fixation devices (1, 24) can be used in orthopaedic surgery for the fixation of bone fractures. Also disclosed is an insertion device (30) for inserting an intramedullary fixation device, and a method of fixing a bone fracture. The fixation devices are preferably for addressing fractures of the distal radius, and are preferably styloid nails. The styloid nails preferably have a head portion that can accept up to three bone screws; one of the bone screws is designed to extend across a fracture line between a proximal and a distal bone fragment while the other bone screws are designed to be retained in the distal bone fragment.

Abstract: Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

Abstract: A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a central axis. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head toward the distal end. The head defines a first ridge, a second ridge spaced from the first ridge, and a groove disposed between the first and second ridges. The groove can receive at least a portion of the inner wall to couple the bone fixation element to the bone implant.

Abstract: A bone implant can be made from a wire that defines an aperture for receiving a bone fixation means. The wire can be selected to stably fix a bone across a fracture location.

Abstract: An intramedullary fixation system is configured to be fixed to first and second bone segments that are separated by a defect. The system includes an intramedullary fixation member that includes first and second wire segments that are twisted about each other so as to define a plurality of intersections. A distal one of the intersections is separable, such that rotation of the fixation device in a medullary canal causes bone material in the medullary canal to apply a counterforce to the wire segments that causes the distal intersection to separate, thereby driving respective distal ends of the wire segments into the bone segment, such that subsequent movement of the intramedullary fixation member a toward the first bone segment causes the second bone segment to move toward the first bone segment. The intramedullary fixation system can further include a fixation clip that anchors the intramedullary fixation member to the first bone segment.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a linkage that defines first and second bores, a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the first bore, and a second bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone and a head that is configured to attach to the linkage in the second bore.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: An implant comprises a deformable gas tight sack. The sack comprises a first chamber in fluid communication with an obturatable opening, the chamber filled or fillable with a filling material filling the first chamber. The implant is configured such that when one or both of a gas and fluid surrounding the filling material is removed from the first chamber through the opening, a wall of the first chamber forms around and holds the filling material. This causes the implant to transition from a relatively flexible insertion state to a relatively rigid fixation state in which the implant is fixable in the target portions of bone.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: A system for fixing a fracture near a joint of a bone comprises (a) an intramedullary device including a longitudinal body and a head, the longitudinal body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the head being attached to the proximal end of the longitudinal body; and (b) a plate implantable into a head portion of the bone to provide support to a joint zone, the plate engageable with the intramedullary device. The plate is substantially U-shaped and includes a midsection and a pair of arms extending from the midsection, the pair of arms forming a space therebetween, the space sized and shaped to accommodate the head of the intramedullary device.

Abstract: Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

Abstract: Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

Abstract: A bone plate (1) having an upper side (2), a bone-sided lower side (3), a first end (11), a second end (12) and several plate holes (4) arranged between the two ends (11, 12) and connecting the upper side (2) to the lower side (3), the plate holes being provided for receiving bone screws. Two of the plate holes (4) are formed by a combination of two partially overlapping boreholes (5, 6) of different type. The first (5) of the two boreholes is a circular cylindrical bore, having an internal thread (7) and a cylinder axis (9). The second borehole (6) has a cone axis (10) and tapers from the upper side (2) to the lower side (3) in the form of a frustum of a cone. The second borehole (6) is provided with an internal thread (8). The cylinder axis (9) is situated at a distance A from the cone axis (10), where A is different than zero.

Abstract: A bone plate for the stabilization of bones includes upper and lower surfaces extending along a central longitudinal axis. The lower surface is configured to contact a target portion of bone when in an operative configuration a through opening extending through the plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through opening is sized and shaped to receive a stabilization plate. The through opening has an elongated curved shape selected to conform to a cross-sectional shape of a proximal portion of the stabilization plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for elongating a tendon including a cutting blade and a cutting guide supporting the cutting blade in such a way that the cutting blade is movable through at least a portion of a tendon in a helical path so as to make a helical cut in the tendon which allows elongation of the tendon.

Abstract: An implant comprises a deformable gas tight sack. The sack comprises a first chamber in fluid communication with an obturatable opening, the chamber filled or fillable with a filling material filling the first chamber. The implant is configured such that when one or both of a gas and fluid surrounding the filling material is removed from the first chamber through the opening, a wall of the first chamber forms around and holds the filling material. This causes the implant to transition from a relatively flexible insertion state to a relatively rigid fixation state in which the implant is fixable in the target portions of bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.