Abstract: Retaining mechanisms are attachable to a bone plate to retain one or more bone engaging fasteners relative to the bone plate. The retaining mechanisms include a retaining element engaged to an attachment element. One or both of the retaining element and the attachment element are moveable relative to the plate to position and/or maintain the retaining element in contact with one or more bone engaging fasteners.

Abstract: This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying tissue by a fastener, such as a bone screw, that is capable of swelling on contact with fluid in the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the non-metallic implant assembly can be assembled intra-operatively using a fastener that is adhesively bonded to a bone plate or the bone plate can be deformed using heat, force, or solvents to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener. In preferred embodiments, both the fastener and the bone plate are formed of biodegradable material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a separation characteristic of separated anatomical elements include a separator contactable with first and second anatomical elements. A sensor provides an indication of the separation characteristic of the anatomical elements. The measured separation characteristic can be compared with a desired or predetermined separation characteristic, and subsequent surgical procedures can be performed based on the measured separation characteristic.

Abstract: This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying tissue by a fastener, such as a bone screw, that is capable of swelling on contact with fluid in the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the non-metallic implant assembly can be assembled intra-operatively using a fastener that is adhesively bonded to a bone plate or the bone plate can be deformed using heat, force or solvents to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener. In preferred embodiments, both the fastener and the bone plate are formed of biodegradable material.

Abstract: One embodiment of a hollow spinal spacer (10) includes a curved anterior wall (11) having opposite ends (12, 13), a posterior wall (15) having opposite ends (16, 17), two lateral walls (20, 21), each integrally connected between the opposite ends (12, 13, 16, 17) of the anterior (11) and posterior (15) walls to define a chamber (30). The walls (11, 15, 20, 21) include a superior face (35) and an inferior face (40). The superior face (35) defines a first opening (36) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a first vertebral engaging surface (37). The inferior face (40) defines a second opening (41) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a second vertebral engaging surface (42).

Abstract: One embodiment of a hollow spinal spacer (10) includes a curved anterior wall (11) having opposite ends (12, 13), a posterior wall (15) having opposite ends (16, 17), two lateral walls (20, 21), each integrally connected between the opposite ends (12, 13, 16, 17) of the anterior (11) and posterior (15) walls to define a chamber (30). The walls (11, 15, 20, 21) include a superior face (35) and an inferior face (40). The superior face (35) defines a first opening (36) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a first vertebral engaging surface (37). The inferior face (40) defines a second opening (41) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a second vertebral engaging surface (42). In one embodiment, a lateral wing projects from an external surface of each of the lateral walls. In another embodiment, the anterior wall defines an anterior superior surface and an anterior inferior surface.

Abstract: A spinal spacer 300 for engagement between vertebrae is provided which includes a body 301 formed of a bone composition. The body 301 includes a first end 311, an opposite second 315 end, a superior face 335 defining a superior vertebral engaging surface 337 and an inferior face 338 defining an inferior vertebral engaging surface 340. At least one of the vertebral engaging surfaces defines a set of migration resistance grooves 350. Each of the grooves 350 includes a first face 355 defining an angle of no more than about 90 degrees relative to the engaging surface 340 and a second opposing sloped face 360. The first and second faces 355, 360 define an arcuate pocket 370 therebetween for trapping vertebral bone to resist migration of the spacer 300. In one embodiment, the grooves 350 are arranged in series in that all of the second faces 360 slope in the same direction.

Abstract: A spinal spacer 300 for engagement between vertebrae is provided. The spacer includes a body 301 having a first end 311, an opposite second 315 end, a superior face 335 defining a superior vertebral engaging surface 337 and an inferior face 338 defining an inferior vertebral engaging surface 340. At least one of the vertebral engaging surfaces defines a set of migration resistance grooves 350. Each of the grooves 350 includes a first face 355 defining an angle of no more than about 90 degrees relative to the engaging surface 340 and a second opposing sloped face 360. The first and second faces 355, 360 define an arcuate pocket 370 therebetween for trapping vertebral bone to resist migration of the spacer 300. In one embodiment, the grooves 350 are arranged in series in that all of the second faces 360 slope in the same direction.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant and method of using same. The implant includes a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an opening appointed to expose a portion of the resected bone of the femur, including guide structure for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. Removal of any portion of the bracket or guide structure is unnecessary following the shaping steps prior to performing a trial reduction.

Abstract: A retrofit posterior stabilizing housing is disposed in a resected receptacle in the trochlear groove of a human femur during revision surgery through the intercondylar notch of a previously implanted condylar-type femoral prosthetic component. The posterior stabilizing housing is dimensioned to pass through the notch in the existing implant and seat superiorly to the trochlear opening of the notch. The posterior stabilizing housing includes medial and lateral side walls extending from a proximal ceiling portion, and anterior and posterior end walls disposed between the side walls, defining a box-like container. An aperture is formed in each of the side walls for receiving screw-like fasteners anchored in the cancellous bone portion of the femur. A pair of anchor posts extend superiorly from the ceiling portion for fixation within the femur. The posterior stabilizing housing may either be cemented in place or the superior surface thereof textured to enhance bone ingrowth.

Abstract: A double-apertured L-shaped crimp is crimped to one end of a cable. The other end of the cable is passed around the bone or bones and, if the situation requires, any orthopedic appliance or device to be attached to the bones, and it is then passed through the other aperture in the crimp. The cable is then tensioned by application thereto of a tensioning tool with the tool applied to the cable and to an abutment face of the crimp, whereupon the cable is tensioned. Then the cable portion in the aperture adjacent the tensioning tool is crimped onto the cable to complete the attachment. Then the tensioning tool is removed, and the free end of the cable is cut off at the abutment surface.

Abstract: A drill and tap guide system is disclosed which can be mounted on a bone plate to provide a finn foundation for accurately drilling and tapping screw holes into vertebra to be instrumented. The drill and tap guide system includes an assembly support which is engaged to the plate by way of a positioning screw and cross pins mounting the positioning screw to the guide body. A tap sleeve and drill guide can then be supported by the assembly support, which both thereby provide accurate positioning for a drill. In another embodiment, the system includes a guide apparatus for holding a spinal plate and drilling and tapping the bone. The guide comprises two arms which pivot with respect to each other and a foot attached at the end of each arm. Each foot has a hook which is adapted to securely grasp a spinal plate and a pair of thru-holes. Each hole is aligned with a screw bore in a spinal plate when the guide assembly is engaged to the plate.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant and method of using same. The implant comprises a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has a elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. An end mill guide cooperates with the bracket to receive another tool to form a deep recess for accommodating a posterior-stabilizing housing. After the patellar track is formed, the external surface of the bracket articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic femoral component for implantation upon the distal articular portion of a surgically prepared femur for articulating with an implanted complementary tibial component. A condylar component includes medial and lateral condyles, with an interposed trochlear notch and a patella guide interconnecting the medial and lateral condyles. A frustoconical primary receptacle extends from a proximal fixation surface of the condylar portion. A posterior stabilizing housing is disposed within the trochlear notch and includes a frustoconical post operatively engaged within the receptacle of the condylar portion. The posterior stabilizing housing may include a secondary frustoconical receptacle disposed in end-to-end fashion with the post for receiving a complementary distal end fitting on an elongated fixation stem. The distal end fitting of the stem is structured so that it is receivable into the primary receptacle of the condylar portion in the event the posterior stabilizing housing is not required.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system is disclosed which includes an elongated plate having a pair of bone screw bores at opposite ends of the plate, and with bone screw slot configurations in the middle bridge portion of the plate. A single locking screw is provided at each end of the plate which engages the heads of the bone screws trapped within recesses of the plate. The locking screw provides a rigid fixation of the screws to the plate, while the heads of the screws are flush or recessed below the upper surface of the plate. The invention further contemplates a drill and tap guide assembly which can be mounted on the fixation plate to provide a firm foundation for accurately drilling and tapping screw holes into the vertebra to be instrumented. The drill and tap guide assembly includes an assembly support which is engaged to the plate by way of a positioning screw and cross pins mounting the positioning screw to the guide body.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant comprising a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. An end mill guide cooperates with the bracket to receive another tool to form a deep recess for accommodating a posterior-stabilizing housing. After the recess is formed, the guide is replaced with an insert having a posterior-stabilizing housing which covers the opening of the bracket and articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant comprising a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an elongated central opening appointed to expose the resected bone of the femur, including a pair of tracks for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. A replaceable insert covers the opening and articulates with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint, whereby prior removal of the bracket from the resected bone is unnecessary following shaping of the patellar groove. Preferably, the insert and guide tracks cooperate together to securely position the insert within the opening during trial reduction. A surgical method is also provided using the described trial implant guide.

Abstract: Modular surgical instrumentation and a method of using same is provided, according to the invention. The instrumentation comprises a first bracket defining a generally U-shaped structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an elongated central opening appointed to expose a selected area of the resected femur, including a curved track for guiding a first shaping tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a curved patellar groove in a portion of the selected area exposed through the opening. A second bracket defines a linear slotted bore extending generally parallel to the long axis of the femur for guiding a second shaping tool to form a relatively deep recess accommodating an intercondylar stabilizing housing of a knee implant.

Abstract: There is described a surgical tool and method for implanting a condylar prosthesis onto a femur using the tool. The prosthesis is of the type having a pair of posterior condyles which define an intercondylar notch opening including a distal internal contact surface extending anteriorly from the notch toward an anterior condylar flange. The tool comprises an elongated handle having a proximal end adapted for contact with the prosthesis and a distal end with an anvil for driving the prosthesis onto the distal aspect of the resected femur. One or more arms are attached to the proximal end of the shaft, including one or more anteriorly projecting fingers which are moved within the notch to engage the proximal internal contact surface. A pair of abutment pads are actuated to engage an external surface of the proximal condyle and exert a force opposite to the gripping finger(s) to securely lock and hold the prosthesis and tool together during implantation.

Abstract: A surgical device for accurately positioning and cutting a patellar groove in a resected distal femur to receive a patellar track portion of a prosthesis, including a guide element adapted to fit over the distal end of a resected femur, having a central opening which exposes the central, distal an anterior aspects of the femur, each side of the opening being provided with a track, extending the length of the patella track, and, a cutting tool having a cutting surface, perferably convex, adapted to fit into the central opening for the purpose of cutting or abrading a groove into the femur as the tool is moved along the opening. The tool, which is preferably a rotary cutter provided with independently rotatable track-engaging surfaces on each side of the opening is adapted to engage and move along the track.