Abstract: A subtalar joint prosthesis that is adapted to replace the natural subtalar joint that exists between a patient's talus and calcaneus bones includes talar and calcaneal components. Each of these is configured to have a shape that is herein defined as being a portion of the boundary surface of a frustum. Meanwhile, these components' inner surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each components's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection for the implantation of these components.

Abstract: A talonavicular joint prosthesis (1) adapted to replace the natural talonavicular joint that exists between a patient's talus and navicular bones, after appropriate surgical preparation of the joint-related portions of these bones so as to create a new joint space to accommodate this prosthesis, includes talar (2) and navicular (4) components. Each of these have inner (8, 28) and outer (6, 26) surfaces whose average separate distance is defined as the component's average thickness. These components inner (8, 28) surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each component's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection in the creation of the new prosthesis-accommodating, joint space.

Abstract: The ankle joint prosthesis adapted to involve the patient's distal tibia and talus has, according to the present invention, tibial, talar and mobile or semi-constrained bearing components that are laterally to medially implanted in the patient. The tibial component's top surface has convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the distal tibia; its bottom surface being approximately flat. The talar component's top surface has saddle-shaped, convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane, it's bottom surface has concave curvature and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the talus. The mobile or semi-constrained bearing components have embodiments that comprise a wide variety of geometric shapes. A method for implanting such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods that can be used in ankle surgery, especially ankle fusion surgery.

Abstract: A subtalar joint prosthesis that is adapted to replace the natural subtalar joint that exists between a patient's talus and calcaneus bones includes talar and calcaneal components. Each of these is configured to have a shape that is herein defined as being a portion of the boundary surface of a frustum. Meanwhile, these components' inner surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each components's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection for the implantation of these components.

Abstract: A protective member having a substantially flat base portion, and a substantially cup-shaped member extending from a forward end of the base portion. The base portion is attachable to a shoe, such that the cup-shaped member substantially encapsulates and protects a forefoot and toe region. Further, at least one opening is provided in a forward portion of the cup-shaped member to allow access to the forefoot and toe region. The cup-shaped member is further defined by an anterior portion extending upward from the base portion, a dorsal extension portion extending from an upper end of the anterior portion, where the dorsal extension portion provided to substantially cover a top portion of the forefoot and toe region, and at least one lateral extension portion extending from a side end of the anterior portion, where the at least one lateral extension portion provided to substantially cover a lateral portion of said forefoot and toe region.

Abstract: A talonavicular joint prosthesis (1) adapted to replace the natural talonavicular joint that exists between a patient's talus and navicular bones, after appropriate surgical preparation of the joint-related portions of these bones so as to create a new joint space to accommodate this prosthesis, includes talar (2) and navicular (4) components. Each of these have inner (8, 28) and outer (6, 26) surfaces whose average separate distance is defined as the component's average thickness. These components inner (8, 28) surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each component's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection in the creation of the new prosthesis-accommodating, joint space.

Abstract: Devices and methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided for treating patients suffering from tendon dysfunction. Certain exemplary brace embodiments contain strapping systems and inflatable cells that are adapted to support the forefoot of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods that can be used in ankle surgery, especially ankle fusion surgery.

Abstract: The intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion into the adjoining bone whose position is to be fixed relative to that of the tubular bone, a coupling element for fixing and locking the relative position of the nail and blade after their insertion, and a means for locating and positioning within the bones to-be-treated the nail and blade. Furthermore, the blade has a cross-sectional shape that is configured in consideration of the geometry of the bone into which the blade is to-be-placed and so as to enhance the ability of the blade to stabilize the bone, and these elements are configured so that they do not have to be decouple during the process of inserting the nail and blade.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a foot and ankle with a splint and an adjustable bladder. The method includes providing a device including a rigid splint that maintains a heel of the foot and at least one adjustable bladder provided underneath only a front of the foot; adjusting an inflation of the at least one bladder to a treatment inflation state; and maintaining a foot and ankle within the device for an extended period of time such that the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a dorsiflexion position or the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a position whereby plantarflexion is provided to the ankle.

Abstract: An internal human prosthesis used in surgical procedures to treat flatfoot deformities, including pediatric, adult congenital, and adult acquired deformities. The internal prosthesis is inserted between the human talus and calcaneus bones. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis has a truncated conical shape along its long axis and a central bore through the center of its long axis. The base of the prosthesis includes a concave depression with a polygonal recess in its center.

Abstract: According to a first embodiment of our invention, a monitoring device is placed above, within, or on the bottom of a cast, boot, shoe, or other lower extremity immobilization or protective device, and has one or more single or cluster of pressure sensitive chambers designed to burst at a predetermined force or weight. The pressure sensitive chambers may be filled with air, liquid, semi-liquid, or particulate material. Once properly positioned, the device serves to detect and alert one or more individuals to the fact that weight-bearing has occurred and/or that a certain amount of force has been transmitted across the bottom or other portion of the cast, boot, shoe, mat, sock, insole, or lower extremity immobilization or protective device in a setting where such pressure could be deleterious or harmful (including situations where patients are recovering from a bony fracture, tendon injury, and recent lower extremity surgery).

Abstract: The intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion into the adjoining bone whose position is to be fixed relative to that of the tubular bone, a coupling element for fixing and locking the relative position of the nail and blade after their insertion, and a means for locating and positioning within the bones to-be-treated the nail and blade. Furthermore, the blade has a cross-sectional shape that is configured in consideration of the geometry of the bone into which the blade is to-be-placed and so as to enhance the ability of the blade to stabilize the bone, and these elements are configured so that they do not have to be decouple during the process of inserting the nail and blade.

Abstract: A device that can be inserted into footwear, or used as part of footwear that is designed to correct foot and ankle pathologies through user adjustable, strategically located fluid chamber or chambers.

Abstract: A protective member having a substantially flat base portion, and a substantially cup-shaped member extending from a forward end of the base portion. The base portion is attachable to a shoe, such that the cup-shaped member substantially encapsulates and protects a forefoot and toe region. Further, at least one opening is provided in a forward portion of the cup-shaped member to allow access to the forefoot and toe region. The cup-shaped member is further defined by an anterior portion extending upward from the base portion, a dorsal extension portion extending from an upper end of the anterior portion, where the dorsal extension portion provided to substantially cover a top portion of the forefoot and toe region, and at least one lateral extension portion extending from a side end of the anterior portion, where the at least one lateral extension portion provided to substantially cover a lateral portion of said forefoot and toe region.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus that makes possible the replacement of ankle tissue between the bottom of the tibia and the adjoining top of the talus bone comprises: (a) a base having primary and secondary anchoring holes that extend through the base and through which anchoring pins may be extended for anchoring withh the tibia, anchoring holes having adjoining and cooperating, threaded, set screw holes and set screws that cooperate to assist in fixing the position of the base relative to the anchoring pins and the tibia, (b) a surgical blade positioning shelf, the front surface of the shelf configured to approximate the curvature observable in the top portion of the talus and the rear surface of the shelf having attached to it a shaft which may slide in and out from an opening in the front surface of the base, and (c) indicia attached to the shaft which allows one to record the position of the front surface of the surgical blade positioning shelf relative to the base.

Abstract: The ankle joint prosthesis adapted to involve the patient's distal tibia and talus has, according to the present invention, tibial, talar and mobile or semi-constrained bearing components that are laterally to medially implanted in the patient. The tibial component's top surface has convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the distal tibia; its bottom surface being approximately flat. The talar component's top surface has saddle-shaped, convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane, it's bottom surface has concave curvature and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the talus. The mobile or semi-constrained bearing components have embodiments that comprise a wide variety of geometric shapes. A method for implanting such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus that makes possible the replacement of ankle tissue between the bottom of the tibia and the adjoining top of the talus bone comprises: (a) a base having primary and secondary anchoring holes that extend through the base and through which anchoring pins may be extended for anchoring with the tibia, anchoring holes having adjoining and cooperating, threaded, set screw holes and set screws that cooperate to assist in fixing the position of the base relative to the anchoring pins and the tibia, (b) a surgical blade positioning shelf, the front surface of the shelf configured to approximate the curvature observable in the top portion of the talus and the rear surface of the shelf having attached to it a shaft which may slide in and out from an opening in the front surface of the base, and (c) indicia attached to the shaft which allows one to record the position of the front surface of the surgical blade positioning shelf relative to the base.

Abstract: The ankle joint prosthesis adapted to involve the patient's distal tibia and talus has, according to the present invention, tibial, talar and mobile or semi-constrained bearing components that are laterally to medially implanted in the patient. The tibial component's top surface has convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the distal tibia; its bottom surface being approximately flat. The talar component's top surface has saddle-shaped, convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane, it's bottom surface has concave curvature and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the talus. The mobile or semi-constrained bearing components have embodiments that comprise a wide variety of geometric shapes. A method for implanting such a prosthesis is also disclosed.