Abstract: A patellar clamp and associated system and method for using the clamp are provided. A patellar clamp includes a pair of handles movably coupled together, a patella support portion connected to the pair of handles and configured to engage a first side of a patella, and a reamer guide configured to engage a second side of the patella. The patella support portion and the reamer guide each include a first pair of flanges configured to engage a first and second tendon associated with the patella. The reamer guide is configured to allow reaming and resurfacing the entire desired posterior articular surface of the patella in a single operation without readjusting the position of the reamer guide.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a bone graft composite using an infusion chamber. A modular tube having a porous material contained therein and having removable end caps is provided. Bone marrow aspirate or other bone morphogenic protein containing suspensions may be infused into the tube. A filter on one end of the tube prevents the fluid from escaping while permitting air to be expelled from the tube as it is filled with bone marrow aspirate. Once infused into the tube, the bone marrow aspirate is allowed to settle to a putty or paste-like consistency, the putty and material together forming a bone graft composite.

Abstract: Instrumentation for surgically resurfacing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement surgery. The instrumentation includes a resurfacing guide for attachment to a femur and a rail member externally delineating an area of a femoral condyle of the femur that is to be surgically resurfaced to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The resurfacing guide has an abutment wall. The instrumentation includes a resurfacing instrument having a tissue removing surface for removing anatomical tissue from the delineated area of the femoral condyle, the tissue removing surface being movable along the delineated area to remove anatomical tissue therefrom. The resurfacing instrument has a engagement wall for contacting the abutment wall to limit the depth to which anatomical tissue is removed.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.

Abstract: An adjustable screwdriver for selectively driving an adjustable compression screw into a substrate. A distal tip of a adjustable head driver is configured to engage an adjustable head of an adjustable compression screw. A shaft driver is concentrically disposed in the adjustable head driver. A distal tip of the shaft driver is configured to engage the head of the screw shaft of the adjustable compression screw for use in rotating the screw shaft. The shaft driver is configured to selectively lock in an even driving position, in which the adjustable head driver and the shaft driver cooperatively drive the adjustable head and the screw shaft. The shaft driver is configured to selectively lock in a retracted driving position wherein the distal tip of the shaft driver is recessed in the adjustable head driver to thereby drive the adjustable head without the shaft driver driving the screw shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable drill for use in implanting orthopedic screws, such as adjustable compression screws having a separate adjustable head. The adjustable drill comprises a primary drill bit and a countersink drill bit encircling the primary drill bit. The countersink drill bit is configured to selectively slide along the primary drill bit for use in selecting a drill depth. The countersink drill bit is associated with a stop member that is configured to selectively lock the countersink drill bit at one of a plurality of selected positions along the primary drill bit to thereby establish a drill depth. The drill depth corresponds to the size of a selected screw implant, allowing the drill to be used as a trial. The adjustable drill forms a bore having a primary bore and a countersunk entry.

Abstract: A radially ported bone graft needle, particularly useful in minimally invasive procedures, is provided. The bone graft needle delivers bone graft material to a bone defect area by extruding the bone graft material both axially and radially simultaneously.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for resecting a distal femur for receipt of a knee implant, comprising an intramedullary rod and resection instruments. A valgus portion of the intramedullary rod has series of engagement members positioned to provide a plurality of engagement positions for use in fixing the resection instruments on the valgus portion. The resection instruments are configured to selectively engage and selectively lock on the valgus rod at the engagement positions via the engagement members. The engagement members preferably comprise pairs of substantially vertical indents arranged in parallel along opposing sides of said valgus portions. The resection instruments preferably engages and locks to said engagement members via a sliding rod engagement member. The resection instruments preferably include a distal cut guide having a distal resection slot and a femoral resection block.

Abstract: A tissue grasping instrument and method for use in arthroscopic surgery is disclosed. Typically, the instrument will be used in the manipulation of sutures and a graft in the form of an acellular matrix during the repair of rotator cuffs.

Abstract: An improved acetabular impactor, especially suitable for use in minimally invasive hip surgeries, is disclosed. The impactor is simple in design and operation and spatially optimized. In particular, the impactor is designed to remotely detach the acetabular shell from the impactor using one handed operation and have the capability to be used with different sized acetabular shells.

Abstract: A method of minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes accessing a knee through a minimal incision, forming a planar surface along a tibial plateau of the knee, forming a planar posterior surface along a posterior aspect of the corresponding femoral condyle, resurfacing a distal aspect of the femoral condyle to form a resurfaced area having a curved portion, implanting a prosthetic tibial component on the planar surface along the tibial plateau and implanting a prosthetic femoral component on the prepared surface of the femoral condyle formed by the planar posterior surface and the resurfaced area. The curved portion of the resurfaced area has an anterior-posterior curvature corresponding to a fixation surface of the prosthetic femoral component. Prior to implantation, the femur and tibia are prepared to receive fixation structure of the femoral and tibial components.

Abstract: Instrumentation for use in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes a tibial cutting guide for establishing a planar surface along a tibial plateau and a tibial stylus having an anatomic contour for controlling the depth of the planar surface along the tibial plateau. The instrumentation further comprises a posterior resection block for preparing a posterior femoral resection, with a forward portion of the posterior resection block having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a prosthetic femoral component. Instrumentation comprising a resection block and a resurfacing guide are provided for surgically preparing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The instrumentation further includes a resurfacing guide and a resurfacing instrument for resurfacing a femoral condyle to a controlled depth. Instrumentation is provided for intramedullary alignment of femoral instruments.

Abstract: An improved acetabular impactor, especially suitable for use in minimally invasive hip surgeries, is disclosed. The impactor is simple in design and operation and spatially optimized. In particular, the impactor is designed to remotely detach the acetabular shell from the impactor using one handed operation and have the capability to be used with different sized acetabular shells.

Abstract: A radially ported bone graft needle, particularly useful in minimally invasive procedures, is provided. The bone graft needle delivers bone graft material to a bone defect area by extruding the bone graft material both axially and radially simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a bone graft composite using an infusion chamber. A modular tube having a porous material contained therein and having removable end caps is provided. Bone marrow aspirate or other bone morphogenic protein containing suspensions may be infused into the tube. A filter on one end of the tube prevents the fluid from escaping while permitting air to be expelled from the tube as it is filled with bone marrow aspirate. Once infused into the tube, the bone marrow aspirate is allowed to settle to a putty or paste-like consistency, the putty and material together forming a bone graft composite.

Abstract: Instrumentation for use in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes a tibial cutting guide for establishing a planar surface along a tibial plateau and a tibial stylus having an anatomic contour for controlling the depth of the planar surface along the tibial plateau. The instrumentation further comprises a posterior resection block for preparing a posterior femoral resection, with a forward portion of the posterior resection block having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a prosthetic femoral component. Instrumentation comprising a resection block and a resurfacing guide are provided for surgically preparing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The instrumentation further includes a resurfacing guide and a resurfacing instrument for resurfacing a femoral condyle to a controlled depth. Instrumentation is provided for intramedullary alignment of femoral instruments.

Abstract: A method of minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes accessing a knee through a minimal incision, forming a planar surface along a tibial plateau of the knee, forming a planar posterior surface along a posterior aspect of the corresponding femoral condyle, resurfacing a distal aspect of the femoral condyle to form a resurfaced area having a curved portion, implanting a prosthetic tibial component on the planar surface along the tibial plateau and implanting a prosthetic femoral component on the prepared surface of the femoral condyle formed by the planar posterior surface and the resurfaced area. The curved portion of the resurfaced area has an anterior-posterior curvature corresponding to a fixation surface of the prosthetic femoral component. Prior to implantation, the femur and tibia are prepared to receive fixation structure of the femoral and tibial components.

Abstract: An external Colles' type fracture fixator which provides pivotal adjustment about three axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof, and translational adjustment along two axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof.An external alignment table which allows translational adjustment along a three axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof, and pivotal adjustment about two axes independently of one another and of any other movement thereof.A method of externally manipulating, reducing, and stabilizing a fracture using such an external fixation alignment table and external fixator.