Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening through the body, defining a first opening centerline. The body has a second internal wall defining a second opening through the body, defining a second opening centerline. The first opening centerline and the second opening centerline are oblique with respect to each other. The longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline form an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline. The longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening through the body, defining a first opening centerline. The body has a second internal wall defining a second opening through the body, defining a second opening centerline. The first opening centerline and the second opening centerline are oblique with respect to each other. The longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline form an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline. The longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening through the body. The first opening defines a first opening centerline. The body has a second internal wall of the body defining a second opening through the body. The second opening defines a second opening centerline. The first opening centerline and the second opening centerline are oblique with respect to each other. The longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline form an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline. The longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline.

Abstract: An implant may provide a body capable of being fit in an intervertebral space and a spin-plate rotatable with respect to the body. The spin-plate may a blade. The blade may possess grooves in its flat faces, or may be provided with an overhang. The path of the overhang or groove may be such that as the spin-plate advances in its rotation, a vertebra engaged with the blade is drawn toward the body of the implant. Pins may be placed in adjacent vertebrae such as to engage the spin-plate. Surgical methods are also described.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall thereof defining a first opening through the body. The first opening defines a first opening centerline. The body has a second internal wall of the body defining a second opening through the body. The second opening defines a second opening centerline. The first opening centerline and the second opening centerline are oblique with respect to each other. The longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline form an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the first opening centerline. The longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline forming an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the second opening centerline.

Abstract: In a distal targeting system a hand-held location pad is integral with a guide section for a drill or similar surgical instrument, and has a plurality of magnetic field generators. A sensor, such as a wireless sensor, having a plurality of field transponders, is disposed in an orthopedic appliance, such as an intramedullary nail. The sensor is capable of detecting and discriminating the strength and direction of the different fields generated by the field generators. Control circuitry, preferably located in the location pad is responsive to a signal of the sensor, and determines the displacement and relative directions of an axis of the guide section, and a bore in the orthopedic appliance. A screen display and optional speaker in the location pad provide an operator-perceptible indication that enables the operator to adjust the position of the guide section so as to align its position and direction with the bore.

Abstract: In a distal targeting system a hand-held location pad is integral with a guide section for a drill or similar surgical instrument, and has a plurality of magnetic field generators. A sensor, such as a wireless sensor, having a plurality of field transponders, is disposed in an orthopedic appliance, such as an intramedullary nail. The sensor is capable of detecting and discriminating the strength and direction of the different fields generated by the field generators. Control circuitry, preferably located in the location pad is responsive to a signal of the sensor, and determines the displacement and relative directions of an axis of the guide section, and a bore in the orthopedic appliance. A screen display and optional speaker in the location pad provide an operator-perceptible indication that enables the operator to adjust the position of the guide section so as to align its position and direction with the bore.

Abstract: In a distal targeting system a hand-held location pad is integral with a guide section for a drill or similar surgical instrument, and has a plurality of magnetic field generators. A sensor, such as a wireless sensor, having a plurality of field transponders, is disposed in an orthopedic appliance, such as an intramedullary nail. The sensor is capable of detecting and discriminating the strength and direction of the different fields generated by the field generators. Control circuitry, preferably located in the location pad is responsive to a signal of the sensor, and determines the displacement and relative directions of an axis of the guide section, and a bore in the orthopedic appliance. A screen display and optional speaker in the location pad provide an operator-perceptible indication that enables the operator to adjust the position of the guide section so as to align its position and direction with the bore.

Abstract: A modular external fixation system includes a plurality of modular components, each formed of a non-metallic material. One of the modular components is a modular rod that is provided in a single initial length and then cut to a length appropriate for a particular external fixation procedure. Another modular component is an interlocking element that can be mounted on one end of the modular rod and that includes an interlocking feature for engagement with other modular components. The system can also include a distraction arm that can be mounted at one end of the fixation framework. The arm includes a bar portion configured to be grasped to apply a distraction force along the construct. The arm can be pivotably mounted so that it can be pivoted to a distraction position, or to other positions, including one position in which the arm bears against the foot of an instrumented leg, and another position in which the arm acts to support the entire leg.

Abstract: A spacer-insertion instrument for delivering a spacer to a spine is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion and a guide coupled to the handle portion. The instrument further includes a shaft coupled to the handle portion and extending along the guide. The instrument further includes a tip including an attachment end portion coupled to the shaft and opposing fingers movable relative to one another and adapted to grasp the spacer when the shaft is moved to actuate the fingers. The handle portion includes a grip and a trigger coupled to the grip and to the shaft and movement of the trigger toward the grip causes the fingers to move toward one another. A method for delivering a vertebral body spacer to a disc space formed in a spine between adjacent vertebral bodies is also disclosed.