Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope, are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopaedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.

Abstract: A method for implementing vascular anastomosis in the attachment of a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery, and subsequently creating a passageway between the vessels in order to establish fluid flow communication therebetween. Further is to the provision of novel devices which are utilized in implementing the steps of attaching a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery through vascular anastomosis, and thereafter creating a fluid flow passageway therebetween.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 120, 300) and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope (22), are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.

Abstract: An external fixator system includes a fixation bar, a fixation pin, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a first jaw pair, a second jaw pair, and a first spring insert. The first jaw pair has a first upper jaw component and a first lower jaw component that collectively define a first passage configured to receive the fixation bar. The second jaw pair has a second upper jaw component and a second lower jaw component that collectively define a second passage configured to receive the fixation pin. The first spring insert is positioned within the first passage and interposed between the first upper jaw component and the first lower jaw component. Advancement of the fixation bar into the first passage causes deflection of the first spring insert.

Abstract: A bone fixation device bone fixation device includes a first construct comprising a plurality of first flexible plates configured to bend when a first threshold force is applied to the first construct and the plurality of first flexible plates are in an unlocked relationship and a second construct including a plurality of second flexible plates. The plurality of second flexible plates are configured to bend when a second threshold force is applied to said second construct and the plurality of second flexible plates are in an unlocked relationship. The device also includes a first locking member configured to compress first flexible plates and second flexible plates together and into a locked relationship, wherein the first threshold force applied to the first construct and the second threshold force applied to the second construct is insufficient to bend the first flexible plates and second flexible plates in the locked relationship.

Abstract: A method and device for endoscopic harvesting of blood vessels from a patient for use in subsequent procedures. The device having a two piece headpiece. A vessel to be removed is inserted into the headpiece and the top and bottom portions of the headpiece are alternatively extended in reciprocating fashion to dissect above and below the vessel. The headpiece having electrodes for ligation of any side branch vessels which are uncovered in the dissection process.

Abstract: A kit for the construction of a bone plate assembly for fixation of a fractured bone is provided. The kit includes a plurality of plate members, a connecting member for retaining the plurality of plate members in a desired configuration and a plurality of locking members for securing the plate members to the connecting member.

Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in tissue of a patient. The surgical implant has a preferential corrosion zone adapted to corrode at a different rate than the rest of the surgical implant. In one embodiment, the surgical implant is surgical staple that may be formed into a “B-shape” when deployed into tissue, although the invention also is applicable to many other kinds of staples, clips, and other metallic surgical implants. In one embodiment, the preferential corrosion zone comprises an indentation that provides a site for crevice corrosion.

Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

Abstract: A bone fixation device comprises a beam including plurality of stacked flexible members. At least one locking member is provided in engagement with the plurality of stacked flexible members. The at least one locking member is configured to retain the plurality of stacked flexible members together in either a locked relationship or an unlocked relationship. In the locked relationship, the at least one locking member compress the plurality of stacked flexible members together. The plurality of stacked flexible members are configured to bend when a threshold force is applied to the beam, provided the plurality of stacked flexible members are in an unlocked relationship. When the plurality of stacked flexible members are in an unlocked relationship, the threshold force is insufficient to bend the plurality of stacked flexible members.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for accessing the abdominal cavity of a patient in order to perform a medical procedure therein. In one embodiment the method includes the step of inserting a guide wire into the upper gastrointestinal tract, via a gastric opening in the gastric wall and an abdominal opening in the abdominal wall of the patient, the guide wire having a first end that extends from the mouth of the patient, and a second end that extends from the abdominal opening of the patient. The method further includes providing an access device in the form of an elongated sheath having a lumen therethrough, attaching the first end of the guide wire to the distal end of the elongated sheath, and pulling the second end of the guide wire to position the access device into the upper gastrointestinal tract, wherein the distal end of the access device extends into the abdominal cavity while the proximal end of the access device extends out of the mouth of the patient.

Abstract: A bone plating apparatus includes a handle having extending therefrom a tissue expander for insertion through a skin incision and through the subcutaneous tissue surrounding a fractured bone. A bone plate may be secured to the handle during advancement of the tissue expander so as to deliver the bone plate to a desired location proximate to the fractured bone. Both the tissue expander and the bone plate may be advanced to the desired location proximate to the fractured bone under the visualization of an endoscope. A screw alignment jig is secured to the handle and has a guide hole which aligns with an access hole of the tissue expander. The alignment of the guide hole and the access hole allow for percutaneous screw insertion into the delivered bone plate. A method for plating a fractured bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotational locking mechanism for securing a catheter to a surgical implant is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a deflectable extension extending from the surgical implant about the catheter attached to the surgical implant. The shape of the deflectable extension defines a slot therein. A connector having at least one tab extending therefrom is placed about the catheter at the point of attachment to the surgical implant. Rotation of the tubular connector brings at least one tab of the connector into contact with the slot in the deflectable extension and deflects and releases at least a portion of the slot as the connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within the slot. The rotation motion secures the catheter to the surgical implant, and produces a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the tubular connector.