Abstract: A variable angle locking screw assembly that includes a plate material, a screw, and a washer at least partially located within the plate material, the washer and screw cooperating to create a wedge locking the screw in one of a plurality of axial and rotational positions, where the locked position may be undone and adjusted by manipulation of at least one of the screw and washer.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a cutting portion having an edge for penetrating bone and a resilient tine configured to be inserted into a drill housing, the resilient tine including a tab having an abutment surface configured to establish a snap-fit connection with a drill gear within the drill housing, and wherein the drill bit is capable of being removed from the drill housing by disengaging the abutment surface from the drill gear.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously drilling at least two peripheral peg holes in a bony surface, the method comprising providing a peripheral peg drill component including a housing with a first side, a second side opposite the first side and at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing; releasably coupling the first side of the peripheral peg drill component to a drilling device; advancing the peripheral peg drill component over an alignment pin extending from a bony surface until each of the at least two drill bits engage the bony surface; actuating a driving mechanism of the peripheral peg drill component with the drilling device to cause the at least two drill bits to rotate; and simultaneously penetrating the bony surface with the at least two drill bits as they rotate.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously drilling at least two peripheral peg holes in a bony surface comprising providing a peripheral peg drill component including a housing with a first side, a second side opposite the first side and at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing; advancing the peripheral peg drill component over an alignment pin extending from a bony surface until each of the at least two drill bits engage the bony surface; actuating a belt circumferentially surrounding a series of pulleys to cause the at least two drill bits to rotate; and simultaneously penetrating the bony surface with the at least two drill bits as they rotate.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a cutting portion having an edge for penetrating bone and a resilient tine configured to be inserted into a drill housing, the resilient tine including a tab having an abutment surface configured to establish a snap-fit connection with a drill gear within the drill housing, and wherein the drill bit is capable of being removed from the drill housing by disengaging the abutment surface from the drill gear.

Abstract: A device to maintain temporary engagement with a bone plate and a bone, the device comprising a first biased appendage positioned opposite a second biased appendage, the first and second biased appendages including an arcuate vertical profile that partially defines an interior region; a platform concurrently coupled to the first and second biased appendages, the platform also partially defining the interior region, the platform including a through hole open to the interior region; a first tab extending from at least one of the first biased appendage, the second biased appendage, and the platform, the first tab extending into the interior region and adapted to engage a bone plate; a first arcuate flange mounted to a distal portion of the platform; and a second arcuate flange mounted to a proximal portion of the platform.

Abstract: A bone plate including a first side and a second side and configured to locate a locking screw and a compression screw. The bone plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface each extending between the first side and the second side. A plurality of holes extend from the top surface to the bottom surface include a hybrid screw hole configured to accept both a locking screw and a compression screw, a first form hole configured to accept a locking screw, and a second form hole having an elongated shape with a non-circular cross-section configured to accept a compression screw. An interior wall of the bone plate extends between a top opening and a bottom opening of the hybrid screw hole wherein the interior wall includes a threaded first portion proximate the top opening and an unthreaded second portion extending from the bottom opening.

Abstract: A variable angle locking washer comprising a body having an outer surface circumferentially disposed between a top surface and a bottom surface, a central bore extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the central bore having a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, and a plurality of radial slots peripherally positioned along the body, each slot defining a channel that extends between the outer surface of the body and the central bore.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously drilling at least two peripheral peg holes in a bony surface comprising providing a peripheral peg drill component including a housing with a first side, a second side opposite the first side and at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing; advancing the peripheral peg drill component over an alignment pin extending from a bony surface until each of the at least two drill bits engage the bony surface; actuating a belt circumferentially surrounding a series of pulleys to cause the at least two drill bits to rotate; and simultaneously penetrating the bony surface with the at least two drill bits as they rotate.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously drilling at least two peripheral peg holes in a bony surface, the method comprising providing a peripheral peg drill component including a housing with a first side, a second side opposite the first side and at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing; releasably coupling the first side of the peripheral peg drill component to a drilling device; advancing the peripheral peg drill component over an alignment pin extending from a bony surface until each of the at least two drill bits engage the bony surface; actuating a driving mechanism of the peripheral peg drill component with the drilling device to cause the at least two drill bits to rotate; and simultaneously penetrating the bony surface with the at least two drill bits as they rotate.

Abstract: A bone plate including a first side and a second side and configured to locate a locking screw and a compression screw. The bone plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface each extending between the first side and the second side. A plurality of holes extend from the top surface to the bottom surface include a hybrid screw hole configured to accept both a locking screw and a compression screw, a first form hole configured to accept a locking screw, and a second form hole having an elongated shape with a non-circular cross-section configured to accept a compression screw. An interior wall of the bone plate extends between a top opening and a bottom opening of the hybrid screw hole wherein the interior wall includes a threaded first portion proximate the top opening and an unthreaded second portion extending from the bottom opening.

Abstract: A device to maintain temporary engagement with a bone plate and a bone, the device comprising a first biased appendage positioned opposite a second biased appendage, the first and second biased appendages including an arcuate vertical profile that partially defines an interior region; a platform concurrently coupled to the first and second biased appendages, the platform also partially defining the interior region, the platform including a through hole open to the interior region; a first tab extending from at least one of the first biased appendage, the second biased appendage, and the platform, the first tab extending into the interior region and adapted to engage a bone plate; a first arcuate flange mounted to a distal portion of the platform; and a second arcuate flange mounted to a proximal portion of the platform.

Abstract: A variable angle locking screw assembly that includes a plate material, a screw, and a washer at least partially located within the plate material, the washer and screw cooperating to create a wedge locking the screw in one of a plurality of axial and rotational positions, where the locked position may be undone and adjusted by manipulation of at least one of the screw and washer.

Abstract: A peripheral peg drill component comprising a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing, a defined opening on the second side of the housing, the defined opening being configured to receive an alignment pin extending from a bony surface, and a driving mechanism within the housing, the driving mechanism being configured to rotate the at least two drill bits and cause them to simultaneously penetrate the bony surface.

Abstract: A peripheral peg drill component comprising a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing, and a driving mechanism located within the housing, the driving mechanism including a series of pulleys and a belt that together are configured to rotate the at least two drill bits and cause them to simultaneously penetrate a bony surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a bone plate comprising fabricating a bone plate to include a first through hole, where at least one of a width and a length of the hole changes along a depth of the hole; plunge milling an interior surface of the bone plate demarcating the first through hole to remove at least a portion of the bone plate to increase at least one of the width and the length of the through hole; and, threading at least a portion of the first through hole.

Abstract: A variable angle locking screw assembly that includes a plate material, a screw, and a washer at least partially located within the plate material, the washer and screw cooperating to create a wedge locking the screw in one of a plurality of axial and rotational positions, where the locked position may be undone and adjusted by manipulation of at least one of the screw and washer.

Abstract: A device to maintaining temporary engagement with a bone plate and a bone, the device comprising: (a) a first biased appendage positioned opposite a second biased appendage, the first and second biased appendages including an arcuate vertical profile that partially defines an interior region; (b) a platform concurrently coupled to the first and second biased appendages, the platform also partially defining the interior region, the platform including a through hole open to the interior region; and, (c) a first tab extending from at least one of the first biased appendage, the second biased appendage, and the platform, the first tab extending into the interior region to engage a bone plate.

Abstract: A method of forming a bone plate comprising fabricating a bone plate to include a first through hole, where at least one of a width and a length of the hole changes along a depth of the hole; plunge milling an interior surface of the bone plate demarcating the first through hole to remove at least a portion of the bone plate to increase at least one of the width and the length of the through hole; and, threading at least a portion of the first through hole.

Abstract: A peripheral peg drill component comprising a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing, and a driving mechanism located within the housing, the driving mechanism including a series of pulleys and a belt that together are configured to rotate the at least two drill bits and cause them to simultaneously penetrate a bony surface.