Abstract: A clamp for anchoring tensile members includes: a collet having a peripheral wall defining a central bore for accepting tensile members therethrough and an exterior surface, wherein the collet is configured to be swaged around the tensile members, and includes an array of longitudinal grooves defining webs configured to collapse inward in response to external compressive force; a sleeve having a peripheral wall defining interior and exterior surfaces, the sleeve positioned axially adjacent to the collet, so as to be movable parallel to a mutual central axis of the sleeve and the collet, between first and second positions; and wherein the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that movement of the sleeve from the first position to the second position will cause the interior surface of the sleeve to bear against the exterior surface of the collet, causing the collet to swage radially inwards around the tensile members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a gap tensioner including: a baseplate; a top plate; a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the gap tensioner between retracted and extended positions; and wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis.

Abstract: An anchor for tensile member(s) includes: a housing having a hollow interior; a collet in the hollow interior of the housing, the collet having a peripheral wall defining a central bore and an exterior surface. The collet is configured to be swaged around the tensile member(s). The collet includes longitudinal grooves in an outer surface of the peripheral wall, each defining a web configured to collapse inward in response to external compressive force. A sleeve has a peripheral wall defining interior and exterior surfaces and is disposed in the housing axially adjacent to the collet. At least one of the collet and the sleeve is tapered and the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that sleeve movement from a first position to a second position will cause the sleeve to bear against the collet, swaging the collet radially inwards around and against the tensile member(s).

Abstract: A method for imparting tension across a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: providing a tensioning device, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the tensioning device between retracted and extended positions, wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis; positioning the tensioning device between the femur and the tibia; applying an actuating force to the linkage to move the tensioning device towards the extended position, so as to impart a controlled separating force driving the femur and tibia apart to extend the ligaments.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a gap tensioner including: a baseplate; a top plate; a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the gap tensioner between retracted and extended positions; and wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for imparting tension across a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: providing a tensioning device, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the tensioning device between retracted and extended positions, wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis; positioning the tensioning device between the femur and the tibia; applying an actuating force to the linkage to move the tensioning device towards the extended position, so as to impart a controlled separating force driving the femur and tibia apart to extend the ligaments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for percutaneous intramedullary fixation. A protective outer sheath is provided for internal fixation of the proximal tibia. Additionally, a unique intramedullary plate is provided that is adapted for percutaneous insertion into the intramedullary canal of a long bone. A plate holder is also provided that may be utilized through the outer sheath to drive and position a fixation plate within the intramedullary canal.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring one or more tensile members to bone includes: an anchor, including: a housing having a hollow interior, and including a body portion and an extension portion interconnected by a breakaway structure configured to retain structural integrity under a first predetermined tensile load and to separate under a second predetermined tensile load which is greater than the first predetermined tensile load; a collet disposed in the hollow interior, the collet having a peripheral wall defining a central bore for accepting one or more tensile members therethrough; a sleeve having a peripheral wall and being disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, so as to be movable parallel to the central axis; and wherein the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that axial movement of the sleeve will cause the collet to swage radially inwards around and against the one or more tensile members.

Abstract: A method for anchoring one or more tensile members to bone includes: providing an anchor, including: a housing including a body portion and an extension portion interconnected by a breakaway structure which is configured to retain structural integrity under a first predetermined tensile load and to separate under a second predetermined tensile load which is greater than the first predetermined tensile load; a collet disposed in the hollow interior; and a sleeve movable parallel to the central axis between first and second positions; passing one or more tensile members through a central bore of the collet; seating the housing into a bore formed in the bone; and driving the sleeve from the first position towards the second position under the first predetermined tensile load, so as to swage the collet around the one or more tensile members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a tensile member to bone includes a housing with first and second ends and a hollow interior space. A collet is disposed in the interior space, the collet defining a central bore for accepting a tensile member therethrough, and an exterior surface. A sleeve has opposed interior and exterior surfaces and is disposed in the interior space axially adjacent to the collet, and is movable axially between first and second positions. At least one of the exterior surface of the collet and the interior surface of the sleeve is tapered and the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that movement of the sleeve from the first position to the second position will cause the interior surface of the sleeve to bear against the exterior surface of the collet, causing the collet to swage radially inwards around and against the tensile member, without moving axially.

Abstract: A method for anchoring a tensile member to a bone includes: providing an anchor, including: a housing having first and second ends, and a hollow interior; a collet in the hollow interior, and having a central bore and an exterior surface; a sleeve having interior and exterior surfaces, the sleeve disposed in the hollow interior axially adjacent the collet, and axially movable between first and second positions. At least one of the collet exterior surface and the sleeve interior surface is tapered such that sleeve movement from the first position towards the second position causes the sleeve to bear against the collet exterior surface, causing the collet to swage inwards around and against the tensile member without moving axially; passing the tensile member through the central bore; seating the housing into a bore formed in the bone; and driving the sleeve from the first position towards the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for percutaneous intramedullary fixation. A protective outer sheath is provided for internal fixation of the proximal tibia. Additionally, a unique intramedullary plate is provided that is adapted for percutaneous insertion into the intramedullary canal of a long bone. A plate holder is also provided that may be utilized through the outer sheath to drive and position a fixation plate within the intramedullary canal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.

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 apparatus includes: a member configured to be received within an intramedullary canal of a fibula, the member having an opening therethrough; a bone plate including a first bone-engaging surface; a flexible elongate element having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, at least the second and third portions being sized to extend through the opening of the member, wherein the second portion is movable by bending of the flexible elongate element between an insertion position and a bone-engaging position, wherein the second portion is configured to extend through the opening of the member while the second portion is in the insertion position, and wherein the second portion includes a second bone-engaging surface while the second portion is in the bone-engaging position; and a coupling structure for operatively coupling the bone plate to the first portion of the flexible elongate element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.