Abstract: The present invention relates to a nail and screw system (1) for improving the fixation of proximal fractures of the humerus, including at least a Numeral nail (10) to be inserted in a Numeral shaft (9) and comprising at least a proximal transversal hole (5) for the passage of a corresponding locking screw (3), the screw (3) having a screw head (4) and a screw body (31). Advantageously, the nail is cannulated and the transversal hole (5) comprises a couple of opposite holes (6?, 6?) on opposite wall of the cannulated nail (10); the hole (6) closer to the screw head (4) has an internal partially threaded portion (28) and the corresponding screw (3) has an outside thread diameter smaller than the diameter of said at least one transversal hole (27) that receives such a screw. The partially threaded portion (28) works as a portion of nut screw but doesn't interfere with the screw during the normal insertion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for improving the fixation of proximal fractures of the humerus, including at least a humeral nail (10) to be inserted in a humeral shaft (9) and comprising at least proximal transversal holes (5, 6, 7) for the passage of corresponding locking screws (3), at least a screw of said locking screws (3) having a screw head (4) and a screw body (31). The system further includes at least an intermediate plate element (15) inserted between the screw head (4) and the bone cortex surface (14) so that the head (4) is abutting against the plate (15). The intermediate plate element (15) is slightly bent to adhere substantially to the bone cortex surface (14) and comprises a couple of elongated arm portions (18, 19) that are inserted in an astride position on the screw body before the final fastening of the screw head (4).

Abstract: A device for the extraction of screwthreaded sires for osteosynthesis, characterized in that it comprises: at least two lever pieces (20, 21) hinged together and having at one longitudinal end (20a, 21a) seats (22, 23) for grasping the end of a wire (19) which it is required to extract, and clamp means acting on the ohter end of said lever pieces (20, 21) to promote their opening in such a way as to generate a couple of gripping forces on the end of the wire (19). Said clamp means are of screw type and preferably consist of a threaded pin (24) fitted with a knob (24a) and screwed into a tapped piece (25) integral with the end (21b) of one of said lever pieces (21). The end (24b) of the threaded pin nearest the pivot is of a generally frustoconical shape to interact with an inclined plane surface (26) formed in the end (20b) of the other lever piece (20) in such a way as to force it outwards when said pin (24) is screwed in.

Abstract: A multipurpose container, particularly for threaded wires for bone surgery operations, comprising: a substantially rectangular base (2), a central body (3), which is removably secured to the said base (2) by securing means (16), suitable for containing a plurality of threaded wire (6), which is shorter in height than the said wires, so that the ends (7) thereof project above in order that they may be selected by an operator, a lid (4) secured to the said body (3), capable of covering the projecting ends (7) of the wires when the lid (4) is placed in the closed position, in which the said body (3) is subdivided into a plurality of separate spaces (9), which are accessible from the upper part (3') of the said body (3), each of which is capable of containing a plurality of threaded wires (6) of the same size and having threaded parts (8) of identical length and diameter.

Abstract: In application to an external fixator wherein at least one end of a fixator body is equipped with a first ball-joint component that is releasably connected or connectible to a second ball-joint component forming part of a bone-screw clamp, the invention provides a major capacity for enlarging the achievable range of possible angles as between the longitudinal axis of the bone-screw clamp and the longitudinal axis of the fixator body. Three different embodiments are disclosed. In a first disclosed embodiment, the expanded range is achieved by structural modification of the bone-screw clamp per se. In the other two embodiments, the expanded range is achieved by interposition of a connector unit having one of its respective ends a ball-joint connection component that is uniquely compatible with the ball-joint component of the fixator body and at the other of its ends a ball-joint connection component that is uniquely compatible with the ball-joint component of the bone-screw clamp.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for bone-screw or bone-pin adjustment (a) longitudinally along the guideway of an external fixator, and (b) angularly about a pivot axis at a selected longitudinal location. The clamping assembly comprises a slide block adapted for releasably locked longitudinal positioning along the guideway, an intermediate plate element, and a clamp block, in sandwiched relation, with a single central bolt to secure (i) a selected angular setting of bone-screw engagement grooves coacting between the clamp block and the upper surface of the intermediate plate, and (ii) coacting arcuate tongue-and-groove formations wherein the releasably lockable coaction is between the slide block and the lower surface of the intermediate plate, to secure a given clamped angular orientation of bone-screw orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guideway.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a compression wire for fixated retention of a fractured small bone fragment in an osteosynthesis procedure. The wire comprises a smooth-walled shank portion and an adjoining threaded portion, of lesser diameter than the diameter of the shank portion, there being a step-down shoulder between the shank portion and the threaded portion. The shank portion is adapted for chucked engagement to a portable rotary drill, and the distal end of the threaded portion is configured for self-tapping entry into and threaded implantation in bone. The implantation is complete when the shoulder engages cortex tissue of the fragment, holding the same in compression against remainder structure of the fractured bone. Once implanted, the shank may be nipped by a cutter tool at relatively close offset from the shoulder.

Abstract: A medullary cavity template has a tubular body adapted to the shape of a medullary nail. The tubular body has one or more x-ray viewable discontinuities in the region of its distal end. The tubular body also has a scale in the region of its proximal end, the scale being on the outside of the body for external viewing to measure axial depth of a medullary cavity.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a compression wire for fixated retention of a fractured small bone fragment in an osteosynthesis procedure. The wire comprises a smooth-walled shank portion and an adjoining threaded portion, of lesser diameter than the diameter of the shank portion, there being a step-down shoulder between the shank portion and the threaded portion. The shank portion is adapted for chucked engagement to a portable rotary drill, and the distal end of the threaded portion is configured for self-tapping entry into and threaded implantation in bone. The implantation is complete when the shoulder engages cortex tissue of the fragment, holding the same in compression against remainder structure of the fractured bone. Once implanted, the shank may be nipped by a cutter tool at relatively close offset from the shoulder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a headed screw for fixing an intramedullary nail in position. An external thread on the screw shank is provided over all, or a part of spaced parts, of the length of the shank. The screw head is provided with an external thread having a direction of helical advance which is opposite the direction of helical advance of the screw-shank thread.

Abstract: A medullary nail has a plug-like insert arranged in the end region of the nail. The insert consists of a readily drillable or screwable material that is suitable for receiving a corresponding attachment element such as a bone screw or a bone pin. The medullary nail is otherwise of standard metal construction, preferably of stainless steel.

Abstract: The invention refers to an osteosynthesis aid which is used, in particular, for the fixation of a pelvis and includes a central body which is formed of at least two arm or link members, each of which has an elongate slot through which a lock bolt is passed to provide a releasably clamped joint and each of which also has releasably secured ball-joint connection to an end-connecting clamp for bone-pin or bone-screw anchorage to an afflicted bone.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a fixation pin for retaining small bone fragments in an osteosynthesis procedure. The pin comprises a smooth-walled shank portion and an adjoining threaded portion, wherein a step-down conical shoulder is formed between the shank portion and the threaded portion.

Abstract: A clamping coupling for fixing bone screws, pins or the like incorporates a rotary joint between the bone-screw fixing region of the coupling and a ball-joint connection region of the coupling, whereby an extended range of angular adaptability and fixation are achievable, as compared to the more limited range of angular articulation achieved by the ball-joint action alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw for fixing an intramedullary nail in position. An external thread on the screw shank is provided over only a part of the length of the shank. The screw head is provided with an external thread having a direction of helical advance which is opposite the direction of helical advance of the screw-shank thread.

Abstract: An adjuvant for osteosynthesis comprises an osteosynthesis plate which is capable of rigid connection to the axial end of a medullary nail. In the case of a pertrochanteric fracture of the femur, with a medullary nail in the proximal region of the femur, an external-end connection is provided for the osteosynthesis plate; and the osteosynthesis plate is provided with a distributed pattern of bores to accommodate bone screws, wherein bone screws of one kind are used for the fixation of the osteosynthesis plate to the femur, and bone screws of another kind are used for the fixation of the osteosynthesis plate to the neck of the femur. The bores are in transversely spaced array, at spacings that are greater than the diameter of the medullary nail, so that bone screws of each pair can bypass the medullary nail, on opposite sides of the medullary nail.

Abstract: A drill-guide device is for use in establishing alignments for bone screws driven into the neck of a femur, for bone immobilization following a femoral-neck fracture, particularly in the circumstance of an intramedullary nail already installed in the shaft of the same femur. The device provides a drill template with at least one pair of horizontally spaced guide bores, which are sufficiently spaced to straddle opposite sides of the intramedullary nail and which can be oriented to produce drilled holes which pass up the femoral neck and into the head of a the femur. The axes of the guide bores converge to a point of their geometric intersection beyond the femoral head. Provision is made for detachably connecting the template to the proximal end of the intramedullary nail and for releasably fixing the vertical position and the elevationally tilted position of the template, for a range of adjustments to adapt the device to the differing sizes and proportions of individual patients.

Abstract: A clamping coupling for fixing of bone screws or pins, and connecting these bone screws or pins to an external fixator, includes an additional transverse clamping coupling to achieve better external-fixator anchorage when fractures extend up into the joint (condyle) of the femur. A selectively adjustable asymmetric arrangement permits fixed settings parallel to the longitudinal axis of the femur, while a lateral offset takes into account the natural lateral offset of the centerline of the condyle of the femur with respect to the longitudinal axis of the femur.

Abstract: An external fixator for osteosynthesis features application to the fixation of fractures of small bones such as those of the hand or foot. A small central unit contains two ball joints which are releasably clamped via a single actuation. Bone fasteners, such as bone pins or bone screws are releasably clamped, via a single actuation at each of two clamping units, and each of the clamping units is adjustably clamped to a carrier rod within a wide range of selected positions, which extends to the smallest of offsets from the central double-ball joint unit, by reason of the fact that the ball of each ball joint is the inner end of one of the respective carrier rods.

Abstract: A device for promoting the healing of bones has a pair of elongated carriers which support screws to be anchored in bone structure. The screws are movable longitudinally of the carriers by means of spindles. The carriers are joined to one another by a connector consisting of a rigid rod having a ball at either end. The balls are received in part-spherical sockets formed in the respective carriers and can be fixed relative to the carriers via screws.