Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a tibial component having shock absorbing features. In one embodiment, a tibial component of a knee joint prosthesis is provided, the tibial component comprising: a body portion; an upper surface; a first concave fossae comprising a first condyle contact surface; a second concave fossae comprising a second condyle contact surface; a lower surface; a side portion extending between the upper surface and the lower surface; a first bearing portion; a second bearing portion; and at least one cavity extending into the body portion from the lower surface; wherein a load applied substantially normally to the first condyle contact surface and the second condyle contact surface causes a tensile stress within the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, and a compressive stress within the side portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a tibial component having shock absorbing features.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a tibial component having shock absorbing features.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a tibial component having shock absorbing features.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing vertebrae in a human spine for the purpose of fixing one vertebra with respect to other vertebrae and with respect to other parts of the spinal column. This device comprises bone screws that clamp to a plate to maintain the plate in contact with the vertebrae. The device may be fabricated from non-metals, metal, alloys, or composite materials. A tapered screw head is pulled into the plate with the taper extending through the plate into the underlying bone. Extending the taper into the bone moves the screw thread stress raiser into an area of lesser deflection. This strengthens the fixation by increasing the rigidity and reducing the risk of screw breakage. Extending the taper into the underlying bone has also been shown to strengthen the taper lock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable implant which can be used as fixation and/or interbody implants. The implant is formed of a biodegradable material and may be used as a cervical stabilizing system. The stabilizing system comprises a body constructed of a biodegradable, polymeric material, which when implanted within the body will maintain a predetermined structural integrity for at least a predetermined period of time while minimizing reactivity with adjacent tissues. In an embodiment of the invention, the stabilization system comprises a fixation member which includes apertures to allow selective coupling to bone segments by means of biodegradable screws. In another embodiment, the stabilization system includes a bone column implant which maintains space between at least two bone segments of a bone column. The body member is dimensioned to substantially maintain the distance, geometry and continuity between the at least two bone segments.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and a method of spreading an intervertebral space to help guide tools that will prepare the vertebrae for accepting an implant. The spreader is a thin blade with cam surfaces forming a paddle on the proximal end, which spreads the vertebra when rotated 90 degrees about its axis. A stem between the paddle and a handle is notched to clear the vertebral protrusions so the vertebra will be distracted on the vertebral end plates. Since the spreader is in the center of the end plates, the centerline of the spreader shaft will coincide with the vertebral end plate centerline. The surgeon can monitor the spreading, stop and remove the spreader to make adjustments or to change the size of spreader as required at the time of the surgery. Once the vertebrae are distracted a tube may be placed over the handle and aligned with the vertebral end plates.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing cervical vertebrae in a human spine for the purpose of fixing one vertebra with respect to other vertebrae and with respect to other parts of the spinal column. This device comprises a plate and bone screws fabricated from non-metals. The bone screws maintain the plate in contact with the vertebrae. An interference fit screw head is pulled into a hole in the plate and into a machined hole in the vertebral bone, locking the screw to the plate and locking the screw to the bone. This locking reduces the screw bending within the plate and within the bone. The screw thread runout is threaded below the screw/bone interference fit area, protecting the runout stress raisers from bending and shear stresses. The interference fit is configured to create sufficient friction to eliminate the screw from backing out.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing lumbar and thoracic vertebra or individual bones in human spine or bone column is provided for the purpose of fixing a vertebra or individual bone with respect to other vertebra or individual bones and with respect to other parts of the spinal or bone column. While providing spinal stabilization, the stabilizer allows axial load sharing or construct dynamized action. The device allows the vertebra or individual bones to be held in compression allowing subsidence along the plate axis or to be fixed with respect to the plate for rigid stabilization. The vertebra or individual bones will be prevented from distraction by a stop lock clamp. The device may be configured as a fully or partially rigid system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and materials in combination for bonding screws to a fixation plate or to a skeletal bone using chemical means. The chemicals include solvents, glues, or bonding agents, which act to improve the strength of bone screw to plate or the bone screw to skeletal bone interface. Interface refers to the contact area between the bone screw and either the plate or skeletal bone. The fixation device usually comprises a plate with bone screws implanted within the human skeleton. The bone screw maintains the plate in contact with the bone or maintains another structure such as a tendon in contact with the bony skeleton. The chemical bonding is in addition to or in place of a mechanical means to bond the bone screw to the fixation plate or to the skeletal bone. It provides for added strength to the bone screw interface with a plate or skeletal bone, reducing the probability of screw loosening and or migration.

Abstract: This invention comprises a device and a method of maintaining distraction and providing tool guidance in the preparation of an intervertebral space for an implant. It provides a means for attaching a tube, to guide tools that will prepare the vertebra for accepting an implant. At any time during the procedure the tube may be removed to inspect or remove debris from the disc space and the vertebral end plates without disturbing the distraction. The system has multiple tube diameters which can be attached to a common flange to increase the dowel size during the procedure without redistracting.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a human spine for the purpose of fixing one vertebra with respect to other vertebrae and with respect to other parts of the spinal column. This device comprises a plate and bone screws fabricated from metals. The bone screw maintains the plate in contact with the vertebrae. A tapered screw head is pulled into a machined tapered hole, locking the screw to the plate. The taper is configured to be self-locking preventing the screw from backing out. The taper may be within the fixed structure of the plate, or within an insert placed into the plate.

Abstract: An improved device and a method for stabilizing lumbar vertebrae in a human spine for the purpose of fixing the vertebra with respect to other vertebra and with respect to other parts of the spinal column. This device comprises a plate, bone screws, bone screw clamp portion, spacers, and rigidizing stop locks. The bone screw clamps may be clamped firmly to the plate for a fully rigid system. Alternatively the screw clamp portions may be held apart, with clearance between them and the plate, which will allow for axial motion of the screw with respect to the plate for implant load sharing and dynamized motion.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing lumbar and thoracic vertebra or individual bones in human spine or bone column is provided for the purpose of fixing a vertebra or individual bone with respect to other vertebra or individual bones and with respect to other parts of the spinal or bone column. While providing spinal stabilization, the stabilizer allows axial load sharing or construct dynamized action. The device allows the vertebra or individual bones to be held in compression allowing subsidence along the plate axis or to be fixed with respect to the plate for rigid stabilization. The vertebra or individual bones will be prevented from distraction by a stop lock clamp. The device may be configured as a fully or partially rigid system.

Abstract: This invention describes a hand operated, end cutting, sheet metal shear that makes cuts perpendicular to the axis of the tool handle. The shearing surfaces consist of a moving shear blade with a fixed rake angle and shear angle, cutting along a blunt anvil. The shear blade is pivotally mounted to the tool body and actuated by a toggle linkage and a movable handle. A stroke adjustment screw is incorporated into the fixed handle. The blade passes along the fixed anvil in response to squeezing the handles. The blade is angled so that the shearing action takes place sequentially along the anvil edge. The end cutting sheet metal tool is used to produce cuts at an angle to cuts made with sheet metal cutting tools.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing vertebrae in a human spine for the purpose of fixing one vertebra with respect to other vertebrae and with respect to other parts of the spinal column. This device comprises bone screws that clamp to a plate to maintain the plate in contact with the vertebrae. The device may be fabricated from non-metals, metal, alloys, or composite materials. A tapered screw head is pulled into the plate with the taper extending through the plate into the underlying bone. Extending the taper into the bone moves the screw thread stress raiser into an area of lesser deflection. This strengthens the fixation by increasing the rigidity and reducing the risk of screw breakage. Extending the taper into the underlying bone has also been shown to strengthen the taper lock.

Abstract: This invention comprises a device and a method of maintaining spinal exposure, distraction, alignment and temporary fixation. Additionally provided for, is tooling guidance for the preparation of an intervertebral space for an implant. The device provides a means for attaching a tube or other attachment to guide tools that will prepare the vertebrae for accepting an implant. At any time during the procedure the attachment may be removed to inspect or remove debris from the disc space and the vertebral end plates without disturbing the distraction and temporary fixation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and materials in combination for bonding screws to a fixation plate or to a skeletal bone using chemical means. The chemicals include solvents, glues, or bonding agents, which act to improve the strength of bone screw to plate or the bone screw to skeletal bone interface. Interface refers to the contact area between the bone screw and either the plate or skeletal bone. The fixation device usually comprises a plate with bone screws implanted within the human skeleton. The bone screw maintains the plate in contact with the bone or maintains another structure such as a tendon in contact with the bony skeleton. The chemical bonding is in addition to or in place of a mechanical means to bond the bone screw to the fixation plate or to the skeletal bone. It provides for added strength to the bone screw interface with a plate or skeletal bone, reducing the probability of screw loosening and or migration.

Abstract: This invention comprises a device and a method of maintaining distraction and providing tool guidance in the preparation of an intervertebral space for an implant. It provides a means for attaching a tube, to guide tools that will prepare the vertebra for accepting an implant. At any time during the procedure the tube may be removed to inspect or remove debris from the disc space and the vertebral end plates without disturbing the distraction. The system has multiple tube diameters which can be attached to a common flange to increase the dowel size during the procedure without redistracting.