Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a system and method for altering growth of bones. More precisely, the system is an orthopedic apparatus for correcting rotational deformities and limb length discrepancies. A system of cable-couplings with linking members is used, the linking members being posts or screws traversing bones. Due to the flexibility and adaptability of the system and its components, the cable-coupling members may be installed at varying angles and locations while allowing for growth arrest or rotational corrections of said bones. A method to limit growth using cable-couplings systems is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: Bone plate and instrument systems include interconnections and locking mechanisms to fix the bone plates to the instruments, and guide features that aim k-wires, drills, and/or fasteners to pass through holes in the bone plates when the bone plates are fixed to the instruments. The locking mechanisms include elongated flexible elements that connect to the bone plates.

Abstract: Bone plate and instrument systems include interconnections and locking mechanisms to fix the bone plates to the instruments, and guide features that aim k-wires, drills, and/or fasteners to pass through holes in the bone plates when the bone plates are fixed to the instruments. The locking mechanisms include elongated flexible elements that connect to the bone plates.

Abstract: The invention is a point and click method for positioning an external fixator on a patient, in which a surgeon—using a computer mouse or similar device—inscribes lines or points on a computer screen displaying an x-ray or other photographic image of the bones of a patient together with two rings in position adjacent the bones. By inscribing lines on the computer screen, the underlying drawings program detects the x-y coordinates of any point on the screen when the user (the surgeon or other practitioner) clicks on it, and outputs the x-y coordinates of every point identified by the user including the two points defining any desired line. The practitioner thus can, using “point and click” operation, govern the repositioning of two fixator rings on the bones of a patient.

Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: The invention is a point and click method for positioning an external fixator on a patient, in which a surgeon—using a computer mouse or similar device—inscribes lines or points on a computer screen displaying an x-ray or other photographic image of the bones of a patient together with two rings in position adjacent the bones. By inscribing lines on the computer screen, the underlying drawings program detects the x-y coordinates of any point on the screen when the user (the surgeon or other practitioner) clicks on it, and outputs the x-y coordinates of every point identified by the user including the two points defining any desired line. The practitioner thus can, using “point and click” operation, govern the repositioning of two fixator rings on the bones of a patient.

Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: Bone plate and instrument systems include interconnections and locking mechanisms to fix the bone plates to the instruments, and guide features that aim k-wires, drills, and/or fasteners to pass through holes in the bone plates when the bone plates are fixed to the instruments. The locking mechanisms include elongated flexible elements that connect to the bone plates.

Abstract: The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.

Abstract: The invention is a point and click method for positioning an external fixator on a patient, in which a surgeon—using a computer mouse or similar device—inscribes lines or points on a computer screen displaying an x-ray or other photographic image of the bones of a patient together with two rings in position adjacent the bones. By inscribing lines on the computer screen, the underlying drawings program detects the x-y coordinates of any point on the screen when the user (the surgeon or other practitioner) clicks on it, and outputs the x-y coordinates of every point identified by the user including the two points defining any desired line. The practitioner thus can, using “point and click” operation, govern the repositioning of two fixator rings on the bones of a patient.

Abstract: The invention is a point and click method for positioning an external fixator on a patient, in which a surgeon—using a computer mouse or similar device—inscribes lines or points on a computer screen displaying an x-ray or other photographic image of the bones of a patient together with two rings in position adjacent the bones. By inscribing lines on the computer screen, the underlying drawings program detects the x-y coordinates of any point on the screen when the user (the surgeon or other practitioner) clicks on it, and outputs the x-y coordinates of every point identified by the user including the two points defining any desired line. The practitioner thus can, using “point and click” operation, govern the repositioning of two fixator rings on the bones of a patient.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an orthopedic apparatus that can include a tether member that is capable of engaging a bone using a plurality of coupling members. In some aspects, the tether member can include a central band that may be disposed between a distal member and a proximal member. The proximal member can define a proximal aperture and the distal member can define a distal aperture. Moreover, the distal member can be configured to be engaged to a fixed segment of the bone using at least one of the coupling members and the proximal coupling member can be configured to be engaged to a mobile segment of the bone using at least one other coupling member.

Abstract: The present bone implant is a cannulated screw/nail or combination having end, middle and head threads as well as unthreaded portions along the length of the shaft. The pitch of the head threads is always less than the middle threads. Variations include a two-part construction with a narrow protrusion having narrow-protrusion threads of opposite hand, or the inclusion of at least first middle threads and second middle threads of different pitch. The implant provides bone compression engineering heretofore unavailable with prior known compression screws.

Abstract: An improved disposable pin site wound protection system for covering the entry or exit site of a surgical pin, wherein the system substantially reduces the time required to change a dressing at a pin site wound. The invention comprises a sponge (11) and clip (21), both of which are designed to be attached to a pin (15) adjacent a wound. The clip (21), when compressed, crosses the legs (23, 25) of the clip and when released will attach to the full-range of external fixation pins and wires. This reverse action of the clip, opening when compressed and closing when released, is a self-closing and self-holding clip that can be applied and removed with one hand. The sponge (11) is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical in shape, and may include a spiral cut (12) to resist accidental displacement from the pin.

Abstract: An internal joint distraction device provides articulation to an articulating bone joint between an upper bone structure and a lower bone structure. The device includes a medial plate shaped to at least partially conform to a medial side of a bone structure of a limb and includes a lateral plate shaped to at least partially conform to a lateral side of a bone structure of a limb. Each of the medial and lateral plates may include a longitudinal length sufficient to extend from the upper bone structure to the lower bone structure thereby spanning at least a portion of the joint. Each plates includes at least one proximal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the upper bone structure and at least one distal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the lower bone structure. An axle extends from one of the connection features on the medial plate to one of the connection features on the lateral plate.

Abstract: An internal joint distraction device provides articulation to an articulating bone joint between an upper bone structure and a lower bone structure. The device includes a medial plate shaped to at least partially conform to a medial side of a bone structure of a limb and includes a lateral plate shaped to at least partially conform to a lateral side of a bone structure of a limb. Each of the medial and lateral plates may include a longitudinal length sufficient to extend from the upper bone structure to the lower bone structure thereby spanning at least a portion of the joint. Each plates includes at least one proximal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the upper bone structure and at least one distal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the lower bone structure. An axle extends from one of the connection features on the medial plate to one of the connection features on the lateral plate.

Abstract: An internal joint distraction device provides articulation to an articulating bone joint between an upper bone structure and a lower bone structure. The device includes a medial plate shaped to at least partially conform to a medial side of a bone structure of a limb and includes a lateral plate shaped to at least partially conform to a lateral side of a bone structure of a limb. Each of the medial and lateral plates may include a longitudinal length sufficient to extend from the upper bone structure to the lower bone structure thereby spanning at least a portion of the joint. Each plates includes at least one proximal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the upper bone structure and at least one distal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the lower bone structure. An axle extends from one of the connection features on the medial plate to one of the connection features on the lateral plate.

Abstract: An improved disposable pin site wound protection system for covering the entry or exit site of a surgical pin, wherein the system substantially reduces the time required to change a dressing at a pin site wound. The invention comprises a sponge (11) and clip (21), both of which are designed to be attached to a pin (15) adjacent a wound. The clip (21), when compressed, crosses the legs (23, 25) of the clip and when released will attach to the full-range of external fixation pins and wires. This reverse action of the clip, opening when compressed and closing when released, is a self-closing and self-holding clip that can be applied and removed with one hand. The sponge (11) is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical in shape, and may include a spiral cut (12) to resist accidental displacement from the pin.