Abstract: A trajectory guide is provided for determining the trajectory of a compression screw relative to a previously implanted screw located within an orthopaedic plate. The guide is adapted to releasably position a drill guide in spaced-apart relation to an orthopaedic plate having previously implanted first screws such that the guide defines a trajectory for a compression screw that is nonintersecting with the first screws.

Abstract: An orthopedic device configured for use as a compressor or a distractor is provided. The device has two arm members and a locking sleeve for securely holding an elongated pin is attached to each of the two arm members. The locking sleeve are hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the two arm members by a biaxial hinge block, wherein the biaxial hinge block is configured to allow the locking sleeve to swivel in two different directions about two orthogonally oriented axes.

Abstract: An orthopedic device configured for use as a compressor or a distractor is provided. The device has two arm members and a locking sleeve for securely holding an elongated pin is attached to each of the two arm members. The locking sleeve are hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the two arm members by a biaxial hinge block, wherein the biaxial hinge block is configured to allow the locking sleeve to swivel in two different directions about two orthogonally oriented axes.

Abstract: Various surgical devices and methods are disclosed herein. Also disclosed is multi-component prosthesis, which can be used as an ankle prosthesis. One of the disclosed surgical alignment systems includes a guide arm, a ratchet arm frame configured to be coupled slidably to the guide arm, a ratchet arm configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm frame, and a sagittal sizing guide body configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm. The sagittal sizing guide body includes a first radiopaque object disposed at a first position and a second radiopaque object disposed at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position.

Abstract: An orthopedic device configured for use as a compressor or a distractor is provided. The device has two arm members and a locking sleeve for securely holding an elongated pin is attached to each of the two arm members. The locking sleeve are hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the two arm members by a biaxial hinge block, wherein the biaxial hinge block is configured to allow the locking sleeve to swivel in two different directions about two orthogonally oriented axes.

Abstract: An orthopedic device configured for use as a compressor or a distractor is provided. The device has two arm members and a locking sleeve for securely holding an elongated pin is attached to each of the two arm members. The locking sleeve are hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the two arm members by a biaxial hinge block, wherein the biaxial hinge block is configured to allow the locking sleeve to swivel in two different directions about two orthogonally oriented axes.

Abstract: A threaded-shaft or fastener such as a headless bone screw, intramedullary support or the like, has a tool-receiving structure on the axial end of an externally threaded proximal end for application of torque directly to the fastener. A cannulated cap nut with internal threads complementary to the thread on the shaft can be jammed on the shaft in a tightening direction, allowing driving torque to be applied to the shaft through the cap nut for driving the fastener into a work material such as bone tissue. When the fastener has been driven to bring the cap nut up to the work material, torque is applied between tools in the fastener and cap nut, and then to the fastener alone, unjamming and advancing the fastener such that the proximal end of the fastener can be embedded in the bone tissue. The fastener is advantageously a headless bone compression screw.

Abstract: A tool comprises a first body shaped to detachably receive a bone implant having a first portion with a first flat surface adapted to be attached to a bone and a second portion with a second flat surface oriented at a pre-determined angle relative to the first flat surface, the bone implant having at least one fastener hole penetrating each of the first and second portions. A second body has a surface or member. The second body is adjustably connected to the first body to selectably position the surface or member relative to the bone implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for compressing or distracting bone parts includes an elongated body with two arms extending transversely away from the body. One arm is a stationary arm affixed to one end of the body and a second arm is a longitudinally movable. The two arms extend from the elongated body in the same direction and parallel to each other. The orthopedic device also includes a locking sleeve hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the first and second arms by a hinge joint, where each locking sleeve is configured for lockably receiving an elongated pin using a collet and a captured collet nut.

Abstract: Various surgical devices and methods are disclosed herein. Also disclosed is multi-component prosthesis, which can be used as an ankle prosthesis. One of the disclosed surgical alignment systems includes a guide arm, a ratchet arm frame configured to be coupled slidably to the guide arm, a ratchet arm configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm frame, and a sagittal sizing guide body configured to be coupled to the ratchet arm. The sagittal sizing guide body includes a first radiopaque object disposed at a first position and a second radiopaque object disposed at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position.

Abstract: An orthopedic device configured for use as a compressor or a distractor is provided. The device has two arm members and a locking sleeve for securely holding an elongated pin is attached to each of the two arm members. The locking sleeve are hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the two arm members by a biaxial hinge block, wherein the biaxial hinge block is configured to allow the locking sleeve to swivel in two different directions about two orthogonally oriented axes.

Abstract: A trajectory guide is is provided for determining the trajectory of a compression screw relative to a previously implanted screw located within an orthopaedic plate. The guide is adapted to releasably position a drill guide in spaced-apart relation to an orthopaedic plate having previously implanted first screws such that the guide defines a trajectory for a compression screw that is nonintersecting with the first screws.

Abstract: A tool comprises a first body shaped to detachably receive a bone implant having a first portion with a first flat surface adapted to be attached to a bone and a second portion with a second flat surface oriented at a pre-determined angle relative to the first flat surface, the bone implant having at least one fastener hole penetrating each of the first and second portions. A second body has a surface or member. The second body is adjustably connected to the first body to selectably position the surface or member relative to the bone implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for compressing or distracting bone parts includes an elongated body with two arms extending transversely away from the body. One arm is a stationary arm affixed to one end of the body and a second arm is a longitudinally movable. The two arms extend from the elongated body in the same direction and parallel to each other. The orthopedic device also includes a locking sleeve hingeably connected to the outer end of each of the first and second arms by a hinge joint, where each locking sleeve is configured for lockably receiving an elongated pin using a collet and a captured collet nut.

Abstract: A bone-anchoring device is provided. The device may include a substantially rigid shaft having a threaded portion configured to engage bone. The bone-anchoring device may further include a head portion securely attached to the shaft and a cap portion having a hinged connection with the head portion. A substantially spherical cavity may be formed between the head portion and the cap portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides interspinous vertebral and lumbosacral stabilization devices, and methods of using these devices for treating spinal instability conditions. The invention includes interspinous vertebral stabilization devices adapted for placement between the spinous processes of two or more adjacent vertebrae. The invention also includes lumbar stabilization devices adapted to be placed between a lumbar vertebra and an adjacent vertebra, including the first sacral vertebra (S1), to stabilize the lumbosacral region of a patient, and method for using such devices.

Abstract: A bone-anchoring device is provided. The bone-anchoring device may comprise a screw including a threaded shaft portion configured to engage bone tissue, and a head portion having a cup-shaped cavity. The device may further include a rod connector and a linking member, wherein the linking member includes a spherical head portion configured to engage the cup-shaped cavity of the head of the screw, a widened flange s configured to engage the linking member, and an elongate body extending from the widened flange portion and configured to extend through an opening in the rod connector.

Abstract: A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location. The first location is distal to the second location. The passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the second location and the proximal end.

Abstract: A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location. The first location is distal to the second location. The passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the second location and the proximal end.

Abstract: Implantable devices are provided for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae and the lumbosacral region of a patient. The devices can comprise an interspinous flexible spacer body having a substantially U-shape comprising a superior section, inferior section, and a midsection extending therebetween. The superior and/or inferior sections can include a pair of lateral walls configured to engage a spinous process of a vertebra. Fixation caps can be provided for securing a spinous process of a vertebra to the flexible spacer body. To secure the flexible spacer body between the lumbar vertebra and an adjacent vertebra, an anchor assembly is provided. Also provided are methods of using the implantable devices to stabilize a patient's spine.