Abstract: An implant system, alignment guide, bone fusion system and surgical method for correction of a flat foot or rocker-bottom deformity, such as a Charcot foot. The implant system includes a bone implant and an elongate member. The bone implant includes a proximal end, a distal end, a hole along a longitudinal axis, and at least one opening intersecting the hole. The elongate member includes a first end with a head portion, a second end with a coupling mechanism, and an opening along a longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism of the elongate member engages the at least one opening to couple the bone implant to the elongate member.

Abstract: An external fixator for fixating fractures provides an elongated support rod that includes proximal and distal rod sections. Fixation pins are provided for engaging the patient's bone tissue on opposite sides of a fracture. Clamps are rotatably supported upon the proximal rod section and distal rod section, each of the clamps being movable in rotational fashion both with respect to the rod and with respect to the pins. At least one of the clamps has articulating portions that rotate and angulate relative to one another so that total adjustment is provided between the rod and the pins. The articulating portion can be rigidified using one set fitting or set screw.

Abstract: An external fixator for fixating fractures provides an elongated support rod that includes proximal and distal rod sections. Fixation pins are provided for engaging the patient's bone tissue on opposite sides of a fracture. Clamps are rotatably supported upon the proximal rod section and distal rod section, each of the clamps being movable in rotational fashion both with respect to the rod and with respect to the pins. At least one of the clamps has articulating portions that rotate and angulate relative to one another so that total adjustment is provided between the rod and the pins. The articulating portion can be rigidified using one set fitting or set screw.

Abstract: An external fixator for fixating fractures provides an elongated support rod that includes proximal and distal rod sections. Fixation pins are provided for engaging the patient's bone tissue on opposite sides of a fracture. Clamps are rotatably supported upon the proximal rod section and distal rod section, each of the pins being movable in rotational fashion both with respect to the rod and with respect to the pins. At least one of the clamps has articulating portions that rotate and angulate relative to one another so that total adjustment is provided between the rod and the pins. The articulating portion can be rigidified using one set fitting or set screw.

Abstract: A joint fixator apparatus conforms to the natural axis of rotation of the joint in question, such as a patient's wrist or knee to avoid the possibility of bone fragment displacement and/or fracture reduction. The apparatus includes two fixation rod sections or shaft sections with a spring module therebetween. The spring module is in the form of a flexible coupler that connects to respective ends of the external fixator rod. The module can include a removable clip to restrain the motion of the spring a desired amount such as before healing takes place. The rods can be used to hold pin clamps which then hold bone pins for attachment to selected bones of the patient such as above and below a joint or above and below a fracture. The pin clamps can be moved along the rod sections to provide distraction of the joints for a ligamentotaxis effect in reducing the fracture.

Abstract: An orthopaedic fixation frame apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart support members such as circular rings, plates, or the like supported by a plurality of struts that span therebetween. One end of the struts adjacent the upper ring is provided with a position adjusting member that forms an interface between the support member and one end of the struts. The position adjusting members include joints (e.g., universal joints) for enabling angular change between the position of the struts and the support members.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring bone strain to detect fracture consolidation includes a fixation device which is affixed to a patient's bone that has a fracture site to be healed and wherein the fixation device supports an elongated optical fiber. Light is transmitted through the optical fiber to an exit point. The light intensity within the optical fiber is measured, preferably at the exit point as the light travels through the optical fiber. Light intensity is measured to monitor strain in the fixation device as the fracture site heals. A physician then determines when the site has fully healed by observing changes in light intensity as the patient's bone rather than the fixation device carries more of the patient's normal body loading.

Abstract: A surgical method of measuring bone strain to detect fracture consolidation includes the steps of affixing an external fixation device to the patient's bone that has a fracture site to be healed and wherein the fixation device supports an elongated optical fiber. Light is transmitted through the optical fiber to an exit point. The light intensity within the optical fiber is measured, preferably at the exit point as the light travels through the optical fiber. Light intensity is measured to monitor strain in the fixation device as the fracture site heals. A physician then determines when the site has fully healed by observing changes in light intensity as the patient's bone rather than the fixation device carries more of the patient's normal body loading.

Abstract: An external fixator for distal radius fractures provides an elongated support rod that includes proximal and distal rod sections. Radius fixation pins are provided for engaging the patient's radius bone tissue. Radius support clamps are rotatably supported upon the proximal rod section and distal rod section, each of the pins being movable in rotational fashion both with respect to the rod and with respect to the pins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method to externally fix bone fractures and bone deformities by moving an arc gear member, which is attached to a first bone segment, through an arc shaped path so as to place the first bone segment in the desired position relative to a second bone segment.