Abstract: A bone plate a re-orientable tab that provides a buttress support to fragments of the surrounding concave joint rim. The tabs can be re-orientated to contact the rim to provide close support. Each tab includes a hole sized to closely receive a K-wire to permit the K-wire to apply a bending load to a tab in situ to bend the tab about a lower recess between the tab and the remainder of the head. A soft tissue anchor is sized to pass through the hole in the tab, and into a hole drilled into the underlying bone. The soft tissue anchor has a bone engaging first portion and second portion comprising a length of flexible suture, to which is affixed a needle. The needle and suture can be used to draw tissue about the joint capsule.

Abstract: A bone plate a re-orientable tab that provides a buttress support to fragments of the surrounding concave joint rim. The tabs can be re-orientated to contact the rim to provide close support. Each tab includes a hole sized to closely receive a K-wire to permit the K-wire to apply a bending load to a tab in situ to bend the tab about a lower recess between the tab and the remainder of the head. A soft tissue anchor is sized to pass through the hole in the tab, and into a hole drilled into the underlying bone. The soft tissue anchor has a bone engaging first portion and second portion comprising a length of flexible suture, to which is affixed a needle. The needle and suture can be used to draw tissue about the joint capsule.

Abstract: A system, devices and methods are provided for facilitating stabilization of periarticular fractures. The system includes a compression plate and one or more of a cerclage cable for encircling the bone and securing the compression plate to the bone, a crimp lug for securing the cable in tension relative to the bone and/or a plate, and a supplemental plate coupled to the compression plate and adapted to receive bicortical or unicortical bone screws to further secure the compression plate relative to the bone. In addition, the system includes a cable tensioner for temporarily retaining the cable in tension and then applying a tension to the cable until a desired compression is effected between a plate and bone and while a cable retaining structure is secured to the cable to retain the applied tension on the cable. Also provided is a jig for use with plates for minimally invasive fracture stabilization.

Abstract: A bone plate system for the internal fixation of metacarpal and phalanx fractures of the hand is provided. The plates are structured to permit independent reconfiguration of holes of the plates relative to a longitudinal axis and are configured to orient fasteners to interdigitate with holes displaced along the longitudinal axis. The plates are very thin, and a locking screw with a low profile head design is provided for use therewith.

Abstract: A system, devices and methods are provided for facilitating stabilization of periarticular fractures. The system includes a compression plate and one or more of a cerclage cable for encircling the bone and securing the compression plate to the bone, a crimp lug for securing the cable in tension relative to the bone and/or a plate, and a supplemental plate coupled to the compression plate and adapted to receive bicortical or unicortical bone screws to further secure the compression plate relative to the bone. In addition, the system includes a cable tensioner for temporarily retaining the cable in tension and then applying a tension to the cable until a desired compression is effected between a plate and bone and while a cable retaining structure is secured to the cable to retain the applied tension on the cable. Also provided is a jig for use with plates for minimally invasive fracture stabilization.

Abstract: Plate shaping tools may be attached to a plate having pre-assembled guides while the plate is located on the bone to effect alteration of the plate shape in an effective and precise manner. The tools are designed such that a drill and K-wires can be inserted through the guides while the tools are coupled to the guides. In accord with tools disclosed and methods described, the plates are reconfigurable in shape.

Abstract: Plate shaping tools may be attached to a plate having pre-assembled guides while the plate is located on the bone to effect alteration of the plate shape in an effective and precise manner. The tools are designed such that a drill and K-wires can be inserted through the guides while the tools are coupled to the guides. In accord with tools disclosed and methods described, the plates are reconfigurable in shape.

Abstract: Plate shaping tools may be attached to a plate having pre-assembled guides while the plate is located on the bone to effect alteration of the plate shape in an effective and precise manner. The tools are designed such that a drill and K-wires can be inserted through the guides while the tools are coupled to the guides.

Abstract: A torque-limiting fastener driver for driving a bone fastener into bone includes a handle supporting a driver shaft. The driver shaft includes limited components which are designed to provide feedback to a user regarding the applied torsional force. In addition, the driver shaft is designed to controllably fail before any potential uncontrolled failure of the distal driving tip. This prevents application of too much torque and controlled design of the shape and size of the failed components.

Abstract: A torque-limiting fastener driver for driving a bone fastener into bone includes a handle supporting a driver shaft. The driver shaft includes limited components which are designed to provide feedback to a user regarding the applied torsional force. In addition, the driver shaft is designed to controllably fail before any potential uncontrolled failure of the distal driving tip. This prevents application of too much torque and controlled design of the shape and size of the failed components.

Abstract: A bone plate system for the internal fixation of metacarpal and phalanx fractures of the hand is provided. The plates are structured to permit independent reconfiguration of holes of the plates relative to a longitudinal axis and are configured to orient fasteners to interdigitate with holes displaced along the longitudinal axis. The plates are very thin, and a locking screw with a low profile head design is provided for use therewith.

Abstract: Plate shaping tools may be attached to a plate having pre-assembled guides while the plate is located on the bone to effect alteration of the plate shape in an effective and precise manner. The tools are designed such that a drill and K-wires can be inserted through the guides while the tools are coupled to the guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a calibration and navigation of a member. The member may be calibrated relative to a selected portion, such as a sensor on an instrument. The calibrated member may then be navigated with a selected system. The calibration technique can be infinitely flexible and not rigid or designed for specific components. Moreover, the calibration may occur when the member is interconnected to an end of the instrument that is non-co-axial with another end of the instrument.