Abstract: An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for orthopedic surgery, including bone distraction. The application describes a bone distraction system that can be used to both distract and retract, or increase and decrease, a gap between first and second bone segments. The instrumentation can include any one of, or any combination of, a distractor, a ratchet, a first footplate, a second footplate, a first torque application instrument, and a second torque application instrument.

Abstract: An intramedullary bone fixation device that includes a shaft with a flexible region. The flexible region may be configured to flex from a first shape to a second shape as the shaft moves along a curved medullary canal. For example, the bone fixation device may include a distal bone screw that is configured to move along the curved medullary canal of first and second segments of a fractured bone (e.g., two segments of a broken rib) and fasten to the segment bone segment. The bone fixation device may include a locking member (e.g., a proximal bone screw) that is configured to lock the shaft to the first bone segment. For example, the shaft may be fixed to the distal bone screw and ratchetably coupled to the shaft such that the first and second bone segments can be compressed together by urging together the distal bone screw and the locking member.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for orthopedic surgery, including bone distraction. The application describes a bone distraction system that can be used to both distract and retract, or increase and decrease, a gap between first and second bone segments. The instrumentation can include any one of, or any combination of, a distractor, a ratchet, a first footplate, a second footplate, a first torque application instrument, and a second torque application instrument.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for orthopedic surgery, including bone distraction. The application describes a bone distraction system that can be used to both distract and retract, or increase and decrease, a gap between first and second bone segments. The instrumentation can include any one of, or any combination of, a distractor, a ratchet, a first footplate, a second footplate, a first torque application instrument, and a second torque application instrument.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for upper jaw correction surgery. The application discloses an orthopedic system and method that can be used to perform both a first distraction (for example a maxillary distraction) and a second distraction (for example a maxillary expansion) within the same surgical procedure. The instrumentation for separating first and second bone segments can include a first footplate; a second footplate; an actuator arranged to vary a distance between the first and second footplates; and a hinge that rotatably attaches the first and second footplates such that the first and second footplates can be angularly adjusted relative to each other about a pivot axis. Additionally, instrumentation and methods are provided for a hinged fixation device capable of securing and adjusting both the linear separation and angular orientation of bone structures.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for upper jaw correction surgery. The application discloses an orthopedic system and method that can be used to perform both a first distraction (for example a maxillary distraction) and a second distraction (for example a maxillary expansion) within the same surgical procedure. The instrumentation for separating first and second bone segments can include a first footplate; a second footplate; an actuator arranged to vary a distance between the first and second footplates; and a hinge that rotatably attaches the first and second footplates such that the first and second footplates can be angularly adjusted relative to each other about a pivot axis. Additionally, instrumentation and methods are provided for a hinged fixation device capable of securing and adjusting both the linear separation and angular orientation of bone structures.

Abstract: A bone distractor assembly configured to distract first and second bone segments on opposite sides of a bone gap is provided. In one embodiment the distractor assembly includes a distractor having a first coupler and a second coupler, a first footplate releasably coupled to the first coupler, a second footplate releasably coupled to the second coupler, and a locking mechanism releasably coupling the first and second footplates to the first and second couplers. The first and second footplates releasably are each configured to attach to bone. The locking mechanism includes a tube, wherein removal of the tube releases the first and second footplates from the first and second couplers.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for orthopedic surgery, including bone distraction. The application describes a bone distraction system that can be used to both distract and retract, or increase and decrease, a gap between first and second bone segments. The instrumentation can include any one of, or any combination of, a distractor, a ratchet, a first footplate, a second footplate, a first torque application instrument, and a second torque application instrument.

Abstract: A bone distractor assembly configured to distract first and second bone segments on opposite sides of a bone gap is provided. In one embodiment the distractor assembly includes a distractor having a first coupler and a second coupler, a first footplate releasably coupled to the first coupler, a second footplate releasably coupled to the second coupler, and a locking mechanism releasably coupling the first and second footplates to the first and second couplers. The first and second footplates releasably are each configured to attach to bone. The locking mechanism includes a tube, wherein removal of the tube releases the first and second footplates from the first and second couplers.

Abstract: A bone distractor assembly configured to distract first and second bone segments on opposite sides of a bone gap is provided. In one embodiment the distractor assembly includes a distractor having a first coupler and a second coupler, a first footplate releasably coupled to the first coupler, a second footplate releasably coupled to the second coupler, and a locking mechanism releasably coupling the first and second footplates to the first and second couplers. The first and second footplates releasably are each configured to attach to bone. The locking mechanism includes a tube, wherein removal of the tube releases the first and second footplates from the first and second couplers.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods are provided for upper jaw correction surgery. The application discloses an orthopedic system and method that can be used to perform both a first distraction (for example a maxillary distraction) and a second distraction (for example a maxillary expansion) within the same surgical procedure. The instrumentation for separating first and second bone segments can include a first footplate; a second footplate; an actuator arranged to vary a distance between the first and second footplates; and a hinge that rotatably attaches the first and second footplates such that the first and second footplates can be angularly adjusted relative to each other about a pivot axis. Additionally, instrumentation and methods are provided for a hinged fixation device capable of securing and adjusting both the linear separation and angular orientation of bone structures.

Abstract: An external midface distractor is disclosed for attachment to the bones of a patient's cranium and midface region for performing an osteogenesis procedure to gradually lengthen a portion of the craniofacial skeleton. The midface distractor generally includes an external halo assembly for engaging the patient's cranium, a central adjustment assembly, a vertical central rod, at least one horizontal cross piece assembly including at least one distraction screw, and at least one bone engaging portion which is mounted to the targeted facial bone to be distracted. The midface distractor may also include various individual adjustment mechanisms that provide surgeons greater and more precise control over the distraction vector than is available with current devices. That is, the midface distractor may provide surgeons with additional anterior-posterior and medial-lateral adjustments, thus permitting surgeons to more precisely and accurately control the direction of distraction.

Abstract: A bone distractor assembly configured to distract first and second bone segments on opposite sides of a bone gap is provided. In one embodiment the distractor assembly includes a distractor having a first coupler and a second coupler, a first footplate releasably coupled to the first coupler, a second footplate releasably coupled to the second coupler, and a locking mechanism releasably coupling the first and second footplates to the first and second couplers. The first and second footplates releasably are each configured to attach to bone. The locking mechanism includes a tube, wherein removal of the tube releases the first and second footplates from the first and second couplers.

Abstract: An external midface distractor is disclosed for attachment to the bones of a patient's cranium and midface region for performing an osteogenesis procedure to gradually lengthen a portion of the craniofacial skeleton. The midface distractor generally includes an external halo assembly for engaging the patient's cranium, a central adjustment assembly, a vertical central rod, at least one horizontal cross piece assembly including at least one distraction screw, and at least one bone engaging portion which is mounted to the targeted facial bone to be distracted. The midface distractor may also include various individual adjustment mechanisms that provide surgeons greater and more precise control over the distraction vector than is available with current devices. That is, the midface distractor may provide surgeons with additional anterior-posterior and medial-lateral adjustments, thus permitting surgeons to more precisely and accurately control the direction of distraction.

Abstract: An external midface distractor is disclosed for attachment to the bones of a patient's cranium and midface region for performing an osteogenesis procedure to gradually lengthen a portion of the craniofacial skeleton. The midface distractor generally includes an external halo assembly for engaging the patient's cranium, a central adjustment assembly, a vertical central rod, at least one horizontal cross piece assembly including at least one distraction screw, and at least one bone engaging portion which is mounted to the targeted facial bone to be distracted. The midface distractor may also include various individual adjustment mechanisms that provide surgeons greater and more precise control over the distraction vector than is available with current devices. That is, the midface distractor may provide surgeons with additional anterior-posterior and medial-lateral adjustments, thus permitting surgeons to more precisely and accurately control the direction of distraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes first and second footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The second footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the first footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the device does not increase in length upon activation. In another preferred embodiment, the second footplate is offset, allowing the actuator to be placed under the zygoma. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes first and second footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The second footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the first footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the device does not increase in length upon activation. In another preferred embodiment, the second footplate is offset, allowing the actuator to be placed under the zygoma. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes proximal and distal footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The distal footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the proximal footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct which is then wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the footplates are also detachable from the orthopedic device and are composed of a bioresorbable material, such that they will be absorbed by the patient's body. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.