Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an open wedge osteotomy. The apparatus includes devices for forming an open wedge osteotomy in bone, including a keyed-wedge implant. The method includes the steps of forming a cut in a bone, forming a keyhole in the bone surface at the proximal end of the cut, and positioning a keyed wedge-shaped implant into the cut formed into the bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an open wedge osteotomy utilizing a keyed, wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a keyed, wedge-shaped opening created in a bone. The keys may be disposed in vertical or horizontal arrangements. In addition, a shear rib key hole may be formed adjacent the wedge-shaped opening in the bone.

Abstract: An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a key extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in a keyhole formed in the bone along the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the key is disposed in the keyhole, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an open wedge osteotomy. The apparatus includes devices for forming an open wedge osteotomy in bone, including a keyed-wedge implant. The method includes the steps of forming a cut in a bone, forming a keyhole in the bone surface at the proximal end of the cut, and positioning a keyed wedge-shaped implant into the cut formed into the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an open wedge osteotomy. The apparatus includes devices for forming an open wedge osteotomy in bone, including a keyed-wedge implant. The method includes the steps of forming a cut in a bone, forming a keyhole in the bone surface at the proximal end of the cut, and positioning a keyed wedge-shaped implant into the cut formed into the bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an osteotomy in bone. The osteotomy opening is formed in a bone with a keyhole. A similarly configured implant is inserted into the opening with a key configured to engage the keyhole to provide stability and support to the osteotomy opening.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a probe having a proximate end configured to connect to an ultrasonic driver assembly that generates ultrasonic vibrational energy, and a shaft for conducting the ultrasonic vibrational energy from the proximate end to a distal end. The device also includes a canula located at least partially over the distal end of the probe. A material is interposed between the probe and the canula for converting the ultrasonic vibrational energy into heat energy.

Abstract: An osteotomy implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in a bone, the implant comprising: a body for disposition within the wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in the bone and supporting the bone while healing occurs; at least one key formed integral with the body for stabilizing the body relative to the adjacent bone while healing occurs; and at least one fenestration extending through the body for permitting bone growth through the implant.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: cutting apparatus for forming an osteotomy cut in the tibia, the cutting apparatus comprising: targeting apparatus for identifying a cutting plane through the tibia and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the tibia, parallel to the anterior-posterior slope of the tibia and parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient.

Abstract: The present application provides an apparatus for forming and method of creating a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy by identifying a cutting plane through the bone; and inserting an apex pin along the cutting plane to limit cutting and minimize stress risers in the bone.

Abstract: An osteotomy implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in a bone, the implant comprising a body for disposition within the wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in the bone and supporting the bone while healing occurs; at least one key formed integral with the body for stabilizing the body relative to the adjacent bone while healing occurs; and at least one fenestration extending through the body for permitting bone growth through the implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an osteotomy in bone. The osteotomy opening is formed in a bone with a keyhole. A similarly configured implant is inserted into the opening with a key configured to engage the keyhole to provide stability and support to the osteotomy opening.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy. More particularly, the present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel method and apparatus for forming an appropriate osteotomy cut into the upper portion of the tibia, manipulating the tibia so as to open an appropriate wedge-like opening in the tibia, and then mounting an appropriately-shaped implant at the wedge-like opening in the tibia, so as to stabilize the tibia with the desired orientation, whereby to reorient the lower portion of the tibia relative to the tibial plateau and hence adjust the manner in which load is transferred from the femur to the tibia.

Abstract: An osteotomy implant for supporting an open wedge osteotomy and method of use are described. In one form, the implant is configured to contain a graft material within the osteotomy. In another form, the implant is composed of multiple parts capable of being assembled either before or after insertion into the osteotomy.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy. More particularly, the present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel method and apparatus for forming an appropriate osteotomy cut into the upper portion of the tibia, manipulating the tibia so as to open an appropriate wedge-like opening in the tibia, and then mounting an appropriately-shaped implant at the wedge-like opening in the tibia, so as to stabilize the tibia with the desired orientation, whereby to reorient the lower portion of the tibia relative to the tibial plateau and hence adjust the manner in which load is transferred from the femur to the tibia.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: cutting apparatus for forming an osteotomy cut in the tibia, the cutting apparatus comprising: targeting apparatus for identifying a cutting plane through the tibia and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the tibia, parallel to the anterior-posterior slope of the tibia and parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient.

Abstract: A method for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the method comprising: identifying a cutting plane through the tibia and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the tibia, parallel to the anterior-posterior slope of the tibia and parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient; positioning a hollow cylinder adjacent to an exterior surface of the tibia and co-axial with the boundary line; positioning a fluoroscope so that its field of view is parallel to the anterior-posterior slope of the tibia, parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient, and co-axial with the hollow cylinder; imaging with the fluoroscope and observing the profile of the hollow cylinder so as to confirm that the hollow cylinder is aligned co-axial with the boundary line; advancing an apex pin through the hollow cylinder and into the tibia along the boundary line so as to provide a positive stop at the boundary line for limiting cutting along the cutting

Abstract: An osteotomy implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in a bone, the implant comprising: a body for disposition within the wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in the bone and supporting the bone while healing occurs; at least one key formed integral with the body for stabilizing the body relative to the adjacent bone while healing occurs; and at least one fenestration extending through the body for permitting bone growth through the implant.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.