Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes a rod, an anchor, and a clamp assembly. The anchor is adapted to engage a bone. The clamp assembly secures the anchor to the rod. The clamp assembly includes a first portion with first and second flanges for receiving the anchor. A compressible ball is carried by the second portion of the clamp assembly. The ball has a through hole receiving the rod. The through hole is defined by a generally cylindrical inner surface having at least one relieved channel. The first and second flanges include first and second opposing surfaces, respectively. The first and second opposing surfaces are normally angled relative to one another. A nut which threadably engages an upper shaft of the fastener is tightened to draw together the first and second flanges to a position in which they are generally parallel to one another. At least a portion of the through hole tapers from one of the first and second ends towards a center of the ball.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member for engaging a first elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member. The first and second jaw portions or members are connected by a hinge portion. The first jaw member includes a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member. The first clamp member is elastically deformable to receive the first elongated member between the free ends of the first and second jaw members and into the laterally extending channel.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.

Abstract: A system for performing osteotomies includes a bone plate and a retractor assembly. The bone plate is operative for securing the relative positions between first and second portions of a bone that are separated by a gap. The bone plate generally includes a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and an intermediate portion. The first mounting portion is for attachment to the first bone portion. The second mounting portion is for attachment to the second bone portion. The intermediate portion connects the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion in a first direction and has a central width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction that is substantially less than a width of first and second ends. The retractor assembly establishes a wedge-shaped gap between the first and second portions of the bone. The retractor assembly generally includes first and second handle members and first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member receiving a first elongated and a second clamp member receiving a second elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first fastener rotatably in a first direction to lock the first elongated member relative to the first clamp member. A second fastener connects the first and second clamp members. The second fastener is rotatable in the first direction to independently lock the second elongated member relative to the second clamp member. The first fastener is hollow and the second fastener passes through the first fastener.

Abstract: A method and a system for a spinal fixation incorporate a plurality of polydirectional fixation screws and a plurality of linkages. The polydirectional fixation screws include an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is attached to the linkage. The upper member includes a first hemispherical portion. The lower member engages the bone and includes a second hemispherical portion which cooperates with the first hemispherical portion to define a sphere. The second hemispherical portion is coupled to the first hemispherical portion for relative pivotal movement about an axis. Relative movement between the first and second hemispherical portions readily permits sagittal plane adjustments. The polydirectional fixation screw further includes a biasing member for biasing the first member away from the second member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis. The linkages are provided with various vertical offsets to readily permit coronal plane adjustment.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.

Abstract: A system for performing osteotomies includes a bone plate and a retractor assembly. The bone plate generally includes a first mounting portion for attachment to a first bone portion, a second mounting portion for attachment to a ssecond bone portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion. The retractor assembly includes first and second handle members coupled for relative movement about a first pivot axis and first and second jaw members coupled to the first and second handle members, respectively.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member for engaging a first elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member. The first and second jaw portions or members are connected by a hinge portion. The first jaw member includes a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member. The first clamp member is elastically deformable to receive the first elongated member between the free ends of the first and second jaw members and into the laterally extending channel.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plating system for securing multiple bone segments relative to each other includes a plate member having multiple pairs of nodes. Each node defines a bone screw aperture. Linking segments connect the pairs of nodes to one another. Between adjacent linking segments are elongated viewing windows. The bone screw apertures each include an integral locking mechanism to ensure that the bone screws do not back out of the plate member. The locking mechanisms and the bone screw apertures allow for angular freedom of insertion of the bone screws into a vertebral body or other bone portion.

Abstract: A system for performing osteotomies includes a bone plate and a retractor assembly. The bone plate generally includes a first mounting portion for attachment to a first bone portion, a second mounting portion for attachment to a second bone portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion. The retractor assembly includes first and second handle members coupled for relative movement about a first pivot axis and first and second jaw members coupled to the first and second handle members, respectively.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member receiving a first elongated and a second clamp member receiving a second elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first fastener rotatably in a first direction to lock the first elongated member relative to the first clamp member. A second fastener connects the first and second clamp members. The second fastener is rotatable in the first direction to independently lock the second elongated member relative to the second clamp member. The first fastener is hollow and the second fastener passes through the first fastener.

Abstract: A method and a system for a spinal fixation incorporate a plurality of polydirectional fixation screws and a plurality of linkages. The polydirectional fixation screws include an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is attached to the linkage. The upper member includes a first hemispherical portion. The lower member engages the bone and includes a second hemispherical portion which cooperates with the first hemispherical portion to define a sphere. The second hemispherical portion is coupled to the first hemispherical portion for relative pivotal movement about an axis. Relative movement between the first and second hemispherical portions readily permits sagittal plane adjustments. The polydirectional fixation screw further includes a biasing member for biasing the first member away from the second member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis. The linkages are provided with various vertical offsets to readily permit coronal plane adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinal fixation has a longitudinally extending core which provides structural integrity and allows for bone growth along the center column of the spine. The apparatus for spinal fixation further includes upper and lower platform members radially extending from upper and lower ends, respectively, of the core. The platform members each include a plurality of radially extending arms which define substantially triangular openings therebetween. The openings permit bone ingrowth therethrough to the space between the upper and lower platform members which is interrupted only by the core.

Abstract: An external fixator for securing a bone through a first bone screw connected to a first portion of the bone and a second bone screw connected to a second portion of the bone. The external fixator includes a first bone screw clamping assembly for receiving the first bone screw and a second bone screw clamping assembly for receiving the second bone screw. The external fixator additionally includes an angular correction module connecting the first and second bone screw clamping assemblies. The angular correction module includes a first element and a second element coupled to allow articulation of the first bone screw clamping assembly relative to the second bone screw clamping assembly about a center of rotation spaced from the module.

Abstract: An external fixation system for securing a first bone portion in a fixed relationship with respect to a second bone portion. The fixation system includes at least one cylindrical support rod and a plurality of universal clamp assemblies for engagement with at least one support rod. The fixation system additionally includes various other distinct components for interconnecting the support rod with bone pins engaged with the bone. Some of the other components are formed to include serrations for engaging corresponding serrations provided on the universal clamp assemblies. Some of the components include a cylindrical portion, whereas other of the components include a rod receiving portion adapted to receive the at least one support rod or one of the cylindrical portions. These interchangeable and distinct components allow for a greater degree of surgeon flexibility in producing a desired construction to secure bone portions with bone pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for external fixation of the pelvis includes first and second pluralities of bone screws adapted to be connected to first and second portions of the pelvis, respectively. The apparatus additionally includes a first bone screw clamp for receiving the first plurality of bone screws and a second bone screw clamp for receiving the second plurality of bone screws. Further, the apparatus includes a frame for securing the first bone screw clamp to the second bone screw clamp. The frame includes a transversely extending member which is articulable between a first position and a second position such that the transversely extending member is displaced in an inferior/superior direction when the frame is articulated from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An external fixator for securing a first bone portion in a fixed relationship with respect to a second bone portion. The fixator includes a bone screw clamping assembly for receiving a first bone screw which is connected to the first bone portion and which includes a spherical portion. The fixator further includes a bone screw clamping assembly which is operable to receive a second bone screw which is connected to the second bone portion and which has a spherical portion. The fixator also includes a connection member having a main body portion and an internal module adjustably mounted within the main body portion. The internal module receives a spherical end of one of the bone screw clamps and selectively permits universal movement thereof. The internal module may be linearly adjusted within the connection member independently in first and second directions which are substantially perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: An external fixator for securing a first bone portion in a position relative to a second bone portion. The fixator includes a first clamping assembly for receiving a first bone screw connected to the first bone portion and a second clamping assembly for receiving a second bone screw connected to the second bone portion. The first and second clamping assemblies are interconnected by a main body which includes a plurality of serrated joints. Each serrated joint preferably includes first and second overlapping flanges which carry cooperating serrated surfaces adapted to selectively interlock. Each joint includes a fastener defining a pivot axis, the fasteners being operative to mechanically separate the cooperating serrated surfaces upon rotation in a first direction.

Abstract: An external fixator for adjustably securing a first bone portion in a position relative to a second bone portion. The fixator includes a first clamping assembly for receiving a first bone screw connected to the first bone portion and a second clamping assembly for receiving a second bone screw connected to the second bone portion. The first and second clamping assemblies are interconnected by a connection member. The external fixator also includes a drive unit for controlling angular adjustment of the second clamping assembly relative to the first clamping assembly.