Abstract: A cutting tool has a first annular member at a proximal end portion of the cutting tool, a second annular member at a distal end portion of the cutting tool, and a plurality of curved side panels extending between the first annular member and the second annular member and coupled to the first and second annular members. The curved side panels are arranged about an axis of rotation of the cutting tool to form a hollow, tubular cutting structure, and include a plurality of cutting teeth oriented in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hemispherical cutting tool has a frame having a first end portion and a second end portion. Curved side panels are coupled to the frame and arranged about the rotational axis of the cutting tool, and have cutting teeth and engagement members extending inwardly into the frame from edge portions of the curved side panels in a direction toward a hollow interior of the hemispherical cutting tool. A dome panel is coupled to the second end portion of the frame such that the cutting tool has a hemispherical shape, the dome panel comprising cutting teeth and a plurality of engagement members extending inwardly into the frame in a direction toward the hollow interior of the tool. The frame is injection molded around the curved side panels and the dome panel such that the engagement members of the curved side panels and the dome panel are embedded in the frame.

Abstract: A system is provided for preparing prosthetic hip implantation. The system includes a first broach, a second broach, and a trial neck having a body portion and a neck portion. A proximal end of the first broach comprises a first base having a first maximum area. The body portion can be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the first broach so as to define a first offset between a medial end of the neck portion and a longitudinal axis of the first broach, or releasably coupled to the proximal end of the second broach so as to define a second offset between the medial end of the neck portion and a longitudinal axis of the second broach. The first offset is smaller than the second offset.

Abstract: A system is provided for preparing prosthetic hip implantation. The system includes a first broach, a second broach, and a trial neck having a body portion and a neck portion. A proximal end of the first broach comprises a first base having a first maximum area. The body portion can be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the first broach so as to define a first offset between a medial end of the neck portion and a longitudinal axis of the first broach, or releasably coupled to the proximal end of the second broach so as to define a second offset between the medial end of the neck portion and a longitudinal axis of the second broach. The first offset is smaller than the second offset.

Abstract: A low cost disposable reamer shaft is made from a rod or tube stock of stainless steel, Nitinol or fiber reinforced polymer having a precise outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeter and is cut to a shaft length of 250 to 400 millimeters. An attachment piece with male or female thread matching a spherical hollow or tapered hollow reamer is machined and glued with epoxy on one end of the rod of tube stock using a precision centerline aligning jig. An attachment piece for connecting to a drive power unit is machined and glued with epoxy to the other end of the rod or tube stock thus forming a low cost disposable reamer shaft that aligns the centerline of the shaft with that of the reamer. The shaft contacts the reamer at two attachment locations that are displaced from each other, providing precise centerline alignment.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided with a cutting surface on a first side of the cutting tool and an attachment member on a second side of the cutting tool. The cutting surface can have cutting edges with characteristics that vary along the cutting tool. Novel methods of manufacturing such cutting tools are also provided.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cutting surface on a first side and an attachment member on a second side. The attachment member is configured to be coupled to a powered driving member. The cutting tool includes a limiting device configured to restrict the use of the cutting tool to a predetermined number of uses. The limiting device can be configured to restrict the number of uses of the cutting tool by restricting the number of times that the attachment member can be coupled to the powered driving member.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided with a cutting surface on a first side of the cutting tool and an attachment member on a second side of the cutting tool. The cutting surface can have cutting edges with characteristics that vary along the cutting tool. Novel methods of manufacturing such cutting tools are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of a low profile bone plate can allow for a locking relationship between the bone plate and one or more bone screws, without requiring specialized bone screws. According to the disclosure, a locking element and/or a flange can be provided in one or more through-holes in the bone plate to engage with the threads of the bone screw, to lock the screw in place. Locking elements, such as a straight wire or spring coil positioned near the bone-contacting surface of the bone plate can have a cross sectional diameter less than the pitch of the bone screw threads, so as not to interfere with insertion and tightening of the bone screw. Thus, standard bone screws without threaded heads or tapered shafts can be locked with a bone plate having a minimal thickness, which can advantageously improve chances of wound healing.

Abstract: A low cost disposable reamer shaft is made from a rod or tube stock of stainless steel, Nitinol or fiber reinforced polymer having a precise outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeter and is cut to a shaft length of 250 to 400 millimeters. An attachment piece with male or female thread matching a spherical hollow or tapered hollow reamer is machined and glued with epoxy on one end of the rod of tube stock using a precision centerline aligning jig. An attachment piece for connecting to a drive power unit is machined and glued with epoxy to the other end of the rod or tube stock thus forming a low cost disposable reamer shaft that aligns the centerline of the shaft with that of the reamer. The shaft contacts the reamer at two attachment locations that are displaced from each other, providing precise centerline alignment.

Abstract: A low cost disposable reamer shaft is made from a rod or tube stock of stainless steel, Nitinol or fiber reinforced polymer having a precise outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeter and is cut to a shaft length of 250 to 400 millimeters. An attachment piece with male or female thread matching a spherical hollow or tapered hollow reamer is machined and glued with epoxy on one end of the rod of tube stock using a precision centerline aligning jig. An attachment piece for connecting to a drive power unit is machined and glued with epoxy to the other end of the rod or tube stock thus forming a low cost disposable reamer shaft that aligns the centerline of the shaft with that of the reamer. The shaft contacts the reamer at two attachment locations that are displaced from each other, providing precise centerline alignment.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided with a cutting surface on a first side of the cutting tool and an attachment member on a second side of the cutting tool. The cutting surface can have cutting edges with characteristics that vary along the cutting tool. Novel methods of manufacturing such cutting tools are also provided.

Abstract: A low cost disposable flexible reamer shaft has a flexible cylindrical braided tube shaft with an outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeters and 250 to 400 mm length, and a central aperture for insertion of a flexible polymeric tube. The braided tube shaft is permanently attached to a first end element and a second end element. The threaded end of the first end element attaches to female threads of modular tapered, cylindrical or spherical, hollow or solid reamer assembly. The second end element fits into a chuck of a drive motor. The threaded attachment of the first end provides local centerline matching. A guide pin is inserted in the bone cavity, which enters the reamer. The central aperture of the flexible polymeric tube provides centerline matched, wobble-free reaming. The reaming end point is precisely the guide pin inserted location while the reaming direction is controlled by the surgeon by flexing the flexible reamer shaft.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cutting surface on a first side and an attachment member on a second side. The attachment member is configured to be coupled to a powered driving member. The cutting tool includes a limiting device configured to restrict the use of the cutting tool to a predetermined number of uses. The limiting device can be configured to restrict the number of uses of the cutting tool by restricting the number of times that the attachment member can be coupled to the powered driving member.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of a low profile bone plate can allow for a locking relationship between the bone plate and one or more bone screws, without requiring specialized bone screws. According to the disclosure, a locking element and/or a flange can be provided in one or more through-holes in the bone plate to engage with the threads of the bone screw, to lock the screw in place. Locking elements, such as a straight wire or spring coil positioned near the bone-contacting surface of the bone plate can have a cross sectional diameter less than the pitch of the bone screw threads, so as not to interfere with insertion and tightening of the bone screw. Thus, standard bone screws without threaded heads or tapered shafts can be locked with a bone plate having a minimal thickness, which can advantageously improve chances of wound healing.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first member operable to engage an endplate of a vertebral bone of a spine, the first member having top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness therebetween; a second member spaced apart from the first member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent vertebral bone of the spine; a connecting element located substantially between and connecting the first and second members; and the first member having at least one slot extending through a portion thereof through its entire thickness and top and bottom surfaces, creating first and second portions of the first member, wherein the slot imparts compressibility and/or expandability to the intervertebral disc replacement device.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first plate member operable to engage an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine; a second plate member spaced apart from the first plate member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent second vertebral bone of the spine; a ball element depending from the first plate member; and a socket element depending from the second plate member, wherein at least one of the ball and socket elements include one or more keyed surfaces such that: (i) an assembly function is obtained in which the ball element may at least one of be received into, and removed from, the socket element in one or more first articulation positions of the first and second plate members; and (ii) a capture function is obtained in which the ball element may at least one of not be received into, and not be removed from, the socket element in one or more second articulation positions of the first and second plate members.

Abstract: A low cost disposable reamer shaft is made from a rod or tube stock of stainless steel, Nitinol or fiber reinforced polymer having a precise outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeter and is cut to a shaft length of 250 to 400 millimeters. An attachment piece with male or female thread matching a spherical hollow or tapered hollow reamer is machined and glued with epoxy on one end of the rod of tube stock using a precision centerline aligning jig. An attachment piece for connecting to a drive power unit is machined and glued with epoxy to the other end of the rod or tube stock thus forming a low cost disposable reamer shaft that aligns the centerline of the shaft with that of the reamer. The shaft contacts the reamer at two attachment locations that are displaced from each other, providing precise centerline alignment.

Abstract: A low cost disposable flexible reamer shaft has a flexible cylindrical braided tube shaft with an outer diameter in the range of 4 to 14 millimeters and 250 to 400 mm length, and a central aperture for insertion of a flexible polymeric tube. The braided tube shaft is permanently attached to a first end element and a second end element. The threaded end of the first end element attaches to female threads of modular tapered, cylindrical or spherical, hollow or solid reamer assembly. The second end element fits into a chuck of a drive motor. The threaded attachment of the first end provides local centerline matching. A guide pin is inserted in the bone cavity, which enters the reamer. The central aperture of the flexible polymeric tube provides centerline matched, wobble-free reaming. The reaming end point is precisely the guide pin inserted location while the reaming direction is controlled by the surgeon by flexing the flexible reamer shaft.

Abstract: An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first member operable to engage an endplate of a vertebral bone of a spine, the first member having top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness therebetween; a second member spaced apart from the first member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent vertebral bone of the spine; a connecting element located substantially between and connecting the first and second members; and the first member having at least one slot extending through a portion thereof through its entire thickness and top and bottom surfaces, creating first and second portions of the first member, wherein the slot imparts compressibility and/or expandability to the intervertebral disc replacement device.