Abstract: Computer-assisted surgery device and a method for operating the same which allows a more efficient positioning and application of an implant with respect to a bony structure, and in particular a shorter operation time and less intensity of x-ray exposure for a patient. A device for computer-assisted surgery includes a reference structure, a first arm, a second arm, a position determining unit and a motion controlling unit.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

Abstract: A screw insertion system has a screw having a threaded shaft and a head. The head has a conically tapered outer surface, the taper increasing in distance from a central longitudinal axis of the screw from a free end of the head towards a larger diameter adjacent the connection between the head and the threaded shaft. The conically tapered head outer surface has preferably two helically extending partially rounded threads. The head has a drive element for engaging a driver. A tubular screw holder has an outer surface and internal bore extending between a leading end and a trailing end for receiving the screw. The leading end having a conically tapered inner threaded portion for engaging the conically tapered outer thread of the screw head. The tubular screw holder outer surface having a diameter less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the conically tapered head.

Abstract: A method of attaching a fixation construct to a long bone includes attaching a guide block to a bone plate, placing the bone plate against a surface of the long bone, connecting two k-wires to the guide block, locating the medial-lateral direction, confirming an overlapping alignment of the two k-wires in the medial-lateral direction, confirming a positioning of the bone plate with respect to the bone, and securing the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system includes a fixation element and a peg. The fixation element has a plate and a barrel, the plate having an outer surface and an inner surface for placement against an exterior surface of a bone, and the barrel extending along a barrel axis and having a peripheral wall protruding from the inner surface of the plate, the fixation element defining a passage through the plate and the barrel that extends along the barrel axis, wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the peripheral wall of the barrel has a figure-8 shape in a plane perpendicular to the barrel axis. The monolithic peg extends along a peg axis and is configured for insertion into the passage, wherein a body of the peg has an outer surface defining a figure-8 shape in a plane perpendicular to the peg axis.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

Abstract: An orthopedic locking screw arranged in a bore of an orthopedic implant enables easy removal of a broken locking screw out of the implant. The orthopedic locking screw for a cooperation with a thread in the orthopedic implant comprises a longitudinally extending shaft. The shaft comprises a thread pattern section extending at least partially along the shaft. The thread pattern section comprises a first thread with a first direction, which is a functional thread configured for the cooperation with the thread in the orthopedic implant. The thread pattern section further comprises a second thread with a second direction opposite to the first direction of the first thread. The second thread is superimposed on the first thread and intersects the first thread. An orthopedic locking system comprises the orthopedic locking screw and the orthopedic implant. The locking screw is manufactured by applying the thread pattern section to the longitudinally extending shaft.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system includes a screw including a head defining an annular groove; and a flexible washer including an outer ring, at least one projection, and a slot at least partially separating the outer ring and the at least one projection, the at least one projection configured to engage the annular groove when the flexible washer is assembled on the screw.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the body defining a transverse bore extending through the body along a transverse bore axis, the transverse bore having a threaded first segment with a negative thread defined by a first segment root diameter and a first segment outer thread diameter, the transverse bore having a threaded second segment with a negative thread defined by a second segment root diameter and a second segment outer thread diameter, wherein the second segment root diameter is larger than the first segment root diameter. A surgical assembly includes the intramedullary nail and a locking ring configured to be disposed within the annular recess.

Abstract: A screw insertion system has a screw having a threaded shaft and a head. The head has a conically tapered outer surface, the taper increasing in distance from a central longitudinal axis of the screw from a free end of the head towards a larger diameter adjacent the connection between the head and the threaded shaft. The conically tapered head outer surface has preferably two helically extending partially rounded threads. The head has a drive element for engaging a driver. A tubular screw holder has an outer surface and internal bore extending between a leading end and a trailing end for receiving the screw. The leading end having a conically tapered inner threaded portion for engaging the conically tapered outer thread of the screw head. The tubular screw holder outer surface having a diameter less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the conically tapered head.

Abstract: A method for aligning an aiming block with respect to a bone includes driving a bone screw into a bone to pass a tip of the bone screw through a hole of an intramedullary nail and to anchor a head of the bone screw in a cortical region of the bone; inserting a pin extending from a surface of an aiming block through a hole of a bone plate; and contacting the pin against the head of the bone screw to align the hole of the bone plate with the head of the bone screw.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system includes a bone nail configured to be inserted into a canal of a bone, and a bone plate configured to abut a surface of the bone, wherein the bone nail includes first, second, and third nail holes, the second nail hole located between the first and third nail holes, and wherein the bone plate includes first and third plate holes and a slot located between the first and third plate holes. In one embodiment, the slot of the bone plate has a center line extending along an arc of a constant radius from a center point of the first plate hole.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

Abstract: A screw insertion system has a screw having a threaded shaft and a head. The head has a conically tapered outer surface, the taper increasing in distance from a central longitudinal axis of the screw from a free end of the head towards a larger diameter adjacent the connection between the head and the threaded shaft. The conically tapered head outer surface has preferably two helically extending partially rounded threads. The head has a drive element for engaging a driver. A tubular screw holder has an outer surface and internal bore extending between a leading end and a trailing end for receiving the screw. The leading end having a conically tapered inner threaded portion for engaging the conically tapered outer thread of the screw head. The tubular screw holder outer surface having a diameter less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the conically tapered head.

Abstract: An orthopedic locking screw is configured to be retained inside a bore of an orthopedic implant. The orthopedic locking screw includes a shaft extending axially, a casing secured around an outer surface of the shaft, a deformable thread disposed along an outer surface of the casing, and a forward external thread disposed on the shaft. The forward external thread has a pitch that is different from a pitch of the deformable thread of the casing. Further, an orthopedic locking screw is provided, wherein projections and the casing are alternately arranged on the outer surface of the shaft. Methods of securing an orthopedic screw in a bore of an orthopedic implant are also provided.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

Abstract: A surgical fastener includes a cannulated collapsible fastening body having a trailing end and a leading end and defining a passage extending from the trailing end to the leading end, and a pin having a non-threaded shaft at least partially disposed within the passage and an enlarged tip. A method of using the surgical fastener includes engaging an end of a driver with a recess in a head of the surgical fastener, including inserting an extension at the end of the driver into the passage, and inserting the fastener into a bore in a bone during which the extension of the driver abuts a trailing end of the shaft of the pin to prevent the pin from moving in a direction from the leading end to the trailing end relative to the fastening body.

Abstract: Computer-assisted surgery device and a method for operating the same which allows a more efficient positioning and application of an implant with respect to a bony structure, and in particular a shorter operation time and less intensity of x-ray exposure for a patient. A device for computer-assisted surgery includes a reference structure, a first arm, a second arm, a position determining unit and a motion controlling unit.

Abstract: A screw insertion system has a screw having a threaded shaft and a head. The head has a conically tapered outer surface, the taper increasing in distance from a central longitudinal axis of the screw from a free end of the head towards a larger diameter adjacent the connection between the head and the threaded shaft. The conically tapered head outer surface has preferably two helically extending partially rounded threads. The head has a drive element for engaging a driver. A tubular screw holder has an outer surface and internal bore extending between a leading end and a trailing end for receiving the screw. The leading end having a conically tapered inner threaded portion for engaging the conically tapered outer thread of the screw head. The tubular screw holder outer surface having a diameter less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the conically tapered head.

Abstract: A screw insertion system has a screw having a threaded shaft and a head. The head has a conically tapered outer surface, the taper increasing in distance from a central longitudinal axis of the screw from a free end of the head towards a larger diameter adjacent the connection between the head and the threaded shaft. The conically tapered head outer surface has preferably two helically extending partially rounded threads. The head has a drive element for engaging a driver. A tubular screw holder has an outer surface and internal bore extending between a leading end and a trailing end for receiving the screw. The leading end having a conically tapered inner threaded portion for engaging the conically tapered outer thread of the screw head. The tubular screw holder outer surface having a diameter less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the conically tapered head.