Abstract: A tool adapted for use with a bone plate assembly includes a driver with an engagement portion configured to engage a locking element, and a tubular holder. The driver may be configured to extend with the engagement portion through the tubular holder, and may be axially movable and rotatable within the holder. The holder may have a radial slot adapted for insertion of the locking element. The holder may include a portion with an internal thread for cooperation with an external thread of the locking element. The locking element may be used with a polyaxial bone anchor.

Abstract: A modular bone plate includes a first plate member including a first connection portion having a first hole and a second plate member including a second connection portion having a second hole. The first plate member is connectable to the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged such that the first hole and the second hole overlap. The modular bone plate also includes a connector member that is insertable into the first hole and the second hole when the first hole and the second hole overlap such as to connect the first plate member and the second plate member. The connector member includes a passage that is configured to accommodate a portion of a bone anchor therein.

Abstract: A modular bone plate includes a first plate member including a first connection portion having a first hole and a second plate member including a second connection portion having a second hole. The first plate member is connectable to the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged such that the first hole and the second hole overlap. The modular bone plate also includes a connector member that is insertable into the first hole and the second hole when the first hole and the second hole overlap such as to connect the first plate member and the second plate member. The connector member includes a passage that is configured to accommodate a portion of a bone anchor therein.

Abstract: An instrument for use in surgery includes a hollow shaft connectable to a drive shaft of a bone anchor insertion device in a rotationally fixed manner, a needle holder configured to hold a needle and movable axially relative to the hollow shaft, an actuator rotatable relative to the hollow shaft, and a transmission member connectable to the needle holder and movable axially relative to the actuator. The transmission member is positionable around at least part of the hollow shaft and includes a first advancement surface engageable with a second advancement surface of the hollow shaft to convert a rotational movement of the actuator into axial movement of the needle holder relative to the hollow shaft for axially advancing and retracting the needle held by the needle holder.

Abstract: A tool adapted for use with a bone plate assembly includes a driver with an engagement portion configured to engage a locking element, and a tubular holder. The driver may be configured to extend with the engagement portion through the tubular holder, and may be axially movable and rotatable within the holder. The holder may have a radial slot adapted for insertion of the locking element. The holder may include a portion with an internal thread for cooperation with an external thread of the locking element. The locking element may be used with a polyaxial bone anchor.

Abstract: An implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

Abstract: A locking element is configured to be used with a polyaxial bone anchor. The locking element including a central axis, a bottom side, a top side opposite to the bottom side, and a peripheral surface portion that extending completely around the locking element that has an external thread. The bottom side defines a first recess facing toward the bottom side for accommodating and applying a force in a direction toward the bottom side to at least the portion of the head of the polyaxial bone anchor. The top side defines a second recess having a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the central axis for torqueable engagement with a driver.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is connectable to a bone anchor insertion device having a drive shaft that defines a coaxial channel for receiving a needle therethrough. The instrument includes a handle portion configured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner to transmit torque to the drive shaft, a needle holder configured to hold a needle and movable axially relative to the handle portion, an actuator rotatable relative to the handle portion, and a transmission member connectable to the needle holder and movable axially relative to the actuator and comprising a first advancement surface engageable with a second advancement surface of the handle portion to convert rotational movement of the actuator into axial movement of the needle holder relative to the handle portion for axially advancing and retracting a needle held by the needle holder relative to the handle portion.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes a shank having a longitudinal axis, a core, a tip at one end of the core, and a thread forming a helix that extends around the core with a lower flank directed towards the tip and an upper flank directed away from the tip. A recess in a first turn of the thread forms a cutting structure, the recess being defined by first and second surfaces directly connected to one another at an angle. The first and second surfaces are spaced apart from every other turn of the thread above or below the first turn. A majority of the first surface is positioned higher axially than and circumferentially aligned with part of the second surface. At least one of the first or second surfaces extends circumferentially around the shank by a greater distance than an axial height of the at least one surface.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is provided for stabilizing a bone fracture. The bone plate assembly includes a bone plate, a first fastener, a second fastener, and an accessory element. The bone plate has a bone contacting, lower surface and an opposite upper surface, and a plurality of screw extending through the bone plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. At least one of the screw holes, a first fastener extends through the bone plate and into an underlying bone or bone fragment. Further, at the same screw hole, a second fastener is received to couple the accessory element to the upper surface of the bone plate to stabilize the accessory element on the bone plate. In at least an embodiment, the accessory element extending over a perimeter of the bone plate and into contact with the bone.

Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing a bone. A plate is positioned over a bone. The bone plate has a polyaxial screw hole with a spherically curved seat. A bone hole is formed beneath the screw hole. A screw having a head with a spherical outer surface, and a threaded shaft with an internal cannula and a plurality of fenestrations is provided. The screw is driven through the first screw hole and into the bone hole until the outer surface of the head is supported by the spherically curved screw seat. A syringe provided with a needle is inserted into the internal cannula of the shaft of the screw. The syringe includes a bone injectable material that is injected through the needle, into the internal cannula, and out of at least one fenestration into the bone. After injection, the needle is removed from the screw shaft.

Abstract: A modular bone plate includes a first plate member including a first connection portion having a first hole and a second plate member including a second connection portion having a second hole. The first plate member is connectable to the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged such that the first hole and the second hole overlap. The modular bone plate also includes a connector member that is insertable into the first hole and the second hole when the first hole and the second hole overlap such as to connect the first plate member and the second plate member. The connector member includes a passage that is configured to accommodate a portion of a bone anchor therein.

Abstract: A bone plate system includes a plate member, a disk, and a cover member. The plate member having a through-hole extending through top and bottom sides of the plate member. The disk is receivable in the through-hole to be rotatably supported in the plate member about an axis of rotation extending from the top side to the bottom side. The disk includes a slot configured to receive a bone anchor therethrough. The slot has a non-circular shape when viewed along the axis of rotation to allow a guided displacement of the bone plate in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The cover member is configured to cover the bone anchor and the disk when the disk is received in the through-hole of the plate member.

Abstract: A modular bone plate includes a first plate member including a first connection portion having a first hole and a second plate member including a second connection portion having a second hole. The first plate member is connectable to the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged such that the first hole and the second hole overlap. The modular bone plate also includes a connector member that is insertable into the first hole and the second hole when the first hole and the second hole overlap such as to connect the first plate member and the second plate member. The connector member includes a passage that is configured to accommodate a portion of a bone anchor therein.

Abstract: A plate member assembly is provided for use in orthopaedic or trauma surgery. The plate member assembly includes a plate member having a top side and a bottom side with at least one passage extending therethrough. The at least one passage includes a first bore with a first end open towards the top side, a seat portion configured to receive the head of the bone anchor, and a second bore open towards the bottom side. The first bore comprises a first central axis and the seat portion comprises a second central axis. The anchor can be angled within the seat portion relative to the second central axis. Recesses are provided at the first bore and second bore to permit the bone anchor to be further angled in a favored direction relative to the second central axis.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is provided for stabilizing a bone fracture. The bone plate assembly includes a bone plate, a first fastener, a second fastener, and an accessory element. The bone plate has a bone contacting, lower surface and an opposite upper surface, and a plurality of screw extending through the bone plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. At least one of the screw holes, a first fastener extends through the bone plate and into an underlying bone or bone fragment. Further, at the same screw hole, a second fastener is received to couple the accessory element to the upper surface of the bone plate to stabilize the accessory element on the bone plate. In at least an embodiment, the accessory element extending over a perimeter of the bone plate and into contact with the bone.

Abstract: An implant for the stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant being a solid body including a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction and including a flexible section that has a surface and has a length in the longitudinal direction, the flexible section including at least one cavity located near the surface and having a width in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than the length of the flexible section, the at least one cavity being connected to the surface through at least one slit, and a width of the slit in the longitudinal direction being smaller than the width of the cavity.

Abstract: A cable retaining insert is configured to be used with a plate member of a bone plate assembly. The cable retaining insert includes a top side and an opposite bottom side, a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adjacent to the bottom side and includes an engagement structure configured to engage a corresponding engagement structure in the plate member. The second portion is adjacent to the top side and includes at least one cable retaining aperture configured to retain a cable to the plate member. The first portion of the cable retaining insert has a recess at the bottom side for accommodating at least a portion of a head of a bone anchor. Furthermore, a bone plate assembly including a plate member and such a cable retaining insert is provided.

Abstract: A modular bone plate is provided including at least a first and a second member each having a top surface and a bottom surface, the first member comprising a male connection portion with a single hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and the second member comprising a female connection portion with a single hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the male connection portion is insertable into the female connection portion such that the holes overlap and wherein an anchor or a plug member is insertable into the holes when they overlap.

Abstract: An instrument guide assembly for a bone plate includes an insert configured to be arranged in a hole of a plate member, the insert having a through-hole, and a guide member separable and positionable through the through-hole of the insert, the guide member having a head portion, a shaft portion extending from the head portion, and a guide channel extending through the head and shaft portions for guiding a drill or other instrument therethrough. The insert is movable axially relative to the guide member from a first position at an end of the shaft portion opposite the head portion and past a first stop to a second position at the head portion. At the second position, the insert remains axially movable in a limited range between the first stop and the head portion, while the first stop prevents the insert from moving back to the first position.