Abstract: An apparatus for use in attaching bone in a patient's body is provided having first and second plates, each of the plates at least partially defining a recess. A nut is also provided, having an internal thread convolution and a plurality of bendable sections. A screw is also provided, having an external thread convolution which, upon rotation of the screw, engages with the internal thread convolution of the nut; and a plurality of resiliently bendable sections. Further rotation of the screw retains both the bendable sections of the screw in the recess of the first plate and the bendable sections of the nut in the recess of the second plate, prohibiting relative movement between the screw and the first plate and the nut and the second plate and providing radial compression to the first and second plates to secure bones together.

Abstract: A shank portion of a bone screw is moved through an opening in a bottom of a recess in a plate into engagement with bone in a patient's body. End portions of resiliently deflectable sections of a head portion of a bone screw are slid along the bottom of the recess during rotation of the bone screw. Resiliently deflectable sections of the head portion are deflected by engagement with the bottom of the recess. As the deflectable sections of the head portion are deflected, outer end surfaces on the resiliently deflectable sections of the head portion move into engagement with a side surface of the recess. The bone screw is retained against loosening by engagement of the outer end surfaces on the resiliently deflectable sections of the head portion with the side surface of the recess. An outer side surface of the bone screw is aligned with an outer side surface of the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attachment to bone (18) comprises a plate (12) having a lower surface (28) for abutting against the bone (18) and an upper surface (30) opposite the lower surface (28). The plate (12) further includes a plurality of through-holes (32) extending between the lower and upper surfaces (28 and 30). Each through-hole (32) has an associated countersink (34). Each through-hole (32) defines a substantially square opening in the lower surface (28) of the plate (12) and each associated countersink (34) defines a circular opening in the upper surface (30) of the plate (12).

Abstract: An implantable apparatus (10) for attaching bone fragments in a bone fracture reduction procedure comprises a bone affixation plate (12) and a polymeric applicator (18) having a deflectable portion (22) that is deflectable to engage a portion (16) of the plate to attach the applicator to the plate. The applicator (18) is thereafter deflectable to disengage from the portion (16) of the plate (12) to remove the applicator from the plate. The applicator (18), when attached to the plate (12), enables the plate to be handled and manipulated during the bone fracture reduction procedure. The applicator (18) may includes information (24) for identifying the plate (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attachment to bone (18) comprises a plate (12) having a lower surface (28) for abutting against the bone (18) and an upper surface (30) opposite the lower surface (28). The plate (12) further includes a plurality of through-holes (32) extending between the lower and upper surfaces (28 and 30). Each through-hole (32) has an associated countersink (34). Each through-hole (32) defines a substantially square opening in the lower surface (28) of the plate (12) and each associated countersink (34) defines a circular opening in the upper surface (30) of the plate (12).

Abstract: An implantable apparatus (10) for attaching bone fragments in a bone fracture reduction procedure comprises a bone affixation plate (12) and a polymeric applicator (18) having a deflectable portion (22) that is deflectable to engage a portion (16) of the plate to attach the applicator to the plate. The applicator (18) is thereafter deflectable to disengage from the portion (16) of the plate (12) to remove the applicator from the plate. The applicator (18), when attached to the plate (12), enables the plate to be handled and manipulated during the bone fracture reduction procedure. The applicator (18) may includes means (24) for identifying the plate (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for attaching to bone comprises a one-piece, homogeneous screw (12) engageable by a driver for driving the screw into bone. The screw (12) has a shaft portion (20) and a head portion (40) extending from the shaft portion. The shaft portion (20) has an outer surface (26) with a thread convolution (28). The head portion (40) includes oppositely disposed first and second axial ends (42 and 44) and a peripheral surface (50) extending between the ends. The first axial end (42) adjoins the shaft portion (20). The second axial end (44) includes an end surface (46). The head portion (40) has a plurality of slots (60) extending axially from the end surface (46) to the first axial end (42). The slots (60) further extend through the peripheral surface (50) of the head portion (40) and radially inward from the peripheral surface of the head portion. In accordance with another feature, the apparatus (10) further comprises a screwdriver (14) for driving the screw (12) into bone (130).

Abstract: An improved screw and apparatus for placing screws in a wire mesh and/or bone plate during an operation. In the preferred embodiment, the screw is self-tapping and the apparatus includes color-coded screw cartridges that mount directly onto the tip of a screwdriver and are held in place until installed in the proper location as dictated by the surgeon. The cartridge fits into a magazine that can feed the screw cartridges automatically into a screw gun that drives the screw into the proper location in the bone and the wire mesh or plate, or alternatively can be used with a manual screwdriver.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure has an implant portion adapted to be fitted in an opening in a bone in the vicinity of the occlusal plane of a patient in such a manner that at least a part of the connection part extends beyond a rim of the opening in the bone or can remain just below the bone while the base of the post rests on the bone. There is at least one post portion having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive at least a part of the artificial tooth structure. The second end is adapted for a direct connection to the connection part of the implant portion. The past may be connected to the implant portion by an arrangement in which the implant portion has an opening along the upper surface. Ridges are provided along the sides of the opening and a center projection extends up from the base of the opening. The post portion has complementary channels and openings for receiving the ridges and projection.

Abstract: A drill for forming a hole in material has a shank with at least a base surface positioned at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the shank and a side surface. A cutting element having first and second ends is eccentrically connected to the base surface in such a manner that a longitudinal axis of the cutting element is situated at a predetermined distance from a longitudinal axis of the shank. An outer surface of the body of the cutting element is defined by at least a front surface and a rear surface intersecting each other along at least a cutting edge. The rear surface is tapered toward the longitudinal axis of the shank so that only the cutting edge and the drill point engage the material and a substantial open area exists between the outer surface of the cutting element and the hole during the entire process of drilling.