Abstract: An intervertebral implant system installable between a pair of vertebrae. The implant includes a spacer that fits between the pair of vertebrae with a screw aperture for passage of a first screw and angled to orient the first screw into a first vertebrae at an angle relative to the rear sidewall of the spacer so that the first screw will enter an endplate of the first vertebrae. A plate is installable onto the rear sidewall of the polymeric spacer. The plate includes an angled screw aperture that is aligned with the screw aperture of the spacer when the plate is installed on the spacer. An elevated screw support extends upwardly or downwardly from the plate so as to extend opposite the direction of the angled screw aperture. The elevated screw support locates a second screw to enter a second vertebrae through an anterior surface of the second vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant system installable between a pair of vertebrae. The implant includes a spacer that fits between the pair of vertebrae with a screw aperture for passage of a first screw and angled to orient the first screw into a first vertebrae at an angle relative to the rear sidewall of the spacer so that the first screw will enter an endplate of the first vertebrae. A plate is installable onto the rear sidewall of the polymeric spacer. The plate includes an angled screw aperture that is aligned with the screw aperture of the spacer when the plate is installed on the spacer. An elevated screw support extends upwardly or downwardly from the plate so as to extend opposite the direction of the angled screw aperture. The elevated screw support locates a second screw to enter a second vertebrae through an anterior surface of the second vertebrae.

Abstract: Instruments for use in implanting an orthopedic ankle prosthesis includes a center-transfer instrument and a number of bone cutting blocks. A method of using such instruments is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical screw system configured to facilitate determination of when the screw system is desirably set in a bone during implantation of the screw at a surgical site. The screw system includes a screw and a washer having a central ring surrounding a head receiving pocket configured for receiving the head of the screw, a plurality of arms spaced around and extending outwardly from the ring, the arms each having a bone contacting surface that engages the bone when the screw is implanted into the bone, and a groove defined between the arms and an exterior of the central ring. The groove is configured to enable the arms to flex when the screw system becomes desirably set into the bone to provide a visual indication that the screw is desirably set in the bone.

Abstract: Instruments for use in implanting an orthopedic ankle prosthesis includes a center-transfer instrument and a number of bone cutting blocks. A method of using such instruments is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for applying bone graft to an orthopaedic implant. The method includes using a bone graft applicator including a pair of arms, a bone graft receptacle coupled to the arms, and a linking mechanism coupled to the bone graft receptacle. The linking mechanism is slid over a portion of the orthopaedic implant. Bone graft is scraped into the bone graft receptacle. The user closes the bone graft receptacle over the portion of the orthopaedic implant and then removes one of the bone graft applicator and the orthopaedic implant from the other of the bone graft applicator and the orthopaedic implant.

Abstract: A medical screwdriver configured to avoid disengaging from a screw during implantation of the screw at a surgical site, the screwdriver including an outer shaft having a housing in which is located a piston and a spring, an inner shaft, and a collar. When the collar is rotated in a first direction the collar is positioned at a first position and the inner shaft is rotationally coupled to the outer shaft. When the collar is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the collar moves to a second position and the inner shaft is unlocked from the outer shaft.

Abstract: A method for applying bone graft to an orthopaedic implant. The method includes using a bone graft applicator including a pair of arms, a bone graft receptacle coupled to the arms, and a linking mechanism coupled to the bone graft receptacle. The linking mechanism is slid over a portion of the orthopaedic implant. Bone graft is scraped into the bone graft receptacle. The user closes the bone graft receptacle over the portion of the orthopaedic implant and then removes one of the bone graft applicator and the orthopaedic implant from the other of the bone graft applicator and the orthopaedic implant.

Abstract: A bone graft applicator for applying bone graft to an orthopaedic implant. The bone graft applicator includes a pair of arms and a bone graft receptacle sized and shaped to be able to receive a portion of the orthopaedic implant within the receptacle. The bone graft receptacle is coupled to each of the pair of arms. The bone graft applicator also includes a linking mechanism. The linking mechanism includes a recess sized and shaped to extend at least partially around the portion of the orthopaedic implant and is coupled to the bone graft receptacle.

Abstract: A bone graft applicator for applying bone graft to an orthopaedic implant. The bone graft applicator includes a pair of arms and a bone graft receptacle sized and shaped to be able to receive a portion of the orthopaedic implant within the receptacle. The bone graft receptacle is coupled to each of the pair of arms. The bone graft applicator also includes a linking mechanism. The linking mechanism includes a recess sized and shaped to extend at least partially around the portion of the orthopaedic implant and is coupled to the bone graft receptacle.