Abstract: A bidirectional thermally actuated component includes a heating element and wax material provided in an enclosed housing wherein the heating element is activated to melt the wax which expands to cause movement of the housing or an element mounted therein. When the heating element is deactivated, the was hardens and constricts to allow for movement in the opposite direction based on application of a force in the opposite direction, which may be provided by a biasing spring or a second actuator. An adjustable medical device may include the thermally actuated component to control adjustment of the device.

Abstract: Adjustable rail apparatuses and external bone and/or tissue fixation system including an adjustable rail apparatus is disclosed. The rail apparatuses comprise first and second external fixation beam elements with alignment grooves, and a joint coupling the first and second beam elements and configured to selectively adjust the relative angular and rotational arrangement of the first and second beam elements. The joint also comprises a first and second beam end housings rotationally fixed to the first and second external fixation beam elements, respectively. The joint also comprises first and second clamp members axially and rotationally fixed to the first and beam end housings, respectively. The joint also comprises first and second rotation end housings coupled with the first and second clamp members, respectively, the first and second rotation end housings being selectively rotatably adjusted with respect to the first and second clamp members, respectively, within fixed ranges of rotation.

Abstract: Length-adjustable strut assemblies for external fixation systems, and corresponding external fixation systems, are disclosed. The strut assemblies include an elongate first and second end members, an elongate intermediate member, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The intermediate member comprises a threaded rod fixedly coupled within an axial cavity thereof, and is rotatably fixed and axially translatably within an axial cavity of the first end member. An end portion of the second end member is received within the axial cavity of the intermediate member, and the second end member comprises an axial cavity threadably coupled with the threaded rod. The first adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively axially fix the intermediate member relative to the first end member. The second adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the second end member with respect to the threaded rod to axially translate the second end member relative to the intermediate member.

Abstract: Length-adjustable strut assemblies and external fixation systems utilizing such strut assemblies are disclosed. A strut assembly comprises an externally threaded rod portion including a first externally threaded rod member, and a strut barrel assembly including a strut barrel portion with an internal cavity and an adjustment portion, the rod portion extending within the internal cavity of the strut barrel portion and selectively threadably coupled with at least one key of the adjustment portion. The strut assembly further comprises a first joint assembly at an end of the first externally threaded rod member and a second joint assembly at an end of the strut barrel portion. At least one portion of the second joint is configured to be selectively disassembled from the end of the strut barrel portion to expose the internal cavity of the strut barrel portion and the second end of the rod portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are dislocated that include a method of determining the actual position and pose of a known three-dimensional construct utilizing at least four discrete shapes formed by fiducials of the construct shown in a two-dimensional (2D) image of the construct. The method includes identifying at least four fiducial shadows in the 2D image that correspond to the fiducials of the construct. The method also includes correlating the discovered at least four fiducial shadows with their respective locations on the construct. The method further includes determining a spatial relationship between the 2D image and the construct by determining a focal point of a source of the image relative to the 2D image via the discovered at least four fiducial shadows and pre-determined mutual separation distances between the fiducials of the construct corresponding thereto. The method also includes determining a spatial relationship between the 2D image and the construct.

Abstract: An external fixation system for the correction of long bone deformities includes an elongate beam element having an engagement feature along a longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element, a connector element secured to the elongate beam and structurally configured to support a first bone anchor extending from the external fixation system, and a movable carriage engaged with the engagement feature along the longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element and selectively movable along the engagement feature of the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is selectively lockable into a position along the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is structurally configured to support a second bone anchor extending from the external fixation system.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products of constructing a transform that registers a two-dimensional (2D) image and a three-dimensional (3D) device depicted in the image. The methods include determining a best pitch, spin and x-y-z positions of a 3D mathematical device model as compared to the device depicted in a first obtained 2D image, determining a best x-y-z position of a focal point as compared to the device depicted in the first image, and, based thereon, constructing a transform that registers the first image and the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are dislocated that include a method of determining the actual position and pose of a known three-dimensional construct utilizing at least four discrete shapes formed by fiducials of the construct shown in a two-dimensional (2D) image of the construct. The method includes identifying at least four fiducial shadows in the 2D image that correspond to the fiducials of the construct. The method also includes correlating the discovered at least four fiducial shadows with their respective locations on the construct. The method further includes determining a spatial relationship between the 2D image and the construct by determining a focal point of a source of the image relative to the 2D image via the discovered at least four fiducial shadows and pre-determined mutual separation distances between the fiducials of the construct corresponding thereto. The method also includes determining a spatial relationship between the 2D image and the construct.

Abstract: A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.

Abstract: A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.

Abstract: A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.

Abstract: An external fixation system for the correction of long bone deformities includes an elongate beam element having an engagement feature along a longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element, a connector element secured to the elongate beam and structurally configured to support a first bone anchor extending from the external fixation system, and a movable carriage engaged with the engagement feature along the longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element and selectively movable along the engagement feature of the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is selectively lockable into a position along the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is structurally configured to support a second bone anchor extending from the external fixation system.

Abstract: A spinal adjustment system including at least one thermally actuated pump element.

Abstract: Length-adjustable strut assemblies for external fixation systems, and corresponding external fixation systems, are disclosed. The strut assemblies include an elongate first and second end members, an elongate intermediate member, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The intermediate member comprises a threaded rod fixedly coupled within an axial cavity thereof, and is rotatably fixed and axially translatably within an axial cavity of the first end member. An end portion of the second end member is received within the axial cavity of the intermediate member, and the second end member comprises an axial cavity threadably coupled with the threaded rod. The first adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively axially fix the intermediate member relative to the first end member. The second adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the second end member with respect to the threaded rod to axially translate the second end member relative to the intermediate member.

Abstract: An external fixation system for the correction of long bone deformities includes an elongate beam element having an engagement feature along a longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element, a connector element secured to the elongate beam and structurally configured to support a first bone anchor extending from the external fixation system, and a movable carriage engaged with the engagement feature along the longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element and selectively movable along the engagement feature of the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is selectively lockable into a position along the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is structurally configured to support a second bone anchor extending from the external fixation system.

Abstract: A bidirectional thermally actuated component includes a heating element and wax material provided in an enclosed housing wherein the heating element is activated to melt the wax which expands to cause movement of the housing or an element mounted therein. When the heating element is deactivated, the was hardens and constricts to allow for movement in the opposite direction based on application of a force in the opposite direction, which may be provided by a biasing spring or a second actuator. An adjustable medical device may include the thermally actuated component to control adjustment of the device.

Abstract: The present application provides external bone and tissue fixation systems and related methods. The fixation systems may include an elongate beam element defining an axis with an axially extending threaded track portion. The systems may also include at least one drivable fixation clamp assembly comprising a housing with a central bore, a driving housing rotatably coupled to the housing, a threaded driving member, and a clamp assembly rotatably coupled to the housing configured to clamp to at least one fixation member. The elongate beam element may extend axially through central bore of the housing. The driving member may be movable with respect to the central bore via rotation of the driving housing between engaged and disengaged states with the threaded track portion. Rotation of the driving member in the engaged state may axially translate the clamp assembly along the beam element.

Abstract: An external fixation clamp for receiving a fixation element includes an inner jaw and an outer jaw movable between an open position that permits the fixation element to be placed between the inner and outer jaws and a closed position that restricts removal of the fixation element from between the inner and outer jaws. A latch assembly may cooperate with the inner and outer jaws to secure the jaws in a closed position. The latch assembly may comprise a latch and a latch biasing member. The latch may be configured to translate linearly relative to one of the inner and outer jaws, and the latch biasing member may have a first higher level of stored energy when the inner and outer jaws are in the open position and a second lower level of stored energy when the inner and outer jaws are in the closed position.

Abstract: An orthopedic clamp for affixing at least two fixation members relative to each other is disclosed. The clamp includes a first clamp comprising first outer and inner jaws that define first clamping surfaces that form a first recess, and a second clamp comprising second outer and inner jaws that define second clamping surfaces that form a second recess. The clamps also include a post extending from the second outer jaw and through the second inner jaw, the first inner jaw and the first outer jaw. The post defines a clamping axis, and the second recess defines an axis that intersects the clamping axis. The clamp further includes a clamping nut threadably coupled to the post configured to exert a clamping force to the first and second clamps to fix at least one of a first fixation member within the first recess and a second fixation member within the second recess.

Abstract: A clamping device for attaching to an external fixation element of an external fixation system includes a first jaw having an inner surface and an outer surface and includes a second jaw having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the inner surface of the first jaw and the inner surface of the second jaw together forming a passage configured to receive the external fixation element of the external fixation system. A locking system is engageable with the first and the second jaws. A portion of the locking system is moveable relative to the first and the second jaws between a first position where the locking arrangement is configured to prevent release of the external fixation element having a first size from between the first jaw and the second jaw and a second position where the locking arrangement is configured to prevent release of the external fixation element having a second size from between the first jaw and the second jaw.