Abstract: A targeting system for aligning an axis of a targeting sleeve and a bore in a distal end portion of an intramedullary nail is proposed, the targeting device comprising a distal targeting arm with a first end being configured to be coupled to a trailing end of an intramedullary nail, an adjusting device, the adjusting device being configured to be coupled to the distal targeting arm. The adjusting device may comprise an adjusting element and a nail follower including two targeting holes each being configured to receive a sleeve assemply. The adjusting element may cooperate with the nail follower such that the positions of the two targeting holes are adjustable so as to correspond to respective locking holes at a leading end of the intramedullary nail, even when the nail is bent.

Abstract: A bone fastener for use in orthopaedic surgery for anchoring an intramedullary nail to bone has a shaft with a front region and a rear region adjacent to the front region. The rear region has one or more explantation grooves helically arranged for facilitating the explantation of the bone fastener. Two axially spaced apart grooves or groove sections are separated by a flat shaft portion defining an outside diameter of the rear region, wherein the rear region has a core diameter greater than a core diameter of the front region.

Abstract: A targeting system for aligning an axis of a targeting sleeve and a bore in a distal end portion of an intramedullary nail is proposed, the targeting device comprising a distal targeting arm with a first end being configured to be coupled to a trailing end of an intramedullary nail, an adjusting device, the adjusting device being configured to be coupled to the distal targeting arm. The adjusting device may comprise an adjusting element and a nail follower including two targeting holes each being configured to receive a sleeve assembly. The adjusting element may cooperate with the nail follower such that the positions of the two targeting holes are adjustable so as to correspond to respective locking holes at a leading end of the intramedullary nail, even when the nail is bent.

Abstract: A targeting system for aligning an axis of a targeting sleeve and a bore in a distal end portion of an intramedullary nail is proposed, the targeting device comprising a distal targeting arm with a first end being configured to be coupled to a trailing end of an intramedullary nail, an adjusting device, the adjusting device being configured to be coupled to the distal targeting arm. The adjusting device may comprise an adjusting element and a nail follower including two targeting holes each being configured to receive a sleeve assembly. The adjusting element may cooperate with the nail follower such that the positions of the two targeting holes are adjustable so as to correspond to respective locking holes at a leading end of the intramedullary nail, even when the nail is bent.

Abstract: A sleeve clamp has a body with a through bore for receiving a sleeve, and a clamping element. The clamping element includes a clamping edge and may be arranged at the body so as to be movable between two positions, i.e. a neutral position and a deflected position. In the neural position, the clamping edge protrudes laterally into a lumen which is occupied by the sleeve when the sleeve is received in the through bore. In the deflected position, the clamping element may be elastically deformed and the clamping edge does not protrude into the lumen which is occupied by the sleeve when the sleeve is received in the through bore.

Abstract: A medical system includes parts used in a method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device. A positioning arm being connected to the aiming device and an adaptor device being connected to or integrally formed with a bone stabilizing plate are hooked into each other. This is accomplished by means of an engaging element of the positioning arm, which engaging element is designed such that it may be coupled with an attachment element of the adaptor device. Further, there is provided a snapping mechanism which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

Abstract: A bone fastener for use in orthopaedic surgery for anchoring an intramedullary nail to bone has a shaft with a front region and a rear region adjacent to the front region. The rear region has one or more explantation grooves helically arranged for facilitating the explantation of the bone fastener. Two axially spaced apart grooves or groove sections are separated by a flat shaft portion defining an outside diameter of the rear region, wherein the rear region has a core diameter greater than a core diameter of the front region.

Abstract: A medical system includes parts used in a method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device. A positioning arm being connected to the aiming device and an adaptor device being connected to or integrally formed with a bone stabilizing plate are hooked into each other. This is accomplished by means of an engaging element of the positioning arm, which engaging element is designed such that it may be coupled with an attachment element of the adaptor device. Further, there is provided a snapping mechanism which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

Abstract: A medical system includes parts used in a method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device. A positioning arm being connected to the aiming device and an adaptor device being connected to or integrally formed with a bone stabilizing plate are hooked into each other. This is accomplished by means of an engaging element of the positioning arm, which engaging element is designed such that it may be coupled with an attachment element of the adaptor device. Further, there is provided a snapping mechanism which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

Abstract: A medical implant system has parts for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant such as a bone plate and an aiming device. A contoured portion of a body implant is designed in such a manner that an adapter device can be detachably fastened to the body implant by means of a mechanic form-fit connection. Preferably the form-fitting elements are grooves and protrusions which tightly engage when clamped together. The adaptor device provides a basis for aiming or targeting a device such that the targeting device may be detachably positioned in a stable spatial position with respect to the body implant. Preferably, the adaptor device comprises a dowel pin, a handling device and a clamping element, which elements allow for a quick and easy assembling and disassembling of the adaptor device in a desired alignment.

Abstract: An intramedullary locking nail for treating bone fractures and which have spaced apart regions has at least one transverse hole for receiving a bone screw and at least one transverse hole being configured as an elongate hole extending in the longitudinal axial direction of the nail. An end portion of the elongate hole being wider than an adjacent portion of the elongate hole. The adjacent portion of the elongate hole having a constant width over its length. A bone screw is provided having a cross-sectional contour having a flattened segment. The end portion of the elongate hole being formed such that the bone screw is locked in a first rotational position in the end portion, and in a second rotational position, may enter the adjacent portion unhindered from the end portion.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the length of a through-hole in a bone has an elongated hollow sleeve preferably having an outer cross-section adapted to a cross-section of the through-hole and having an opening at its distal extremity. The measuring device further comprises a rod having a hook-shaped end at its distal extremity. The rod is at least partly housed within the hollow sleeve and is slidable with respect to the sleeve along its longitudinal axis. The sleeve and the rod are designed such that, when the rod is slid to a distal position of the sleeve, the hook-end can be displaced such as to protrude through the opening of the sleeve and laterally over the lateral outer surface of the sleeve. When the rod is slid to a proximal position of the sleeve, the rod no longer protrudes laterally over the outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A tissue protection sleeve for use with a drill alignment assembly for a bone plate includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end. A hole extending from the first end to the second end is formed in the tubular body. The hole has a first center line. An expanded section is formed at the second end, the expanded section has a second center line. A first nose is formed at the first end, the first nose is adapted to fit in a screw hole in the bone plate such that the sleeve is rigidly fixed to the bone plate. The drill alignment assembly further includes an aiming arm adapted to mount to a bone plate and a drill guide insertable in the tissue protection sleeve.

Abstract: A medical implant system has parts for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant such as a bone plate and an aiming device. A contoured portion of a body implant is designed in such a manner that an adapter device can be detachably fastened to the body implant by means of a mechanic form-fit connection. Preferably the form-fitting elements are grooves and protrusions which tightly engage when clamped together. The adaptor device provides a basis for aiming or targeting a device such that the targeting device may be detachably positioned in a stable spatial position with respect to the body implant. Preferably, the adaptor device comprises a dowel pin, a handling device and a clamping element, which elements allow for a quick and easy assembling and disassembling of the adaptor device in a desired alignment.

Abstract: A medical system includes parts used in a method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device. A positioning arm being connected to the aiming device and an adaptor device being connected to or integrally formed with a bone stabilizing plate are hooked into each other. This is accomplished by means of an engaging element of the positioning arm, which engaging element is designed such that it may be coupled with an attachment element of the adaptor device. Further, there is provided a snapping mechanism which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

Abstract: An intramedullary locking nail for treating bone fractures and which have spaced apart regions has at least one transverse hole for receiving a bone screw and at least one transverse hole being configured as an elongate hole extending in the longitudinal axial direction of the nail. An end portion of the elongate hole being wider than an adjacent portion of the elongate hole. The adjacent portion of the elongate hole having a constant width over its length. A bone screw is provided having a cross-sectional contour having a flattened segment. The end portion of the elongate hole being formed such that the bone screw is locked in a first rotational position in the end portion, and in a second rotational position, may enter the adjacent portion unhindered from the end portion.

Abstract: A device to retain screws during insertion into an object such as a bone by use of a screw-driver. The device comprises comprising a gripping sleeve the free end of which has a radially expandable portion for receiving the screw and the other end of which has at least one radial bore for movably receiving a locking ball. A safety sleeve is slidingly disposed on an outer surface of the gripping sleeve. The safety sleeve blocks an expansion of the expandable portion when in a position which is toward the free end with respect to the gripping sleeve and releases the expandable portion when in a position which is toward the free end with respect to the gripping sleeve. A handle is axially movable and hold the first locking ball in engagement with an annular groove of the gripping sleeve. A first spring acts between an inner shoulder at the end of the handle portion facing the expandable portion and a radial shoulder of the safety sleeve.

Abstract: A device to retain screws during insertion into an object such as a bone by use of a screw-driver. The device comprises comprising a gripping sleeve the free end of which has a radially expandable portion for receiving the screw and the other end of which has at least one radial bore for movably receiving a locking ball. A safety sleeve is slidingly disposed on an outer surface of the gripping sleeve. The safety sleeve blocks an expansion of the expandable portion when in a position which is toward the free end with respect to the gripping sleeve and releases the expandable portion when in a position which is toward the free end with respect to the gripping sleeve. A handle is axially movable and hold the first locking ball in engagement with an annular groove of the gripping sleeve. A first spring acts between an inner shoulder at the end of the handle portion facing the expandable portion and a radial shoulder of the safety sleeve.