Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for coupling a spinous process plate to one lateral side of a spinous process of a spine of a patient; coupling a laminar plate to a laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine; engaging a sub-laminar hook to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process; and (iv) extending a rod toward a pedicle on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine of the patient, where the rod prohibits movement of bone associated with a fracture in a pars interarticularis of a vertebral arch on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine.

Abstract: A reamer that creates blind holes in a bone has a reamer body connected to a reamer shaft. The reamer body has a shell curvature having at least a portion of a hemisphere, a convex curved exterior surface and a concave curved interior surface, extending from an apex to a lower edge. The reamer body is capable of being rotated about a perpendicular axis; and has at least a first and second left-hand spiral reamer blade. Each left-hand spiral blade extends from the lower edge to the apex and contacts each other at the apex. Each blade is positioned near a slot. When the reamer body rotates and contacts a bone or tissue, the left-hand spiral blades cut bone and pushes the cut bone toward the apex of the exterior surface.

Abstract: Suture anchors are disclosed having suture locking features able to lock multiple suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel, with a single device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for coupling a spinous process plate to one lateral side of a spinous process of a spine of a patient; coupling a laminar plate to a laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine; engaging a sub-laminar hook to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process; and (iv) extending a rod toward a pedicle on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine of the patient, where the rod prohibits movement of bone associated with a fracture in a pars interarticularis of a vertebral arch on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: (i) coupling a spinous process plate to one lateral side of a spinous process of a spine of a patient, the spinous process plate extending substantially parallel to a sagittal plane (anterior-posterior plane) through the spine of the patient, the spinous process plate including a first fixation element facilitating a connection of the spinous process plate to the one lateral side of the spinous process; (ii) coupling a laminar plate to a laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine, the laminar plate extending transversely from the spinous process plate and transversely to both the sagittal plane and a coronal plane (lateral plane) through the spine of the patient, the laminar plate including a second fixation element facilitating a connection of the laminar plate to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process; (iii) engaging a sub-laminar hook to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process, the sub-laminar hook extending

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for an orthopedic device, including: a base element having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for receiving a respective bone fixation element; a retaining mechanism operating to prevent withdrawal of the fixation element; and a blocker operating to overlie the bone fixation element within the one of the apertures such that the bone fixation element is prevented from withdrawing from one or more bones of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: (i) coupling a spinous process plate to one lateral side of a spinous process of a spine of a patient, the spinous process plate extending substantially parallel to a sagittal plane (anterior-posterior plane) through the spine of the patient, the spinous process plate including a first fixation element facilitating a connection of the spinous process plate to the one lateral side of the spinous process; (ii) coupling a laminar plate to a laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process of the spine, the laminar plate extending transversely from the spinous process plate and transversely to both the sagittal plane and a coronal plane (lateral plane) through the spine of the patient, the laminar plate including a second fixation element facilitating a connection of the laminar plate to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process; (iii) engaging a sub-laminar hook to the laminar on the one lateral side of the spinous process, the sub-laminar hook extending

Abstract: Devices and methods to attach soft tissue to bone include, for example, forming a transosseous bone tunnel, and forming a suture construct securing soft tissue to the bone wherein the suture construct extends from the soft tissue to the first opening, through the first opening, through the bone tunnel, through the second opening, and outside of the bone tunnel to the soft tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods to attach soft tissue to bone include, for example, forming a bone tunnel in a bone, passing a suture through soft tissue, and inserting an anchor in the bone tunnel, wherein a distal portion of the anchor is positioned underneath the soft tissue, a proximal portion of the anchor is positioned beyond an edge of the soft tissue, the suture first portion extends from the distal portion of the anchor to the soft tissue, and the suture second portion extends from the proximal portion of the anchor to the soft tissue.

Abstract: Improved surgical instruments are provided including improved suture passers, improved drill guides for forming holes in bones adjacent a joint at locations referenced to the joint anatomy, and improved osteotomy guides.

Abstract: Suture anchors are disclosed having suture locking features able to lock multiple suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel, with a single device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for an orthopedic device, including: a base element having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for receiving a respective bone fixation element; a retaining mechanism operating to prevent withdrawal of the fixation element; and a blocker operating to overlie the bone fixation element within the one of the apertures such that the bone fixation element is prevented from withdrawing from one or more bones of the patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods to attach soft tissue to bone include, for example, forming a bone tunnel in a bone, passing a suture through soft tissue, and inserting an anchor in the bone tunnel, wherein a distal portion of the anchor is positioned underneath the soft tissue, a proximal portion of the anchor is positioned beyond an edge of the soft tissue, the suture first portion extends from the distal portion of the anchor to the soft tissue, and the suture second portion extends from the proximal portion of the anchor to the soft tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods to attach soft tissue to bone include, for example, forming a transosseous bone tunnel, and forming a suture construct securing soft tissue to the bone wherein the suture construct extends from the soft tissue to the first opening, through the first opening, through the bone tunnel, through the second opening, and outside of the bone tunnel to the soft tissue.

Abstract: An acetabular reaming system is disclosed of the type having a driver and a tool held together by a quick-release coupling mechanism. The tool (10) has a hollow body (12) defining a domed shape with a rotational axis (14), an apex (16) aligned with the axis (14) and a hemispherical wall (18) extending from the apex (16) to an equatorial rim (20) spaced 90 degrees from the axis (14). The rim (20) has an edge (22) visible to the user that indicates the position of the tool (10) relative to the bone. A first plurality of cutting sites (24) is arrayed along the body (12) and a second plurality of cutting sites (28) is arrayed circumferentially along the edge (22). Preferably, the first plurality of cutting sites (24) present raised first teeth (30, 130, 230, 330) having a profile selected from continuous squared (30), continuous rounded (130), discontinuous squared (230) and tongued (330) profiles.

Abstract: Instruments and techniques to pass a suture are presented. In one illustrative example, a suture passer includes a guide operable to guide the formation of a tunnel in a bone and guide passage of a suture through the tunnel so formed.

Abstract: An acetabular reaming system is disclosed of the type having a driver and a tool held together by a quick-release coupling mechanism. The tool (10) has a hollow body (12) defining a domed shape with a rotational axis (14), an apex (16) aligned with the axis (14) and a hemispherical wall (18) extending from the apex (16) to an equatorial rim (20) spaced 90 degrees from the axis (14). The rim (20) has an edge (22) visible to the user that indicates the position of the tool (10) relative to the bone. A first plurality of cutting sites (24) is arrayed along the body (12) and a second plurality of cutting sites (28) is arrayed circumferentially along the edge (22). Preferably, the first plurality of cutting sites (24) present raised first teeth (30, 130, 230, 330) having a profile selected from continuous squared (30), continuous rounded (130), discontinuous squared (230) and tongued (330) profiles.

Abstract: An improved insert for assembly with a bone plate is described. The insert has a first opening adapted to receive a set screw and a second opening adapted to receive a bone screw. The insert is connectable to the bone plate using a set screw. The insert in conjunction with the set screw provides an improved range of relative motion for placing the bone screw at outboard locations with respect to the bone plate. That way, bone fragments that are not necessarily reachable using the bone plate without the insert can be secured together for improved healing.

Abstract: Improved surgical instruments are provided including improved suture passers, improved drill guides for forming holes in bones adjacent a joint at locations referenced to the joint anatomy, and improved osteotomy guides.

Abstract: Instruments and techniques to pass a suture are presented. In one illustrative example, a suture passer includes a guide operable to guide the formation of a tunnel in a bone and guide passage of a suture through the tunnel so formed.