Abstract: A device for assisting in the positioning and sizing of an implant includes an elongate member and a block. The elongate member has length indicia at axial locations along a length for measuring a first distance from a predetermined datum of the elongate member. The block is attached to and movable along the elongate member. The block includes width indicia for measuring a second distance in a direction transverse to the first distance. A method for assisting in the positioning and sizing of an implant includes moving the elongate member along the block to axial locations along such member to determine an appropriate width and depth of insertion of the implant.

Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator comprising an axially extending rod; an axially extending tube moveably recurring the rod for varying the length of the rod and tube combination along a longitudinal axis; the tube having first and second ends, the second end having a pin extending therethrough; a locking system mounted on the tube first end for adjusting the position of the rod in the tube and fixing the length of the rod and tube combination; a coupling element having a tubular sleeve with a threaded outer surface mounted on an outer surface of the second end of the tube, the sleeve having two diametrically opposed slots receiving the pin and an adjustment element threadably mounted on the sleeve outer surface for axial movement along the axis, the adjustment element having a surface contacting the pin to limit the movement of the pin in the slots.

Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator comprising an axially extending rod; an axially extending tube moveably recurring the rod for varying the length of the rod and tube combination along a longitudinal axis; the tube having first and second ends, the second end having a pin extending therethrough; a locking system mounted on the tube first end for adjusting the position of the rod in the tube and fixing the length of the rod and tube combination; a coupling element having a tubular sleeve with a threaded outer surface mounted on an outer surface of the second end of the tube, the sleeve having two diametrically opposed slots receiving the pin and an adjustment element threadably mounted on the sleeve outer surface for axial movement along the axis, the adjustment element having a surface contacting the pin to limit the movement of the pin in the slots.

Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the positioning and sizing of an implant includes an elongate member and a block. The elongate member has length indicia at axial locations along a length for measuring a first distance from a predetermined datum of the elongate member. The block is attached to and movable along the elongate member. The block includes width indicia for measuring a second distance in a direction transverse to the first distance. A method for assisting in the positioning and sizing of an implant includes moving the elongate member along the block to axial locations along such member to determine an appropriate width and depth of insertion of the implant.

Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.

Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator comprising an axially extending rod; an axially extending tube moveably recurring the rod for varying the length of the rod and tube combination along a longitudinal axis; the tube having first and second ends, the second end having a pin extending therethrough; a locking system mounted on the tube first end for adjusting the position of the rod in the tube and fixing the length of the rod and tube combination; a coupling element having a tubular sleeve with a threaded outer surface mounted on an outer surface of the second end of the tube, the sleeve having two diametrically opposed slots receiving the pin and an adjustment element threadably mounted on the sleeve outer surface for axial movement along the axis, the adjustment element having a surface contacting the pin to limit the movement of the pin in the slots.

Abstract: A telescopic strut has an axially extending rod and a tube receiving the rod for varying the length of the strut along a longitudinal axis. The tube has first and second ends, the second end has a pin extending therethrough. A locking system is mounted on the tube first end for adjusting the position of the rod in the tube and fixing the length of the strut. A coupling element having a tubular sleeve with a threaded outer surface is mounted on an outer surface of the second end of the tube. The sleeve has two diametrically opposed slots receiving the pin and an adjustment element mounted on the sleeve outer surface for axial movement along the axis. The adjustment element has a surface contacting the pin to limit the movement of the pin in the slots.

Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.

Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.

Abstract: A bolt is adapted to clamp a pin to an external fixator system. The bolt includes a shaft having a threaded section, a head section and a pin opening that is arranged opposite the threaded section and accommodates and clamps a pin or a wire to a plate or ring of an external fixator. The plate comprises at least one opening which accommodates the shaft and a surface against which the pin or the wire is clamped by the bolt. The pin opening comprises at least two edges extending essentially along the same direction as the pin opening such that the pin or wire to be clamped is contact with said edges.

Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least one clamp to be introduced into the medical device, the clamp has an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.

Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.

Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.

Abstract: An improved polyaxial mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism preferably works in conjunction with a bone plate and fixation mechanism, such as a screw, rod, or the like. The improved polyaxial mechanism increases the strength of the locking among the locking mechanism, fixation mechanism, and bone plate. In addition, the improved polyaxial mechanism allows for easy locking among the elements, as well as more difficulty in unlocking the elements. A method for utilizing the improved polyaxial mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.

Abstract: A bolt is adapted to clamp a pin to an external fixator system. The bolt includes a shaft having a threaded section, a head section and a pin opening that is arranged opposite the threaded section and accommodates and clamps a pin or a wire to a plate or ring of an external fixator. The plate comprises at least one opening which accommodates the shaft and a surface against which the pin or the wire is clamped by the bolt. The pin opening comprises at least two edges extending essentially along the same direction as the pin opening such that the pin or wire to be clamped is contact with said edges.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.

Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.