Abstract: A method and device for improving the placement of a second guide wire in relation to a first guide wire. A body having a first guide wire channel extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end includes a needle-like tip arranged to receive a first guide wire from the first guide wire channel. The body further includes at least one parallel guide wire conduit in close proximity and substantially parallel to the channel. An elongated slot, with a wide opening on the distal end, narrows at the proximal end with a terminus exiting the body in close proximity to the needle-like tip. A second guide wire can be selectively inserted in either the at least one parallel conduit or in the slot to arrange the second guide wire in close and parallel proximity to, or in close and intersecting the trajectory of, the first guide wire.

Abstract: Bone fixation system including methods, apparatus, and kits, for steering a leading end of a fastener within bone. In some embodiments, the system may include (a) a flexible fastener having an external thread, and (b) a guide including a graspable handle attached or attachable to a wire having a distal end portion with a preformed longitudinal curvature in a direction indicated by the handle. The wire may be extendable through the fastener and configured to be advanced longitudinally, while extending through the fastener, such that the distal end portion of the wire penetrates bone ahead of a leading end of the fastener and creates a curved travel path for the leading end of the fastener.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: System, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for replacement of the proximal end of a radial bone with a prosthesis having a floating articular member. The prosthesis may include a head portion connected or connectable to a stem portion. While the stem portion remains operatively connected to the head portion, the head portion and/or an articular member thereof may be permitted to float in position relative to the stem portion. The head portion/articular member may float transversely (e.g., translationally) and/or rotationally with respect to the stem portion. The articular member may articulate with a humeral bone or both a humeral bone and an ulnar bone. In some embodiments, the head portion may include a fixed member for articulation with an ulnar bone and a floating member for articulation with a humeral bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for replacement of at least one surface region of a distal radioulnar joint using at least one prosthesis. In some embodiments, the system may provide restoration of normal, unconstrained biomechanics of the joint, which may preserve rotation and translation and ensure durability of the joint.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.

Abstract: Bone plate system, including methods and apparatus, for attaching a fastener to a bone plate at a selectable angle. In an exemplary method, a bone plate and a fastener may be selected. The bone plate may define an aperture having an internal thread. The fastener may include a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region may be tapered conically toward the distal region. The fastener may be disposed in the aperture and in bone, such that the serrated thread is cross-threaded with the internal thread to create an interference fit and locked engagement of the proximal region with the aperture.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for bone fixation using a pair of slender spanning members to span a fracture outside bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for bone fixation with a bone plate attached to a fastener assembly including a first fastener disposed in threaded engagement with the bone plate and a second fastener disposed in threaded engagement with the first fastener.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for bone fixation using overlapping bone plates each including a plurality of notches arranged along the bone plate to provide interchangeable overlap locations.

Abstract: An alignment plate having a viewing window and three adjustable strut members enables a surgeon to better place external fixation pins and an external fixation ring system relative to a desired anatomical feature of the lower extremity.

Abstract: A system and a method for bone fixation are provided. A bone plate may be secured to at least one bone. A monolithic region of the bone plate may be bent to a bent configuration. A strut may be connected to the bone plate. In some embodiments, the strut may be connected at spaced positions of the bone plate that opposingly flank the monolithic region, such that the bent configuration is stabilized.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for installation of a bone plate using an insertion tool attached to a bone plate and providing a blade for lifting soft tissue off bone in front of the bone plate as the insertion tool is advanced along a surface of the bone.

Abstract: A method of bone fixation. A guide device may be disposed such that a first portion of the guide device is disposed longitudinally in a medullary canal of a bone and such that a second portion of the guide device is disposed outside the bone and defines a transverse path across the bone and intersecting the medullary canal. A transverse hole may be formed in the bone along the transverse path, and a fastener may be disposed in the transverse hole. A rod may be placed longitudinally in the medullary canal such that a threaded portion of the rod enters an aperture of the fastener and engages the fastener at the aperture to lock the rod to the fastener. The first portion of the guide device may be removed from the medullary canal after the step of forming a transverse hole and before the step of placing a rod.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment according to the present invention, an external fixation device for the foot and ankle of the human anatomical skeleton includes a yoke, three adjusters, and a base (or foot plate). The foot plate selectively couples to the yoke without the need of any tools, thereby enabling the patient to self attach and remove the foot plate from an existing circular fixation structure.

Abstract: A screw having a root and threads formed on the root. The screw is configured to generate and/or maintain axial compression between threads formed in leading and trailing sections of the screw either by virtue of pitch differential in the threads or the way in which the screw is installed.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for expanded bone fixation with bone plates. A bone plate and an extension plate may be provided. The bone plate may be secured to a proximal portion of a humerus and overlapping the greater tuberosity of the humerus using fasteners received in openings defined by the bone plate. The extension plate may be attached to the bone plate and the humerus using (a) a fastener disposed in an aperture defined by the first end region and in threaded engagement with the bone plate and (b) a fastener received in an aperture defined by the second end region and extending into the humerus. The attached extension plate may extend from a position over the greater tuberosity to a position over the lesser tuberosity of the humerus such that the intermediate region is disposed over a biceps tendon.

Abstract: Bone plate system, including methods and apparatus, for attaching a fastener to a bone plate at a selectable angle. In an exemplary method, a bone plate and a fastener may be selected. The bone plate may define an aperture having an internal thread. The fastener may include a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region may be tapered conically toward the distal region. The fastener may be disposed in the aperture and in bone, such that the serrated thread is cross-threaded with the internal thread to create an interference fit and locked engagement of the proximal region with the aperture.

Abstract: Bone fixation system, including methods, apparatus, and kits, and comprising a bone plate and at least one instrument that attaches to the bone plate and provides at least one radiopaque region to facilitate positioning the bone plate on bone visualized by radiographic imaging. The instrument may be a handle assembly and/or a targeting guide.