Abstract: A bone fixation clamp includes a first arcuate clamp member conforming to a shape of a bone and extending between a first connection end and a first free end, a second arcuate clamp member conforming to a shape of the bone, a second connection end of the second clamp member being pivotally attached to the first clamp member, the second clamp member extending between the second connection end and a second free end and a driving member received in the first clamp member passing out of the first clamp member to abut an abutment portion of the second member so that, as the driving member is extended further out of the first member, the driving member pivots the second clamp member relative to the first clamp member to draw the first and second free ends toward one another to apply a radially compressive force to the bone.

Abstract: A bone plate comprises a first surface and a second surface in combination with a first hole extending through the bone plate from the first surface to the second surface, the hole including a compression portion and a variable angle portion open to one another by a connecting space. The compression portion includes a sloping surface adapted to engage a head of a bone fixation element inserted thereinto so that the bone fixation element imparts a force to the bone plate to move the bone plate laterally relative to a portion of bone into which the bone fixation element is inserted. The variable angle portion includes a plurality of columns positioned about a circumference of a wall of the variable angle portion. The columns are separated from one another by a plurality of positioned between adjacent pairs of columns and including a plurality of protrusions extending radially inward therefrom.

Abstract: A bone plate includes (a) a body having a first surface which, in an operative configuration, faces away from a bone on which the plate is to be mounted and a second surface, which in the operative configuration, faces the bone, the body including a first section extending along a first longitudinal axis and a second section extending along a second longitudinal axis angled with respect to the first longitudinal axis; (b) a first hole extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface and defining a first hole axis, the first hole being structured to lockingly engage a head of a first bone anchor inserted therein such that a shaft of the first bone anchor extends along the first hole axis; and (c) a second hole extending through the body and spaced apart from the first hole. The second hole defines a second hole axis and is structured to lockingly engage a head of a second bone anchor inserted therein such that a shaft of the second bone anchor extends along the second hole axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bone plate and its method of use for reducing a bone fracture, the bone plate having a longitudinal axis, the bone plate comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first hole for engaging a head of a first bone anchor. The first hole is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the first bone anchor along a first axis. A second hole is spaced apart from the first hole along the longitudinal axis. The second hole is for engaging a head of a second bone anchor, and is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the second bone anchor along a second axis. The first hole and the second hole are configured such that the first axis and the second axis define a single plane and intersect at a point below the lower surface. The shafts of the first and second bone anchors may touch or nearly touch at the point of intersection, such that the first and second bone anchors form a truss.

Abstract: A bone plate for fixation of a fractured bone includes a first portion having a first longitudinal axis and a second portion having a second longitudinal axis. The second portion is angled with respect to the first portion. The first portion has at least one hole for receiving a bone anchor having a shaft. The hole has a first hole portion defining a first central axis substantially perpendicular to a lower surface of the first portion and configured to receive the bone anchor. The hole includes a second hole portion overlapping and in communication with the first hole portion from upper to lower surface defining a second central axis substantially angled with respect to the first central axis, and configured to receive the bone anchor such that the shaft is substantially angled with respect to the second portion of the bone plate so as to form a truss.

Abstract: A bone plate for fixation of a fractured bone comprises a first portion having a first longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface and a second portion having a second longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface. The second portion is angled with respect to the first portion such that the lower surface of the first portion and the lower surface of the second portion define an included angle therebetween. The first portion has at least one hole for receiving a bone anchor having a shaft. The hole has a first hole portion defining a first central axis substantially perpendicular to the lower surface and the first hole portion is configured to receive the bone anchor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes first and second footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The second footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the first footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the device does not increase in length upon activation. In another preferred embodiment, the second footplate is offset, allowing the actuator to be placed under the zygoma. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bone plate and its method of use for reducing a bone fracture, the bone plate having a longitudinal axis, the bone plate comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first hole for engaging a head of a first bone anchor. The first hole is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the first bone anchor along a first axis. A second hole is spaced apart from the first hole along the longitudinal axis. The second hole is for engaging a head of a second bone anchor, and is configured and adapted to fix a shaft of the second bone anchor along a second axis. The first hole and the second hole are configured such that the first axis and the second axis define a single plane and intersect at a point below the lower surface. The shafts of the first and second bone anchors may touch or nearly touch at the point of intersection, such that the first and second bone anchors form a truss.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes first and second footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The second footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the first footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the device does not increase in length upon activation. In another preferred embodiment, the second footplate is offset, allowing the actuator to be placed under the zygoma. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes proximal and distal footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The distal footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the proximal footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct which is then wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the footplates are also detachable from the orthopedic device and are composed of a bioresorbable material, such that they will be absorbed by the patient's body. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved orthopedic method and system for incremental adjustment of the bone segments on either side of a bone repair site. The apparatus includes a ratchet assembly which may be subcutaneously implanted, and an adjustment assembly which may be inserted percutaneously for releasable engagement with the adjustment assembly. The ratchet assembly includes a first piece having a tongue with ratcheting serrations, and a second piece having a cavity to receive the tongue and also including ratcheting pawls to engage the serrations. The serrations and the pawl cooperate to act as a uni-directional ratchet; depending on the geometry of the serrations, the ratchet assembly may operate as an incremental distractor or reducer. The adjustment assembly may be a simple threaded shaft which engages with a threaded bore on one of the pieces of the ratchet assembly; in this embodiment as the shaft is rotated, its end will provide a force to the other piece of the ratchet assembly.

Abstract: A threaded insert is designed to snap into a standard bone plate hole. The insert has an upper section divided into sectors by slots, a lower section having deflectable tabs with external projections, and a central threaded hole. When a standard bone screw is tightened in the insert, the insert rigidly fixes the screw to the plate by collapsing the threads of the insert onto the threads of the screw, and by expanding the sectors of the upper section to clamp the bone plate.