Abstract: A device for treating a bone includes (a) an elongate body sized and shaped for insertion into a bone and extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongate body including a channel extending therethrough and a coating along an outer surface thereof, the coating adapted to absorb a selected frequency of light such that, when the selected frequency of light is applied thereto, portions of the coating melt to form a mass; and (b) a first anchor member slidably mountable over the elongate body and movable therealong from a first position at the proximal end of the elongate body to a second position adjacent a bone into which the elongate body has been inserted to cooperate with the mass to fix the elongate body to the bone.

Abstract: A system for locking an intramedullary nail to a bone includes a first plate sized and shaped to be inserted through a channel of an intramedullary nail and dimensioned to prevent its passing through a locking hole of the intramedullary nail and a second plate sized and shaped to be positioned along a portion of an exterior of a hole drilled in the bone and dimensioned to prevent its passing through the hole drilled in the bone along with a connector couplable to the first and second plates and slidable through the channel of the intramedullary nail to extend through the locking hole from an interior of the channel to an exterior of a bone in which the intramedullary nail has been inserted.

Abstract: A system for locking an intramedullary nail to a bone includes a first plate sized and shaped to be inserted through a channel of an intramedullary nail and dimensioned to prevent its passing through a locking hole of the intramedullary nail and a second plate sized and shaped to be positioned along a portion of an exterior of a hole drilled in the bone and dimensioned to prevent its passing through the hole drilled in the bone along with a connector couplable to the first and second plates and slidable through the channel of the intramedullary nail to extend through the locking hole from an interior of the channel to an exterior of a bone in which the intramedullary nail has been inserted.

Abstract: A device for measuring a degree of bending of an intramedullary nail comprises a probe sized and shaped for insertion into a cannulation of an intramedullary nail. The probe including a first longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end and a second longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the distal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements attached to one another so that the longitudinal axes of the first and second longitudinal elements extend substantially parallel to each other and define a middle plane. A measuring element measures relative axial displacement of the proximal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements in the middle plane upon bending of the first and second longitudinal elements as the probe is inserted into a cannulation of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.

Abstract: An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.

Abstract: An intramedullary device includes an intramedullary nail extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the nail including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an opening extending laterally through a wall thereof proximate the distal end, the channel including a ramped surface along a distal portion thereof opposite the opening. The device further includes a wire extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the wire sized and shaped to be inserted into the channel of the nail such that the distal end engages the ramped surface to extend through the opening.

Abstract: A device for treating a bone includes (a) an elongate body sized and shaped for insertion into a bone and extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongate body including a channel extending therethrough and a coating along an outer surface thereof, the coating adapted to absorb a selected frequency of light such that, when the selected frequency of light is applied thereto, portions of the coating melt to form a mass; and (b) a first anchor member slidably mountable over the elongate body and movable therealong from a first position at the proximal end of the elongate body to a second position adjacent a bone into which the elongate body has been inserted to cooperate with the mass to fix the elongate body to the bone.

Abstract: A patient-specific implant includes (a) a body having a convex exterior surface configured to attach to a bone and a concave interior surface configured to receive a head portion of another bone, the body including a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the holes sized and shaped to receive a bone fixation element; and (b) a gap filler formed on the exterior surface of the body and having dimensions and a position corresponding to a gap between the exterior surface of the body and the bone to which the implant is to be attached.

Abstract: A device for measuring a degree of bending of an intramedullary nail comprises a probe sized and shaped for insertion into a cannulation of an intramedullary nail. The probe including a first longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end and a second longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the distal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements attached to one another so that the longitudinal axes of the first and second longitudinal elements extend substantially parallel to each other and define a middle plane. A measuring element measures relative axial displacement of the proximal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements in the middle plane upon bending of the first and second longitudinal elements as the probe is inserted into a cannulation of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail extending from a proximal end to a distal end comprises a distal portion extending longitudinally from the distal end to a first connecting end and including a first locking hole extending therethrough; a proximal end extending longitudinally from a second connecting end to the proximal end of the nail and including a second locking hole extending transversely therethrough and a joint connecting the first and second connecting ends such that the distal and proximal portions are rotatable relative to one another about the joint.

Abstract: A bone fixation system is provided. The bone fixation system may include a plate, one or more fasteners configured to attach the plate to a target anatomical location such as bone, and a surgical device that facilitates the attachment of the plate and the fasteners.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for fabricating multimaterial bodies in a layer-wise fashion, which bodies may be used bone-stabilizing implants. The multimaterial bodies include rigid and flexible portions that are integrally formed with one another. The multimaterial bodies may be softened or stiffened in specific areas to match the biological or anatomical features of a bone.

Abstract: An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.

Abstract: A bone fixation device includes (a) a threaded shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end; (b) a head located at the proximal end of the shaft; (c) a connector threadably engaging the threaded shaft and movable therealong; and (d) an extension member movable between an insertion configuration for insertion through an opening in a cortex of a bone to a locked configuration when pressed against an inner surface of the cortex. The profile of the wing in the locked configuration in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is increased relative to the insertion configuration to distribute forces transmitted between the bone fixation apparatus and the bone over an increased area of the cortex.