Abstract: Implantable fixation devices for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The devices include plates that may be affixed to a rib and realign separated portions of the rib or other body part. The devices may also include various locking mechanisms that receive a cable that may be used to realign and bring together separated portions of a bone or other body part. The devices may further include plates that may be affixed to a sternum and realign separated portions of the sternum or other body part.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices that aid a user in ceasing bruxism. The devices may be placed between a user's teeth, such as during sleep, and alert the user when the user clenches his/her teeth. In an aspect, a device includes a housing containing a battery power source, a vibration device, and an electrical contact mechanism having a movable element which closes a circuit to actuate the vibration device. A disk-shaped portion adapted to be emplaced in a person's mouth between a cheek and adjacent teeth is disposed around the housing. A resilient bite portion extends from the housing and is adapted to be emplaced between upper and lower teeth. A compressible element is disposed in the bite portion and causes the movable element of the electrical contact to close to actuate the vibration device in response to compression of the bite portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices that aid a user in ceasing bruxism. The devices may be placed between a user's teeth, such as during sleep, and alert the user when the user clenches his/her teeth. In an aspect, a device includes a housing containing a battery power source, a vibration device, and an electrical contact mechanism having a movable element which closes a circuit to actuate the vibration device. A disk-shaped portion adapted to be emplaced in a person's mouth between a cheek and adjacent teeth is disposed around the housing. A resilient bite portion extends from the housing and is adapted to be emplaced between upper and lower teeth. A compressible element is disposed in the bite portion and causes the movable element of the electrical contact to close to actuate the vibration device in response to compression of the bite portion.

Abstract: An alignment guide system is disclosed that includes a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide. The first and second alignment guides are adapted to couple to plates affixed to a bone or other body part and guide the plates together to close a resection or opening in the bone or other body part. The alignment guide system allows for an easy one person closure of the resection or opening in the bone or other body part.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: An implant positioning device including a guide and holder for fasteners used in orthopaedic fixation for use in affixing a plate-like member to a bone or other part of a patient. The guide and holder includes a base adapted to align with the plate in a manner to orient fasteners with the plate for fixation. A plurality of fastener holders are on the base and adapted to releasably hold a fastener in a manner where the fastener is exposed at a proximal end for access by a fastener driver and aligned at a distal end with an aperture on the plate through which the fastener is to be driven.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices that aid a user in ceasing bruxism. The devices may be placed between a user's teeth, such as during sleep, and alert the user when the user clenches his/her teeth. In an aspect, a device includes a housing containing a battery power source, a vibration device, and an electrical contact mechanism having a movable element which closes a circuit to actuate the vibration device. A disk-shaped portion adapted to be emplaced in a person's mouth between a cheek and adjacent teeth is disposed around the housing. A resilient bite portion extends from the housing and is adapted to be emplaced between upper and lower teeth. A compressible element is disposed in the bite portion and causes the movable element of the electrical contact to close to actuate the vibration device in response to compression of the bite portion.

Abstract: An orthopaedic fixation system for closing a resection of a body part, including a plurality of anchors located on either side of a resection which separates a body part into adjacent portions, such that there are a set of first anchors on one side of the resection and a second set of anchors on the other side of the resection. A first cable member is wound around and between the first and second sets of anchors, with the cable member extending generally orthogonally across the resection between at least certain pairs of the first and second anchors, with one of the pairs of anchors comprising a node.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one or more tibial spacer blocks used during knee arthroplasty, each configured to be temporarily positioned upon a resected proximal portion of a tibia (essentially mimicking the tibial component of the knee prosthesis), for performing a range of motion analysis and for checking flexion and extension gaps prior to cutting the distal or posterior femur. Preferably, the spacer blocks each include an attachment arrangement configured and arranged to mate with a complementary attachment arrangement of an alignment tower and/or a femoral cutting guide. The alignment tower, which is configured to be used with an alignment rod, is used for verifying the alignment of the limb's mechanical axis when the spacer block is positioned between the tibia and the femur. The femoral cutting guide is used for guiding a cutting member into proper orientation for resecting a distal or posterior portion of a femur.

Abstract: A hip stem centralizer datum guide and method are provided for positioning a proximal portion of a hip stem component within bone cement in an intramedullary canal of a femur. The datum guide is positionable in a predetermined position relative to the intramedullary canal and is able to create a datum that records the predetermined hip stem component position relative to the intramedullary canal. The datum is able to be referenced to position the hip stem component in the predetermined hip stem component position in the bone cement in the intramedullary canal.

Abstract: A hip stem centralizer is provided for positioning a proximal portion of a femoral hip stem component within an intramedullary canal of a femur. The centralizer includes a cavity and a side wall defining a lateral skirt. The cavity is removably engageable with the proximal portion of the hip stem component to position the lateral skirt between the lateral portion of the hip stem component and the lateral portion of the intramedullary canal.

Abstract: A tibial sizer, or set of sizers, used to estimate the appropriate size tibial base plate implanted during knee arthroplasty. The preferred embodiment provides a measurement of the amount of exposed bone between a posterior proximal portion of the tibia and a posterior edge of the tibial sizer (which edge will correspond to the posterior edge of the tibial base plate). Preferably, the sizer includes a head and a handle extending outwardly from the head, as well as a channel with a slider configured and arranged to be slidably positioned within the channel. The slider includes markings for indicating the amount of exposed bone between a posterior proximal portion of a tibia and a posterior edge of the head of the sizer. Additional markings are also provided for indicating a suggested size of tibial base plate with respect to the anterior/posterior direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for resecting a distal femoral condyle includes a resection guide defining a first bone fixation aperture extending about an axis. The resection guide further defines a first bone saw slot and a second bone saw slot. The resection guide is configured to position the first bone fixation aperture relative to the condyle. The resection guide is further configured to concurrently arcuately translate the first bone saw slot and the second bone saw slot relative to the axis. A knee replacement kit includes a femoral implant defining a first plan contour. The kit further includes a resection guide defining a second plan contour modeling the first plan contour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone-cutting guide used during arthroplasty. The bone-cutting guide is intended to be temporarily positioned against the distal femur or proximal tibia bone surface and to receive a cutting member. The bone-cutting guide is intended to cut the bone generally transverse to the length of the bone, and includes a main body and a paddle. The main body has a width defined between first and second surfaces. A cutting tool receiving portion, which is configured and arranged to receive the cutting member, extends from the first surface to the second surface. The main body is configured to be placed against a side surface of the bone. The paddle extends from the main body and includes a bone-contacting surface that is configured and arranged to be positioned generally parallel against the distal femur or the proximal tibia bone surface.

Abstract: A mobile bearing unicondylar tibial knee prosthesis for repairing a damaged knee joint is provided. The prosthesis includes a tibial base plate and a tibial meniscal component supported on the tibial base plate in relative sliding relationship. The relative sliding becomes more constrained as the tibial meniscal component moves toward the sides of the base plate.

Abstract: A mobile bearing unicondylar tibial knee prosthesis for repairing a damaged knee joint is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing an osteophyte includes an elongated member. A portion of the elongated member includes a blunt end. A burr extends from this portion at a location proximal to the blunt end. An alternative embodiment includes a generally tongue-shaped elongated member. The elongated member includes a first portion and a second portion that define a passageway. The second portion includes a blunt end. At least one of a post and a wall extend from the first portion. A burr is coupled the second portion and the passageway at a location proximal to the blunt end. The burr includes a base with a generally pie-slice shaped perimeter, and includes a generally convex surface extending from the base. The generally convex surface includes a smooth portion facing generally toward the blunt end and a perforated, non-smooth portion facing generally toward the first portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one or more tibial spacer blocks used during knee arthroplasty, each configured to be temporarily positioned upon a resected proximal portion of a tibia (essentially mimicking the tibial component of the knee prosthesis), for performing a range of motion analysis and for checking flexion and extension gaps prior to cutting the distal or posterior femur. Preferably, the spacer blocks each include an attachment arrangement configured and arranged to mate with a complementary attachment arrangement of an alignment tower and/or a femoral cutting guide. The alignment tower, which is configured to be used with an alignment rod, is used for verifying the alignment of the limb's mechanical axis when the spacer block is positioned between the tibia and the femur. The femoral cutting guide is used for guiding a cutting member into proper orientation for resecting a distal or posterior portion of a femur.

Abstract: A mobile bearing unicondylar tibial knee prosthesis includes a tibial base plate and a tibial articular surface component. The inferior surface of the articular surface component engages the superior surface of the base plate in sliding relationship. The tibial articular surface and a stop on the tibial base plate define a tab and groove engagement between them such that the tibial articular surface component is permitted to slide anteriorly-posteriorly on the tibial base plate while movement of the tibial articular surface component superiorly away from the base plate is restricted.