Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate having a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a through hole for receiving the bone fastening element. The head is oxygen diffusion hardened.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread with a first lead length, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the second thread having a second lead length, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate with a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a non-threaded through hole in a non-assembled state for receiving the bone fastening element, the hole comprising a first hole portion with a first three-dimensional shape and a second hole portion with a second, different three-dimensional shape. The first lead length substantially equals the second lead length, and the second thread is arranged to irreversible deform the wall of the hole to form a female thread on the wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distal radius fracture fixation device for securing at least two fractured bone segments together. The device comprises: a body portion comprising at least two insertion channels each extending through the body portion and each being configured for receiving a bone fixation element therethrough; and an insertion device connection portion connected to the body portion, and for coupling a separate insertion device to the fracture fixation device. The insertion device connection portion is arranged to be decoupled from the body portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate having a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a through hole for receiving the bone fastening element. The head is oxygen diffusion hardened.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone plate system comprising: a bone fastening element comprising a shaft with a first thread with a first lead length, the fastening element further comprising a head with a second thread on its outer surface, the second thread having a second lead length, the outer surface having a first hardness; and a bone plate with a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness, the bone plate comprising a non-threaded through hole in a non-assembled state for receiving the bone fastening element, the hole comprising a first hole portion with a first three-dimensional shape and a second hole portion with a second, different three-dimensional shape. The first lead length substantially equals the second lead length, and the second thread is arranged to irreversible deform the wall of the hole to form a female thread on the wall.

Abstract: A bone fixation element comprises a shaft extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the fixation element in combination with a head including a plurality of fixation element openings distributed about a perimeter thereof. Each of the fixation element openings extends through the head from a proximal surface thereof to a distal surface of the head. Each of the fixation element openings extends through the head along an opening axis.

Abstract: A torque limiting instrument is disclosed configured to drive a shaft to rotate in a select direction in response to an applied torque until the applied torque reaches a predetermined threshold. Thus, when the torque limiting instrument drives a bone screw into bone, the bone screw is advanced into the bone until the torque applied to the torque limiting instrument reaches the predetermined threshold, at which point the torque limiting instrument will no longer communicate the applied torque to the bone screw.

Abstract: A torque limiting instrument can is configured to drive a shaft to rotate in a select direction in response to an applied torque until the applied torque reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: Expandable dilators, dilation assemblies, and kits are disclosed, along with methods for using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.

Abstract: A torque limiting instrument can is configured to drive a shaft to rotate in a select direction in response to an applied torque until the applied torque reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A torque limiting instrument is configured to drive a shaft to rotate in a select direction in response to an applied torque until the applied torque reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.