Abstract: A washer for use with a bone screw in the reduction and fixation of bone fragments includes a frusto-conical body having a leading end, a trailing end, an exterior surface and an interior surface. A central bore defined by the interior surface for insertion of a bone screw extends longitudinally through the washer. The interior surface is tapered resulting in the central bore's diameter being larger at the trailing end than at the leading end. The washer, when used in combination with a compression bone screw, improves seating of the bone screw head in the bone and results in enhanced compression.

Abstract: A straight intramedullary bone fracture fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis for deployment in a long bone, such as a clavicle. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and engaging an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations and designs may be used in combination with other fixation device components.

Abstract: A straight intramedullary bone fracture fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis for deployment in a long bone, such as a clavicle. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and engaging an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations and designs may be used in combination with other fixation device components.

Abstract: A segmented bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a segmented fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture, providing rigidity across the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations allow a segmented device body to change shape as it moves from a flexible state to a rigid state.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly having an elongated body is configured with a first and second arm members extending from the elongated body. The second arm member is configured and adapted to be longitudinally movable along the elongated body towards and away from the first arm member for reducing fractured bones for repair. A guide housing provided on the second arm member is fitted with a removable sleeve. The removable sleeve is provided with a longitudinal bore for guiding a guide wire or a drill bit for drilling into the bones.

Abstract: A femoral caliper having one or more anatomical referencing members for placement against portions of the femur, such as the anterior cortex and posterior portion of the femoral condyles, to measure the femur for sizing of the femoral component. A reference mark positioning guide of the femoral caliper is connected to the anatomical referencing member and is capable of guiding placement of a reference mark on the femur that facilitates positioning of the femoral component. The femoral caliper includes an adjustment mechanism capable of displacing the reference mark positioning guide relative to the anatomical referencing member. This allows adjustment of the position of the reference mark (and hence the femoral component) on the femur to account for the up or down sizing of the femoral component. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the reference mark positioning guide in the anterior-posterior direction to allow balancing of the tightness or laxity of the selected component.

Abstract: An orthopedic prosthesis includes a tibial implant and a tibial insert. The tibial implant includes an upper surface, a medial side, a lateral side and a first locking structure provided on the upper surface where the medial side and the lateral side of the tibial implant are defined by a medial-lateral midline. The tibial insert includes a second locking structure provided on its bottom surface. The first and second locking structures are configured for engaging each other along an engagement direction vector when the tibial insert is inserted into the tibial base towards the posterior side. The engagement direction vector is angled away from the medial-lateral midline of the tibial implant towards the medial side of the tibial implant by a predetermine angle.

Abstract: Instrumentation for surgically resurfacing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement surgery. The instrumentation includes a resurfacing guide for attachment to a femur and a rail member externally delineating an area of a femoral condyle of the femur that is to be surgically resurfaced to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The resurfacing guide has an abutment wall. The instrumentation includes a resurfacing instrument having a tissue removing surface for removing anatomical tissue from the delineated area of the femoral condyle, the tissue removing surface being movable along the delineated area to remove anatomical tissue therefrom. The resurfacing instrument has a engagement wall for contacting the abutment wall to limit the depth to which anatomical tissue is removed.

Abstract: A surgical device for pressing and retaining adjacent bones against one another comprising a compression brace and separate fasteners. The compression brace has at least two fastener retaining portions. Each fastener retaining portion has a fastener hole therethrough for receiving a fastener, such as a screw or pin. A pair of bridge members are positioned between the fastener retaining portions, and are spaced apart from one another to form a compression opening. The compression bracket can include a plurality of fastener retaining portions and a plurality of compression openings. In some embodiments, the fasteners are maintained in a substantially fixed relation with the fastener retaining portion. The brace is installed on adjacent bones such that a fastener engages each bone. The compression opening is spread apart to draw the fasteners toward one another, and thereby compress the adjacent bones together.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly having an elongated body is configured with a first and second arm members extending from the elongated body. The second arm member is configured and adapted to be longitudinally movable along the elongated body towards and away from the first arm member for reducing fractured bones for repair. A guide housing provided on the second arm member is fitted with a removable sleeve. The removable sleeve is provided with a longitudinal bore for guiding a guide wire or a drill bit for drilling into the bones.

Abstract: A knee prosthetic including a tibial component defining medial and lateral concavities shaped to receive medial and lateral femoral condyles of the femur. The concavities have first portions for contact with the condyles during normal knee flexion and second portions for contact with the condyles during deep, or high, knee flexion. The medial concavity can include a conforming boundary that encompasses at least the first and second portions, wherein an area inside the conforming boundary has a generally flat surface. The flat surface allows the medial femoral condyle to slide and rotate posteriorly during high knee flexion. The conforming boundary can have a generally triangular shape with an apex extending anteriorly and a relatively wider base extending posteriorly, wherein the apex includes the first portion and the base includes the second portion. The relatively wider base portion advantageously allows additional area for posteriorly directed articulating contact during high knee flexion.

Abstract: A method of minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes accessing a knee through a minimal incision, forming a planar surface along a tibial plateau of the knee, forming a planar posterior surface along a posterior aspect of the corresponding femoral condyle, resurfacing a distal aspect of the femoral condyle to form a resurfaced area having a curved portion, implanting a prosthetic tibial component on the planar surface along the tibial plateau and implanting a prosthetic femoral component on the prepared surface of the femoral condyle formed by the planar posterior surface and the resurfaced area. The curved portion of the resurfaced area has an anterior-posterior curvature corresponding to a fixation surface of the prosthetic femoral component. Prior to implantation, the femur and tibia are prepared to receive fixation structure of the femoral and tibial components.

Abstract: Instrumentation for use in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes a tibial cutting guide for establishing a planar surface along a tibial plateau and a tibial stylus having an anatomic contour for controlling the depth of the planar surface along the tibial plateau. The instrumentation further comprises a posterior resection block for preparing a posterior femoral resection, with a forward portion of the posterior resection block having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a prosthetic femoral component. Instrumentation comprising a resection block and a resurfacing guide are provided for surgically preparing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The instrumentation further includes a resurfacing guide and a resurfacing instrument for resurfacing a femoral condyle to a controlled depth. Instrumentation is provided for intramedullary alignment of femoral instruments.

Abstract: Methods, instrumentation and devices for humeral implant positioning, including an improved trialing system utilizing an adjustment instrument and orientation indicia.

Abstract: A method of minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes accessing a knee through a minimal incision, forming a planar surface along a tibial plateau of the knee, forming a planar posterior surface along a posterior aspect of the corresponding femoral condyle, resurfacing a distal aspect of the femoral condyle to form a resurfaced area having a curved portion, implanting a prosthetic tibial component on the planar surface along the tibial plateau and implanting a prosthetic femoral component on the prepared surface of the femoral condyle formed by the planar posterior surface and the resurfaced area. The curved portion of the resurfaced area has an anterior-posterior curvature corresponding to a fixation surface of the prosthetic femoral component. Prior to implantation, the femur and tibia are prepared to receive fixation structure of the femoral and tibial components.

Abstract: Instrumentation for use in minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement includes a tibial cutting guide for establishing a planar surface along a tibial plateau and a tibial stylus having an anatomic contour for controlling the depth of the planar surface along the tibial plateau. The instrumentation further comprises a posterior resection block for preparing a posterior femoral resection, with a forward portion of the posterior resection block having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a prosthetic femoral component. Instrumentation comprising a resection block and a resurfacing guide are provided for surgically preparing a femoral condyle to receive a prosthetic femoral component. The instrumentation further includes a resurfacing guide and a resurfacing instrument for resurfacing a femoral condyle to a controlled depth. Instrumentation is provided for intramedullary alignment of femoral instruments.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises a femoral component for implantation on a prepared femoral condyle of a knee and a tibial component for implantation on a prepared corresponding tibial plateau of the knee. The femoral component has a femoral articular surface cooperable with a tibial articular surface of the tibial component to permit motion at the knee. The femoral articular surface has a medial-lateral radius of curvature, and the tibial articular surface has a medial-lateral radius of curvature 0.25 to 5.00 mm longer than the medial-lateral radius of curvature of the femoral articular surface. The tibial articular surface has a medial-lateral mid-point, and the femoral articular surface defines a tracking line for the femoral component which tracks in an anterior-posterior direction along the medial-lateral mid-point as the knee moves between extension and flexion. The tracking line tracks at a medial-lateral angle relative to the medial-lateral mid-point of the tibial articular surface.