Abstract: A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.

Abstract: Various embodiments of wedge plates configured to promote bone growth are disclosed. Generally, a wedge plate comprises a first bone contact section, a second bone contact section, and a wedge section located between the first bone contact section and the second bone contact section. The wedge section is sized and configured to be received within a wedge formed in a bone. The wedge section comprises at least one feature configured to promote bone growth. A bone growth stimulant may be located within the at least one feature.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: A device and method for stabilizing a broken bone while it heals is disclosed. The device is preferably a metal rod that has a threaded portion. The device is positioned into a bone, such as a metacarpal bone, by forming an opening in the bone suitable for receiving the device, and inserting it into the opening wherein the threaded portion retains the device in position.

Abstract: A fastener, for example a bone screw, is sized to pass into an aperture of an implant, for example a bone plate, the fastener having an anchor portion engageable with body tissue, and a head portion formed by an assembly of an insert and an anchor extension. The implant has an aperture with a reduced entry dimension. The insert and anchor extension cooperate to form a reduced dimension passable into the aperture, and an expanded dimension not passable out of the aperture. The size of the assembly is configurable by bending resilient tabs of the anchor extension or the implant, using ramped surfaces, or an expanding diameter of a threadable insert.

Abstract: A kind of bone plate gimbal lock pressure device. The body of the bone plate (1) has a microscler slippery hole (2), in which there has a locking slider (3); on the slider (3) there is a cone-shaped screw hole (3-3) with a cone-head screw (4) inside. The shapes at two inside sides of the microscler slippery hole (2) cross section are internal arc-shaped, and the shapes of the two sides of the locking slider (3) are correspondingly external arc (3-1); in the middle of the locking slider (3) there is a notch (3-2). The locking slider (3) can slide in the microscler slippery hole (2) to meet the pressure requirement, and also can sway from side to side to adjust the direction of the cone-head screw (4) according to the requirement. The two sides of the locking slider (3) are arc; after tightening the screw (4), the arc contact will make the locking slider (3) not take off.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a wall defining a plane and having a first surface and a second surface configured to engage tissue. The wall defines a first opening configured for disposal of a first bone fastener and a second opening configured for disposal of a second bone fastener. The wall includes an inner surface that defines a passageway disposed between the first and second openings. A part configured for disposal in the passageway. The first bone fastener is engageable with the part such that the part translates relative to the inner surface in the plane to engage the second bone fastener and to resist backout of the second bone fastener from the second opening. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A plate system for controlling relative positions of adjacent bone portions. The plate system has a plate with first and second spaced through bores, an insert consisting of first and second insert pieces in the first bore, and a first fastener. The first plate bore, first and second insert pieces, and first fastener are configured so that advancing of the first fastener into the first bore and one of the adjacent bone portions causes the first fastener to be fixed in a selected one of a plurality of different potential angular orientations for the first fastener. The system further has a second fastener for direction through the second bore and into the other of the adjacent bone portions.

Abstract: A variable angle locking screw assembly that includes a plate material, a screw, and a washer at least partially located within the plate material, the washer and screw cooperating to create a wedge locking the screw in one of a plurality of axial and rotational positions, where the locked position may be undone and adjusted by manipulation of at least one of the screw and washer.

Abstract: A fusion plate for use in fusing two bones together can include directional fastener bores that restrict the angle at which the fasteners can be positioned when inserted through the fastener bores. The fusion plate can be used in conjunction with a spacer, which may include a cavity into which the fusion plate can rest. The fusion plate can be coupled to the spacer using a coupling mechanism.

Abstract: Novel bone screw and plate assemblies including locking confirmation mechanisms are provided. In certain cases, a locking confirmation mechanism is operably attached to the plate, and comprises a toggling arm having an upper portion, a mid-portion and a lower portion. When a bone screw is positioned in a plate in an unlocked configuration, the locking confirmation mechanism assumes a first position. When the bone screw is positioned in the plate in a locked configuration, this causes the locking confirmation mechanism to pivot and assume a second position. The locking confirmation mechanism thus provides a convenient visual and/or tactile means to assess when the screw is in a locked configuration.

Abstract: A bone plate has a body with an outer surface and a bone-contacting surface with a channel formed at a periphery of the body, and a suture member having an end slidably received in the channel. The suture member has an end extending outwardly of the channel. The channel is formed along at least one side of the body. The suture member includes a retainer member received in the channel, a shank extending through the channel, and a loop member affixed to the end of the shank opposite the retainer member. The loop member has a shape suitable so as to allow a suture to be affixed thereto. The body has a slot communicating with the channel and opens at the outer surface so as to allow the suture member to be inserted into the channel.

Abstract: The assembly supports the trailing end of a lag screw or hip nail device being used to immobilize a hip fracture, and enables the compression of the fractured bone ends together, thereafter enabling sliding of the femoral head together with the lag screw or hip nail laterally, while simultaneously limiting their rotation, thereby promoting healing of the fracture.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bone plate assembly that includes a bone plate, bone screw(s) received in aperture(s) in the bone plate, and screw fixation member(s). The screw fixation member(s) may, alone or in conjunction with the bone plate, fix the bone screw(s) in place when such bone screw(s) are inserted in the aperture(s) in the bone plate. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive) when the bone screw(s) have been received by the bone plate and inserted into bone and/or tissue, the bone plate assembly can-be used to fuse anatomical structures together (such as adjoining bones) and/or to heal a fracture in bone.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.

Abstract: Spinal fusion system and method utilizing an implant plate and screw, wherein at least one pawl is mounted on or integral with at least one of said plate and becomes operatively related to the screw after the screw is inserted in the implant plate to prevent the screw from moving in at least one of an axial direction or a rotational direction. Other features and embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A bone plate system is disclosed which includes a bone plate having at least one plate hole, at least one pin adapted to be disposed in the at least one plate hole, and a polymer component disposed between the at least one pin and the bone plate. The polymer component includes a polymer that may be melted through the application of ultrasonic energy. The at least one pin is constructed of a material that will not melt under such application of ultrasonic energy. The re-solidified polymer component creates a bond between the at least one pin and the bone plate to provide a more rigid and secure mating therebetween, and to at least substantially prevent backout of the at least one pin with respect to the bone plate. A method of implanting the bone plate system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical fixation system having an improved mechanism to prevent the back out of screws employed in securing a surgical fixation plate to an intended orthopedic location.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly includes a plate, at least one bushing, and at least one bone screw. The bushing is positioned within a through hole of the plate. The bushing and screw are configured to engage each other to inhibit the screw from backing out. The screw includes a visual indicator surface that is visible to the operator during insertion of the screw through the bushing and plate. The bushing is configured to cover at least a portion of the visual indicator surface to show when the bushing and screw are properly engaged to inhibit backout of the screw.

Abstract: A plate (1) includes blocking elements (4b, 5, 6) including: at least one slot (5) comprising a first portion opening into the hole (2) and a second portion extending over a section of this hole (2), at a distance from the edge defining this hole (2), this slot (5) thereby isolating a portion of material (6); this portion (6) has a first part (6a) with a radially increased thickness and a second part (6b) having a radially reduced thickness; this part (6b) has a thickness such that the portion (6) may be radially mobile between a withdrawn position and an active position; a pad (4b) engaged in the slot (5), able to be moved in such a way as to bring the portion of material (6) from its withdrawn position to its active position.

Abstract: Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.

Abstract: A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.

Abstract: An integrated wound dressing system and method including a bandage and a self-contained receptacle that stores treatment material for the care and treatment of wounds. The treatment material is easily accessible and can be removed from the receptacle through an exit. The treatment material can then be used to control bleeding and/or clean the wound before dressing. The bandage may include a layer of plastic that acts as an occlusion barrier to reduce heat loss and maintain moisture levels at the wound site. The occlusion barrier also acts to prevent the passage of air into or out of the wound site. The bandage also includes fasteners that act to prevent unintentional unraveling and to secure the bandage during final packaging. These fasteners help facilitate the wrapping of amputations, stumps, and extremities. The integrated wound dressing system provides an all-in-one system for treating and dressing wounds and reduces the time required to do so.