Abstract: A medullary nail (10) has a cavity (12) in which an inner part (20) can slide longitudinally without being able to rotate. The wall (11) of the medullary nail (10) which forms the cavity (12) is traversed on opposite sides by an elongated hole (16) in the region of the driving-in end (14). At least one fastening hole (22) aligned flush with the elongated hole (16) is provided in the inner part (20). When the connecting screws are driven into the spaced fastening holes (15, 16, 22) and an osteotomy is located between the connecting screws (15, 22), the edges of the osteotomy are moved apart as the inner part slides longitudinally, and the slowly widening gap between the edges of the osteotomy becomes filled with bone tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship in a spinal column includes an elongated one-piece rod which extends along the spinal column. An upper portion of the rod has a diameter which is less than the diameter of a lower portion of the rod. A first plurality of connector assemblies engage the lower portion of the rod and connect the lower portion of the rod to vertebrae. A second plurality of connector assemblies engage the upper portion of the rod and connect the upper portion of the rod to vertebrae which are disposed in the spinal column above the vertebrae to which the lower portion of the rod is connected.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a fracture of a bone including an elongated body member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone; a tab member having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a screw for fastening of the tab member to the bone; and a bolt for selectively removably coupling the tab member to the proximal end of the body member. Preferably, the tab member is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and removably interlocking the first plate member to a second plate member. In another embodiment, the apparatus include a body member for insertion into a bone cavity, the body member having at least one aperture disposed in close proximity to its first end to allow for passage of a screw for fastening the body member to the bone.

Abstract: An anchoring element for supporting a joint mechanism is disclosed. The anchoring element is substantially rotationally symmetrical, at least partially hollow, and includes a material which is compatible with the tissue of a bone. The anchoring element has a surface which can be at least partially osseo-integrated with the tissue to achieve permanent endosteal anchorage in the longitudinal axis of the bone. The anchoring element is applied within the bone by: cutting the bone close to its joint to expose the marrow cavity of the bone; forming a space in the marrow cavity close to the joint; applying a guide sleeve in the space; and screwing the anchoring element into the marrow cavity while using the guide sleeve to center the anchoring element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with the fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal member and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship between the longitudinal member and elements to which the fasteners are connected. Once the longitudinal member and fasteners have been positioned in the desired spatial relationship, clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners and connector members against relative movement. To provide for the adjustability of the longitudinal member relative to the fasteners, oblong openings are formed in the connector members.

Abstract: An artificial disk prosthesis and methods for implanting it, the prosthesis. In one embodiment having a member for adapting in size and shape to an anatomical space between vertebrae and apparatus for expanding the member to conform to the space.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail system and method for providing the capability of creating intramedullary nails of any desired length by a combination of a small number of base nail members adapted to be joined to any one of a variety of hollow extension nail members. Any selected extension nail member may be axially connected to any selected base nail member in order to prevent axial separation of the members. Additionally, each extension nail member is provided with transverse openings adapted to receive a bone screw to secure the intramedullary nail within the bone to be repaird. The extension nail member is infinitely rotationally adjustable about the axis of the base nail member in order to enable the fixation of the extension member with any desired degree of anteversion prior to final assembly of the base nail member with the extension nail member.

Abstract: An intramedullary device for use in internal fixation of a fracture transverse to the longitudinal axis of a long bone which includes a substantially rigid center rod having a plurality of longitudinal slots extending along the length thereof. One of a plurality of generally flexible outer rods is received and retained within one of the longitudinal slots and thereby extend outwardly from the center rod. Each outer rod has a retention section angulated from the longitudinal axis of the long bone which penetrates through and is retained by the cancellous bone thereby stabilizing the fracture at the distal and proximal ends of the long bone. In order to install the intramedullary device within the endosteal canal, each end of the generally flexible outer rods are coupled to one of a plurality of extension rods of an installation device. The generally rigid center rod is introduced through the central opening of the installation device and thus extends into the endosteal canal.

Abstract: A two-piece intramedullary nail is provided having a stem portion and a rod portion. The distal and proximal ends of a femur are compressingly secured by the intramedullary nail by lag screw threads at the stem portion and a stepped portion at the proximal end of the intramedullary nail. A groove and key fit up between the stem portion and the rod portion prevents rotation of the two parts of the intramedullary nail. Elongated slots within the rod member and the stem member provide for openings through which fastening devices may easily be located and passed therethrough in order to secure broken fragments of the femur to the femur. An opening in the proximal end of the intramedullary nail provides for fit up of a hip plate and screw prosthesis or a femoral head hip prosthesis while providing structural support to the cylinder to plate connection thereof.

Abstract: A device for intramedullary fixation of a fractured bone is disclosed. The device includes an elongate support rod and an inflatable bladder which is attached to the support rod and includes a plurality of bone-contacting surfaces. The device is inserted into the medullary cavity of the broken bone and the bladder is inflated to expand the bladder and extend the bone-contacting surfaces to the inner wall of the bone, where they adhere to and stabilize the bone.

Abstract: A winged compression bolt for repairing or fusing bone which is implanted and later removed from bone through a single skin incision. The device includes a central elongated shaft which movably sits in an outer cylindrical tube and supports adjacent one of its ends a pair of wings. A bore is drilled through the bone portions, the device is inserted and the wings are rotated to the horizontal position and compressed against the edge of the outer cylindrical tube and an adjacent bone surface. A securing means is on the opposite end of the central elongated shaft and tightened against the adjacent edge of the outer cylindrical tube and an adjacent bone surface, compressing the bone portions between the securing means and the wings.

Abstract: A cement plug for sealing the medullary canal of a bone to restrict the flow of cement, debris, etc. beyond a predetermined point in the canal. The cement plug, which is executed in a biocompatible plastic, comprises (1) a tubular body that is a slit axially at three or more locations to define resilient fingers, (2) an obturator plate located at the upper end of the body, (3) a tapered conical plug that can be advanced through the lower end of the body and intot he interior thereof, and (4) a threaded bolt that extends through the tubular body and into the conical plug. Locator holes are formed in the obtrator plate, and sharpe edges, teeth, or locator tab(s) are formed on the outer surface of the conical plug so that said plug does not rotate relative to the tubular body of the plug. An insertion tool, including an inner tube and an outer tube, is engaged within the locator by depending plins. The lower end of the inner tube engages the upper end of the threaded bolt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant (10) to sheath and/or reinforce bone and/or to anchor bone screws. The implant (10) takes the shape of a dowel which is capable of spreading and/or swelling and/or interlocking in bone in some other way. The implant (10) preferably presents ring-like bulges (16) on its outer surface and an internal screw thread (20) on its inner surface to screw in bone screws. Implant (10) improves the tensile strength when anchoring bone screws (Figure 1).

Abstract: A device including a nail for gradually lengthening long bones including outer and inner sliding tubes connected by a double ratchet mechanism, the nail being fixed by its two extremities in the bone, and the device being entirely included in the concerned bone, being lengthened post-operatively by maneuvers applied on the limb. Rotation of a distal part of the limb with respect to proximal part of the limb allows rotation of the ratchet mechanism with lengthening of the device in one direction, and keeping of the gained length in the other direction while returning to the neutral axis of the rotation of the device, thereby featuring a dynamization system, and a system, to limit the range of rotation of the device.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant is disclosed. The implant includes a plurality of ribs which are deformable between first and second states. In the first state, the ribs present a generally cylindrical implant. In the expanded second state, the ribs are arced outwardly to define a generally spherical implant. A tie mechanism is provided for urging the ribs between the first and second states and for holding the ribs in the expanded state. A novel surgical method is disclosed for stabilizing the spine by inserting the implant in the first state between opposing vertebrae and expanding the implant to the second state.

Abstract: A nail is inserted into the medullary canal of a fractured bone to fixate the bone segments in order to promote healing. The nail provides compressive force to close the fracture and further promote healing. The nail has an outer member and an inner member that is slidable within the outer member. The inner member has at one end arms for engaging the interior of the bone cortex in the distal bone segment and at the other end a holding member for engaging the cortex in the proximal bone segment. The arms are movable between stowed positions, for allowing the insertion of the nail into the bone, and deployed positions, for engaging the bone cortex. The force exerted by the arms and the holding member on the bone is adjustable.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is disclosed having a tubular elongated body that includes a proximal head portion, an intermediate portion and a distal end portion. The intermediate portion has a longitudinal slot along one side thereof, a groove coextensive with a portion of the slot, and three other grooves spaced about the circumference of the body. This construction provides more desirable flexibility and allows improved revascularization about the nail. The nail is formed of a rod material and the slot and grooves are machined therein to the desired depth and shape.

Abstract: An intramedullary device for fixing and extending separated portions of a long bone within the body of a patient has a nail member within and affixed to one portion of the bone and an adjustment assembly within and affixed to a separate portion of the bone. The adjustment assembly has a moveable member which bears against an end of the nail and can be moved from outside the patient to adjust the separation between the portions of the bone.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis includes a first member having a shaft portion and a lateral arm extending toward a joint, the lateral arm being sloped in the direction of the joint and being adapted to receive a joint ball. The lateral arm has significantly greater length in a region adjacent the shaft and measured therealong than its corresponding thickness. A second member can be pushed onto the shaft portion supporting the lateral arm. This second member receives a distal end of the first member, with the second member essentially completely receiving the shaft portion supporting the lateral arm. The first member is joined at its proximal end to a proximal end of the second member. The lateral arm extends through a slit portion in the second member such that the region of the lateral arm adjacent the shaft portion is disposed within the slit portion.