841 results about "Enthesis" patented technology

A steerable, tendon-driven endoscope is described herein. The endoscope has an elongated body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled, segmented proximal portion. The steerable distal portion and the segment of the controllable portion are actuated by at least two tendons. As the endoscope is advanced, the user maneuvers the distal portion, and a motion controller actuates tendons in the segmented proximal portion so that the proximal portion assumes the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. By this method the selected curves are propagated along the endoscope body so that the endoscope largely conforms to the pathway selected. When the endoscope is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves can propagate distally along the endoscope body. This allows the endoscope to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

An implantable knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral face extends between the opposed faces and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends. At least one aperture extends through the body and extends from a first one of the faces to a second one of the faces.

An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes an elongated body portion, a clamp portion depending from the body portion for engaging a spinal rod, the clamp portion defining a deformable clamp body having opposed clamp arms configured for movement between a first position wherein a spinal rod is received between the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body and a second position wherein the spinal rod is securely engaged by the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body, and structure operatively associated with the clamp body which is configured to effectuate movement of the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body between the first and second positions.

A locking mechanism (100) and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a fixation device (104) like a bone screw and of a rod (106) to the spine. The locking mechanism (100) includes a body (102), an insert (108, 308), a rod seat (110, 310) and a set screw. The body (102) includes a bottom portion (114) configured to receive the fixation device (104) and the insert (108, 308) but prevents the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) from passing therethrough once the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) are engaged. The body (102) further includes a side portion (120) configured to receive the rod (106). Between the rod (106) and the insert (108, 308) is a rod seat (110, 310).

A graft ligament anchor includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends. A flange is attached to the tubular body at the proximal end thereof and extends radially outwardly beyond the tubular body. A deformable wall is disposed in the tubular body bore and defines, at least in part, a chamber for retaining the graft ligament therein. An expansion device is configured for insertion into the tubular body axially of the tubular body, and for impinging upon the deformable wall to press the deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in the chamber, toward a wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body.

Apparatuses for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an expandable body defining a bore, an expander pin having a shaft sized to be received in the bore of the expandable body, and an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in the bore of the expandable body and in a bore of the expander pin. The body is configured to expand laterally into and attach to bone when the expander pin is driven into the expandable body. The body includes a proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection and a harder, distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof such that the projection is threadedly interengageable with the recess. The expansion of the body by way of the expander pin can occur when the proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged. The insertion shaft is releasably secured to the expandable body and extends distally beyond the expandable body.

A system for mandibular reconstruction generally includes an elongated locking plate having a plurality of internally threaded apertures and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener includes a main body portion having an upper threaded shaft and a lower threaded shaft. The lower threaded shaft is adapted to engage the mandible. Each fastener further includes a removable head portion internally threaded for engaging the upper shaft portion and externally threaded for engaging a selected one of the internally threaded apertures of the locking plate. In the preferred embodiment, the thread leads of the head portion and lower shaft of the main body portion are identical. A method of mandibular osteosynthesis utilizes the system of osteosynthesis and generally comprises the steps of temporarily securing the elongated locking plate to the mandible with at least one fastener by engaging the threads of the lower portion with the mandible and threadably engaging the head with the locking plate, unthreading the head portion from the main body of the fastener to thereby allow displacement of the locking plate from the mandible without removing the fasteners from the mandible, performing a surgical procedure (e.g., removal of a cancerous growth), and re-securing the elongated plate to the fastener with the removable head portion.

An apparatus for interspinous spinal fixation is disclosed, which includes a main body having an end thereof as a distal end, and another end thereof as a proximal end, a cross section of the main body being of an annular or quasi-annular structure. A first joining point and a second joining point are provided at the distal end that are symmetric to each other relative to an opening of the annular or quasi-annular structure, while a third joining point and a fourth joining point are provided at the proximal end that that are symmetric to each other relative to the opening of the annular or quasi-annular structure. A first lateral piece, a second lateral piece, a third lateral piece, and a fourth lateral piece are joined with the first, the second, the third, and the fourth joining points of the main body, such that the first and the second lateral pieces can rotate axially about the first and the second joining points, thereby rotating from a folded position on the main body to an extended position; and the third and the fourth lateral pieces can rotate axially about the third and the fourth joining points, thereby rotating from a folded position on the main body to an extended position.

A system for mandibular reconstruction generally includes an elongated locking plate having a plurality of internally threaded apertures and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener includes a main body portion having an upper threaded shaft and a lower threaded shaft. The lower threaded shaft is adapted to engage the mandible. Each fastener further includes a removable head portion internally threaded for engaging the upper shaft portion and externally threaded for engaging a selected one of the internally threaded apertures of the locking plate. In the preferred embodiment, the thread leads of the head portion and lower shaft of the main body portion are identical. A method of mandibular osteosynthesis utilizes the system of osteosynthesis and generally comprises the steps of temporarily securing the elongated locking plate to the mandible with at least one fastener by engaging the threads of the lower portion with the mandible and threadably engaging the head with the locking plate, unthreading the head portion from the main body of the fastener to thereby allow displacement of the locking plate from the mandible without removing the fasteners from the mandible, performing a surgical procedure (e.g., removal of a cancerous growth), and re-securing the elongated plate to the fastener with the removable head portion.

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. Also disclosed is a bone anchor that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be attached to apertures in the anchor top or else compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the spreader relative to the anchor body attach suture material. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor body or anchor base to attach to or clamp suture material there between. Methods are described that allow use of single bone anchor to secure tissue to bone or also to use more than one bone anchor to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.

The present invention is directed to one piece connector for connecting angularly misaligned implanted pedicle screws to transverse spinal rods in spinal fixation systems. The body portion includes a bore having an inside diameter and a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis of the bore being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The leg portion includes a slot placed through a section of the leg portion, along the transverse axis of the leg portion and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg portion. The slot intersects the bore of the body portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. The slot allows the one piece connector to be securely clamped around a longitudinal spinal rod when a pedicle screw is implanted at variable distances from the longitudinal spinal rod. The one piece connector allows for angular misalignment of an implanted pedicle screw in relation to a longitudinal spinal rod and the one piece connector, and for the attachment of the one piece connector to both the longitudinal spinal rod and to the implanted pedicle screw with a single locking mechanism when the one piece connector is used in a spinal fixation system.

A total ankle replacement system, novel surgical method for total ankle replacement, and novel surgical tools for performing the surgical method are described. The total ankle replacement system includes the calcaneus in fixation of a lower prosthesis body, thereby significantly increasing the amount of bone available for fixation of the lower prosthesis body and allowing the lower prosthesis body to be anchored with screws. The total ankle replacement system further includes a long tibial stem which can also be anchored into the tibia with, for example, screws, nails, anchors, or some other means of attachment. The novel surgical arthroscopic method allows introduction of ankle prostheses into the ankle joint through an exposure in the tibial tubercle. Various novel surgical instruments, such as a telescoping articulating reamer and a talo-calcaneal jig, which facilitate the novel surgical method, are also described.

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.

Disclosed is a bone fixation device of the type useful for connecting soft tissue or tendon to bone or for connecting two or more bones or bone fragments together. The device comprises an elongate body having a distal anchor thereon. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device, to accommodate different bone dimensions and permit appropriate tensioning of the fixation device.

An osteotomy device for correcting angulation, rotation, and length deformities in bones is disclosed along with a method for use of the device. A deformity of a bone can occur when there is a mal-union of first and second section of the bone or as the result of congenital mal-alignment. The osteotomy device has a body having first end and a second end and a slot between the first and second ends. The slot is designed for receiving a blade for making cuts in the bone. The slot includes a proximal end proximate to the first end of the body and a distal end that is proximate to the second end of the body. The body also includes a plurality of apertures for receiving guide pins there through for securing the body to the bone. The body can be rotated about a guide pin for making a plurality of cuts and then can be secured to the bone by using a second guide pin through a second aperture. When the body is coupled to the bone by two guide pins the cutting blade can be placed into the slot for making a secure and precise bone cut.

A spinal implant includes an elongated body dimensioned and configured to function as a spacer, for placement in a target interspinous process space, between two adjacent spinous processes, a distal anchor associated with a distal end of the body, and a proximal anchor mounted for longitudinal movement along the body between a first position spaced apart from the head and a second position approximated with the head, adapted to compress the two adjacent spinous processes, in conjunction with the distal anchor.