857 results about "Enthesis" patented technology

A surgical fastening and cutting assembly having a housing defines a passage and a pusher, with a cam surface, slides in the passage. An arm couples to the housing and an anvil base is located on the arm. A body slides on the arm between the housing and the base. The body defines a bore and a staple passage having a staple therein. A cam follower extends from the cartridge body to the housing. In an open position, tissue can be placed between the anvil base and the body. In an intermediate position, the cam surface of the pusher can move the cam follower into a locked position and, thereby, the tissue can be clamped. In a fastened and cut position, the pusher can move such that the staple can be been driven and formed in the tissue and a knife, coupled to the pusher, can cut the tissue.

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 When the endoscope is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves can propagate distally along the endoscope body.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 adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant.

A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, including a body and a continuous suture loop. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and has an external threaded portion extending coaxial with the axis, and a bore extending from the second end towards the first end. The continuous suture loop is secured within the bore of the body so that at least a portion of the loop extends from the second end of the body to form an eyelet.

An intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant has a body with curved, substantially parallel posterior and anterior faces separated by two narrow implant ends, superior and inferior faces having a plurality of undulating surfaces for contacting upper and lower vertebral endplates, and at least one depression in the anterior or posterior face for engagement by an insertion tool, at least two vertical through-channels extending through the implant from the superior face to the inferior face, a chamfer on the superior and inferior surfaces at one of the narrow implant ends, and a beveled edge along a perimeter of the superior and inferior faces. The arcuate implant configuration and the chamfers on the superior and inferior faces at the narrow end facilitate insertion of the implant from a transforaminal approach into a symmetric position about the midline of the spine so that a single implant provides balanced support to the spinal column. The implant may include radiopaque markers extending through the thickness of the implant to indicate the location and size of the implant. The implant may be formed of a plurality of interconnecting bodies assembled to form a single unit. An implantation kit and method are also disclosed.

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.

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.

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.

A cutting device for being inserted into a knee joint between the tibia and the femur, wherein the cutting device is adapted for resecting bone from the femur to a desired depth in a path of travel of the tibia when located in the knee joint and operated as the tibia is moved through an arc of motion about the femur between backward and forward positions. A cutting device is also disclosed for being inserted into a knee joint between the tibia and the femur for resecting bone from the tibia to a desired depth to form a recess in a condyle of the tibia for reception of a tibial implant, comprising a body being located between the tibia and the femur, a cutter for resecting the bone from the tibia to form the recess and a drive mechanism for driving the cutter to resect the bone and being arranged in the body, wherein the cutter is mounted on the body and protrudes therefrom for resecting the bone from the tibia.

Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation device, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation device includes an elongate body with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. The device is rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the proximal anchor is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

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).

Devices and methods for treating mitral regurgitation by reshaping the mitral annulus in a heart. One preferred device for reshaping the mitral annulus is provided as an elongate body having dimensions as to be insertable into a coronary sinus. The elongate body includes a proximal frame having a proximal anchor and a distal frame having a distal anchor. A ratcheting strip is attached to the distal frame and an accepting member is attached to the proximal frame, wherein the accepting member is adapted for engagement with the ratcheting strip. An actuating member is provided for pulling the ratcheting strip relative to the proximal anchor after deployment in the coronary sinus. In one preferred embodiment, the ratcheting strip is pulled through the proximal anchor for pulling the proximal and distal anchors together, thereby reshaping the mitral annulus.

An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and / or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and / or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and / or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body. An indicator may be provided on the tether as an aid for a surgeon in determining when the patch or plug has been inserted a sufficient distance within the patient. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch or plug to help deploy the patch or plug at the surgical site and / or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch or plug. The patch or plug may be configured with a pocket or cavity to facilitate the deployment and / or positioning of the patch or plug over the opening or weakness.

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.

A frustum shaped body has an aperture in a top surface and a pair of first and second opposed apertures in a side surface, first and second horizontal internal channels connect both the first and second opposed apertures. A vertical channel from the top aperture connects with the first and second channels. After the body is inserted into a hole in a facet joint, compatible synthetic or biologic material is inserted into the vertical channel until the material exits from the first and second apertures in the side surface. At least one pair of flanges on a portion of an exterior side surface of the body acts as a detent to hold the body in place within the facet joint hole.

A keyhole drill guide stabilizer for stabilizing a drill guide when forming a second keyhole after the formation of a first keyhole, wherein the drill guide comprises a first drill bore and a second drill bore, the keyhole drill guide stabilizer comprising a body sized and shaped so as to make a close sliding fit with (i) the first bore of the drill guide, and (ii) the first keyhole, whereby to reduce the possibility of any positional variation between the first and second drilled keyholes.

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.

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 improved distraction bone screw and a method for its use are described. The distraction screw is comprised of an implantable distal segment and a detachably secured proximal segment. The distal segment includes a head portion and a threaded shank portion. The proximal segment is represented as an elongated body having an internal bore that extends through its length. A deployable member is disposed within the bore, which is extendible outside the internal bore to securely couple to the distal segment. As an assembly, the distraction screw is used to affix and realign bone during surgical reconstruction. Upon completion of the surgical work, the proximal segment is removed and the distal segment is left attached to the reconstructed bone. Securely affixed, the distal segment provides an additional point of fixation for the skeletal plates that are used to preserve the bony alignment while bone healing occurs. The affixed distal segment will also provide a ready mechanism for distraction screw replacement at the time of surgical revision without obligatory plate removal. Different embodiments of the proximal segment, distal segment and the rotational locking mechanisms which inhibit the rotation of one segment relative to the other during deployment were also described. In addition, in cases where the distraction screw must be placed into the bone at an inclined angle, poly-axial heads were provided so that proper skeletal plate placement can still be accomplished.

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.