A system is suggested comprising an optical sensing means and a processing unit. The optical sensing means may include an optical guide with a distal end, wherein the optical guide may be configured to be arranged in a device to be inserted into tissue in a region of interest. The processing unit may be configured to receive information of a region of interest including different tissue types as well as of a path through the tissues, to determine a sequence of tissue types along the path, to determine a tissue type at the distal end of the optical guide based on information received from the optical sensing means, to compare the determined tissue type with the tissue types on the path, to determine possible positions of the distal end of the optical guide on the path based on the comparison of tissue types, and to generate a signal indicative for the possible positions.

Minimally invasive percutaneous methods, devices, and systems for placing guide wires in bones in a desired position and orientation and for facilitating the treatment of fractures such as but not limited to intertrochanteric fractures or other applications such as osteotomies. The methods, devices, and systems may allow for rapid and reproducible placement of a guide wire in a bone. Each degree of freedom may be controlled independently.

An instrument for use in surgery includes a hollow shaft connectable to a drive shaft of a bone anchor insertion device in a rotationally fixed manner, a needle holder configured to hold a needle and movable axially relative to the hollow shaft, an actuator rotatable relative to the hollow shaft, and a transmission member connectable to the needle holder and movable axially relative to the actuator. The transmission member is positionable around at least part of the hollow shaft and includes a first advancement surface engageable with a second advancement surface of the hollow shaft to convert a rotational movement of the actuator into axial movement of the needle holder relative to the hollow shaft for axially advancing and retracting the needle held by the needle holder.

A system and method for performing a percutaneous bunionectomy. The system including a jig, which subsequent to attachment and performance of an osteotomy on the bone, uses a rack and pinion mechanism to translate the separated portion of the bone to a surgeon determined displacement λ. A locking mechanism maintains the desired displacement of the bone portions and allows the surgeon, with use of an attached visual guide, to insert a k-wire through the bone portions to serve as a guide wire for the internal fixation that maintains the displacement during the healing. The system removes the requirement that the surgeon manually maintain the desired displacement while inserting the guide wire.

Osteotomy systems, devices, and methods for using the osteotomy systems are disclosed. The osteotomy system including an alignment device, at least one k-wire for insertion into the alignment device, and a cut guide with at least one hole for receiving at least one k-wire and a slot for receiving a saw blade. An osteotomy kit including an alignment device, cut guide, and position rotation device. The alignment device, cut guide, position rotation device, and bone plate are also disclosed. Finally, a method for fusing bones using the osteotomy system is also disclosed.

An orthopedic pin is for optically analyzing a bone region. An optical fiber arrangement extends within an elongate shaft from a distal end to a proximal end. There is a coupling at an intermediate position along the shaft, and the optical fiber arrangement comprises a first portion on one side of the coupling and a second portion on the other side of the coupling. The coupling allows relative rotation between portions of the shaft at opposite sides of the coupling, while maintaining optical coupling between the first and second portions of the optical fiber.

Methods of harvesting cancellous bone and bone marrow include extracting loosened cancellous bone and bone marrow—including a liquid component thereof—to a collection container that has a first cup and a suction port to which a suction source is connected. After extraction, the suction source is disconnected and a lid of the collection container is removed and replaced with a lid having a plunger with a press head that is configured to filter the extracted liquid by depressing the plunger toward a bottom of the first cup. The filtered liquid is poured through a suction port into a second cup while depressing the plunger, thereby separating the liquid from a semi-solid mass of cancellous bone that remains. The bone is extracted through a cortical opening in the femur, tibia, or calcaneus, or from an intermedullary canal that is preferably formed by reaming of the tibia using an orthopedic reamer.

A tibial suprapatellar entry portal system (1) comprising a sleeve (2), an anchor pin (200), and a trocar (40).

Bone fixation system including methods, apparatus, and kits, for steering a leading end of a fastener within bone. In some embodiments, the system may include (a) a flexible fastener having an external thread, and (b) a guide including a graspable handle attached or attachable to a wire having a distal end portion with a preformed longitudinal curvature in a direction indicated by the handle. The wire may be extendable through the fastener and configured to be advanced longitudinally, while extending through the fastener, such that the distal end portion of the wire penetrates bone ahead of a leading end of the fastener and creates a curved travel path for the leading end of the fastener.

A method for fusing bones using a guide pin and a fastener is disclosed. The method includes inserting a guide pin into two bones. The guide pin including at least one radial marking. The method also including imaging the two bones and guide pin and analyzing the position of the at least one radial marking of the guide pin relative to the two bones. In addition, the method includes selecting a fastener, inserting a drill over the guide pin, drilling an opening through at least one of the two bones, and inserting the fastener into the opening. The guide pin may include an exterior surface with a first end and a second end, a cutting edge at the first end, and at least one radial marking near the first end. A system including a guide pin, a fastener, and a drill is also disclosed.