In general, data modules for surgical instruments and methods of using data modules for surgical instruments are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a data module is configured to be removably attached to a powered surgical tool such as an electrosurgical tool. The data module is a standalone device including electronic components that are configured to, with the data module attached to the electrosurgical tool, interact with the electrosurgical tool.

In general, data modules for surgical instruments and methods of using data modules for surgical instruments are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a data module is configured to be removably attached to a powered surgical tool such as an electrosurgical tool. The data module is a standalone device including electronic components that are configured to, with the data module attached to the electrosurgical tool, interact with the electrosurgical tool.

A system for assisting a surgeon in implanting hook plate-type bone plates includes a cannulated multiple barreled drill guide, a cannulated inserter/impactor, and a cannulated fastener coupling the inserter/impactor to a bone plate. The multiple barreled drill guide facilitates the drilling of at least two parallel holes at the distal end of a bone at the correct position and angle of entry, and includes a body and two drill guide channels coupled to the body in substantially parallel orientation relative to each other, with a guide pin aperture disposed between and substantially parallel to the drill guide tubes. The inserter/impactor likewise includes a central channel accommodating the same guide pin employed to place and align the multiple barreled drill guide.

A system for assisting a surgeon in implanting hook plate-type bone plates includes a cannulated multiple barreled drill guide, a cannulated inserter/impactor, and a cannulated fastener coupling the inserter/impactor to a bone plate. The multiple barreled drill guide facilitates the drilling of at least two parallel holes at the distal end of a bone at the correct position and angle of entry, and includes a body and two drill guide channels coupled to the body in substantially parallel orientation relative to each other, with a guide pin aperture disposed between and substantially parallel to the drill guide tubes. The inserter/impactor likewise includes a central channel accommodating the same guide pin employed to place and align the multiple barreled drill guide.

A device for forcefully inserting a surgical implant in a recipient bone by impaction, comprising an impactor (10) that exerts an impaction force on the implant and is associated with at least one sensor (12). The sensor (12) measures a value from among the exerted impaction force and the deformation of the impactor (10) and provides a measurement signal representing the temporal variation of said value during an impact. The sensor (12) is connected to a processing unit (30) that is configured to compute, on the basis of the temporal variation of said value during the impact, an indicator representing the level of contact between the implant and the recipient bone. The indicator corresponds to the duration separating the instant corresponding to the first maximum amplitude peak of the measurement signal from the instant corresponding to the second maximum amplitude peak of the measurement signal. The implant can be a femoral rod (2).

A device for forcefully inserting a surgical implant in a recipient bone by impaction, comprising an impactor (10) that exerts an impaction force on the implant and is associated with at least one sensor (12). The sensor (12) measures a value from among the exerted impaction force and the deformation of the impactor (10) and provides a measurement signal representing the temporal variation of said value during an impact. The sensor (12) is connected to a processing unit (30) that is configured to compute, on the basis of the temporal variation of said value during the impact, an indicator representing the level of contact between the implant and the recipient bone. The indicator corresponds to the duration separating the instant corresponding to the first maximum amplitude peak of the measurement signal from the instant corresponding to the second maximum amplitude peak of the measurement signal. The implant can be a femoral rod (2).

A device includes an outer sleeve of flexible material forming an outer conduit extending longitudinally therethrough for the insertion of a bone treatment device (“BTD”) to target sites within a living body. A distal opening of the outer conduit is open so that, when the outer sleeve is in a desired position within the body, BTD is inserted through the outer conduit exits the outer sleeve adjacent to a target portion of a bone. The device also includes an inner sleeve received within the outer sleeve and defining an inner conduit within the outer conduit to form a protective covering. The inner sleeve is split longitudinally. Portions of the inner sleeve on opposite sides of the split are coupled to one another so that a diameter of the inner conduit is adjustable in response to forces exerted thereon by one of BTD and tissues surrounding the outer sleeve.

A bone screw fixation system includes a bone screw body having a screw head at one end of the screw and a screw tip at an opposite end of the screw, the screw head having an internal complex geometric shaped drive and internal threads within the screw head; and a screw inserter compatible with the screw head and having a complex geometric shaped drive configured to matingly engage the internal complex geometric shaped drive of the screw head and a threaded tip configured to thread into the internal threads of the screw head.

Various aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method of removing an orthopedic implant from a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes cycling the temperature of at least a portion of the orthopedic implant between a first temperature and a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature is above 0° C. and the second temperature is below 0° C. The temperature cycling causes a thermal expansion differential between at least a portion of the orthopedic implant and material in a region contacting the orthopedic implant. In one embodiment, the thermal expansion differential is of an extent sufficient to cause physical separation of at least a portion of the surface of the orthopedic implant from material contacting the surface of the orthopedic implant.

Various aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method of removing an orthopedic implant from a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes cycling the temperature of at least a portion of the orthopedic implant between a first temperature and a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature is above 0° C. and the second temperature is below 0° C. The temperature cycling causes a thermal expansion differential between at least a portion of the orthopedic implant and material in a region contacting the orthopedic implant. In one embodiment, the thermal expansion differential is of an extent sufficient to cause physical separation of at least a portion of the surface of the orthopedic implant from material contacting the surface of the orthopedic implant.