A medical apparatus having a bar, the bar having a slot extending laterally along the bar; and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arch bar that is configured to be attached to a mandible or a maxilla. Such medical apparatuses may also have a plurality of arch bar fasteners, wherein each arch bar fastener is a bone screw having a threaded shaft and a compound head, the compound head having a threaded bore configured to receive a set screw. The medical apparatus may be used in methods to fixate a maxillary or mandibulary arch, or to aid in reducing a fracture of the mandible or maxilla.

A system and method for internal pelvic fixation. Guide wires can be inserted through guides and opposing sides of a pelvic bone, and can indicate a depth for driving bone screws into the pelvic bone. Offset rod tools positioned about each guide can assist in determining an offset distance between an implant rod and the pelvic bone. A template rod may be coupled to the offset rod tools and used to select a length for the implant rod. Clamps can be coupled to the bone screws, the clamps having multiple axes of rotation, the angular positions of the clamps being secured by the tightening of a single nut of each clamp. Joysticks used to tighten the nuts can be coupled to a reduction holder mechanism that can decrease at least an axial distance between the clamps, and thus pelvic bones, before locking of the clamps via tightening of the nuts.

An external fixation assembly for bone fusion or separation is disclosed. Related methods are also disclosed.

A device for assisting the realignment of the pelvis comprises a pair of arms (3,5) connected together at one end of each arm by a connection member (7) allowing relative rotation of the two arms in a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of both arms and also about an axis passing through the connected ends of the arms. A method of using such a device is disclosed.

A fixation system for fixing a bone fracture has a plurality of blocks, needles and rods that snap together in a framework around the fracture. The needles are inserted through the bone on opposite sides of the fracture and the blocks are snapped onto the ends of the needles. Rods are snapped onto the blocks on both sides of the finger to keep the finger in place. Each block has two channels located on opposite sides and extending perpendicular to each other. The channels are structured so that a rod or needle having a diameter equal or slightly greater than one of the channels can be snapped into and retained by the channel.

A force adjustable spring distractor device having an elongated, relatively thin guide plate, a force adjusting rod member having first and second oppositely threaded portions, first and second anchor bodies mounted on the guide plate and the threaded portions of the rod, first and second distractor bodies mounted on the guide plate and the rod, and first and second distraction springs connecting the anchor bodies to the distractor bodies, whereby rotation of the force adjusting rod results in separation of the anchor bodies and elongation of the distraction springs, thereby imparting a separation force to the distractor bodies.

A system for achieving maxillo-mandibular fixation includes a bone fixation device including a bone fixation body formed from a plurality of links. The links define corresponding crests and valleys so as to impart flexibility into the bone fixation body. Thus, the bone fixation body can be aligned with the dental arch of the mandible and maxilla as necessary, and subsequently fastened to the underlying bone. Each bone fixation device includes at least one securement location on the fixation body that can attach to a securement device, such that the securement device fixes or stabilizes the mandible and the maxilla with respect to each other.

An external bone fixation system may include a first semi-circular external fixation member, a second semi-circular external fixation member, four ball collet assemblies attached to the second external fixation member, and four shafts. Each shaft may include a first end attached to the first external fixation member and a second end with a stop member, and each of the four shafts extends slidably through an opening in a ball of one of the four ball collet assemblies. The stop member of each second end prevents each second end from passing through the opening in its respective ball. Each shaft also includes a hinge located closer to the first end than to the second end.

An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction is disclosed. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a stationary member. The stationary member may be configured to be affixed to a head of a patient. The external distraction apparatus may also comprise laterally disposed distractors. The laterally disposed distractors may extend inferiorly from the stationary member and be moveable relative to the stationary member. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a motor and controller. The motor may be powered with the controller to perform a craniofacial distraction in an automated fashion.

A fixation system for fixing a bone fracture has a plurality of blocks, needles and rods that snap together in a framework around the fracture. The needles are inserted through the bone on opposite sides of the fracture and the blocks are snapped onto the ends of the needles. Rods are snapped onto the blocks on both sides of the finger to keep the finger in place. Each block has two channels located on opposite sides and extending perpendicular to each other. The channels are structured so that a rod or needle having a diameter equal or slightly greater than one of the channels can be snapped into and retained by the channel.