An orthodontic device having at least one first bearing element configured for bearing on the left-hand side of an upper jaw of a patient to be treated, at least one second bearing element configured for bearing on the right-hand side of the jaw and a central actuator for modulating a distance between the bearing element in order to expand the palate of the patient. The device further includes a mechanical rotary link between the actuator and the first bearing element and a mechanical rotary link between the actuator and the second bearing element in order to allow geometric adjustment while the device is being fitted in the mouth of the patient, at least in the vertical direction, the anterior-posterior direction, or the transverse direction.

Systems, methods, devices and apparatus for mandibular advancement or retraction via bone anchoring devices are described herein. In various aspects, an apparatus for treating a patient via mandibular advancement or retraction comprises a plurality of anchoring devices positioned in the patient's intraoral cavity. Each of the plurality of anchoring devices can be positioned in bone of the patient's upper jaw or bone of the patient's lower jaw. One or more connecting structures can be removably coupled to and extend between the plurality of anchoring devices in order to displace the lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to the upper jaw.

A bone distractor device and method of bone distraction in osteogenesis, the bone distractor having releasable bone plates, created using computer-aided design to conform to the surface of a bone, attached to a distraction mechanism, wherein the distractor device is affixed to the bone, the distraction mechanism is removed from the bone plates, the osteotomy is performed using a guide edge provided on at least one of the bone plates, and the distraction mechanism is re-attached to the bone plates such that distraction can be initiated.

Methods and devices for approximating jaw and corresponding tissue segments are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the approximation device includes a first jaw attachable to a first jaw segment, a second jaw attachable to a second jaw segment, the second jaw segment being smaller than the first jaw segment, and a housing. The second jaw is movably attached to the housing, the second jaw configured to move the second jaw segment toward the first jaw segment. The second jaw is configured to translate between a first position and a second position during a first segment of travel of the second jaw, and configured to at least rotate between the second position and a third position during a second segment of travel.

The invention relates to an activation tool (1) for a bone expansion apparatus (3), the bone expansion apparatus (3) being a distraction plate apparatus (3), the activation tool (1) comprising a magnetic element (130) solidly attached to a rotation shaft (120) of the activation tool (1), the magnetic element (130) being configured to interact coaxially with a distant magnetic element (310) borne by the bone expansion apparatus (3), the activation tool (1) being characterised in that it further comprises an electric motor (110) configured to cause the rotation shaft (120) to rotate, and a control module (140) controlling the rotation of the rotation shaft (120).

The invention also relates to an assembly of a bone expansion apparatus (3) and of such an activation tool (1), in which the bone expansion apparatus (3) is a distraction plate apparatus (3).

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 implantable bone distraction device for distracting osteotomically separated bone sections includes a first block, a second block, and an actuator including elements for adjusting the space between the two blocks, a vibration sensor arranged in an area located between the first block and the second block and oriented in order to measure a vibration response of a medium of the implantable bone distraction device. A medical monitoring device includes a receiver for receiving data from an implantable bone distraction device, corresponding to a mechanical vibration response of a medium; a calculator for computing from the received data a distraction indicator by: (i) determining a vibration pattern of the medium from the measured vibration response; (ii) analyzing the evolution of a value of the vibration pattern from the measured vibration response during a first period; and (iii) generating a distraction indicator when the value exceeds a predefined threshold.

A bone distraction device having a ratchet and pawl assembly such that incremental rotation is allowed in one direction and prevented in the other, and further having a quick release mechanism such that the ratchet and pawl mechanism can be released to allow free rotation in both directions. The device has a pawl housing mounted onto a rod housing, the pawl housing having a sloping transition shoulder diminishing to transition onto the outer surface of the rod housing. In other embodiments, the device has a sleeve housing with an enlarged end telescopically mounted onto a rod housing, the enlarged end having a sloping transition shoulder diminishing to transition onto the outer surface of the sleeve housing.

An expandable rod system includes a first rod portion having an internal cavity, a second rod portion sealingly positioned within the internal cavity of the first rod portion and moveable in a first axial direction relative to the first rod portion, and an osmotic chamber for receiving an osmotic agent to facilitate movement of the second rod portion to expand the rod system. The rod system includes a lock assembly engageable with the second rod portion to prevent the second rod portion from moving in a second axial direction. The lock assembly includes a tapered ramped portion and a bearing member that is moveable within the tapered ramped portion such that when compression forces are imparted on the second rod portion, the bearing member becomes wedged in the tapered ramped portion.

The present disclosure is directed to a customizable distractor for oral and maxillofacial surgery and a system and method for designing and making the same. The distractor includes a steering apparatus that is movable along the helical-shaped distraction path to create gap between the first and second bone segments, an anchoring member for coupling the steering apparatus a first and second bone segment, and a distraction drive mechanism is used to drive movement of the steering apparatus along the distraction path.