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.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for upper jaw correction surgery. The application discloses an orthopedic system and method that can be used to perform both a first distraction (for example a maxillary distraction) and a second distraction (for example a maxillary expansion) within the same surgical procedure. The instrumentation for separating first and second bone segments can include a first footplate; a second footplate; an actuator arranged to vary a distance between the first and second footplates; and a hinge that rotatably attaches the first and second footplates such that the first and second footplates can be angularly adjusted relative to each other about a pivot axis. Additionally, instrumentation and methods are provided for a hinged fixation device capable of securing and adjusting both the linear separation and angular orientation of bone structures.

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.

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 splint for releasably fixing a maxillary jaw and a mandibular jaw of a patient together during orthognathic surgery. The splint may include a locking mechanism including a lower section and an upper section. The lower section may be attached fixedly to the mandibular jaw. The lower section may include a horizontal locking pin moveable along a horizontal axis. The upper section may include a vertical locking key attached fixedly to the maxillary jaw. The vertical locking key may include a horizontal pin receiving hole provided along a diameter of the vertical locking key. The horizontal pin receiving hole may be configured to receive the horizontal locking pin. The maxillary jaw and the mandibular jaw may be fixed together responsive to the horizontal pin receiving hole is aligned with the horizontal axis and the horizontal locking pin is inserted into the horizontal pin receiving hole.

An orthodontic device (10) comprising at least one first bearing means (17-19) for bearing on the left-hand side of an upper jaw of a patient to be treated, at least one second bearing means (20-22) for bearing on the right-hand side of said jaw and a central actuator (23, 51) for modulating a distance between said hearing means in order to expand the palate of said patient, characterised in that the device (10) further comprises a mechanical rotary link (R1, R2) between the actuator and said first bearing means and a mechanical rotary link (R1, R2) between the actuator and said second hearing means in order to allow geometric adjustment while the device (10) is being fitted in the mouth of the patient, at least in the vertical direction, the anterior-posterior direction or the transverse direction.

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.

An off-the-shelf oral splint that is operatively secured to the maxilla and mandible to assist in reduction and provide maintenance of reduction of maxillary and mandibular fractures in the edentulous or partially edentulous patient. The oral splint is fabricated into a plurality of standardized sizes. These sizes are determined by imaging a population of jaws, measuring dimensions thereof, manipulating (e.g., calculating the mean) these dimensions, and generating a size that is representative of a subset of that population. This can be done for all sizes that would represent individuals in that population. The splint itself is fabricated virtually by creating U-shapes, splitting them horizontally into halves, creating an evacuation channel, and generating a coupling mechanism to hold the halves together. The splint can then be printed or otherwise manufactured.

The invention relates to an activation tool (3) comprising in particular: a coupling device (17) interposed between a first shaft (9) and a second shaft (15), which is configured to couple the first shaft (9) and the second shaft (15) in a first mode, referred to as the activation mode, when the first shaft (9) and the second shaft (15) exhibit the same rotational speed, and is configured to angularly decouple the first shaft (9) and the second shaft (15) in a second mode, referred to as the failure mode, when a rotational speed of the second shaft (15) is higher than the rotational speed of the first shaft (9), means (19) for detecting the switch from the first mode to the second mode.

The invention also relates to a distraction assembly (1) having an activation tool (3) of the above-mentioned type, and a plate distractor (5).

An orthodontic/orthognathic device for correcting and changing tooth placements and bone structure, and a method of using orthodontic/orthognathic device for tooth movement, correcting syndromic conditions of the mouth and osteogenetic correction. The device may be used for maxillary distraction and expansion as well as mandibular separation and expansion. The device can be controlled by computer to direct tooth and bone placement.