Examples of devices and methods for stabilizing a fracture in a bone include a body having an elongate distal portion having an outer surface defining a screw thread and an elongate proximal portion having a non-threaded outer surface.

A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.

There is provided an implant that is safe for the living body. An angular plate as the implant includes a bone supporting plate part and a blade part. The blade part is integrally formed with the bone supporting plate part, and extends from one end of the bone supporting plate part at a predetermined angle (0<<180) relative to the bone supporting plate part. The angular plate is formed from a titanium-tantalum-based alloy containing tin. The angular plate is preferably formed from a titanium-tantalum-based alloy containing tin in which a Young's modulus is decreased by increasing the reduction ratio thereof.

Implantable devices for fixation of curved bones such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state using a shape locking section. The implantable devices further include a main body and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

A reconfigurable bone adjustment device includes a first member configured for attachment to a first bone fragment, portion, etc., a second member configured for attachment to a second bone fragment, portion, etc., a drive mechanism configured to move the second member relative to the first member, a threaded rod having a proximal end operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and a distal end operatively coupled to the second member so that rotation of the drive mechanism rotates the threaded rod and moves the second member relative to the first member, and a dynamic segment positioned between the first and second members to enable compression of the second member relative to the first member to stimulate bone growth. The dynamic segment may be a silicone/rubber compressible member or assembly, a metallic spring, a non-metallic shock absorbing material or washer, or the like.

An intramedullary bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and an actuator to deploy at least one gripper to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of the fixation device on one side of the fracture, providing rigidity across the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations allow a segmented device body to lock in the intramedullary space before and/or after fixation of the bone.

An intramedullary nail system is provided with at least one resilient, elongate nail body configured to extend axially along a medullary bone cavity, and at least one bone anchor. The bone anchor includes a distal bone engagement portion configured to secure the anchor to a bone, a proximal nail engagement portion configured to receive a portion of the nail body therethrough, and a tightening mechanism configured to move from a movable state in which the nail body may slide axially and rotate through the engagement portion and a fixed state in which the nail body is prevented from moving relative to the engagement portion. Methods of use and surgical kits are also provided.

Implants, systems, and methods of reverse dynamization. The implants, such as expandable spinal implants, bone plates, and intramedullary nails, are securable to bone. The implant may have a moveable component creating a semi-rigid configuration to allow for micro-motion of the bone for a period of time. The moveable component is changeable, for example, based on material properties, change of state, or mechanical or electrical operation, to a static condition creating a rigid configuration to prevent subsequent movement of the bone. The reverse dynamization implants may be used to accelerate bone healing and obtain superior bone fracture healing.

An intramedullary nail may include a shank with a centerline defined along a length thereof. The intramedullary nail may also include a channel with a channel axis transverse to the centerline. The channel may have an obround shape in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the channel axis at the centerline and a tapered profile in a second cross-sectional plane containing the channel axis. A proximal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a first angle relative to the channel axis and a distal edge of the channel within the second cross-sectional plane may form a second angle relative to the channel axis that is different from the first angle.

The current invention features a rod screw for medical application that can be configured and used to fixate fracture of bones varying in shape and dimension, and treating maladies such as scoliosis, and securing an implanted device, to tissue such as bone. This is achieved by designing a flexible rod screw with a mechanism to lock the configuration in a rigid state. In an embodiment, a bone-fracture fixation device, such as a rod screw, includes a flexible body, a plurality of flexible members, and first and second interfaces. The flexible members are disposed longitudinally within the flexible body, such that the flexible body is rigid when the flexible members are fixed into position. And the first and second interfaces are respectively coupled to the flexible body, each of at least one of the first and second interfaces including a respective at least one hole each configured to receive a respective attachment member configured to engage a bone.