Compression devices for joining tissue and methods for using and fabricating the same.

A medical that is implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.

A medical that is implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.

Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

A method of promoting healing of a fracture of a human humerus using a proximal humeral fracture plate.

An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

Methods and devices are provided for anchoring a ligament or tendon to bone. In one embodiment, a biceps tenodesis system is provided and includes a sheath inserter tool, an expandable sheath configured to couple to the sheath inserter tool, an expander inserter tool, and an expander configured to couple to the expander inserter tool. The sheath inserter tool is configured to advance the expandable sheath, with a tendon disposed therearound, into a bone hole, and the expander inserter tool is configured to advance the expander through an outer shaft of the sheath inserter tool and to drive the expander into the sheath. The expander is configured to be received within a lumen extending at least partially through the expandable sheath to thereby expand the sheath. In this way, the system delivers the tendon or ligament into the bone hole and locks the sheath and tendon within the bone hole.

A drill guide to facilitate drilling a hole into a bone and inserting an anchor. The drill guide includes a handle extending to a proximal end and a guide shaft extending from the handle to a distal end. A recess extends into the handle at the proximal end. The drill guide also includes a channel extending through the recess and into the guide shaft and a contact surface extending from the recess. The contact surface may be a proximal surface on a ring extending circumferentially within the recess. The contact surface may alternatively be a proximal surface on a protrusion extending from and within the recess. For example, the protrusion is a triangular protrusion extending along the recess toward the channel. The contact surface allows for the use of inserters of varying sizes within the channel of the drill guide.

A surgical system includes an implant having a first attachment mechanism and an insertion instrument having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second attachment mechanism disposed at the distal end for removable connection with the first attachment mechanism. The proximal end of the insertion instrument is pivotable with respect to the implant. The insertion instrument can include an inserter and a guide. A method of using the surgical system is provided.

A driver-specific back-out prevention mechanism is disclosed that includes a screw and a body. A first driver can be used for coupling and decoupling the screw with the body, and a second driver can only be used for adjusting the position of the screw in the receiving body. The body includes a cavity for receiving a head of the screw, with the cavity having an inward flange. The screw includes upper and lower sockets, with a channel extending though the head from the lower socket and a lock body disposed in the channel. Engagement with the first driver allows the locking body to move such that the fastener can be inserted and removed from the body. Engagement with the second driver displaces the locking body such that the locking body interferes with the flange such that screw fastener cannot be removed from the body by the second driver.