A plate system for securing a first sternal portion and a second sternal portion of a separated sternum can include a first plate and a second plate. The first plate can include a first body and a first hook. The first body can include a first reduction bore. The first hook can extend from the first body. The first hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the first sternal portion. The second plate can include a second body and a second hook. The second body can include a second reduction bore. The second hook can extend from the second body. The second hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the second sternal portion opposite the first hook.

A rib implant system can include a first implant, a second implant, and a reduction member. The first implant can be securable to a first rib portion of a rib. The second implant can be securable to a second rib portion of the rib. The reduction member can be connected to the first implant and the second implant, and the reduction member can be operable to move the second implant and the second rib portion toward the first implant and the first rib portion.

A bone plate according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, a body portion. The body portion includes a first slotted portion extending at least partially through the body portion and a plurality of teeth adjacent the first slotted portion for engaging a driver in the first slotted portion. The body portion also includes a second slotted portion extending at least partially through the body portion and a ramped portion at least partially surrounding the second slotted portion. The ramped portion tapers from an outer surface of the body portion toward an inner surface of the body portion.

A system for surgically repairing a rib of a patient is described. The system can include a first rib bracket, one or more fasteners, a driver and a caddy. The first rib bracket can be configured to be fixedly attached to a first side of the rib that faces a thoracic cavity of the patient. The one or more fasteners can be configured to fixedly attach the first rib bracket to the rib. The driver can have an end effector configured to drive the one or more fasteners into the rib. The caddy can be configured to retain the one or more fasteners and deliver these to a position adjacent the rib. The end effector can engage the one or more fasteners to drive the one or more fasteners from the caddy and into the rib to fixedly attach the first rib bracket to the first side of the rib.

A bone stabilizing plate includes two plate portions, each affixable to bones of a patient, the plate portions telescoping together with mating rails and grooves. A limiter associated with one of the plate portions sliding engages one a catch associated with the other of the plate portions, when the plate portions are telescoped together, and resists stops telescoping when the plate portions are telescoped a predetermined distance apart. Once the limiter and catch are engaged, the plate portions enable imposition of a minimum compressive force between bones connected to the plates. The limiter is resiliently positioned to deflect into a relief formed in its respective plate portion. A groove positioned proximate the catch enables free telescoping motion limited by the engagement of the catch and limiter, whereby the minimum compressive force between bones is maintained, and Wolfe's Law may apply.

An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

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.

A plate system for securing a first sternal portion and a second sternal portion of a separated sternum can include a first plate and a second plate. The first plate can include a first body and a first hook. The first body can include a first reduction bore. The first hook can extend from the first body. The first hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the first sternal portion. The second plate can include a second body and a second hook. The second body can include a second reduction bore. The second hook can extend from the second body. The second hook can be engageable with a lateral portion of the second sternal portion opposite the first hook.

According to some embodiments, a method of accessing an intervertebral space of a patient's spine in a minimally invasive manner compromises creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of a vertebral member using a probe, advancing the probe through the pedicle and to a main body portion of the vertebral member, advancing the probe through a superior endplate of the vertebral member and into the intervertebral space and enlarging the passage using at least one tap to create an enlarged passage from a posterior of the pedicle to the intervertebral space. In some embodiments, the enlarged passage traverses at least three cortical layers of the vertebral member.

An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.