An orthopedic instrument for manipulating (e.g., compressing or distracting) one or more patient's bone fragments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the orthopedic instrument includes forceps having first and second arms and first and second handles, respectively. Each arm including a coupling mechanism for selectively engaging removable tips or bell housings. Each tip or bell housing including a first end arranged and configured to mate with a fastener hole or opening formed in a bone plate, a second end arranged and configured to receive a head portion of a bone fastener, and an intermediate portion arranged and configured to couple to the coupling mechanism of the first and second arms. In addition, the orthopedic instrument may include a force sensing mechanism or gauge arranged and configured to measure an amount of force being applied across the bone fracture.

Disclosed herein are ratchet retracting handles and related methods for automatically retracting a stylet during insertion of a bone anchor.

In described embodiments, an implant assembly includes a first implant having a body with a first end and a second end and a hollow passage extending therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first implant is sized for insertion into a first bone segment. A connector has a first end rotatably connected to the first implant at the first end of the first implant, a second end insertable into a second bone segment, and a connector body extending through the hollow passage of the first connector. A method of inserting the implant assembly is also provided.

A bone screw is provided that includes a tubular body having a first end and a closed second end. The tubular body has a tubular wall defining a cavity wherein the thickness of the wall in a radial direction is smaller than an inner radius of the cavity and wherein a plurality of recesses is provided extending entirely through the tubular wall into the cavity. The tubular body further includes an exterior bone thread on an exterior tubular surface portion of the tubular wall, a head at the first end configured to engage with a driver to advance the bone screw in the bone, and a tip at the second end. The tubular body, the head and the tip are formed as a single piece.

A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a trans-pedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the path of screw insertion is oriented to reach superior or inferior vertebra. An intervertebral cage of the system is configured for lateral expansion from a nearly straight configuration to form a large footprint in the disc space. The screws and cage may be combined for improved fixation with minimal invasiveness.

The present disclosure provides for a bone screw formed of continuous fibers, for example. The bone screw may include a first portion having a cylindrical shape and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, for example. In various embodiments, the first portion may include a thermoplastic material and/or be substantially formed of a thermoplastic material. In various embodiments, the bone screw may include a second portion coupled to the first portion and surrounding the first portion, at least partly, for example. In various embodiments, the second portion may include a plurality of layers, each layer comprising a continuous fiber material, for example. In various embodiments, the continuous fibers may be oriented longitudinally, diagonally, helically, radially, etc. In various embodiments, the second portion may define an exposed thread pattern and a leading tip.

A hinged bone screw and tool set is used for implanting such bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws. The hinged bone screw includes a shank with an upper portion and a receiver with integral arms forming a U-shaped channel. A lower curved seat partially defining the U-shaped channel cooperates with an upper portion of the bone screw shank for hinged movement of the shank with respect to the receiver. The tool set includes an insertion tool, a bone screw driver, a reduction tool and a closure starter. The insertion tool includes a bone screw attachment structure and a laterally opening channel. The insertion tool further includes a threaded portion for cooperation with the reduction tool to provide synchronized placement of a closure structure in the bone screw receiver while reducing and capturing a longitudinal connecting member within the receiver. Further alternative bone screws are hinged, polyaxial or fixed and include lordosing or kyphosing lateral surfaces.

The invention relates to a biodegradable, magnesium-containing bone screw for implanting into a patient body for use in medical applications, such as, orthopedic and craniofacial surgery. The bone screw has a tapered head, a threaded shaft and pointed tip. The composition of the bone screws provide for improved biodegradability and biocompatibility, and the features of the structure of the bone screws facilitates guidance and placement during implantation as well as reduces the potential for mechanical failures. Moreover, the bone screws are effective to provide targeted release of magnesium ions resulting in enhanced new bone formation.

A cylindrical shaft may be gripped with an apparatus including a housing having an axis and an inner surface with multiple asymmetric cam surfaces, a proximal end including a means to rotate the housing, and a distal end having an opening configured to receive the cylindrical shaft, at least two cylindrical gripping members configured to grip the cylindrical shaft, where each cylindrical gripping member contacts a corresponding asymmetric cam surface at a first rest position, and a rotatable frame which holds each pair of cylindrical gripping members at a fixed angular orientation relative to each other. The rotatable frame is configured to rotate upon insertion of the cylindrical shaft into a space defined by the gripping members so that each gripping member moves away from the axis of the housing along a first portion of the corresponding asymmetric cam surface. After insertion of the cylindrical shaft, the housing is configured to rotate so as to cause each gripping member to move toward the axis of the housing along the corresponding asymmetric cam surface.

Stand alone fusion cage assemblies that can be secured to the adjacent vertebral bodies via an in-line approach that is substantially perpendicular to the anterior wall of the stand alone cage (or substantially parallel to the cage insertion direction).