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 transpedicular 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.

A variable length headless compression screw insertion system includes a compression screw and a driver assembly for driving the compression screw into a bone. The compression screw has a bone screw and a compression sleeve coupled to the bone screw. The bone screw includes a proximal end having an external threading threadably received in the compression sleeve, and the compression sleeve includes a proximal end having a predefined drive feature and an external threading. The driver assembly includes a sleeve coupler adapted to threadably receive the external threading of the compression sleeve. A ram driver is coupled to the sleeve coupler and has a predetermined length such that its distal end is shaped to contact the proximal end of the bone screw to prevent translation of the bone screw relative to the compression sleeve.

A bone anchor includes an anchor member including a first material, and having a tubular section extending along a longitudinal axis, a region configured to expand radially outwards from the longitudinal axis, and a bone engagement structure projecting from at least a portion of the expandable region of the tubular section, and a core member including a second material, and configured for insertion into and connection to the anchor member. When the core member is in the anchor member and is actuated relative to the anchor member, the tubular section is adjustable between a first position where the expandable region of the tubular member has a first length and a first maximum diameter, to a second position where the expandable region of the tubular member has a length shorter than the first length and a maximum diameter greater than the first maximum diameter.

In one embodiment, a bone screw includes a shaft having a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end spaced from the proximal shaft end in a distal direction along a central axis. The shaft is helically threaded between the proximal and distal shaft ends. A tip extends from the distal shaft end in the distal direction, and defines a plurality of lands with cutting flutes disposed between adjacent lands. Each land has a bore-cutting edge that extends from an inner cutting edge end to an outer cutting edge end. The inner cutting edge end is disposed at a center of the distal end of the tip, and the outer cutting edge end is spaced from the center of the distal end of the tip. The bore-cutting edges may blunt the feel of the tip so as to reduce the likelihood of soft-tissue damage.

A system and method facilitating replacement of comminuted bone fractures or portions thereof adjacent bone joints. The system and method employs a prosthesis to replace at least a portion of the comminuted bone fractures. The prosthesis serves in reproducing the articular surface of the portion or portions of the comminuted bone fractures that are replaced. In doing so, the prosthesis serves in restoring joint viability and corresponding articulation thereof.

A differential compression bone screw and a method are provided for compressing adjacent bone portions together to encourage bone fusion. The compression bone screw is comprised of a head portion and a shank. A center hole extends from the head portion to a distal end of the shank. A superior end of the head portion includes a shaped opening that receives a tool for driving the compression bone screw into a hole drilled in a patient's bone. An inferior end of the head portion includes barbs that engage with surrounding bone tissue. A smooth portion of the shank is disposed between proximal threads and distal threads that rotatably engage within the hole in the patient's bone. A thread pitch of the distal threads is greater than a thread pitch of the proximal threads, such that the compression bone screw comprises a differential pitch configured to compress the adjacent bone portions.

An orthopedic locking screw arranged in a bore of an orthopedic implant enables easy removal of a broken locking screw out of the implant. The orthopedic locking screw for a cooperation with a thread in the orthopedic implant comprises a longitudinally extending shaft. The shaft comprises a thread pattern section extending at least partially along the shaft. The thread pattern section comprises a first thread with a first direction, which is a functional thread configured for the cooperation with the thread in the orthopedic implant. The thread pattern section further comprises a second thread with a second direction opposite to the first direction of the first thread. The second thread is superimposed on the first thread and intersects the first thread. An orthopedic locking system comprises the orthopedic locking screw and the orthopedic implant. The locking screw is manufactured by applying the thread pattern section to the longitudinally extending shaft.

A bone marrow access apparatus is adapted to be installed in connection with a bone. The bone marrow access apparatus includes a bone penetrating member having an internal channel having an opening at a proximal end and an opening at a distal end adapted to open into in a bone marrow space in the bone. A valve cap is provided around part of the bone penetrating member, and includes a valve having an opening having an open state in which the channel is not obstructed and a closed state to prevent flow of a material through the channel.

Components and associated methods of manufacture or assembly and/or use for bone and joint stabilization devices or systems are described. The components include features for device introduction, attaching a distal anchoring foot or threaded screw to an elongate spring-type member, anchoring head features for stabilizing position of the elongate member when engaged within the head and/or digital or electronic methods for tensioning the subject devices.

An orthopaedic implant includes a support body with a first side having a first inner surface and a second side connected to the first side and having a second inner surface and an outer surface. The first inner surface and the second inner surface each have channels formed within that combine to form a reservoir within the support body. A bone ingrowth layer is attached to the outer surface of the second side.