A jointed rod assembly for use in a spinal fixation construct involves a caudal rod portion connectable to an adjustment mechanism, and a cranial rod portion connectable to the adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate the caudal and cranial rod portions relative to one another about a joint axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the caudal and cranial rod portions. The caudal and cranial rod portions may be dimensioned to be compatible with other pieces of hardware commonly used for spinal fixation, such as bone anchors (e.g., pedicle screws), occipital plates, reducers, and others. The caudal and cranial rod portions are composed of a strong, rigid, non-absorbable, biocompatible material. The jointed rod assembly may be advantageously used in spinal fixation systems and methods of spinal fixation.

The invention relates to an activation tool (1) for a bone expansion apparatus (3), the bone expansion apparatus (3) being a distraction plate apparatus (3), the activation tool (1) comprising a magnetic element (130) solidly attached to a rotation shaft (120) of the activation tool (1), the magnetic element (130) being configured to interact coaxially with a distant magnetic element (310) borne by the bone expansion apparatus (3), the activation tool (1) being characterised in that it further comprises an electric motor (110) configured to cause the rotation shaft (120) to rotate, and a control module (140) controlling the rotation of the rotation shaft (120).

The invention also relates to an assembly of a bone expansion apparatus (3) and of such an activation tool (1), in which the bone expansion apparatus (3) is a distraction plate apparatus (3).

This disclosure concerns devices and methods for measuring an amount of adjustment of an expandable implant using ultrasound. The implant may include an ultrasound counter including a vibration element tuned for ultrasonic vibration, the vibration element may be configured to produce an ultrasound vibration upon an adjustment of the expandable implant.

According to some embodiments, systems and methods of ultrasonic detection of implantable medical device distraction are provided. The system includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member. The first elongate member has a first end that is configured to be attached to a first location on the skeletal system of a subject, a second end, and at least one landmark identifiable using ultrasound. The second elongate member has a first end that is movably coupled to the second end of the first elongate member, a second end configured to be attached to a second location on the skeletal system, and at least one landmark identifiable using ultrasound. Movement of the first elongate member in relation to the second elongate member causes a corresponding movement of the at least one first landmark in relation to the at least one second landmark which can be detected using ultrasound.

A distraction system includes a distraction rod having one end configured for affixation to at a first location on patient. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for placement in the patient at a second location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly comprising a magnet, the magnetic assembly secured to a threaded element that interfaces with an opposing end of the distraction rod. The system includes a magnetically permeable member in proximity to the magnetic assembly and covering an arc of less than 360° of the adjustable portion.

A spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for affixation relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. A locking pin may secure the lead screw to the magnetic assembly. An O-ring gland disposed on the end of the housing may form a dynamic seal with the distraction rod.

A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first portion and second portion of the tibia.

A system for spinal fixation with a non-rigid portion at least one of the caudal or cephalad terminus. Various devices and techniques are described for transition from a rigid fixation construct to a less rigid support structure applied to a “soft zone” that helps share the stress created on the spinal levels caused by the fixed levels below. In some embodiments, the soft zone is provided by terminating the construct with one of a flexible tether or a dampening rod.

A spinal stabilization device that can be used to non-invasively correct spacing and curvature between at least two vertebral structures. The spinal stabilization device includes two telescoping tubes wherein ends of the two tubes can have pedicle screws that can be fastened to two or more vertebral bones. The overall length of the spinal stabilization device can be adjusted by moving the inner tube within the outer tube. Both the outer tube and the inner tube have multiple holes for receiving fasteners, wherein a fastener can be inserted through a hole in the outer tube into a hole in the inner tube for interlocking the inner tube and outer tube. The extension of the fastener into the holes and retraction from the holes can be controlled non-invasively from an external source. When the fastener is disengaged, the inner tube and the outer tube can freely move relative to each other, and the positions of the two or more vertebral bones can be non-invasively adjusted by subjecting a person to predefined movements and body posture. Upon achieving the desired positions, the fastener can be engaged to interlock the inner tube and the outer tube.

The present disclosure broadly provides applications of communication at ultrasound frequencies to establish transcutaneous data communication between medical devices located on and/or within a body of a patient, including inter alia: features for adjustable implants including data communication, hermetic containment, and torque amplification features.