An intervertebral implant may include a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a minor diameter, and a helical thread disposed about the shaft along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft. The helical thread may include a major diameter and a concave undercut surface angled towards one of the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft. The intervertebral implant may be implanted within an intervertebral space between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body. A ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter may be less than 1.50. The concave undercut surface may engage the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body and may be shaped to resist at least one force transmitted between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body to stabilize the intervertebral space.

A bone disunion fastener may include a fastener shaft, a helical thread, and a bone staple. The helical thread may include a concave undercut surface oriented towards one end of the fastener shaft. The bone staple may include a first bone-engaging feature, a second bone-engaging feature, and a middle portion with an opening. The bone disunion fastener may be implanted along a disunion between a first bone portion and a second bone portion. The concave undercut surface may be shaped to resist at least one force transmitted between the first bone portion and the second bone portion to stabilize the disunion. The first bone-engaging feature may engage the first bone portion and the second bone-engaging feature may engage the second bone portion to couple the bone staple to the bone portions and resist at least one force transmitted between the bone portions to stabilize the disunion.

An internal intramedullary fixation device for the stabilization of bone in arthrodesis and fractures of the foot and hand is disclosed. During implantation in medullary canals of bones, the device grasps the edges of the canals, stabilizing the bones, internally, during a healing process. The intramedullary fixation device comprises arrow-shaped proximal and distal heads comprising tips and a pairs of wings, the heads being sized to fit within an intramedullary canal of a bone. The intramedullary fixation device also comprises a rigid body defining a longitudinal axis connecting the proximal and distal heads. The rigid body comprises an intermediate portion, a distal neck portion connecting the rigid body to the distal head, and a proximal neck portion connecting the rigid body to the proximal head, the neck portions having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-section area of the intermediate portion.

Systems and methods for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) are disclosed. According to some embodiments, an osteotomy method may include cutting a tibia with an arcuate cut to separate a tibial plateau of the tibia from a tibial base of the tibia, rotating the tibial plateau relative to the tibial base from a first orientation to a second orientation, and, with the tibial plateau in the second orientation relative to the tibial base, securing an implant to the tibia to secure the tibial plateau to the tibial base. Securing the implant to the tibia may include embedding a first leg of the implant into the tibial base, and embedding a second leg of the implant into the tibial plateau such that the first and second legs apply compression urging the tibial plateau toward the tibial base.

The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.

Thoracic/lumbar and cervical spinous process staples which staple/fuse adjacent spinous processes are disclosed. Thoracic/lumbar transverse process staples which staple/fuse adjacent transverse processes are also disclosed. Each embodiment has upper and lower claws connected by a ratchet spring mechanism, along with a multiplicity of bone fastener prongs attached to the upper and lower claws. Two sets of prongs on each staple claw are spaced by a distance approximately equal to the distance separating adjacent spinous or transverse processes so as to facilitate stapling/fusion of two adjacent processes. Also disclosed are staple prongs with multiple perforations which enable incorporation of bone fusion material thereby facilitating stapling/fusion of spinal elements.

Assemblies and methods for fixation of bone or bone fragments using an orthopedic plate, a modular peg, and a compression screw. The modular peg is screwed into one of the apertures of the orthopedic plate. The modular peg may include an aperture having screw threads designed to receive the threads of the compression screw and serve as an anchor for the compression screw. By rotating the compression screw in relation to the modular peg, the compression screw may advance through the aperture of the modular peg, drawing the head of the screw toward the modular peg, and compressing the bone or bone fragments.

Disclosed in an orthopedic implant that comprises a spacer portion having a superior portion and an inferior portion, and a staple portion. The staple portion is integral with the spacer portion and comprises a crown portion and first and second leg portions, the first and second leg portions having distal end that converge front the crown portion and that are composed of a material that has superelastic properties at body temperatures, whereby the first and second leg portions are configured to impart a compressive biasing force when the implant is installed with the legs under tension.

This disclosure is directed to surgical fixation devices (e.g., staples, screws, etc.) which are able to bring bone fragments into close proximity with each other, generate a compressive load, and maintain that compressive load for a prolonged period of time while healing occurs. The surgical fixations devices are manufactured from a shape memory material (e.g., a material capable of exhibiting superelasticity and/or a temperature-induced shape change).

An orthopedic fixation system includes an implant transitionable between a natural shape and an insertion shape and an implant retainer. The implant includes a transition section deformable to move the implant between the natural shape and the insertion shape. The implant includes a first post and a second post protruding therefrom across the transition section. The first post and second post each include an opening therethrough, whereby, when the implant resides in the insertion shape, the opening of the first post and the opening of the second post align. The implant retainer being configured to insert in the openings of the first and second posts when the implant resides in the insertion shape such that the implant retainer interconnects the first post and second post while spanning the transition section, thereby constraining the implant in the insertion shape.