The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to syndesmosis reinforcement. Embodiments include a clamp having two jaws that extend toward each other to clamp two bone portions therebetween. The clamp may include an angle gauge and an adjustment mechanism having a force gauge that combine to enable the compression of the two bone portions in an optimal direction or angle and at an optimal, measurable compression force. Embodiments also include a tension instrument configured to knotlessly lock a flexible strand construct between two anchors at the same optimal direction and tension applied by the clamp. Further embodiments include an exemplary syndesmosis reinforcement procedure that employs the clamp and the tension instrument to construct a ligament reinforcement construct that achieves optimal anatomic positioning in both directional alignment and the reduction force applied by the construct. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method of forming a shoulder prosthesis includes resecting an end portion of a humerus to form a resected end of the humerus and a resected portion separated from the humerus, the resected portion having an outer convex surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the resected portion is processed to include a concave articular surface. The outer convex surface of the resected portion is implanted in the resected end of the humerus. An implant having a convex articular surface is secured to a glenoid. The concave articular surface of the resected portion is articulated with the convex articular surface of the implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A tool for delivery and/or compaction of bone graft material includes a cannula with an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a hopper end of the cannula to a delivery tip of the cannula. A hopper with an internal volume for storing bone graft material is connected to the hopper end of the cannula with the internal volume of the hopper in communication with the inner lumen of the cannula for delivery of bone graft material from the hopper to the delivery tip of the cannula. An output shaft within the inner lumen extends along the longitudinal axis. The output shaft includes a helical screw thread extending radially outward from the output shaft toward an inner surface of the cannula. An actuator is connected to the hopper and to the output shaft to drive the output shaft rotationally relative to the hopper and to the cannula.

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

Systems for the minimally invasive repair, stabilization and/or fixation of a fractured bone, such as a rib, are disclosed. The systems include one or more rods/support members that are designed to extend along a dimension of a bone being repaired and secure the fractured bone. The support members can be photodynamic and are formed using an expandable member that is filled with a light-sensitive liquid that is cured to form the rigid support member. Two or more clamps are used to secure the support member(s) to the rib or other bone. Minimally invasive surgical methods for securing the systems to a fractured bone are also disclosed.

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

A surgical elevator device that can be used in the reduction of bone fractures, particularly facial bone fractures, and even more particularly zygomatic arch fractures. The elevator device enables accurate measurement of the depth of insertion of the device into tissue space and provides tactile control of fracture location and reduction. In one embodiment, the elevator device comprises a groove on an elevator element for receiving a bone structure. The groove can be formed by a pair of parallel ridges. A projection extending from the elevator provides a pivot point for applying a controlled force to the bone to reduce the fracture. A preferred embodiment further comprises a method of reducing a bone fracture, such as a zygomatic arch fracture.

A bone implant includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first portion extending between the proximal and distal ends having a maximum and minimum portion height, and a second portion extending between the proximal and distal ends having a maximum and minimum portion height. The second portion is connected to the first portion at the proximal end and the distal end and at least one of the first portion and the second portion is moveable relative to the other of the first portion and the second portion so as to transition the bone implant between a relaxed state wherein the first and second portions are separated by a first distance and a contracted state wherein the first and second portions are separated by a second distance different from the first distance. At least one of the proximal end and the distal end have the minimum portion height.

A spacing device is provided for adjusting or measuring the spacing between adjacent vertebral bodies. The spacing device has a distal end with at least one distraction member adapted for insertion into an intervertebral disc space and movable between a low profile first configuration and a higher profile second configuration. Also provided is an actuator for moving the distraction member between the first configuration (for delivery of the distal end of the spacing device to a target disc space) and the second configuration (for manipulation or measurement of the space between adjacent vertebral bodies).