Disclosed herein is a tool for cutting or crimping a tensioned cable in a medical procedure. The tool comprises a cable forming assembly that is coupled with an inner shaft. The cable forming assembly comprises a cable former. The tool additionally comprises a central channel, which extends through the inner shaft, an outer tube within which the inner shaft is positioned, and the cable forming assembly along an entire length of each one of the inner shaft, the outer tube, and the cable forming assembly. The central channel is configured to receive and support the tensioned cable in-line with the tool. The cable former is actuatable to cut or crimp the tensioned cable when the tensioned cable passes through the central channel. Translational movement of the outer tube along the inner shaft in an engagement direction actuates the cable former to cut or crimp the tensioned cable.

A fracture fixation system includes a connector having a proximal connecting end for connecting to a first end of a cord configured to extend around a bone to provide fixation to a fracture of the bone. The connector includes a distal connecting end opposite the connector relative to the proximal end for attaching to a second end of the cord extending around the bone. The proximal connecting end includes a proximal lock member, a distal lock member and a medial lock member between the proximal lock member and the distal lock member. The proximal lock member is located at a bottom of the proximal connecting end and the medial lock member is located at a top of the proximal connecting end.

Implantable fixation devices for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The devices include plates that may be affixed to a rib and realign separated portions of the rib or other body part. The devices may also include various locking mechanisms that receive a cable that may be used to realign and bring together separated portions of a bone or other body part. The devices may further include plates that may be affixed to a sternum and realign separated portions of the sternum or other body part.

A bone fixation system includes a length of suture, a screw, a tensioning tab, and an anchor. The length of suture has a first end and a second end. The screw comprises an elongated shaft having a threaded external surface, wherein the screw has a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal surface defining a passageway within the screw extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the passageway is configured to receive the length of suture. The tensioning tab is affixed to a section of the length of suture. The anchor is configured to secure the first end of the length of suture adjacent to the proximal end of the screw.

Tensioner instruments, systems, and methods of tensioning flexible bands in-situ. The tensioner instrument may include first and second pivoting arms with a base for pinching and pulling the flexible band to provide tension. The tensioner instrument system may include a clip inserter and a ratcheting tensioner for tensioning the band through an implant. The instruments may be configured to apply and maintain tension to the flexible band, thereby providing the desired correction to the spine.

Bone plate and instrument systems include interconnections and locking mechanisms to fix the bone plates to the instruments, and guide features that aim k-wires, drills, and/or fasteners to pass through holes in the bone plates when the bone plates are fixed to the instruments. The locking mechanisms include elongated flexible elements that connect to the bone plates.

A drill bit for bone surface preparation and creation of a shallow pilot hole and a bone anchor. The drill bit includes a shaft extending to a distal end, the distal end having a drill tip, a sharp point extending distally from the drill tip, and a stop extending around the shaft at the drill tip, the stop having one or more cutting edges and a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the shaft. The bone anchor includes a body having at least two opposing openings forming a window extending through the body, an expansion member having a pair of connected and spaced wings, the expansion member extending at least partially into the window in the body, and a fixation mechanism comprising an adjustable loop, the adjustable loop extending between the pair of connected and spaced wings in the window of the body.

A bone closure assembly that includes a buckle and a strap having a first end fixedly attached to the buckle. The strap is configured for looping around bone portions. The bone closure assembly also includes a locking cap removably connected to the buckle. The locking cap is configured for securing the strap within the buckle to secure the bone portions together.

A plate assembly for stabilizing a bone is provided. The plate assembly includes a fixation plate having rails that form a window. The plate assembly includes a band having a tail and a head. The head defines an internal cavity configured to receive a portion of the tail. The fixation plate is configured to be positioned proximate to a bone. The head is configured to be at least partially received within the window. Further, the band is configured to be wrapped around the fixation plate and the bone, and the internal cavity of the head is configured to receive an end of the tail to form a loop. The band is configured to receive a tension force to tighten the loop formed by the band. The band may passively engage the fixation plate so that bands may be easily removed from windows when no tension is applied to the band.

A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a tensioner-balancer, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage operable to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate between retracted and extended positions in response to application of an actuating force, the linkage including: a first toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; a second toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; and a connector linkage interconnecting the first and second toggle linkages.