Synthes Usa, LLC

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Alberto Angel Fernandez

Jason S Chan

Andreas Waelchli

Markus Buettler

Markus Büttler

A bone plate system for internal fixation of bone fractures includes a bone plate having a plurality of bone plate holes. The holes are constructed to receive either a non-locking, locking, or variable-angle locking bone screw. The holes have discrete columns of teeth or thread segments arranged around the inner surface of the hole for engaging threads on the heads of locking and variable-angle locking bone screws. Conventional locking bone screws engage the bone plate coaxially with the central axis of the bone plate hole. Variable-angle locking bone screws can engage the bone plate at a selectable angle within a range of selectable angles relative to the central axis of the bone plate hole. The head of the variable-angle locking screw is at least partially spherical, and the thread thereon has a profile that follows the arc-shaped radius of curvature of the spherical portion of the screwhead.

Highly-versatile variable-angle bone plate system

A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. The device has coplanar holes, which allow insertion of protective sleeves. A drill and bone screws can be inserted through the protective sleeves. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the intramedullary nail holes. The aiming arm has a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, wherein said aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail after implantation. Once the aiming arm is precisely positioned, the aiming arm transverse holes and intramedullary nail holes are accurately aligned, protective sleeves are inserted through aiming arm holes, bone drills are drilled through the intramedullary nail holes and surrounding bone material, and bone screws are inserted, locking the intramedullary nail to the bone.

Coplanar X-ray guided aiming arm for locking of intramedullary nails

Coplana X-ray guided aiming arm for locking of intramedullary nails

A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and aiming arm device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the nail holes. The aiming arm includes a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, and the aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail caused by implantation in bone.

A method for placing a fixation member around a bone for internal fixation of the bone includes (a) inserting a first member of a cerclage tool through an incision and into a vicinity of the bone, the first member extending from a first proximal end comprising a first handle portion and along a first central portion to a first distal end comprising a first bent tube portion; (b) inserting a second member of the cerclage tool through the incision and into the vicinity of the bone, the second member extending from a second proximal end comprising a second handle portion and along a second central portion to a second distal end comprising a second bent tube portion; (c) joining the first and second members together to form a continuous tube with the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion that encircles the bone, wherein the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion cross over one another to form a non-zero angle at a location that is proximal of the bone when viewed from a direction extending perpendicularly into a plane comprising the first and second members, wherein the continuous tube is configured and dimensioned to receive the fixation member; (d) disassembling the joined first and second members; and (e) removing the disassembled first and second members from the vicinity of the bone and from the incision.

Two members cerclage tool

A cerclage tool for placement of a wire around a bone for internal fixation of the bone comprising a first member having a handle portion, a central portion and a first bent tube portion and a second member having a handle portion, a central portion and a second bent tube portion. The first member and the second member are configured and adapted to be inserted separately through an incision into soft tissue surrounding the bone and subsequently joined together after insertion such that the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion form a continuous tube that encircles the bone.

Coplanar X-ray guided aiming arm for intramedullary nails

A surgical cable and crimp device is provided. The cable has an enlargement (bead) affixed to one of its ends. The crimp member includes two holes. One of the holes includes a slot and a cavity. The cavity is sized to accept the bead of the cable, and the slot is sized to receive the flexible cable but not allow the bead to pass through. The other hole is a simple through hole. The cable can be inserted to loop the bone isolated from the crimp member. After the beaded end of the surgical cable is fastened to the crimp, the cable is passed through the simple through hole. The cable is then tensioned by the application thereto of a tensioning tool with the tool applied to the cable and to an abutment face of the crimp member.

Cable and crimp for bone surgery

A bone fixation system including a fixation device having an upper surface, a lower surface and at least one opening extending therethrough and defining a first axis substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the opening including a plurality of isolated protrusions formed on an inner surface thereof and a bone engaging member insertable through the opening at a selected angle of orientation relative to the first axis, the bone engaging member having a threaded head portion, wherein upon tightening of the bone engaging member, the threaded head portion of the bone engaging member mates with one or more protrusions of the opening to lock the bone engaging member to the plate at the selected angle of orientation relative to the first axis, and wherein the protrusions exhibit the same pitch as the threads on the bone engaging member prior to insertion of the bone engaging member in the opening.

Variable angle locked bone fixation system

A depth gauge for measuring the depth of blind holes in bones and/or nails inserted into bones is provided. The tool includes a probe with an abutment at its end to engage against the distal edge of the blind hole; a tubular body; and a grooved insert. After the probe, slidably disposed within the tubular body, is positioned through the blind hole to be measured, the grooved insert is slid forward inside the tubular body, surrounding the probe, and pushing the probe sideward, towards the blind hole wall. When probe and groove insert are retracted together, they firmly engage against the distal bone wall. The tubular housing is then pushed forward until it abuts against the proximal bone wall, allowing even in small diameter holes, an accurate reading of hole depth on the scale located at the rear end of the probe.

Growing community of inventors

Montevideo, Uruguay

Alberto Angel Fernandez