Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.

Other

New York University

Brian S Schumacher

Kevin T Stone

Jeffrey Allen Duncan

Erhard Reisberg

Shon David Steger

Barry H Grayson

Joseph F McCarthy

Jay Pensler

Stephen M Herrington

David I Blaustein

Bruno Vendittelli

Jeffrey David Gordon

Matthew Harrow

Daniel Croitoru

Francois Beuse

Norris C Carroll

Donald Nuss

An elongated plate for coupling severed bone regions comprising at least one bridge region, the at least one bridge region terminating in at least two bone fixation regions. The at least two bone fixation regions each contain at least one aperture for receiving a suitable fastening device for securing the elongated plate to the bone regions to be coupled. The bridge region may be configured so as to be easily severed by a suitable severing device such as surgical scissors. The elongated plate and fastening device may be formed from a bio-compatible or bio-resorbable material.

Method and apparatus for bone fracture fixation

The present invention provides an improved orthopedic system for the modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes proximal and distal footplates attached to an orthopedic device. The distal footplate is attached to the zygoma, with the proximal footplate being mechanically coupled to the maxilla. This mechanical coupling is achieved either through attachment directly to the maxilla or by attachment to a construct which is then wired to the patient's teeth. The orthopedic device, which may be a distractor, allows for modification of the distance between the maxilla and zygoma. The entire system can advantageously be placed intra-orally within a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the footplates are also detachable from the orthopedic device and are composed of a bioresorbable material, such that they will be absorbed by the patient's body. Methods for using this novel orthopedic system are also disclosed.

Multi-directional internal distraction osteogenesis device

A bone distractor for distracting bone on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone includes a first affixation member for affixation to the bone on one side of the osteotomy and a second affixation member for affixation to the bone on another side of the osteotomy. A rotatable member engages the first and second affixation members to distract the first and second affixation members relative to each other in response to rotation of the rotatable member. An extension member is removably connectable to the rotatable member for imparting torque thereto when rotated. The extension member can be flexible to permit elastic bending while imparting torque.

Bone distractor with shaft extension

An apparatus for stretching the skin between the fingers of a syndactyly includes first and second upper members, and first and second lower members. Means are provided for adjustably spreading the first and second upper members relative to each other and for adjustably spreading the first and second lower members relative to each other. A first plurality of wires, configured to pierce the skin of the syndactyly and to translate force to bones of the first finger, are connected to the first upper member and to the first lower member. Likewise a similar second plurality of wires are connected to the second upper member and to the second lower member. A method for stretching the skin of the syndactyly includes inserting the first plurality of wires through the skin of the syndactyly between the first and second fingers adjacent the bones of the first finger. The second plurality of wires are inserted similarly adjacent the bones of the second finger. The first plurality of wires is connected to the first upper and lower members, and the second plurality of wires is connected to the second upper and lower members. The first plurality of wires are slowly spread relative to the second plurality of wires such that the first and second plurality of wires spread apart the respective bones of the first and second fingers, thereby stretching the skin of the syndactyly.

Finger tissue expander

A bone distractor for distracting bone on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. Included are a first affixation member for affixation to the bone on one side of the osteotomy and a second affixation member for affixation to the bone on another side of the osteotomy. A distraction element includes a screw having a rotatable member engaging the first and second affixation members for distracting the first and second affixation members relative to each other in response to rotation of the rotatable member. The first and second affixation members comprise resorbable material that is resorbed in the body after distraction is complete, thereby minimizing the size of the surgical wound required to remove the non-resorbable screw. Bone screws for affixing the affixation members to bone comprise a resorbable material, whereby the bone distractor can be explanted without explanting the bone screws.

Resorbable bone distractor and method

An apparatus for osteosynthesis of a mandible. An elongated plate has a plurality of apertures. The plate has a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion intermediate the first and second portions. Each of the apertures within the first portion and within the second portion are disposed in relatively close spaced relationship, and each of the apertures within the central portion are disposed in relatively widely spaced relationship. The width of the plate between apertures is less in the central portion than in the first portion. The plate is more easily bent within the central portion than within the first portion, and can be bent to a relatively small radius in the central portion without distorting the apertures within the central portion. The central portion is sized and located to overlie the symphysis of the mandible.

Method and apparatus for mandibular osteosynthesis

A bone distractor for distracting bone on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. Included are a first affixation member for affixation to the bone on one side of the osteotomy and a second affixation member for affixation to the bone on another side of the osteotomy. A screw structure has a rotatable member engaging the first and second affixation members for distracting the first and second affixation members relative to each other in response to rotation of the rotatable member. An extension member is removably connectable to the rotatable member of the screw structure for imparting torque to the screw means when connected thereto and rotated. The extension member can be flexible to permit elastic bending while imparting torque. A driver tool for the bone distractor has a first handle member and a driver blade affixed to the first handle member against rotation and axial displacement. A second handle member is connected to the driver blade for rotation relative thereto. An element is included for generating an audible signal proportional to the rotation of the driver blade relative to the second handle member.

Driver tool for bone distractor with shaft extension

An apparatus for osteosynthesis of a mandible. An elongated plate has a plurality of apertures. A cover has a lateral wall, a top wall, and a medial wall defining a channel. A portion of the mandible is resected to leave a bony gap. The elongated plate is received within the channel of the cover, and the cover is received within the bony gap to alleviate growth of soft tissue against the elongated plate. Screw fasteners received through the apertures of the elongated plate secure the plate to the mandible.

Cover for plate for mandibular osteosynthesis

A system for mandibular reconstruction generally includes an elongated locking plate having a plurality of internally threaded apertures and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener includes a main body portion having an upper threaded shaft and a lower threaded shaft. The lower threaded shaft is adapted to engage the mandible. Each fastener further includes a removable head portion internally threaded for engaging the upper shaft portion and externally threaded for engaging a selected one of the internally threaded apertures of the locking plate. In the preferred embodiment, the thread leads of the head portion and lower shaft of the main body portion are identical. A method of mandibular osteosynthesis utilizes the system of osteosynthesis and generally comprises the steps of temporarily securing the elongated locking plate to the mandible with at least one fastener by engaging the threads of the lower portion with the mandible and threadably engaging the head with the locking plate, unthreading the head portion from the main body of the fastener to thereby allow displacement of the locking plate from the mandible without removing the fasteners from the mandible, performing a surgical procedure (e.g., removal of a cancerous growth), and re-securing the elongated plate to the fastener with the removable head portion.

A method and apparatus for performing pectus excavatum repair on a deformed sternum. The apparatus includes an elongated pectus bar having a first end and a second end. The elongated pectus bar provides a minimum bendable strength of about 65 in-lbs or a minimum material yield strength of 35.times.10.sup.6 psi or a minimum bendable stiffness of about 1000 lb-in.sup.2. The elongated pectus bar is shaped into a convexly curved pectus bar. The convexly curved bar is passed under the deformed sternum with the convexity facing posteriorly. The elongated pectus bar is then rotated so that the convexity faces anteriorly such that the deformed sternum is raised into a desired position.

Growing community of inventors

Jacksonville, FL, United States of America

Brian S Schumacher