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...During the Civil War, the Confederacy established its own Patent Office which issued 266 patents, a third of which concerned implements of war.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6106526 | Member for stabilizing cervical vertebrae A member for stabilizing cervical vertebrae is provided with a body 1 with a plate-shaped portion having a bore 2 extending perpendicular to the plane plate, and a bone screw 3 having a threaded portion 4 and a head 5, whereby the threaded portion 4 exten... | 08/22/2000 |
| 6093188 | Adjustable bone fixation plate A bone plate includes a pair of mounting portions with bridges extending between the mounting portions. Each bridge includes at least one spring member and a compression member, arranged in series.... | 07/25/2000 |
| 6086595 | Apparatus and method for spinal stabilization A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. Th... | 07/11/2000 |
| 6083224 | Dynamic spinal screw-rod connectors A transverse fixator assembly for spanning between a number of longitudinal members situated adjacent a patient's vertebrae and methods for fixation of the spine which allow variation of the distance between two or more vertebrae. The assembly includes a ... | 07/04/2000 |
| 6063088 | Method and instrumentation for implant insertion A system for drilling a bore in adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the insertion of a fusion implant includes a surgical retractor having a sleeve member with proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening and a drill instrument positi... | 05/16/2000 |
| 6036691 | External orthopedic fixator with patient-operated mechanism The invention serves patients having a fractured bone wherein separate parts of the bone have been immobilized by an external axial fixator, and the invention provides patient-operated mechanical structure to enable him to transiently distract spaced bone... | 03/14/2000 |
| 6015409 | Apparatus and method for spinal fixation and correction of spinal deformities This device comprises an connection element (4) between a rod (1), or other longitudinal implant, and a bone anchorage screw (3) in the degenerative vertebra. This connection element (4) includes a ring (8) so dimensioned that the rod (1) is capable of ex... | 01/18/2000 |
| 5997537 | Ring system for external fixation of bone and related method An external fixator for adjustably securing first and second portions of a bone includes a ring assembly and a bone screw clamp assembly interconnected by a central body. The ring assembly secures one or more tension wires adapted to pass through the firs... | 12/07/1999 |
| 5993470 | Universal handle for medical instruments A universal handle for medical instruments includes a first member movably disposed within a housing for detachably mounting a first medical instrument, a bias member for moving the first member toward a retracted or extended position near one end of the ... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5984924 | Bone alignment system having variable orientation bone anchors A bone alignment assembly is disclosed having bone anchor subassemblies for securing to both bones and a bone position retainer, wherein the bone position retainer includes a longitudinal member for maintaining a desired alignment of the bones when the bo... | 11/16/1999 |
| 5980524 | Device for repairing a meniscal tear in a knee and method A fastener for use in soft tissue repair includes a resorbable polymer or suture core having one or more collagen bands in surrounding relation to the core. The bands are expandable between a dehydrated state for insertion and a hydrated state for healing... | 11/09/1999 |
| 5980521 | Top-tightening transverse connector for a spinal fixation system A new top-loading transverse connector of the present invention for bridging between longitudinal members of a spinal fixation system implant. The transverse connector is loaded and clamped to the longitudinal member from the top permitting easy access an... | 11/09/1999 |
| 5976147 | Modular instrumentation for bone preparation and implant trial reduction of orthopedic implants The invention provides a modular system of components used as bone preparation tools and trial prosthesis components. The system includes a trial tibial tray bearing element that mounts upon a prepared tibia, a punch bushing that serves the purpose of a t... | 11/02/1999 |
| 5976140 | Foil for bone growth promotion A foil or membrane for covering bone defect locations and for promoting bone regeneration, comprised of titanium and which is inelastic, stress-free and plastically deformable. The foil has a thickness of less than 0.1 mm. The thickness lies especially in... | 11/02/1999 |
| 5976139 | Surgical fastener assembly A surgical fastener assembly for coupling first and second bone portions across a fracture therebetween including an elongated anchor or bone screw insertable within the first bone such that one end portion of the anchor is disposed on one side of the fra... | 11/02/1999 |
| 5968048 | Bore head for boring bone channels Drill head for boring out bone channels, characterized by the following features: a central bore for a guide wire; four spiral teeth arranged at 90% intervals on the periphery and having a small angle of twist, such as 15°, that form an angle of approximately... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5954722 | Polyaxial locking plate A locking plate apparatus for engagement with a bone is provided in accordance with the present invention. Locking plate apparatus includes a plate that has a body portion and an internal wall defining a plate hole through body portion and a bushing with ... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5951556 | Compact external fixation device A compact external fixation device for the treatment of bone fractures of reduced dimensions and of children comprises a pair of clamps (2, 3) for bone screws (V) connected by respective spherical joints (5, 6) and a central body (4) formed by at least on... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5951559 | Method for installing a threaded suture anchor with a cannulated suture anchor drill guide An arthroscopic method and apparatus for implanting a suture anchor into tissue using a cannulated drill guide having an indented tip. Ligament tissue at a shoulder repair site is penetrated with a cannulated drill guide and removable trochar obturator. T... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5951558 | Bone fixation device Bone fixation device for keeping two or more bone pieces together, either pieces of a broken bone or two distinct bones, for undergoing junction of the pieces by natural welding, the device being capable of immobilizing flat or round bones, long or short ... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5951555 | Device for the correction of spinal deformities The device consists of at least two segments which are fixed on spinal vertebrae and which are mutually interconnected. Each segment (1) is fixed on at least one vertebra (7) by means of at least one fixing segment (3). Each segment (1) is connected by me... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5951564 | Orthopaedic positioning apparatus The invention is directed to an orthopaedic apparatus 24, 80, 380, 480, 580 for positioning an implant 22, 322, 422 relative to an end of a bone. The implant has at least one extractor opening 30, 330, 430 and a shoulder 26, 326, 426 with a slot therein. ... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5947972 | Irrigation pressurization system A surgical tool for resecting bone has a pneumatic motor within a tool body which rotates a coaxial tool implement. The tool implement is provided with irrigation fluid from a fluid reservoir. The reservoir and the motor are charged with pressurized air f... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5947969 | Rotatable locking vertebral body screw, staple and rod assembly A rod, screw, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw which has a shaft which is insertable into a vertebral bone, a tapered neck, and a head portion which includes a... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5944720 | Posterior spinal fixation system This invention relates to segmental spinal instrumentation, specifically metal spinal hooks and rods used for the correction of spinal deformities such as idiopathic scoliosis. It includes an apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending membe... | 08/31/1999 |
| 5944719 | External fixator An external fixator for setting fractured bones, comprising a flexible, articulable column comprised of a series of ball and socket members linked by a tensioning cable threaded therethrough. Tightening the cable forces the ball and socket members togethe... | 08/31/1999 |
| 5944723 | Locking orthopaedic clamping tool A self-locking orthopaedic clamp includes first and second jaws, each jaw having a work engaging surface and a handle comprising first and second actuation members, each actuation member having a first end proximate to the first and second jaws and a seco... | 08/31/1999 |
| 5941884 | Patella preparation apparatus and method A patella clamp and method for use in resecting a patella for the reception of a patellar prosthesis holds the patella in a preparation position and provides the surgeon with a direct and interoperative accurate visual indication of the bone thickness of ... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5941881 | Bone fastening apparatus and related procedures Apparatus and methods are disclosed to hold a bone piece in position relative to a host bone for attachment or re-attachment purposes. A body having a plurality of claws extending therefrom engages with the bone piece, at least one of the claws including ... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5941885 | Tools for use in installing osteosynthesis apparatus utilizing set screw with break-off head Tools for use in installing osteosynthesis apparatus utilizing a set screw having a break off head, a lower threaded portion and a cylindrical bore extending at least partially through the set screw head. Several of the tools comprise socket type tools ha... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5941877 | Hand external fixation and joint mobilization and distraction device This invention is directed toward a hand fracture, burn and contraction treatment device that is capable of imparting the desired amount of long term force and moment to the interphalangeal and metacarpalphalangeal joints so as to effectively combat defor... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5941880 | Coupling member for cross-linking intervertebral cage devices A cross-linking member for rigidly coupling interbody fusion devices such that they have reduced tendencies to dislocate subsequent to implantation as well as an interbody fusion assembly which includes at least two interbody fusion devices rigidly couple... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5938663 | Spinal instruments, particularly for a rod The invention relates to a spinal instrument for essentially smooth adjustable connecting rods. The spinal instrument has a nut (5) that clamps receiving and locking assembly (8) to a multi-threaded bone anchor member (1). The receiving and locking assemb... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5938665 | Low friction saw slot An instrument is provided in accordance with the present invention for guiding the resection of the bone. Instrument includes a saw guide formed to include a slot. The slot is defined by an upper guide surface and lower guide surface. Guide surfaces are i... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5935128 | Orthopaedic template system including a joint locator The invention is directed to an orthopaedic template system for use with a bone (14) having a shaft and a bearing surface at an end of the shaft. A first template (30) is attachable to the bone end adjacent to the bearing surface, and includes a first saw... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5935129 | Methods and apparatus for anchoring objects to bone The invention provides anchoring devices and methods for coupling an object, such as a suture or soft tissue, to bone. In one aspect of the invention, a bone anchor is placed into compression fit with a predrilled bone hole by pulling an insertion stem at... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5935130 | Cable tensioning device A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relativ... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5935133 | Surgical cable system and method A surgical cable system and method for securing surgical cable around a portion of a human element (e.g., bone) is described. The surgical cable system may include a connector and a tensioner. The connector may be adapted to hold a pin, positionable withi... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5935151 | Vertebral distraction pump A distraction pump for manipulation of the spinal column and associated bodily structures having a pump body and two arms coupled to the body, one of the arms being movable relative to the other arm. Each arm has displacement means coupled to it. The dist... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5931837 | Method and apparatus for external fixation of an ankle A fixator for adjustably securing a first skeletal element on a superior side of an ankle joint relative to a skeletal element on the inferior side of the ankle joint. The fixator includes a bone screw clamping assembly that preferably secures a pair of s... | 08/03/1999 |
