PHILOS instrument set
PHILOS instrument set

PHILOS Instrument Set

The PHILOS (Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System) Instrument Set is a premium surgical toolkit designed for the anatomical fixation of complex proximal humerus fractures. Engineered specifically for use with locking plate technology, this set is the clinical standard for treating multi-fragmented fractures, particularly in osteoporotic bone.

Manufactured from high-grade 316L stainless steel, the set includes specialized aiming devices, threaded drill guides, and calibrated depth gauges to ensure precise angular stability. Its ergonomic design and organized, steam-sterilizable tray streamline the surgical workflow, providing the accuracy and reliability required for successful shoulder reconstructions.

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The PHILOS (Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System) Instrument Set is an advanced orthopedic solution designed for the anatomical reconstruction of proximal humerus fractures. This system is the clinical gold standard for managing complex 2-part, 3-part, and 4-part fractures, particularly in osteoporotic bone where traditional non-locking plates often fail.

The set provides a comprehensive array of precision-engineered tools required for the successful implantation of PHILOS locking plates, ensuring angular stability and allowing for early functional mobilization of the shoulder joint.

Technical Specifications & Material

  • Material: Premium 316L Surgical Stainless Steel or Medical-Grade Titanium Alloy.

  • Biocompatibility: High resistance to corrosion and wear during high-torque applications.

  • Sterilization: Fully autoclavable; housed in a perforated, high-durability aluminum or stainless steel graphic tray.

  • Compatibility: Optimized for 3.5mm Locking Screws, 3.5mm Cortex Screws, and 4.0mm Cancellous Screws.

Detailed Instrument Breakdown

1. Alignment & Positioning Tools

  • PHILOS Aiming Device: A specialized jig that mounts directly onto the plate. It ensures that every locking screw is inserted at the exact predetermined angle to match the plate’s threaded holes, preventing cross-threading.

  • Threaded Drill Sleeves (3.5mm): These screw into the plate or aiming device to provide a rigid guide for the drill bit, ensuring the trajectory remains perfectly coaxial.

  • Centering Sleeves: Used for the accurate insertion of K-wires to temporarily hold the plate in the correct anatomical position before screw fixation.

2. Preparation & Measurement

  • Calibrated Drill Bits: Features high-contrast depth markings. The sharp, fluted design ensures clean bone tunnels with minimal thermal necrosis.

  • PHILOS Depth Gauge: Specifically calibrated for the proximal humerus, allowing for sub-millimeter accuracy to ensure screws do not penetrate the glenohumeral joint space.

  • Taps (3.5mm/4.0mm): Ergonomically designed to create clean threads in dense cortical bone, reducing the torque required for screw insertion.

3. Fixation & Finalization

  • Torque-Limiting Screwdrivers: Crucial for locking systems; these prevent over-tightening, which can lead to cold-welding between the screw head and the plate or stripping of the bone threads.

  • Universal Folder/Bending Irons: While PHILOS plates are pre-contoured, these allow for minor intraoperative adjustments to fit unique patient anatomy.

  • Hohmann & Periosteal Elevators: Specialized shapes for the shoulder to provide maximum exposure while protecting the axillary nerve and surrounding soft tissue.

Clinical Indications

  • Displaced Proximal Humerus Fractures: Including fractures of the greater and lesser tuberosities.

  • Osteoporotic Bone Fixation: Where high “pull-out” resistance is required.

  • Non-unions and Malunions: Revision surgeries requiring stable, rigid internal fixation.

  • Pseudarthrosis: Management of failed previous fixations in the humeral head.

Product Advantages for Surgeons

  • Angular Stability: The locking mechanism creates a “fixed-angle” construct, acting like an internal reconstructive frame.

  • Low Profile Design: All instruments and the resulting plate/screw interface are designed to minimize subacromial impingement.

  • Modular Tray Layout: Logical, step-by-step organization that mirrors the surgical technique, reducing “down-time” in the operating room.