Abstract: An instrument for distracting and/or compressing adjacent vertebrae is described. The instrument includes a yoke, a first blade movably mounted to the yoke, a second blade mounted to the yoke and an adjustment system. The yoke, the first blade and the second blade form a working channel for the instrument. The adjustment system of the instrument is configured to adjust a spacing between the first blade and the second blade by selectively moving the first blade relative to the second blade to distract and/or compress adjacent vertebrae when the first blade and the second blade have been secured to the adjacent vertebrae. The instrument may include a depth stop system that limits an insertion depth of an associated tool inserted into the working channel of the instrument. The adjustable depth stop system includes a releasable catch for securing a stop element of the associated tool.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: An instrument for preparing a surface of a vertebra, such as a vertebral endplate, for receipt of a spinal disc implant. The instrument includes a working tool with implements on one or more surfaces of the working tool that act on the vertebral surface. The instrument includes a rotary-to-linear translation system to cause the working tool to move; for example, from side-to-side, top-to-bottom, or along a path that includes side-to-side and top-to-bottom aspects. The rotary-to-linear translation system may include a drive shaft having a cam pin at a distal end, and a cam follower slot at an anterior end of the working tool.

Abstract: Intervertebral fusion implant cages and related methods are described herein. The cages may be used to assist with fusing together adjacent vertebrae when a displaced or damaged spinal disc is surgically removed. The cages include windows that allow the bone graft to grow from one vertebra through the cage and into the adjacent vertebra (e.g., cervical vertebrae). The cages include a number of features which enhance its performance during use.

Abstract: A process for making a polyurethane, comprising reacting a multifunctional isocyanate, a polyol and, optionally, a chain extender, wherein at least two reagents selected from the isocyanate, the polyol, the chain extender, any mixture thereof and any pre-polymer formed therefrom, are intensively mixed prior to being reactively extruded, to form a polyurethane having a predetermined stoichiometry and thermal history. The polyurethanes obtained by such a process are of highly consistent composition and are, thus, especially suitable for use in the medical device industry.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.

Abstract: An instrument for preparing a surface of a vertebra, such as a vertebral endplate, for receipt of a spinal disc implant. The instrument includes a working tool with implements on one or more surfaces of the working tool that act on the vertebral surface. The instrument includes a rotary-to-linear translation system to cause the working tool to move; for example, from side-to-side, top-to-bottom, or along a path that includes side-to-side and top-to-bottom aspects. The rotary-to-linear translation system may include a drive shaft having a cam pin at a distal end, and a cam follower slot at an anterior end of the working tool.

Abstract: An instrument for distracting and/or compressing adjacent vertebrae is described. The instrument includes a yoke, a first blade movably mounted to the yoke, a second blade mounted to the yoke and an adjustment system. The yoke, the first blade and the second blade form a working channel for the instrument. The adjustment system of the instrument is configured to adjust a spacing between the first blade and the second blade by selectively moving the first blade relative to the second blade to distract and/or compress adjacent vertebrae when the first blade and the second blade have been secured to the adjacent vertebrae. The instrument may include a depth stop system that limits an insertion depth of an associated tool inserted into the working channel of the instrument. The adjustable depth stop system includes a releasable catch for securing a stop element of the associated tool.

Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disc implant is provided that may be implanted between adjacent vertebrae in the spine to replace, repair or augment a natural spinal disc. The spinal disc implant may be characterized by one or more biomechanical properties that approximate those of a natural spinal disc. The implant is also designed to be sufficiently secured to the vertebrae so that it may function in the body for long time periods.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device with a retention section for anchoring the medical device in the body of a living being, a drainage section for draining fluids from the body, e.g. urine, and a tip which facilitates insertion into the body. During the anchoring of the medical device, the tip is retracted toward a proximal end of the device, improving the users control over the position of the tip relative to other parts of the device and achieving the free flow of fluids through the device. An indicator may be provided to give a visual, audible, or tactile indication of at least a first position of the tip relative to the remaining part of the medical device.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disc that may be implanted between adjacent vertebrae in the spine to replace, repair or augment a natural spinal disc. The spinal disc implant is characterized by one or more biomechanical properties that approximate those of a natural spinal disc and is durable enough to function in the body for long time periods, amongst other advantages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, characterized in that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The invention also provides a balloon catheter in which the balloon portion is a balloon of the invention.

Abstract: A method of forming a reticulated coating on a substrate includes providing an agglomerate dispersion of a first polymer in a polar liquid carrier on a surface of the substrate, and evaporating the liquid carrier to form the coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, such that:a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having re-inforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; andb. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness.