Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement embodiment of the present invention comprises a rounded shaped ceramic domed body with a receptacle in its bottom side. A keeled base of biocompatible metal is press-fit into the receptacle at any relative angle to complete a two-piece assembly. A keel part of the base especially is finished in porous coated metal and shaped to promote natural in-growth of bone from the inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: An orthopedic stabilization structure including a threaded fastener capable of articulation to accommodate various skeletal geometries, a rod, and a cup supporting the threaded fastener and the rod to be subsequently held in fixed position with respect to the skeletal structure.

Abstract: An orthopedic stabilization structure including a threaded fastener capable of articulation to accommodate various skeletal geometries, a rod, and a cup supporting the threaded fastener and the rod to be subsequently held in fixed position with respect to the skeletal structure.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.

Abstract: A tool, system and method for separating connected orthopaedic components are disclosed. The system includes two orthopaedic components that are connected end to end. One of the orthopaedic components has a notch that receives a cam carried by the tool. The notch and cam are sized and shaped so that when the cam is turned, the cam forces the two components apart. The invention is particularly useful when Morse tapers are used to connect the components. The invention can be used with the modular orthopaedic implants as well as with modular trials used intraoperatively. The cam can be removably mounted on the tool.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine.

Abstract: A knee-joint prosthesis with a tibial part having a flat tibial bearing surface, with a bearing body that can be shifted thereon in the anterior-posterior direction and includes two concave bearing shells within which a femoral joint part can be movably seated, and with a rotational guide that permits rotation of the bearing body on the tibial bearing surface about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said surface. The rotation guide includes a steering rod that is seated at the bearing body so as to be pivotable relative thereto and at the tibial part is guided in the medial/lateral direction and/or rotationally guided.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion implant is disclosed for implantation at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine having an external housing and a substantially hollow internal rotatable member having bone engaging projections that are deployable through the housing to penetrably engage the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis (10) for cooperation with a long bone (12) and a second bone (26) for use in arthroplasty is provided. A cavity (20) is formed in the long bone (12) and defined by an inner wall (30) of the long bone (12). The prosthesis (10) includes a stem component (32) including a distal portion (34) of the stem component (32) for placement at least partially within the cavity (20) of the long bone (12) and for securing to the long bone (12). The stem component (32) defines a longitudinal axis (36) of the stem component (32). The prosthesis (10) also includes a second component (32) securable to the second bone (26) and for cooperation with the stem component (32). The prosthesis (10) further includes a bearing (40) for placement in the cavity (20) between the stem component (32) and the long bone (12) so that the distal portion of the stem component (32) is spaced from the inner wall (30) of the long bone (12).

Abstract: A system for and methods of easily and securely inserting and removing a fastener usable during orthopedic surgery to promote proper healing of injured bone are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a system for positive, complete tri-modal retention of a bone media fastener element by a bone media fastener driver element so that three types of positional divergence of the driver relative to the fastener—bi-axial, bi-rotational, and bi-lateral—may be prevented. At least one embodiment of a bone media fastener apparatus may comprise a shaft element, a threaded bone engagement element, and a head element that itself may comprise a fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element that is engageable with a driver-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media fastener driver element to prevent bi-lateral divergence, bi-rotational divergence, and bi-axial divergence.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distraction and/or contraction device for backbone surgery comprising connectors designed to be fixed to respective vertebral anchoring members, linkup means between said connectors and means for adjusting the distance between said connectors including a pinion assembly and an endless screw.

Abstract: A modular implantation instrument for reliably positioning an acetabular prosthetic socket in the acetabulum of a pelvic bone during a total hip joint replacement surgery. The modular instrument has an interchangeable hemispherical ball member to properly engage into an acetabular prosthetic socket. A drive mechanism includes an alignment shaft member, operatively connected through an orientation pillar member to a levelling apparatus and to a laser pen apparatus. The modular instrument includes the hemipherical ball member is threadingly connected into the proximal end of said alignment shaft, the distal end of alignment shaft includes a handle and a knob. The lower end of said orientation pillar member is permanently attached to the shank of the alignment shaft member at angle of 135 degrees to the horizontal axis of said alignment shaft.

Abstract: A graftless spinal implant for mechanically attaching two adjacent vertebrae includes a body having first and second opposite surfaces. The first and second surfaces include at least one protruding member for securing the body to adjacent vertebrae, wherein the exterior surfaces of the body and the first and second protruding members include a bioactive coating. The bioactive coating can be selected from coatings such as for example, hydroxyapatite. The exterior bioactive coating facilitates the ongrowth/ingrowth of vertebral bone between the implantable spinal fusion device and adjacent vertebrae. Advantageously, this allows the device to avoid the use of a bone graft and/or bone growth agents.

Abstract: A valve assembly and method for regulating a fluid flow and attenuating noise. The valve assembly comprises a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, a seat defining a portion of the passage, a member movable with respect to the seat, an actuator moving the member from the first configuration to the second configuration, and a damper movable with respect to the actuator and located at a radial gap between the member and the actuator. The member moves generally along an axis between a first configuration prohibiting fluid flow through the seat and a second configuration permitting fluid flow through the seat. The member includes a first portion adapted to sealingly engage the seat in the first configuration, and a second portion extending along the axis between a first section that is distal from the first portion and a second section that is fixed to the first portion. The actuator has an aperture extending along the axis and generally receiving the second portion.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus for implanting acrylic IOLs through smaller incisions. The insertion apparatus includes an insertion cartridge that receives the IOL and cooperates with a handpiece. The cartridge includes a longitudinal lumen from a loading chamber to an open distal mouth that gradually narrows in dimension so as to fold the acrylic IOL to a dimension of less than about 2.0 mm. The cartridge is made of a polymer, such as polypropylene, that includes a lubricity enhancing component concentrated at surfaces by a blooming process. A push rod in the handpiece enters the loading chamber of the cartridge and urges the IOL therethrough. A distal tip of the push rod has an irregular shape, such as a rounded trapezoidal, and has a maximum dimension slightly less than the inner diameter of the open distal mouth of the cartridge. The distal tip of the push rod may have a relief channel on one side that accommodates a trailing haptic of the IOL.

Abstract: An anchoring member and packer for use in spinal osteosynthesis systems. The anchoring member can accept a connecting element such as a spinal rod, and is adapted for insertion into bone. The packer provides stability to the anchoring member particularly when the anchoring member is not fully engaged to bone. The anchoring member has a head, anchoring means for engagement to bone, and retaining means for retaining the packer against the head. The packer has a through-orifice for receiving the anchoring member and complimentary retaining means for engagement to the head of the anchoring member.

Abstract: A fusion implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent bone structures includes an implant member for positioning between adjacent opposed bone structures. The implant member defines a longitudinal axis and first and second longitudinal ends and has an outer wall dimensioned to engage the opposed bone structures upon positioning therebetween in supporting relation therewith. The outer wall includes at least one thread for facilitating positioning between the opposed bone structures. The implant member has an intermediate portion which defines a cross-sectional dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis which is greater than respective cross-sectional dimensions of the first and second longitudinal ends of the implant member.

Abstract: A rongeur having a crossbar with a cutter and a shaft with a footplate. The crossbar moves towards the footplate through movement of an actuator connected to the crossbar about an arcuate path about a first pivot. This results in a portion of the crossbar moving initially away from the shaft as the cutter moves towards the footplate to create a gap, and then back towards the shaft as the cutter contacts the footplate. A spring mechanism biases the crossbar in a ready position with a first distance separating the cutter and the footplate. When the cutter contacts the footplate, the crossbar is in a cutting position. When the crossbar is between the ready position and the cutting position, it is in an intermediate position with a gap between the crossbar and the shaft. A retainer is positioned in an engaged position to maintain the crossbar in an intermediate position for cleaning. The retainer is preferably a disposable O-ring which is disposed after each use.

Abstract: Rolled resorbable membranes and methods for their application have been discovered. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, rolled resorbable resorbable membranes are applied to the transverse processes of two or more vertebrae to facilitate fusion of the vertebrae.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning the cutting angle of a bone cutting guide, wherein the bone is preferably a tibia and/or a femur, which includes a first fastener to fasten the positioning apparatus to the bone such that the whole of the apparatus and the fastener of the cutting guide can rotate relative to the fastening axis, and a second fastener to fasten the positioning apparatus at a second fastening location onto the bone different from the first fastening location, so as to fix apparatus at a required position within the rotation relative to the first fastening axis.