Abstract: Disclosed is a cervical plate having a polyester staple fiber laminated within a polycarbonate urethane. The polyurethane provides a flexible, high resilience structure with a Dacron® material providing a flexible skeleton. The result is a cervical plate that is flexible but provides the necessary rigidity. An inflatable balloon can be used to mimic the properties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments for treating a defect in a tissue, the tissue having internal and external surfaces. A device includes a first portion for positioning at one of the internal and external surfaces for applying a treatment force to the defect. In addition, the device has a second portion for applying a counter-force, where the second portion is operable to be positioned so that the counter-force is applied on the other of the internal and external surfaces, away from the defect so as to substantially avoid application of force at the defect. Furthermore, the device includes a coupling member for connecting the inner and outer portions. Methods of using the device are described, for example in an intervertebral disc having a herniation.

Abstract: The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions (1) and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion (2). The anchorage portions (1) include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion (2) preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions (1) have a greater thickness (T1) and a greater depth (D) than the stabilization portion (2). Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face (4) of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.

Abstract: A positioning and installation tool for a fixation implant is inserted through a single, simple drill hole and positioned in place. The device controls the degree to which the implant is deployed and prevents accidental disengagement of the device from the implant before deployment has completed. The device also guides the components of the implant involved in active tendon compression at the aperture of the bone tunnel. The implant is deployed simply by rotating a knob, thereby creating an anchor point of high stiffness and fixation strength. When deployment has completed, the inserter is disengaged from the affixed implant by simply pulling a release mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical drill for providing holes at an angle for use in repair and replacement of the ACL is disclosed, generally comprising a drill guide having a head that is angularly adjustable with respect to a body, a flexible guide pin and a flexible drill. The adjustable head of the drill guide allows a surgeon to drill a hole in the femur at an angle to a tunnel provided in the tibia. Because the surgeon can access the femur via the hole in the tibia, the surgical drill of the present invention obviates the need for a second hole in the tissue and also makes placement of femur hole more precise for securement of the ligament or tendon graft within the hole.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an arthroplasty jig is disclosed herein. The method may include the following: generate two dimensional image data of a patient joint to undergo arthroplasty, identify in the two dimensional image data a first point corresponding to an articular surface of a bone forming the joint, identify a second point corresponding to an articular surface of an implant, identify a location of a resection plane when the first point is correlated with the second point, and create the arthroplasty jig with a resection guide located according to the identified location of the resection plane.

Abstract: An assembly for use in guiding a lateral fastener into a lateral bore of a femoral body implant. The assembly can include an outrigger having an arm portion, a leg portion extending from the arm portion, and an alignment tube extending from the leg portion. The assembly can further include a support pad and an adjustable shaft member coupled to the support pad and the leg portion. A quick-release system can adjustably maintain a position of the shaft member relative to the leg portion.

Abstract: In a facet joint reamer with a shank and teeth at the distal end, the distal end is widened compared with the remainder of the shank.

Abstract: A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround.

Abstract: A three-dimensional mesh or screen in the shape of a simple flat piece of material that can be provided adjacent the graft (i.e., in between graft bundles, or around the graft, or between the graft and the fixation device) for improved strength and structural support for graft fixation. The mesh provides improved methods for installing and securing ligament grafts (such as double-bundle cruciate ligament grafts) with enhanced reconstruction results.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a catheter, a retractable sheath, and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter shaft and the sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.

Abstract: A stent graft comprises two stent segments connected to open ends of a graft, arranged along the length thereof without overlap, reducing the transverse size and facilitating deployment. It may include longitudinal struts, sliding stent, additional stent segments, removable stent(s), etc. Various methods are employed for deployment. Other stent graft deploying methods comprise independently introducing and maneuvering graft and stent segments to the repair site from one or more introduction sites, and assembling the stent graft at the repair site. Intravascular and/or extravascular deployment hardware may be employed. Additional sealing and/or structural stent segments may be deployed. Branched grafts may be deployed. Removable stent segment(s) may be employed for positioning the graft and then later removed. A stent anastomosis for securing/sealing a graft end is disclosed. A branched stent graft including two branch stent grafts deployed side-by-die within a main stent graft is disclosed.

Abstract: An elongate tubular body extends between a rotatable cutter and a control. The cutter is connected to the control with a rotatable element. A vacuum is applied through an annular passage defined between the tubular body and the rotatable element. The cutter has at least one radial projection which cooperates with at least one stationary element on the tubular body to cut material drawn into the tubular body. Material that has been processed by the cutter is aspirated through the tubular body for disposal.

Abstract: An intragastric device inserted by endoscopic path into a patient's stomach. The device includes a balloon or envelope having a specific nominal volume. The balloon is sealingly connected to connecting elements consisting of a disc forming a support base for the balloon against an inner wall of the stomach. The device also includes a flexible tube or catheter for connecting the balloon to a filling device and catching element integral with the tube or catheter. The connection elements enable a doctor to set and/or remove the balloon and to fix, either inside the patient's body, or subcutaneously the filling device and to be able to bring the balloon or envelope to its predetermined nominal volume.

Abstract: A rapid exchange sheath comprising an elongate tubular member, a guidewire, and support wire having an expandable filter at a distal end. The guidewire passes through a first opening at a distal end of the tubular member and a second opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. The support wire is received in a lumen of the tubular member, or, in certain embodiments, extends proximally through a third opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. Methods of using the sheaths for deploying and/or exchanging medical device(s) in a patient's vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical tourniquet controller which receives operational parameters from a remote unit, allowing flow components associated with controlling a surgical tourniquet to be collocated with a surgical tourniquet in use, while allowing an operator of the tourniquet to operate the flow components from a remote location, such as at an anesthesiologists position, thus reducing the involvement of the surgical tourniquet operator from the surgical field.

Abstract: Immobilization and/or retrieval of material from a body can be accomplished, in accordance with the invention, with a device that includes a sheath and a basket. The basket is movable relative to the sheath from a retracted position in which the basket is withdrawn within the sheath and an expanded position in which the basket is extended beyond the distal end of the sheath and open. The basket has a first portion and a second portion with two or more legs extending from the first portion to the second portion. The basket further includes an intermediate portion between the first and second portions in which the legs are spirally arranged, substantially parallel, and non-intersecting. The intermediate portion of the basket is displaced radially outward relative to the first and second portions when the basket is in the expanded position. The basket in the expanded position may be used to immobilize and/or capture material within a body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dilation of tissue utilize a tissue expansion device positioned on an inner cannula with an outer overlying expansive sheath that expands upon translation of the tissue expansion device therethrough. The tissue expansion device may be an olive or wedge formed near the tip of the cannula, and the expansible sheath includes two elongated shells that are fixably attached near proximal ends, and that are resiliently connected near distal ends. Translating the tissue expansion device through the expansible sheath expands the dimension of the shells to provide even dilation of surrounding tissue. Additionally, tissue dilation is performed in one continuous motion of retracting the inner cannula through the expansible sheath or pushing the tissue expansion device through the expansible sheath. The outer expansible sheath may be removed from the inner cannula to provide a dissection instrument having minimal outer diameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for harvesting veins from the body. The methods and devices allow vein harvesting using laparoscopic procedures. A working space is created over the vein using standard laparoscopic procedures and a side-hooked wire is inserted into the working space and twisted to insert the side-hook under the vein. The wire is then pulled or drawn along the vein to separate the vein from the surrounding tissue. In an alternative embodiment, vein separation is accomplished by threading a soft rubber tube under the vein, grasping the ends of the tube so as to surround the vein, and then pulling the tube along the vein. In other embodiments, the working space is created with everting balloons.