Abstract: A droplet delivery device and related methods for delivering a low surface tension composition as a stream of droplets to a subject for pulmonary use is disclosed. The droplet delivery device includes a housing, a reservoir, an ejector mechanism, and at least one differential pressure sensor. The droplet delivery device is automatically breath actuated by the user when the differential pressure sensor senses a predetermined pressure change within housing. The ejector mechanism includes a piezoelectric actuator and an aperture plate, the aperture plate having a plurality of openings formed through its thickness, and one or more surfaces configured to provide a desired surface contact angle, and the piezoelectric actuator operable to oscillate the aperture plate at a frequency to thereby generate the ejected stream of droplets.

Abstract: Polymer compositions having one or more antioxidants providing high crosslink density and improved oxidation resistance to the polymer composition and methods for making same. Such polymer compositions can be used to make orthopedic implants.

Abstract: A prosthetic glenoid component for replicating the behavior of a patient's natural glenoid includes a rim that replicates the patient's natural glenoid labrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions having one or more antioxidants providing high crosslink density and improved oxidation resistance to the polymer composition and methods for making same. Such polymer compositions can be advantageously used to make orthopedic implants. The disclosure also provides methods for selecting antioxidants providing desirable properties to the polymer composition. In one embodiment, a measure of OIT can be used to select the antioxidant and antioxidant blend. In another embodiment, measurements of OIT and OI-rate can be used to select the one or more antioxidants. In another embodiment, the product of OIT and crosslink density can be calculated to predict wear resistance and oxidation resistance of a polymer composition including one or more antioxidants.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions having one or more antioxidants providing high crosslink density and improved oxidation resistance to the polymer composition and methods for making same. Such polymer compositions can be advantageously used to make orthopedic implants. The disclosure also provides methods for selecting antioxidants providing desirable properties to the polymer composition. In one embodiment, a measure of OIT can be used to select the antioxidant and antioxidant blend. In another embodiment, measurements of OIT and OI-rate can be used to select the one or more antioxidants. In an other embodiment, the product of OIT and crosslink density can be calculated to predict wear resistance and oxidation resistance of a polymer composition including one or more antioxidants.

Abstract: Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials.

Abstract: Monoblock orthopedic and/or dental implants are disclosed. The monoblock implants include a ceramic articulating surface and an osseointegrative bone-contacting surface. Methods of making such implants also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an articulation portion having a pyrolytic carbon bearing surface and a porous bone on- or in-growth structure, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Methods of forming polymeric articles using plasma treated polymer resins, and orthopedic implants comprising a polymeric article wherein the polymeric article has reactive groups bonded to polymer molecules in an interior region of the polymeric article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an articulation portion having a pyrolytic carbon bearing surface and a porous bone on- or in-growth structure, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Methods of forming polymeric articles using plasma treated polymer resins, and orthopedic implants comprising a polymeric article wherein the polymeric article has reactive groups bonded to polymer molecules in an interior region of the polymeric article.

Abstract: Modified polymeric articles having modifying agents dispersed within and bonded to an interior region of the article. Methods of modifying polymer materials used to form polymeric articles, and methods of making polymeric articles from polymer particles having modifying agents bonded thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions having one or more antioxidants providing high crosslink density and improved oxidation resistance to the polymer composition and methods for making same. Such polymer compositions can be advantageously used to make orthopedic implants. The disclosure also provides methods for selecting antioxidants providing desirable properties to the polymer composition. In one embodiment, a measure of OIT can be used to select the antioxidant and antioxidant blend. In another embodiment, measurements of OIT and OI-rate can be used to select the one or more antioxidants. In an other embodiment, the product of OIT and crosslink density can be calculated to predict wear resistance and oxidation resistance of a polymer composition including one or more antioxidants.

Abstract: Monoblock orthopedic and/or dental implants are disclosed. The monoblock implants include a ceramic articulating surface and an osseointegrative bone-contacting surface. Methods of making such implants also disclosed.

Abstract: Injection molding units and methods of delivering a cooled molding material to portions of an injection molding unit are disclosed. An injection molding unit can comprise a barrel having a feed zone, a feeding portion configured for dispensing a molding material into the feed zone, and a cooling apparatus configured for cooling at least one of the feed zone or the feeding portion to a temperature that is selected to avoid or reduce bridging or obstruction of the molding material. The cooling apparatus can include a jacket configured to cover at least a portion of the feed zone or the feeding portion. The injection molding unit can further comprise an insulation shield. A method can comprise feeding the molding material into the feed zone and cooling the molding material prior to dispensing it into the feed zone or while it is in the feed zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel composition comprising at least one polymer with functional groups including alcohol groups, acid groups, and amide groups and where the ratio of the functional alcohol groups to functional acid groups in the hydrogel composition ranges from about 16:1 to about 3:2. The present invention also provides a method of repairing an articulating surface in a body using the inventive composition. The inventive hydrogel composition is created by blending two or more polymers to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups, reacting at least one polymer with a reagent that results in the formation of alcohol, acid, and/or amide functional groups of the desired ratio, and/or polymerizing at least one monomer to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to form modified hydrogel materials using reactive compounding. The method includes mixing a hydrogel material with a plasticizer in a compounding apparatus. During mixing, a reactive chemical compound is added to the mixture that reacts with the hydrogel material to form a modified hydrogel material.

Abstract: A prosthetic glenoid component for replicating the behavior of a patient's natural glenoid includes a rim that replicates the patient's natural glenoid labrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component.