Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing the migration or expulsion of a nucleus disc replacement implant are provided. In one embodiment, an anti-expulsion device includes a body that is movable between a compressed configuration where it is adapted to fit through an opening in an annulus of a spinal disc, and an expanded configuration where it has a size that is larger than a size of the opening in the annulus of a spinal disc. The body can also include one or more mating features that allow the body to interact with a nucleus disc replacement implant and/or an annular wall of an annulus. As a result, since the body is larger than the opening of the annulus in the expanded configuration, the interlocking connection between the body and the nucleus disc replacement implant and/or annular wall will allow the body to prevent the nucleus disc replacement implant from being expulsed from the opening in the annulus.

Abstract: An implantable pump and methods for detecting leaks in an implantable pump are provided. In one embodiment, the implantable drug pump includes a housing having at least one inlet port and an outlet port formed therein. The outlet port is adapted to communicate with a catheter for delivering fluid to a patient's body, and the inlet port(s) are effective to deliver fluid into the housing. The housing further includes at least one reservoir disposed therein and effective to contain a fluid. In use, the pump preferably includes a fluid having one or more drugs disposed in at least one of the reservoirs, and a radiopaque fluid disposed in one of the reservoirs. A user programmable control mechanism is coupled to the drug pump and is effective to selectively control movement of the valves between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing the migration or expulsion of a nucleus disc replacement implant are provided. In one embodiment, an anti-expulsion device includes a body that is movable between a compressed configuration where it is adapted to fit through an opening in an annulus of a spinal disc, and an expanded configuration where it has a size that is larger than a size of the opening in the annulus of a spinal disc. The body can also include one or more mating features that allow the body to interact with a nucleus disc replacement implant and/or an annular wall of an annulus. As a result, since the body is larger than the opening of the annulus in the expanded configuration, the interlocking connection between the body and the nucleus disc replacement implant and/or annular wall will allow the body to prevent the nucleus disc replacement implant from being expulsed from the opening in the annulus.

Abstract: An implantable pump and methods for detecting leaks in an implantable pump are provided. In one embodiment, the implantable drug pump includes a housing having at least one inlet port and an outlet port formed therein. The outlet port is adapted to communicate with a catheter for delivering fluid to a patient's body, and the inlet port(s) are effective to deliver fluid into the housing. The housing further includes at least one reservoir disposed therein and effective to contain a fluid. In use, the pump preferably includes a fluid having one or more drugs disposed in at least one of the reservoirs, and a radiolucent fluid disposed in one of the reservoirs. A user programmable control mechanism is coupled to the drug pump and is effective to selectively control movement of the valves between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an introducer element for facilitating the insertion of a medical instrument into a body. The introducer element includes first, second, third and fourth housing areas. The first area contains a first lumen and the second area contains a second lumen. A quantity of peel-away tubing is partially disposed within the second lumen. The first and second lumen are separated from each other in the first and second housing areas, but are merged into one lumen in either the third or fourth housing area by a guide/splitting tube.

Abstract: A cement restrictor is provided for creating a fixed obstruction within a bone. An exemplary cement restrictor includes a member or body that is expandable or transitionable from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: A cement restrictor is provided for creating a fixed obstruction within a bone. An exemplary cement restrictor includes a member or body that is expandable or transitionable from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: An acetabular cup extraction system includes a sealing member which is securable to an implanted acetabular cup. A elongate member is engagable with the sealing member to facilitate removal of the cup from the patient's acetabulum. In one embodiment, the sealing member includes a passage for coupling with a vacuum source to evacuate an interior portion of the cup and thereby enhance the engagement of the sealing member to the acetabular cup.

Abstract: A cement restrictor is provided for creating a fixed obstruction within a bone. An exemplary cement restrictor includes a member or body that is expandable or transitionable from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing investment cast articles, such as orthopedic implants or portions thereof, having at least a partially textured surface that is formed during casting of the article. In an exemplary method, a textured metal casting is produced by creating a heat destructible pattern and spraying the pattern with a texturing material to cause the texturing material to form a textured surface on at least a portion of the pattern. In another embodiment, a textured template is pressed against a heat softenable pattern to provide a textured pattern. With respect to each of these methods, a shell is the created around the textured pattern form a mold, and the pattern is removed from the shell. Molten metal is introduced into the mold and allowed to harden, after which the mold is removed. In yet another embodiment a textured pattern for investment casting is provided by creating a textured model and enveloping it with a resilient material to create a resilient mold.

Abstract: A bistable cement restrictor is provided for creating a fixed obstruction at any selected point within a long bone, particularly at points beyond the isthmus of the bone. An exemplary cement restrictor includes a body having a first end and a second end. One or more bistable fins extend radially from the body and are movable from a first stable state to a stable state either mechanically or thermally. In the first stable state, the cement restrictor is narrower than in the second stable state. While the cement restrictor is readily transitionable from the first stable state to the second stable state, the transition can be irreversible.

Abstract: A cement restrictor system is provided for making a cement plug within the medullary canal of a long bone. The system includes an inflatable body, a conduit having first and second ends that defines a fluid passage to and from the inflatable body, and a shield releasably securable to the conduit. In an exemplary method of making a cement plug with the system an obstruction, such as the shield, is placed in a medullary canal of a long bone beyond the isthmus of the long bone. The obstruction is held in place with the flatable body. A predetermined quantity of bone cement is poured into the medullary canal and localized by the obstruction. The bone cement is allowed to harden; and the conduit and inflatable body are removed from the bone.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing investment cast articles, such as orthopedic implants, or portions thereof, having at least a partially textured surface that is formed during casting of the article. In an exemplary method, a textured metal casting is produced by creating a heat destructible pattern and spraying the pattern with a texturing material to cause the texturing material to form a textured surface on at least a portion of the pattern. In another embodiment, a textured template is pressed against a heat softenable pattern to provide a textured pattern. With respect to each of these methods, a shell is the created around the textured pattern to form a mold, and the pattern is removed from the shell. Molten metal is introduced into the mold and allowed to harden, after which the mold is removed.

Abstract: A method of making a custom, bioimplantable article, such as a joint prosthesis component, is provided using computer aided design, rapid prototyping, and investment casting techniques. The method includes the creation of a data file, using computer aided design (CAD) techniques, that defines a negative or a shell of a portion of a bioimplantable article that is custom configured for a specific arthroplasty patient. The data file for the shell of the custom portion of the bioimplantable article is accessed by a rapid prototyping machine, such as a three-dimensional printer, to create a mold that corresponds to the shell. The mold, generally a heat-resistant ceramic, is positioned relative to an existing, non-custom representation of a bioimplantable article to define a hybrid component. A heat-resistant shell is formed around the hybrid component and the non-custom representation of a bioimplantable article is removed from the shell using heat.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing investment cast articles, such as orthopedic implants, or portions thereof, having at least a partially textured surface that is formed during casting of the article. In an exemplary method, a textured metal casting is produced by creating a heat destructible pattern and spraying the pattern with a texturing material to cause the texturing material to form a textured surface on at least a portion of the pattern. In another embodiment, a textured template is pressed against a heat softenable pattern to provide a textured pattern. With respect to each of these methods, a shell is created around the textured pattern to form a mold, and the pattern is removed from the shell. Molten metal is introduced into the mold and allowed to harden, after which the mold is removed.