Abstract: Reinforced biocomposite materials having a unique treated surface, in which the surface may comprise a plurality of layers. According to at least some embodiments, medical implants are provided that incorporate novel structures, alignments, orientations and forms comprised of such reinforced bioabsorbable materials, as well as methods of treatment thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a surgical tool configured to be advanced distally within a body of a subject. The surgical tool is shaped to define a side-facing suction port at a distal portion of the surgical tool to facilitate drawing tissue through the suction port and into the surgical tool, and includes a slidable transparent shutter configured to be disposed over the suction port, and to be slidably removed from the suction port. A needle is configured to be slidably disposed within the surgical tool and configured to puncture the tissue while the tissue is in the surgical tool. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a surgical tool configured to be advanced distally within a body of a subject. The surgical tool is shaped to define a side-facing suction port at a distal portion of the surgical tool to facilitate drawing tissue through the suction port and into the surgical tool, and includes a slidable transparent shutter configured to be disposed over the suction port, and to be slidably removed from the suction port. A needle is configured to be slidably disposed within the surgical tool and configured to puncture the tissue while the tissue is in the surgical tool.

Abstract: A composition delivery source (200) is provided that includes (a) a chamber (202), which is shaped so as to define (A) one or more liquid ports (310) in fluid communication with an interior of the chamber (202), and (B) one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312) in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber (202); (b) a solid-liquid composition delivery tube (314) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312); (c) a mixing tube (316) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports (310) and at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312); and (d) a liquid-supply tube (318) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports (310). A pump unit (201) includes one or more pumps (223), which are arranged to cause flow in the mixing tube (316) during a mixing activation state (342), and to cause flow in the liquid-supply tube (318) during a particle-delivery activation state (344).

Abstract: A composition delivery source (300) includes a chamber (302), a solid-liquid composition delivery tube (314), a mixing tube (316), and a liquid-supply tube (318). A filter (304) divides the chamber (302) into a liquid compartment (306) and a solid-liquid composition compartment (308). The solid-liquid composition delivery tube (314) is in fluid communication with the solid-liquid composition compartment (308). The mixing tube (316) is in fluid communication with the liquid compartment (306) and the solid-liquid composition compartment (308). The liquid-supply tube (318) is in fluid communication with the liquid compartment (306) and a liquid solution container (366). A pump unit (301) is provided that includes a mixing pump (322), which is arranged to cause flow in the mixing tube (316); and a liquid-supply pump (324), which is arranged to cause flow in the liquid-supply tube (318). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes injecting, during a dental procedure, from a first side of a bone, through (a) exactly one bore that passes through the bone from the first side to a second side of the bone, and (b) into a cavity adjacent to the second side of the bone, a solid-liquid composition of solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. During the dental procedure, the physiological liquid solution is drained from the cavity and through the bore while inhibiting passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition, such that the solid particles accumulate in the cavity. Injecting the solid-liquid composition includes pumping the solid-liquid composition at a pulsating positive hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: An osteotome is shaped so as to define (a) a lumen through the osteotome, a distal end of the lumen opening through a distal opening disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the osteotome, and a proximal end of the lumen opening through a proximal opening disposed at least 5 mm proximal to the distal opening, (b) a lateral external surface, at least a portion of which is shaped so as to define a screw thread that (i) has a distal thread end that is disposed within 10 mm of the distal end of the osteotome, and (ii) comprises one or more raised helical ribs going around the osteotome, and (c) one or more longitudinal drainage slots, which extend along at least respective longitudinal portions of the osteotome having respective longitudinal lengths of at least 5 mm, measured parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the osteotome.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The surgical tool includes (a) a shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen, and a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen; (b) a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and (c) a pump, which is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes injecting, from a first side of a bone, through (a) exactly one bore that passes through the bone from the first side to a second side of the bone, and (b) into a cavity adjacent to the second side of the bone, a solid-liquid composition of solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The physiological liquid solution is drained from the cavity and through the bore while passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition is inhibited, such that the solid particles accumulate in the cavity.

Abstract: Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for treating a paranasal sinus of a subject. The method includes forming an artificial hole in a wall of the paranasal sinus, and, via the artificial hole, opening a natural ostium of the paranasal sinus. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An osteotome is shaped so as to define (a) a lumen through the osteotome, a distal end of the lumen opening through a distal opening disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the osteotome, and a proximal end of the lumen opening through a proximal opening disposed at least 5 mm proximal to the distal opening, (b) a lateral external surface, at least a portion of which is shaped so as to define a screw thread that (i) has a distal thread end that is disposed within 10 mm of the distal end of the osteotome, and (ii) comprises one or more raised helical ribs going around the osteotome, and (c) one or more longitudinal drainage slots, which extend along at least respective longitudinal portions of the osteotome having respective longitudinal lengths of at least 5 mm, measured parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the osteotome.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The surgical tool includes (a) a shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen, and a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen; (b) a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and (c) a pump, which is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes injecting, from a first side of a bone, through (a) exactly one bore that passes through the bone from the first side to a second side of the bone, and (b) into a cavity adjacent to the second side of the bone, a solid-liquid composition of solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The physiological liquid solution is drained from the cavity and through the bore while passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition is inhibited, such that the solid particles accumulate in the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are herein provided, the method including: receiving a three dimensional virtual model of a maxillary alveolar bone of a patient, and a digital dental implant plan that defines a planned dental implant site of the maxillary bone; receiving a set of values consisting of predefined distances; creating a virtual model of a surgical guide stent for placement against an occlusal surface, wherein the virtual model of the surgical guide stent defines: a hole through the surgical guide stent at a site corresponding to the planned dental implant site defined in the digital dental implant plan, and an inferior surface surrounding the hole; and outputting the virtual model of the surgical guide stent in association with the one of the predefined distances.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for treating a paranasal sinus of a subject. The method includes forming an artificial hole in a wall of the paranasal sinus, and, via the artificial hole, opening a natural ostium of the paranasal sinus. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a dental implant having a lateral external surface. The implant is shaped so as to define a lumen therethrough having a lateral opening through the lateral external surface. The apparatus further includes a retaining element, and a delivery tube having a distal tube end. The retaining element is configured to assume (a) a first position in which the retaining element removably couples the distal tube end to the implant such that the delivery tube is in fluid communication with the lumen via the lateral opening, and (b) a second position in which the retaining element does not couple the distal tube end to the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a dental implant having a proximal implant end and a lateral external surface. The implant is shaped so as to define a lumen therethrough having a lateral opening through the lateral external surface. The apparatus further includes an applicator, which is removably coupled to the proximal implant end. The applicator includes a delivery tube having a distal tube end that is removably coupled to the implant such that the delivery tube is in fluid communication with the lumen via the lateral opening. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes advancing a drill having a distal end through an occlusal cortex into trabecular bone of an alveolar ridge, and ceasing the advancing of the drill when the distal end of the drill reaches an occlusal surface of a superior cortex of the alveolar ridge. Other embodiments are also described.