Abstract: This invention relates to biomineral-based cements incorporating biopolymer carriers for the site specific introduction of natural or synthetic compounds that influence bone repair and/or patient recovery. The invention further relates to methods for producing such biphasic calcium phosphate cements for drug delivery.

Abstract: An implantable screw for preserving the integrity of an oral socket and for maintaining space during bone grafting procedures is provided, where the screw has a healing abutment head having a region adapted to support soft tissue, a threaded shaft and a tip adapted to penetrate bone tissue. The temporary implantable screws provided may be used in conjunction with bone graft materials and are removable for placement of an oral implant.

Abstract: An implantable screw for preserving the integrity of an oral socket is provided, where the screw has a healing abutment head having a region adapted to support soft tissue, a threaded shaft and a tip adapted to penetrate bone tissue. The implantable screw provided may be used for regenerating the tissue of an oral socket and may be used in conjunction with bone graft materials. The implantable screws are removable for placement of an oral implant.

Abstract: Described is a medically useful article comprising a three-dimensional body including one or more implantable substances, wherein the body defines one or more reservoirs for receiving amounts of a biocompatible wetting liquid. In certain embodiments the body is disruptable upon wetting with the biocompatible liquid to form a conformable implantable material such as a putty, paste or more flowable wetted implant material. Also described are methods for manufacturing such medical materials, and methods for using such medical materials to treat patients.

Abstract: Described is a medically useful article comprising a three-dimensional body including one or more implantable substances, wherein the body defines one or more reservoirs for receiving amounts of a biocompatible wetting liquid. In certain embodiments the body is disruptable upon wetting with the biocompatible liquid to form a conformable implantable material such as a putty, paste or more flowable wetted implant material. Also described are methods for manufacturing such medical materials, and methods for using such medical materials to treat patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioactive settable hydrogel matrix having a pore creating material, which may also carry a therapeutic agent, and methods of using the same, for example, use in promoting internal wound healing, tissue repair, tissue regeneration.

Abstract: An implantable screw for maintaining space during bone grafting procedures is provided, where the screw has a highly-polished contoured head having a region adapted to support soft tissue, a threaded shaft and a tip adapted to penetrate bone tissue. Also provided, a device combining multiple implantable screws in series in order to increase the available space to grow new bone and a method for implanting the implantable screw. The implantable screws provided may be used in conjunction with bone graft materials and are removable once a desired amount of new bone is generated.

Abstract: A pump to deliver bone-growth factors to a carrier matrix within a patient. Pump can be internal or external. With external pumps, additional amounts of the same growth factor may be added, or the bioactive agent may be changed during the course of treatment. An external pump permits the use of cells to promote bone growth. The pump can have several reservoirs and the pump can itself be received in the carrier matrix with an outlet tube or other structure to defuse the growth factors into the carrier matrix. The pump protocol can be used for slow-to-heal fractures, such as closed fractures, and can be used for slow-to-heal patients.

Abstract: A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.

Abstract: Compositions for nucleus pulposus regeneration is provided. Such composition may comprise a scaffolding material and a pore creating agent dispersed within the scaffolding material. The pore creating agent is removed from the scaffolding material in vivo, after the composition is administered to a patient. The pore creating agent may include an active agent, such as a growth factor, which may be released as the pore creating agent is being gradually removed from the scaffolding material. In addition, removal of the pore creating agent results in a porous scaffold for cells capable of regeneration of nucleus pulposus, either existing in situ or delivered separately, to attach to for further proliferation and regeneration.

Abstract: A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.

Abstract: A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.

Abstract: An improved osteogenic composition is provided. The composition comprises a foam that contains polymer beads having one or more growth factors such as bone morphogenic protein. Through use of this composition, bone, collagen and/or other tissue growth may be facilitated.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a vertebral body member having at least one of an upper or lower disc replacement member engaged thereto at one end thereof. The disc replacement device can be positioned in a spinal disc space when disengaged from the vertebral body member.

Abstract: Described are implantable, malleable medical materials comprising mineral particles, insoluble collagen fibers, and a gel-forming polysaccharide component and/or another added gel-former. The malleable medical materials can be used treat bone or other tissue defects in patients, including in conjunction with biologically active factors such as osteogenic proteins. Also described are methods and materials that can be used to prepare the malleable medical materials.

Abstract: Methods and instruments are provided for performing spinal disc space preparation and implant insertion in minimally invasive procedures. The instruments include cutting instruments and implant insertion instruments adapted for insertion through a minimally invasive access portal to a spinal disc space. The proximal portions of the instruments are adapted to facilitate viewing through a proximal end opening of the access portal with the instruments positioned through the access portal while also enhancing the surgeon's control of the distal working end of the instruments while in the disc space.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating access to the intervertebral disc to deliver materials for disc repair are disclosed. The methods may be used to replace or augment nucleus pulposus as well as to perform interbody fusion procedures. These methods include providing access to the intervertebral disc space by drilling a channel through a vertebral bone, optionally accessing the intervertebral disc space to at least partially remove the disc tissue through the channel in the vertebrae; delivering a disc repairing material to the intervertebral disc space and back-filling the channel in the vertebrae with a channel sealing material. The methods may further comprise distracting the intervertebral height and inserting a restrictor into the channel in the vertebrae. Kits for practicing these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates, according to one embodiment, to a graft syringe assembly for delivering bone graft material is disclosed. The graft syringe assembly comprises a syringe subassembly including a syringe barrel having an inner chamber adapted for receiving bone graft material, a plunger adapted for expelling bone graft material from the inner chamber, the plunger slidably received within the inner chamber, and a syringe adapter coupled to the syringe barrel. The graft syringe assembly further comprises a connection subassembly coupled to the syringe adapter, and a delivery tube subassembly coupled to the connection subassembly, wherein the connection subassembly is configured to allow the delivery tube subassembly to rotate relative to the syringe subassembly.

Abstract: Devices for hydrating materials, such as, for example, medical implant materials include a container body defining therein a hydration chamber. A barrier separates the chamber into a material holding area and a hydrating fluid bay and defines at least one aperture and is configured to allow passage of hydrating fluid from the hydrating fluid bay to the material holding area. In some embodiments, devices provided by the present application are operable for use in hydrating and delivering a material.