Abstract: A method of producing a bone-polymer composite. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of bone particles, combining the bone particles with a polymer precursor, and polymerizing the polymer precursor.

Abstract: An osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix, corresponding osteoimplants, and methods for making the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix are disclosed. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may be prepared by providing demineralized bone and altering the collagenous structure of the bone. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may also be prepared by providing demineralized bone and compacting the bone, for example via mechanical compaction, grinding into a particulate, or treatment with a chemical. Additives such as growth factors or bioactive agents may be added to the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may form an osteogenic osteoimplant. The osteoimplant, when implanted in a mammalian body, may induce at the locus of the implant the full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation including vascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation.

Abstract: A load-bearing osteoimplant which comprises a shaped, coherent aggregate of bone particles.

Abstract: A load-bearing osteoimplant which comprises a shaped, coherent aggregate of bone particles.

Abstract: Bone substitute materials have been developed that become flowable upon heating. In order to use these new materials in the special environment of an operating room, methods and devices have been developed to conveniently and sterilely heat samples of the material as the material is being implanted into a patient. Inventive heating devices include cannulas with a heated tip and devices similar to a hot melt glue gun. Therefore, the material is heated for only a short time preventing the degradation of biological components of the material.

Abstract: A cortical bone implant is formed of two or more planks of bone which are connected with one or more offset pins. The pins may be right circular cylinders inserted into a corresponding offset bore which offset bends the inserted pin. The bending creates compression and tensile loads in the pin which loads creates friction compression forces on the planks connecting them to the pins by friction. The pins may have different shapes to form offset configurations in place of the offset bores for friction attachment to the planks. The implants may be formed of flat or L-shaped planks or bones formed into other shapes including interlocking arrangements. Processes and fixtures are disclosed for forming the pins, planks and implants. Various embodiments of the pins, planks, implants and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Bone anchors and related methods for their use are described. The inventive anchor is suitable for placement in bone and for use in orthopedic surgery and dentistry. The bone anchor can be made from a bone/polymer or bone substitute/polymer composite, and can provide a firm and secure base for attaching a fastening device. The bone anchor can be used in various orthopedic and dental procedures including spinal surgery, where normal, cancellous, cortical, diseased or osteoporotic bone is present. The bone anchor can be resorbed and/or replaced with native bone tissue over a period of time. In certain embodiments, the bone anchor is made malleable or flowable and formed in situ or in vivo.

Abstract: An osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix, corresponding osteoimplants, and methods for making the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix are disclosed. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may be prepared by providing demineralized bone and altering the collagenous structure of the bone. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may also be prepared by providing demineralized bone and compacting the bone, for example via mechanical compaction, grinding into a particulate, or treatment with a chemical. Additives such as growth factors or bioactive agents may be added to the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may form an osteogenic osteoimplant. The osteoimplant, when implanted in a mammalian body, may induce at the locus of the implant the full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation including vascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for evaluating the strength of cancellous bone includes the steps of performing at least two of the following tests on each cancellous bone of a population of cancellous bones: a manual compression test, an apparent density test, and an appearance test; determining a compressive strength for each cancellous bone based on the two tests performed; comparing the determined compressive strength of each cancellous bone against a predetermined compressive strength requirement; and, eliminating a subset of cancellous bone from the population of cancellous bone, which subset of cancellous bone fails to meet the predetermined compressive strength requirement.

Abstract: A cortical bone implant is formed of two or more planks of bone which are connected with one or more offset pins. The pins may be right circular cylinders inserted into a corresponding offset bore which offset bends the inserted pin. The bending creates compression and tensile loads in the pin which loads creates friction compression forces on the planks connecting them to the pins by friction. The pins may have different shapes to form the offsets and different configurations for friction attachment to the planks. The implants may be formed of flat or L-shaped planks or bones formed into other shapes including interlocking arrangements. Processes and fixtures are disclosed for forming the pins, planks and implants. Various embodiments of the pins, planks, implants and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a bone-polymer composite. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of bone particles, combining the bone particles with a polymer precursor, and polymerizing the polymer precursor.

Abstract: A spinal implant tool comprises a steel shaft bifurcated into shaft portions at one end at which a pair of extensions extend from the bifurcated shaft portions. The extensions are flat members which extend from an implant impact element at the end of each of the shaft portions. A spinal bone implant is inserted between the extensions. A shaft portion displacement member has a stud threaded to one of the shaft portions and a knob head for capturing the other shaft portion to the member threaded stud. When the knob is rotated the shaft members are moved apart or closer together. A stop member limits the spread apart distance of the shaft portions.

Abstract: A load-bearing osteoimplant, methods of making the osteoimplant and method for repairing hard tissue such as bone and teeth employing the osteoimplant are provided. The osteoimplant comprises a shaped, coherent mass of bone particles which may exhibit osteogenic properties. In addition, the osteoimplant may possess one or more optional components which modify its mechanical and/or bioactive properties, e.g., binders, fillers, reinforcing components, etc.

Abstract: A cortical bone implant is formed of two or more planks of bone which are connected with one or more offset pins. The pins may be right circular cylinders inserted into a corresponding offset bore which offset bends the inserted pin. The bending creates compression and tensile loads in the pin which loads creates friction compression forces on the planks connecting them to the pins by friction. The pins may have different shapes to form the offsets and different configurations for friction attachment to the planks. The implants may be formed of flat or L-shaped planks or bones formed into other shapes including interlocking arrangements. Processes and fixtures are disclosed for forming the pins, planks and implants. Various embodiments of the pins, planks, implants and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A load-bearing osteoimplant, methods of making the osteoimplant and method for repairing hard tissue such as bone and teeth employing the osteoimplant are provided. The osteoimplant comprises a shaped, coherent mass of bone particles which may exhibit osteogenic properties. In addition, the osteoimplant may possess one or more optional components which modify its mechanical and/or bioactive properties, e.g., binders, fillers, reinforcing components, etc.

Abstract: An implant is provided as a solid aggregate of bone-derived elements, e.g., particles, powders, granules, fibers, strips and/or large pieces of xenogenic, allogenic, transgenic, tissue engineered or autologous cortical and/or cancellous bone, employing as binding agent for the bone-derived elements a precipitate or crystalline bridge of metal oxide, metal hydroxide, metal salt of an inorganic acid, metal salt of an organic acid, metal-containing silica based glass, or mixture thereof, the binding agent possessing at least slight solubility in polar solvent, adjacent bone-derived elements being bonded to each other through engagement with particles or bridge-like structures of bonding agent.

Abstract: A spinal implant tool comprises a steel shaft bifurcated into shaft portions at one end at which a pair of extensions extend from the bifurcated shaft portions. The extensions are flat members which extend from an implant impact element at the end of each of the shaft portions. A spinal bone implant is inserted between the extensions. A shaft portion displacement member has a stud threaded to one of the shaft portions and a knob head for capturing the other shaft portion to the member threaded stud. When the knob is rotated the shaft members are moved apart or closer together. A stop member limits the spread apart distance of the shaft portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the catalytic hydrogenation of edible oils of animal and vegetable origin. Catalytic hydrogenation according to the invention improves the keeping qualities of such edible oils without impairing their nutritional value or edibility. This is achieved by selectively hydrogenating the triply unsaturated forms of the fatty acids contained in the oil to doubly unsaturated forms using a supported catalyst. The catalyst used contains one or more of the metals Fe, Co, Ni and the platinum group metals and the support may be of extended surface or particulate form, for example, C, stainless steel, ceramics and Fe--Cr--Al--Y alloys.