Abstract: Functionalized twin base linkers (TBLs) bind to and deactivate viruses by preventing their entry into cells. Functionalization of TBLs allows them to specifically bind to surface proteins of viruses, where they form structures that limit virus entry into cells and prevent viruses from replicating.

Abstract: A method of revising a graft in a bone tunnel including unpinning a graft ligament support block from within a bone tunnel in a host bone, withdrawing the graft ligament support block from the bone tunnel to create a vacated bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the vacated bone tunnel, and pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel. In one embodiment, the graft ligament support block includes a body having a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body. The graft hole and the transverse fixation pin hole extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. An installation tool can be provided for inserting the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A method of revising a graft in a bone tunnel including unpinning a graft ligament support block from within a bone tunnel in a host bone, withdrawing the graft ligament support block from the bone tunnel to create a vacated bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the vacated bone tunnel, and pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel. In one embodiment, the graft ligament support block includes a body having a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body. The graft hole and the transverse fixation pin hole extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. An installation tool can be provided for inserting the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A composite vertebroplasty cement for positioning in a void in a vertebral body so as to treat a compression fracture in that vertebral body, the composite vertebroplasty cement comprising: a ceramic component for integrating with the vertebral body so as to treat the compression fracture; and a sealing component for sealing the void in the vertebral body so as to maintain the composite vertebroplasty cement within the void in the vertebral body. A composite vertebroplasty cement for positioning in a void in a vertebral body so as to treat a compression fracture in that vertebral body, the composite vertebroplasty cement comprising: a conventional PMMA bone cement component for integrating with the vertebral body so as to treat the compression fracture; and a sealing component for sealing the void in the vertebral body so as to maintain the composite vertebroplasty cement within the void in the vertebral body.

Abstract: A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins.

Abstract: A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block for supporting a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The support block includes a body, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein, and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The system further includes a stepped transverse fixation pin having a first portion at a distal end, a second portion at a proximal end, and an annular shoulder configured between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion, the second portion and the annular shoulder form a given profile in a cross-section of a given plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fixation pin.

Abstract: An encapsulation device for repair of articular cartilage defects includes a body for disposition adjacent a bone in an area of the cartilage defect, and elongated leg structure extending from the body and for disposition in the bone in the area of the cartilage defect. The leg structure is provided with a length which is a plurality of magnitudes greater than a thickness of the body, and is of a generally conical configuration.

Abstract: A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block and an installation tool. The support block includes a body having a distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end being tapered so as to facilitate withdrawal of the support block through a bone tunnel, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The installation tool includes a holder having a shaft with distal and proximal ends and longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft including at least one finger for engagement in the opening and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament using a graft ligament support block which comprises a body, and a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body, with both the graft hole and the fixation pin hole preferably extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. A graft ligament is looped through the graft hole, and the support block is advanced into the bone tunnel, with the two free ends of the looped graft ligament extending back out the bone tunnel. Next, a transverse tunnel is formed in the host bone, with the transverse tunnel being aligned with the fixation pin hole. Then the support block is secured in place by pinning the support block within the tunnel, i.e., by advancing a fixation pin along the transverse tunnel in the host bone and into the fixation pin hole in the support block.

Abstract: A system for transplanting a bone plug from a donor site to a recipient site extracts the bone plug from the donor site, and then places a bone plug delivery device having a tip which is at least translucent and, preferably, clear over a tube containing the bone plug. The tip is then placed substantially over a pre-formed hole in the recipient site, whereafter the bone plug is forced from the tube, through the transparent tip, and into the pre-formed hole.

Abstract: A composite vertebroplasty cement for positioning in a void in a vertebral body so as to treat a compression fracture in that vertebral body, the composite vertebroplasty cement comprising: a ceramic component for integrating with the vertebral body so as to treat the compression fracture; and a sealing component for sealing the void in the vertebral body so as to maintain the composite vertebroplasty cement within the void in the vertebral body. A composite vertebroplasty cement for positioning in a void in a vertebral body so as to treat a compression fracture in that vertebral body, the composite vertebroplasty cement comprising: a conventional PMMA bone cement component for integrating with the vertebral body so as to treat the compression fracture; and a sealing component for sealing the void in the vertebral body so as to maintain the composite vertebroplasty cement within the void in the vertebral body.

Abstract: A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel is provided. The method includes looping a graft ligament through a graft hole in a graft ligament support block, advancing the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel, withdrawing the graft ligament support block back down the bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel, with a graft ligament being looped through a graft hole in the graft ligament support block, and forming a transverse tunnel in the host bone, with a transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block being aligned with the transverse tunnel in the host bone. The method further includes pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel by advancing a transverse fixation pin along the transverse tunnel in the host bone and into the transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block.

Abstract: A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block and an installation tool. The support block includes a body having a distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end being tapered so as to facilitate withdrawal of the support block through a bone tunnel, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The installation tool includes a holder having a shaft with distal and proximal ends and longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft including at least one finger for engagement in the opening and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A graft ligament is looped through a graft hole in a graft ligament support block, and the graft ligament support block is mounted to an installation tool. Then the installation tool is used to advance the graft ligament support block into a bone tunnel, with the two free ends of the looped graft ligament extending back out the bone tunnel. Next, a transverse tunnel is formed in the host bone, with the transverse tunnel being aligned with a transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block. Then the graft ligament support block is secured in place by pinning the graft ligament support block within the tunnel, i.e., by advancing a transverse fixation pin along the transverse tunnel and into the transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block. Then the installation tool is detached from the graft ligament support block and withdrawn from the surgical site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament using a graft ligament support block which comprises a body, and a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body, with both the graft hole and the fixation pin hole preferably extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. A graft ligament is looped through the graft hole, and the support block is advanced into the bone tunnel, with the two free ends of the looped graft ligament extending back out the bone tunnel. Next, a transverse tunnel is formed in the host bone, with the transverse tunnel being aligned with the fixation pin hole. Then the support block is secured in place by pinning the support block within the tunnel, i.e., by advancing a fixation pin along the transverse tunnel in the host bone and into the fixation pin hole in the support block.

Abstract: A rivet-like bone anchor has a floating washer at its head that can adapt to an angled bone surface and, thereby, better secure a tissue thereto. The anchor includes a rivet, an expandable sleeve, and a washer. The rivet includes a head and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, the head being mounted on the proximal end of the elongate body. The expandable sleeve has an inner bore adapted to receive the rivet body. The washer “floats” at a proximal end of the sleeve. As the rivet is inserted into sleeve, the sleeve expands into an interference fit with the bone. The head of the rivet, moreover, forces the floating washer into contact with the tissue at an angle that conforms to that of the underlying bone surface. A deployment tool permits the anchor to be deployed without application of unnecessary counterforce. The tool includes an outer tube, the distal end of which can hold the anchor housing, e.g., via a screw fit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament. A graft ligament support block comprises a body, a graft hole, and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body. An installation tool is provided for inserting the support block into a bone tunnel and forming a transverse tunnel aligned with the pin hole. In use, a graft ligament is looped through the graft hole, and the support block is mounted to the tool. The tool is used to advance the support block into the bone tunnel, with two free ends of the graft ligament extending out the bone tunnel. A transverse tunnel is formed aligned with the pin hole. The support block is secured in place by pinning the support block within the tunnel by advancing a fixation pin along the transverse tunnel and into the pin hole in the support block.

Abstract: A graft ligament is looped through a graft hole in a graft ligament support block, and the graft ligament support block is mounted to an installation tool. Then the installation tool is used to advance the graft ligament support block into a bone tunnel, with the two free ends of the looped graft ligament extending back out the bone tunnel. Next, a transverse tunnel is formed in the host bone, with the transverse tunnel being aligned with a transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block. Then the graft ligament support block is secured in place by pinning the graft ligament support block within the tunnel, i.e., by advancing a transverse fixation pin along the transverse tunnel and into the transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block. Then the installation tool is detached from the graft ligament support block and withdrawn from the surgical site.

Abstract: A system for transplanting a bone plug from a donor site to a recipient site extracts the bone plug from the donor site, and then places a bone plug delivery device having a tip which is at least translucent and, preferably, clear over a tube containing the bone plug. The tip is then placed substantially over a pre-formed hole in the recipient site, whereafter the bone plug is forced from the tube, through the transparent tip, and into the pre-formed hole.