Abstract: Provided are bone quality and/or strength measuring devices. In some embodiments, the devices include a body and a detector disposed therein designed to interact with a bone, determine the quality and/or strength thereof, and communicate an evaluation thereof to a user. The presently disclosed devices can also include a torque and/or force sensor that facilitates placement of the device and/or that is in communication with the detector to cause the detector to evaluate the bone; an output that feedback to a user based on the quality and/or strength of the bone determined by the detector, and/or a piston that interacts with the detector to cause the detector to interact with and thereby evaluate the bone. Also provided are methods for determining if a region of a bone is appropriate for placement of an orthopedic hardware piece and methods for reducing risk of a complication of spinal surgery associated with failure of an orthopedic hardware piece.

Abstract: A bone graft composition includes a biologically-resorbable cement and a plurality of processed bone particles, where each of the bone particles have a shape configured to interconnect with adjacent bone particles. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone graft compositions includes providing the bone graft composition and administering an effective amount of the bone graft composition to a site of a bone defect in a subject. Kits including a biologically-resorbable cement powder and a plurality of processed bone particles are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for obtaining medical diagnostic measurements from implanted sensors. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include two or more clamps to be rigidly clamped to the spinal fusion rod at a distance from one another, and a strain-sensing system that is removably mountable to the two or more clamps to span the distance. The strain-sensing system may include one or more strain-sensing elements. In various embodiments, the two or more clamps may be configured to transfer strain detected in the spinal fusion rod to the one or more strain-sensing elements of the strain-sensing system.

Abstract: A device for preventing a hip fracture includes: a shaft having a first end and a second end and an expanding means for engaging the femoral head at the first end. The shaft is positioned in a hole of a predetermined depth in a femur. The hole extends from the greater trochanter to the femoral head of the femur, such that the first end is positioned in the femoral head and the second end is positioned in the greater trochanter. The device is oriented substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the femoral shaft.

Abstract: A bone graft composition includes a biologically-resorbable cement and a plurality of processed bone particles, where each of the bone particles have a shape configured to interconnect with adjacent bone particles. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone graft compositions includes providing the bone graft composition and administering an effective amount of the bone graft composition to a site of a bone defect in a subject. Kits including a biologically-resorbable cement powder and a plurality of processed bone particles are also provided.

Abstract: A bone graft composition includes a biologically-resorbable cement and a plurality of processed bone particles, where each of the bone particles have a shape configured to interconnect with adjacent bone particles. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone graft compositions includes providing the bone graft composition and administering an effective amount of the bone graft composition to a site of a bone defect in a subject. Kits including a biologically-resorbable cement powder and a plurality of processed bone particles are also provided.

Abstract: A bone graft composition includes a biologically-resorbable cement and a plurality of processed bone particles, where each of the bone particles have a shape configured to interconnect with adjacent bone particles. A method for treating a bone defect using the bone graft compositions includes providing the bone graft composition and administering an effective amount of the bone graft composition to a site of a bone defect in a subject. Kits including a biologically-resorbable cement powder and a plurality of processed bone particles are also provided.

Abstract: A device for preventing a hip fracture includes: a shaft having a first end and a second end and an expanding means for engaging the femoral head at the first end. The shaft is positioned in a hole of a predetermined depth in a femur. The hole extends from the greater trochanter to the femoral head of the femur, such that the first end is positioned in the femoral head and the second end is positioned in the greater trochanter. The device is oriented substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the femoral shaft.

Abstract: A clamp for the rapid and accurate positioning of a threaded fixation pin has a central body defining a channel therethrough for receiving a fixation pin. The clamp also includes a locking member with a lower surface adapted to engage and mate with the threads of the fixation pin. Thus, the fixation pin can be rapidly inserted into the desired bone structure by rotating the fixation pin, and as the fixation pin is rotated, it also advances forward due to the engagement of the threads of the fixation pin with the locking member of the clamp. If the forward advance caused by the engagement of the threads of the fixation pin with the locking member can not keep pace with the cutting action, the resultant resistance to insertion in the form of a rearward directed force will cause the locking member to rise up and disengage the threads of the fixation pin.

Abstract: A fixation pin and methods for attaching an immobilizing device or frame to a bone or to the skull of a patient with a skeletal injury are provided. A preferred embodiment of the pin comprises an externally threaded cylindrical body having on its leading end a shoulder and a smaller diameter coaxial cylindrical post with a rotary cutting tip on its face. The post fits snugly into a hole drilled into the bone by the cutting tip without the need for a high axial force to insert and hold the post in place. Drilling the hole with a rotary cutting tip on the face of the post minimizes lateral damage to the bone. The minimal lateral bone damage and the low axial force provide for a low incidence of pin loosening and side effects such as infections secondary to loosening and headaches. The shoulder limits the depth of penetration of the cutting tip into the bone. A crescent shaped halo utilizing the fixation pin is also provided.