Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: Internal braces and methods of implanting same. A brace can be implanted on one side of a joint, or a pair of braces can be implanted, one on each opposite side of a joint. Each brace supports the joint over at least a portion of its range of motion. Distraction may be provided, or load sharing can be accomplished without distraction. Relative axial rotation of the bones connected by the brace may be permitted. One or more compliant members may be provided in the brace.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a sheath for covering one or more components of an extra-articular implantable mechanical energy absorbing system. The sheath is generally an elongated structure having an inner space extending the length thereof. In use, the sheath can exclude the energy absorbing system from surrounding tissue and facilitate creating a capsule for its operation. Materials and dimensions are selected to achieve these purposes. The ends of the sheath include various attachment mechanisms for securing the sheath to one or more components of an extra-articular implantable mechanical energy absorbing system.

Abstract: The hydro-pneumatic spring damping device in particular for wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles includes at least one hydro-pneumatic element (1) having a gas chamber (1h) wherein the hydro-pneumatic element (1) includes a heat exchanger (1i) which is arranged such that it influences the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (1h) and wherein a heat exchanger (1i) can be connected to a cooling device (21) via a coolant circuit (21).

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments that related to a surgical retractor. In certain embodiments, the systems may include a laterally expandable sleeve, sleeve activators, and insertion tools. In other embodiments, there is disclosed various methods of retraction during surgery. In some embodiments, the methods include expanding a sleeve using a sleeve activator. In some embodiments described herein, a kit may be provided for a surgical procedure. The kit may include a flexible retractor and a retractor inserter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit for use during stabilization procedures. The kit may include a head stabilizer having an elongated shaft with an implant engaging portion coupled to the distal end portion. A holding apparatus may also be included in the kit. The holding apparatus may have a sleeve, a pusher shaft received within the sleeve, and an implant engaging mechanism coupled to the distal end portion of the sleeve. The kit may also include a retrieval tube having a handle portion, an implant engaging mechanism coupled to the distal end portion of the handle portion, and a locking mechanism coupled to the proximal end portion of the handle portion. Other instruments that may be included in the kit are guide wires, dilators, anchors, poly-axial heads, extensions, spinal rods, and set screws.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The restrictor includes an edge lining the opening oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The anchor body includes one or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.

Abstract: Novel vaccine compositions are provided comprising a hepatitis B antigen formulated with aluminium phosphate. The vaccine compositions may additionally contain an inactivated hepatitis A virus, aluminium hydroxide and formol. The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine formulations can, if desired, be administered to human subjects in a 2 dose regimen. Suitable formulations are illustrated.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a member, a guide wire received within the member by a friction fit, and a guide wire pusher for application of a force to the guide wire to overcome the friction fit and advance the guide wire relative to the member. The member includes a guide wire retainer that provides the friction fit and allows the guide wire to be held in such a way that it is pre-assembled and secure while the tool is being introduced to a surgical site. At the same time, once a hole is drilled into bone, the guide wire retainer allows the remainder of the tool to be removed leaving the guide wire in place at the site. The guide wire pusher allows the guide wire to be impacted into the bone before drilling and limits any possibility of drilling past the end of the guide wire.

Abstract: Novel vaccine compositions are provided comprising a hepatitis B antigen formulated with aluminium phosphate. The vaccine compositions may additionally contain an inactivated hepatitis A virus, aluminium hydroxide and formol. The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine formulations can, if desired, be administered to human subjects in a 2 dose regimen. Suitable formulations are illustrated.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The restrictor includes an edge lining the opening oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The anchor body includes one or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.

Abstract: A method of deploying a fixation mechanism includes providing an insertion instrument and a fixation mechanism, creating an insertion tunnel within tissue of a patient, and positioning the insertion instrument with the fixation mechanism in the insertion tunnel. The insertion instrument includes a main member connected to an instrument handle and a secondary member connected to a pushing handle and positioned within the main member. The main member and the secondary member extend along a longitudinal axis. The fixation mechanism includes a first portion coupled to the main member and a second portion coupled to the secondary member. The method includes translating the pushing handle along the longitudinal axis relative to the instrument handle such that translating causes the secondary member to move the second portion relative to the first portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a member, a guide wire received within the member by a friction fit, and a guide wire pusher for application of a force to the guide wire to overcome the friction fit and advance the guide wire relative to the member. The member includes a guide wire retainer that provides the friction fit and allows the guide wire to be held in such a way that it is pre-assembled and secure while the tool is being introduced to a surgical site. At the same time, once a hole is drilled into bone, the guide wire retainer allows the remainder of the tool to be removed leaving the guide wire in place at the site. The guide wire pusher allows the guide wire to be impacted into the bone before drilling and limits any possibility of drilling past the end of the guide wire.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The restrictor includes an edge lining the opening oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The anchor body includes one or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.

Abstract: A tool includes a housing adapted to receive an anchor with attached suture, and a suture retainer adapted to receive the attached suture. The suture retainer is configured to regulate deployment of the suture from the retainer such that deployment of the suture from the housing does not occur until a load applied to the suture corresponds to at least a selected minimum fixation strength of the anchor in bone. A method includes inserting a suture anchor at an attachment site, the suture anchor having an attached suture, and deploying the attached suture from a suture retainer when a load applied to the suture corresponds to at least a selected minimum fixation strength of the anchor in bone.