Abstract: A bone cleaning assembly (102, 602) with cleaning elements (690, 724, 1230, 1264) that remove soft tissue from bone stock. The module also includes a clearing element (778) that is periodically urged against the cleaning elements to remove bone stock trapped by the cleaning elements from the cleaning elements.

Abstract: A method of producing a catalyst material with nano-scale structure, the method comprising: introducing a starting powder into a nano-powder production reactor, the starting powder comprising a catalyst material; the nano-powder production reactor nano-sizing the starting powder, thereby producing a nano-powder from the starting powder, the nano-powder comprising a plurality of nano-particles, each nano-particle comprising the catalyst material; and forming a catalyst precursor material from the nano-powder, wherein the catalyst precursor material is a densified bulk porous structure comprising the catalyst material, the catalyst material having a nano-scale structure.

Abstract: Allogenic or xenogenic materials are used to provide intervertebral disc nucleus implants and/or annular plugs. The allogenic or xenogenic materials comprise natural disc annulus material, which may have a portion of the anterior longitudinal ligament attached. The tissue may be used “as is” without an additional core or covering, or it may be used in combination with other materials. The material may be rolled, folded, layered and/or sutured, stapled, or glued to provide a solid plug of natural biological material. The implant may be provided as a dehydrated, substantially rod-shaped segment having a diameter less than the diameter of the hydrated material, and may have one or more ends of the dehydrated rod terminate with a further reduced diameter portion, preferably a point.

Abstract: A system operating in an environment having an ambient pressure, the system comprising: a reactor configured to combine a plasma stream, powder particles and conditioning fluid to alter the powder particles and form a mixture stream; a supply chamber coupled to the reactor; a suction generator configured to generate a suction force at the outlet of the reactor; a fluid supply module configured to supply the conditioning fluid at an original pressure; and a pressure regulation module configured to: receive the conditioning fluid from the fluid supply module, reduce the pressure of the conditioning fluid from the original pressure to a selected pressure relative to the ambient pressure regardless of any changes in the suction force at the outlet of the reactor, and supply the conditioning fluid at the selected pressure to the supply chamber.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a process for obtaining a bone substitute of given chemical and physical characteristics and entirely similar to those of the mineral portion of natural bone tissue. The process substitutes Ca ions with Mg ions in a porous matrix; the process comprises a phase of contacting the matrix with a saline aqueous solution containing an effective quantity of Mg ions at a pressure greater than or equal to 1 bar.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method that will allow surgeons to produce bone growth masses for use in spinal surgery that are capable of maintaining their physical integrity during placement and during the acute post operative period.

Abstract: A method for delivering a spinal implant into a vertebral space, including providing a spinal implant, providing a die member defining an opening sized to receive the implant while in an initial configuration, inserting the implant into the opening in the die member, displacing the implant relative to the die member, transitioning the implant from the initial configuration to a deformed configuration having a reduced lateral profile relative to the initial configuration, and discharging the implant from the die member and inserting the implant into the vertebral space while in the deformed configuration.

Abstract: A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: A method and system may be used to design and control the manufacture of a surgical guide for implanting a prosthetic component. The system includes a bone surface image generator, a surgical guide image generator, and a surgical guide image converter. The bone surface image generator receives three dimensional bone anatomical data for a patient's bone and generates a bone surface image. The surgical guide image generator generates a surgical guide image from the bone surface image and an image of a prosthesis imposed on the bone surface image. The supporting structure of the generated surgical guide image conforms to the surface features of the three dimensional bone surface image. The surgical guide image is converted by surgical guide image converter into control data for operating a machine to form a surgical guide that corresponds to the surgical guide image.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A method of processing bone material using supercritical fluids is disclosed. The method comprises placing the bone material in a processing chamber, adding supercritical fluid to the processing chamber, pulsing the supercritical fluid in the processing chamber, and rinsing the bone material. A processing system for processing bone material using supercritical fluids in accordance with the present invention comprises a processing chamber for housing the bone material, a vat for storing a processing fluid, a pump, a heating element, a flow path, a tank, and a solvent port.

Abstract: A bioreactor and a method for growing engineered tissue provide facing surfaces in a vessel for containing cell-culture media. The facing surfaces are equidistant and define a gap therebetween while providing substrates for cell tissue growth. By maintaining conditions within the vessel conducive to cell tissue growth and moving the surfaces relative to one another within such cell culture media, tissue growing thereupon is subjected to physiological flow and shear stress, preferably through the use of oscillating motion, and engineered tissue is produced.

Abstract: A bone graft forming guide for providing a bone graft and a method of forming a bone graft. The guide includes a main body including a holder for holding a graft material and guide containing a pattern generally corresponding to the desired shaped of the bone graft. The forming guide may include a hole guide containing a plurality of hole guides arranged in a pattern generally corresponding to the desired shape of the bone graft. The forming guide may further include a cutting guide containing a pattern corresponding to the desired shape of the bone graft.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating a monolithic bone intended for implantation is provided. The method serves to conserve at least one of the biomechanical properties of the bone during the dehydration of the bone and its subsequent packaging. Also provided is a monolithic bone for implantation and a method of using the bone for the repair of damaged bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical prosthetic device having a metal material, such as titanium or an alloy thereof, where the surface parts of the metal material are coated with a layer of a corresponding hydroxide material, such as titanium hydroxide. Preferably, the hydroxide layer includes one or more biomolecule substances associated therewith. The invention also relates to an electrolytic process for the preparation of a medical prosthetic device.

Abstract: Allogenic or xenogenic materials are used to provide intervertebral disc nucleus implants and/or annular plugs. The allogenic or xenogenic materials comprise natural disc annulus material, which may have a portion of the anterior longitudinal ligament attached. The tissue may be used “as is” without an additional core or covering, or it may be used in combination with other materials. The material may be rolled, folded, layered and/or sutured, stapled, or glued to provide a solid plug of natural biological material. The implant may be provided as a dehydrated, substantially rod-shaped segment having a diameter less than the diameter of the hydrated material, and may have one or more ends of the dehydrated rod terminate with a further reduced diameter portion, preferably a point.

Abstract: A section of the implant is treated successively and separately with three different acids—hydrofluoric, sulphuric and hydrochloric acid— to create evenly distributed peaks on the surface and sufficient surface area. Plasma rich in growth factors is then applied to said surface.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more initiator groups (e.g., polymer-pendent initiator groups). The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inorganic bone adhesive and its use in human hard tissue repairs. The inorganic bone adhesive comprises basic compound, phosphate, calcium phosphate bone cement and retarder with the characteristics of rapid hydration rate and high early strength. Inorganic Bone adhesive can be widely used in the artificial joints fixation, screw fixation as well as comminuted fracture fixation. It is a kind of safe and effective adhesive material and beneficial for the fast postoperative recovery. The final hydration reaction products contains the composition of magnesium phosphate, bio-mineral containing ammonium and apatite-like materials, which has excellent biocompatibility and can be gradually absorbed by surrounding tissues after being implanted in vivo, which benefits the in-growth of the new bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant is formed from a sheet of moldable material such as a polymer or a bioresorbable material using an instrument. The material is heated above its glass transition temperature so that it can be formed into the desired shape of the implant. Then the material is cooled below its glass transition temperature to harden the material such that it retains the implant shape. During surgery, a surgeon can form implants to fit unique orthopedic applications by using instruments having various internal and external mold forms between which the sheet of moldable material can be rolled, wound, pressed or drawn.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a carrier cartridge, a deployment cannula releasably connected to the carrier cartridge, a folding die, and one or more force application members. A force applied on a prosthetic nucleus by the force application members in the direction of the carrier cartridge toward the deployment cannula causes the prosthetic nucleus to move through the folding die and become loaded into the deployment cannula. The distal end of the cannula is placed into the chamber of the intervertebral disc and the prosthetic nucleus is ejected from the deployment cannula so as to implant the prosthetic nucleus in the chamber of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: Disclosed are a silicon- and magnesium-containing porous hydroxyapatite, and a preparation method thereof which comprises the steps of performing a hydrothermal treatment of a natural coral and performing a solvothermal treatment.

Abstract: The devices disclosed herein are composite implantable devices having a gradient of one or more of the following: materials, macroarchitecture, microarchitecture, or mechanical properties, which can be used to select or promote attachment of specific cell types on and in the devices prior to and/or after implantation. In preferred embodiments, the implants include complex three-dimensional structure, including curved regions and saddle-shaped areas. In various embodiments, the gradient forms a transition zone in the device from a region composed of materials or having properties best suited for one type of tissue to a region composed of materials or having properties suited for a different type of tissue.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced, polymeric implant material useful for tissue engineering, and method of making same are provided. The fibers are preferably aligned predominantly parallel to each other, but may also be aligned in a single plane. The implant material comprises a polymeric matrix, preferably a biodegradable matrix, having fibers substantially uniformly distributed therein. In preferred embodiments, porous tissue scaffolds are provided which facilitate regeneration of load-bearing tissues such as articular cartilage and bone. Non-porous fiber-reinforced implant materials are also provided herein useful as permanent implants for load-bearing sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the problems with known cements by providing a composition comprising (a) microscopic anhydrous pellets or particles containing the most important components of biological fluids or synthetic biological fluids (SBFs), (b) bioactive glass or other bioactive ceramic particles and (c) an appropriate resin such as, but not limited to, bisphenol-alpha-glycidyl methacrylate (BIS-GMA), to form a bone-forming cement which enhances (accelerates) bone production and bone bonding.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more initiator groups (e.g., polymer-pendent initiator groups). The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing macro-porous synthetic ceramics designed in particular for bone substitution. The invention also concerns macro-porous synthetic ceramics comprising pores of controlled dimensions, distributed in number and in surface in a predetermined manner, the interconnection between the pores thereof being controlled.

Abstract: A method for treating a bone defect is provided by identifying a bone site suitable for receiving an implant; and introducing a strongly resorbable, poorly crystalline apatitic calcium phosphate at the implant site, whereby bone is formed at the implant site. A bone defect may be treated by identifying a bone site suitable for receiving an implant; and introducing a hydrated precursor to a strongly resorbable, poorly crystalline apatitic calcium phosphate at the implant site, whereby the hydrated precursor is converted in vivo to a poorly crystalline apatitic calcium phosphate and whereby bone is formed at the implant site. The implant site may be a variety of sites, such as a tooth socket, non-union bone, bone prosthesis, an osteoporatic bone, an intervertebral space, an alveolar ridge or a bone fracture.

Abstract: Conditioning of the surface of silica-based glass or ceramic by differential immersion in a serum protein-containing solution, and the resultant microporous Ca—P surface layer having serum-protein like organic molecules, as defined herein intermingled throughout, is described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating bone tissue of animal or human origin, and a corresponding implantable biomaterial. According to the present invention, a fluid in the supercritical state is caused to penetrate throughout the bone tissue. The bone tissue thus treated can then undergo stages of extracting specific proteins. This tissue is intended to be placed on a damaged bone tissue and has mechanical properties at least equivalent to those of natural bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous implant materials which are loaded with an excipient/active compound combination, the excipient components used being oligomeric esters of polyhydric alcohols and .alpha.-hydroxy acids.