Abstract: A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.

Abstract: A surgical fastener provided with a curved cutter, an anterior wedge-like tip and a surgeon facing end. Among other things, the surgical fastener's cutter can cut bone or other tissue.

Abstract: Implants for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while being pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, the implant is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device that includes a generator, an oscillating element, and a resonator. The generator causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator. The resonator is used to press the implant against the tissue part to transmit oscillations to the implant.

Abstract: Implants for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while being pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, the implant is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device that includes a generator, an oscillating element, and a resonator. The generator causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator. The resonator is used to press the implant against the tissue part to transmit oscillations to the implant.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion implant made of a material other than bone adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has a leading end that is curved to form a portion of a circle from side to side, sides that are at least in part straight, and a trailing end with a bone screw receiving hole for receiving at least one bone screw to engage the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An acellular matrix glue and a method of making is disclosed. Specifically, an acellular matrix glue that is useful in preparing a reinforced acellular matrix for medical applications including tissue engineering and hernia repair.

Abstract: The present application is directed to interbody spinal fusion implants having a structural configuration that provides for the maintaining and creating of the normal anatomic angular relationship of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine to maintain and create spinal lordosis. The spinal fusion implants are sized to fit within the disc space created by the removal of disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and conform wholly or in part to the disc space created. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention have upper and lower surfaces that form a support structure for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. The upper and lower surfaces are disposed in a converging angular relationship to each other such that the implants have an overall “wedged-shape” in an elevational side view.

Abstract: Absorbable, multiphasic, crystalline, solid blend compositions having at least two first order thermal transitions, are formed of a segmented l-lactide copolymer as the principal or major component and at least one additional crystalline thermoplastic absorbable polyester having glycolide-based sequences, a fraction of which participated in ester-ester interchange reactions with lactide-based sequences to produce crystalline materials with modulated properties for use in producing orthopedic and tissue-repair devices.

Abstract: A bone plate that may be used to maintain relative position of two pieces of fractured bone, for example, a fractured jaw bone. The bone plate has a slot and holes. The holes are surrounded by walls and the slot is also surrounded by walls. The thickness of walls surrounding the slot at their maximum is greater than the thickness of walls surrounding the holes. Often the nature of the fracture may require bending of the plate for implanting it as desired by the surgeon. Because walls of the slot are designed to be strong, the slot is not deformed when the plate is bent.

Abstract: A constraining apparatus includes a constraining structure that captures a first and a second anatomical structure. A motion limiting member coupled with the constraining structure is adapted to provide a force resistant to relative movement of the first anatomical structure away from the second anatomical structure. A regulating member is detachably coupled with the motion limiting member or the constraining structure and is adapted to change the resistant force provided by the motion limiting member when the regulating member is in direct engagement with the motion limiting member or constraining structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinforced absorbable hemostat comprising at least one hemostatic agent in a single layer of nonwoven synthetic fabric having a mixture of compressed fiber staples of a polyglycolide/polylactide copolymer and a polydioxanone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic fabric comprising a multi-layered nonwoven fabric made from staples of a polyglycolide/polylactide copolymer, each layer having a different density. The multi-layer fabric can be used as a reinforced absorbable hemostat medical device.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a sterile formable implant composition for application to a bone defect site comprising bioactive glass particles in an aqueous carrier solution, the bioactive glass particles being added to a viscous carrier at a concentration ranging from about 68% to about 76% (w/w), the carrier comprising a mixture of glycerol and polyethylene glycol ranging from 24% to 32% (w/w) with the ratio of glycerol to polyethylene glycol ranging from about 45:55 to about 65:35.

Abstract: Disclosed are a medical instrument and a medical material each comprising an aliphatic polyester resin composition, which are hardly reduced in strength and impact resistance upon the sterilization by ionizing radiation or have excellent shape-retaining properties after a heat treatment. Specifically, a medical instrument and a medical material both sterilized by ionizing radiation are provided, each of which contains a biodegradable resin and a polycarbodiimide compound in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight on the resin. The biodegradable resin is polybutylene succinate, a copolymer of polybutylene succinate, or a mixture of polybutylene succinate and a copolymer of polybutylene succinate with polylactic acid or poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate). A method of producing such medical instrument and medical material is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinforced absorbable hemostat comprising at least one hemostatic agent in a single layer of nonwoven synthetic fabric having a mixture of compressed fiber staples of a polyglycolide/polylactide copolymer and a polydioxanone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and structure of deformable alloys on the basis of magnesium with an optimum combination of mechanical properties (strength, plasticity) and a resistance to corrosion, including in vivo. Alloys of the new group possess an excellent formability at room temperature, high corrosion stability in sodium chloride solution, excellent heat resistance and can be used in various technical applications, particularly in vivo as a structural material for stents.

Abstract: Implants, such as interbody spacers, fusion devices and bone grafts, are provided having improved mechanical properties and/or degradation profiles. Such implants include a three-dimensional scaffold formed from particles, such as microspheres, which may in some embodiments be resorbable or biodegradable and which may have at least two different degradation rates. In some embodiments, the scaffold may be elastomeric. The three-dimensional scaffold may be for example, porous or semi-porous. Also provided are kits including such implants, and methods of producing and using the same.

Abstract: An aliphatic polyester polymer compositions and preparation method thereof. The invention provides a bioresorbable aliphatic polyester copolymer, comprising the reaction product of a first polyester, a second polyester, and a coupling agent. Specifically, the first polyester and second polyester have the same repeat units, but different weight average molecular weights. Methods for preparing the aliphatic polyester copolymer are provided, in which the first polyester reacts with the second polyester in the presence of the coupling agent, undergoing copolymerization.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one multi-component polymeric fiber. The multi-component polymeric fiber further contains at least two components of differing composition.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to orthopedic devices and methods for treating bone defects. The orthopedic devices can provide sufficient support to the bone defect while allowing bone ingrowth and minimizing the risk to stress shield and/or pseudo-arthrodesis. The bone fixation devices include a biodegradable material or component that further resists relative motion of attached bones and allows the device to gradually transfer at least some load from the device to the growing bone structure in vivo and permitting an increase in the relative motion of bones attached to the device.

Abstract: Methods of coating a stent subsequent to mounting or crimping of the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly are disclosed. One method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a balloon of a catheter assembly; followed by mounting a stent on the balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a stent coating on the stent; and followed by removal of the sacrificial layer. Another method includes mounting a stent on a balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a sacrificial layer on the balloon in the areas of the gaps between struts of the stent; followed by forming a coating on the stent; and followed by removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the coating remains on an outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: A bimodal bioabsorbable polymer composition. The composition includes a first amount of a bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a first molecular weight distribution; a second amount of said bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a second molecular weight distribution having a weight average molecular weight between about 10,000 to about 50,000 Daltons, the weight average molecular weight ratio of said first molecular weight distribution to said second molecular weight distribution is at least about two to one; wherein a substantially homogeneous blend of said first and second amounts of said bioabsorbable polymer is formed in a ratio of between about 50/50 to about 95/5 weight/weight percent. Also disclosed are a medical device, a method of making a medical device and a method of melt blowing a semi-crystalline polymer blend.