Abstract: Biocompatible mesh materials are employed to make implants for repairing or replacing a bone or for soft tissue repair. The mesh materials can be comprised of bioabsorbable materials, non-bioabsorbable materials or bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbable materials. Pharmaceutical actives, bone growth enhancers and the like can be combined with the implants.

Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting particulate bone from the operating site during an osteotomy or bone drilling procedure so that it can be used subsequently to augment the bone fusion process. A bone cutting or drilling tool is provided with a module for collecting particulate bone simultaneously with cutting or drilling the bone. The collected particulate bone is transferred continuously to a sterile containment module and maintained under sterile conditions until it is prepared for re-use in the patient.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.

Abstract: Craniotomy closures comprising surgical fasteners are described for use in reattaching a skull flap removed from the skull of a patient during brain surgery. Methods of using the same are also described. Surgical strips used in combination with the fasteners are shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The craniotomy closures are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement materials to the surgical site.

Abstract: A biocompatible surgical fastener, comprising a sleeve and a screw or a pin, which expands when it is implanted in a patient. The sleeve is first implanted in a pre-drilled hole in the operating area of a patient, usually in a bone, cartilage or a bone and cartilage. When a screw or a pin is installed in the sleeve, the sleeve is caused to expand thereby stabilizing the fastener in the operating area. In many embodiments the screw or pin can be removed and reinserted without disturbing the tissue in the operating area. The surgical fastener can be used to repair tissue or to secure other implant devices in a patient.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: A two piece, adjustable angle handle for a surgical instrument, capable of easy adjustment to a number of angles, permitting the handle of the instrument to be grasped with one hand, and the other hand to guide the operating end of the instrument, said handle permanently affixed to an instrument, or capable if attachment to a number of different instruments by means of a firm but releasable fastening to the shaft of the instrument, as with a Hudson fitting; the adjustable angle fastening comprising a radial array of teeth as in a ratchet wheel and a reverse scissor pawl.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable drug delivery devices including modular drug delivery devices having shapes and sizes adapted to be inserted within a recess on the surface of an implantable prosthesis are disclosed. The devices may be attached to one another to create custom drug delivery devices having controllable drug release characteristics that depend on the composition of individual modules comprising the device. The modules may be cylinders, disks, tiles or tubes comprised of a bioabsorbable polymer and a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent(s) may be homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric body of the device or contained within a cavity within a module comprising the device, or both. The device(s) may be threaded or attached to a prosthesis by a biodegradable adhesive. The modular devices may also be formed into tapered plugs for insertion into a mating receptacle.

Abstract: The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releaseably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable.

Abstract: A longitudinally curved adjustable bone plate comprising a first plate having an end defined by at least two spaced prongs, and an end having means to fasten the plate to a body structure, e.g., the bone; and a second plate having an end defined by at least two straight bores for receiving the prongs, and an end having means to fasten the plate to a body structure, e.g., a bone; and a locking assembly for locking the prongs in the bores and fixing the overall length of the plate.

Abstract: A computerized model simulates the human spinal cord and makes it possible to draw inferences about the probability of future injury or the likelihood that specific injuries occurred in the past. The spinal cord is modeled by a plurality of two-dimensional graphs formed of a large number of finite elements. The two-dimensional graphs are stacked in positions corresponding to the measured positions of the spinal cord at various vertebral levels of a patient. The stacked graphs yield a three-dimensional model, which may be compared with similar data taken from other patients. The model may include the simulation of stress, applied to all or part of the spinal cord, resulting in a perturbed three-dimensional model which may again be compared with similar data taken from patients having known injuries. The invention can therefore be used, among other things, to verify claims of spinal injury as a result of vehicular or sporting accidents.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable modular drug delivery devices having shapes and sizes adapted to be inserted within a mating receptacle on the surface of an implantable prosthesis are disclosed. The devices may be attached to one another to create custom drug delivery devices having controllable drug release characteristics that depend on the composition of individual modules comprising the device. The modules may be cylinders, disks, tiles or tubes comprised of a bioabsorbable polymer and a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent(s) may be homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric body of the device or contained within a cavity within a module comprising the device, or both. The device(s) may be threaded or attached to a prosthesis by a biodegradable adhesive. The modular devices may also be formed into tapered plugs for insertion into a mating receptacle.