Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis includes a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion. The first condylar portion has a first femoral bearing surface and the second condylar portion has a second femoral bearing surface. An inner condylar portion extends between the first condylar portion and the second condylar portion and defines an opening passing therethrough. A seal member is operable to substantially seal the opening such that the seal member is further operable to be opened to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur without having to remove the femoral knee joint prosthesis from the femur. A method for enabling access to the intramedullary canal of the femur through the femoral knee joint prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: A two piece humeral component for use in shoulder arthroplasty which is adapted to be implanted into a humerus and engaged by a glenoid component of a scapula. The humeral component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface is adapted to be engaged by the glenoid component and the second medial surface is adapted to be secured to mounting portion. The mounting portion has a first surface and a second medial surface. The first surface is adapted to be fixably engaged to the second mounting portion of the humeral component. The second medial surface is adapted to be secured to the humerus. A peg which has a first end adapted to engage a cavity found in the humerus is disposed on the mounting portion's second medial surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant, and method for making same, is described. The prosthetic implant preferably has a porous coating containing a plurality of pores therein. A biodegradable material is introduced into the pores, preferably under vacuum conditions, and substantially fills the pores. Because the pores are filled with the biodegradable material, they hinder infiltration of wear particles generated during loading of the prosthetic implant. Simultaneously, the biodegradable material permits infiltration of new bone tissue into the filled pores.

Abstract: A prosthetic wrist having a radial insert, which is configured to be fixed to the resected radius of a patient, a carpal implant and a wrist bearing component. The carpal implant includes a body and a pair of flanges, each of which being skewed to the axis of the body in a manner that permits them to abut the ulnar side of the hamate bone and the radial side of the distal portion of the carpal bone complex, respectively. The wrist bearing component may include a bearing surface for contacting the radial insert that is defined by different radii in the coronal and sagittal planes and an alignment mechanism may be employed to fix the wrist bearing component in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A heating device for maintaining an elevated temperature of a polymer resorbable implant is disclosed. The heating device has a pair of members coupled by a hinge. At least one of the members defines a sealed cavity containing a heated liquid which maintains the temperature of the resorbable polymer implant above the implant's glass transition temperature. The members of the device being rotatable about a hinge to allow encapsulation of the resorbable implant adjacent to the heat bearing liquid while maintaining a separation between the liquid and the implant device.

Abstract: A surgical tack for bone fixation having a body portion with barbs on the outside of the body portion to fixedly engage a bone structure, and a head portion to assist in implantation of the surgical tack. The tack also includes fins on the body portion to reduce implantation forces while not reducing the holding power of the surgical tack. The barbs extend from the fins to engage a bone structure and increase the holding force of the surgical tack. Additionally, a break-away portion is affixed to the head portion to engage an implantation device to assist an implantation of the surgical tack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tibial tray assembly for attaching within a cavity formed in a tibia. The tibial tray assembly includes a main body, an anchor, and a compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor. The main body includes a tibial tray that is operable to engage a prepared tibia surface. The anchor is operable to be retained within the cavity formed in the tibia and includes an attachment mechanism located within the cavity and operable to fixedly attach the anchor within the cavity formed within the tibia. The compliant portion disposed between the main body and the anchor is operable to be expanded and contracted.

Abstract: An external bridging/non-bridging bone fixation device including at least a first member and a second member. The first member is implanted substantially permanently on an arm bone during an entire healing process. Whereas the second member is adapted to be substantially temporarily implanted and affixed between the first member and a metacarpal of the associated hand. The second member may be a singular rigid piece or may be formed of several modular pieces affixed together. In particular, the second member may be hinged to allow for an offset or angled implantation. Also, the second member may include a plurality of pieces that are rigidly held together after implantation to allow for high selectivity by a physician. The bridging/non-bridging bone fixation device allows for a bridging adaptation during an initial portion of healing and a non-bridging adaptation during the extended healing process to reduce the possibility of stiffness and plaques due to prolonged periods of immobility.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis including a ceramic shell having multiple layers and a polymer liner formed integrally with the shell. The acetabular prosthesis shell is formed of a ceramic wherein several layers with varying porosities and thicknesses are sintered together to form a unitary structure. A polymer inner liner forms a bearing within the shell to receive the ball of a femur or femur prosthesis. The polymer liner is formed in the ceramic shell and includes a plurality of portions which interdigitate into the pores of the inner porous layer of the ceramic shell.

Abstract: A bone screw, and method of using the same, are described. The bone screw includes (1) a distal threaded portion having a first orientation, (2) a proximal head portion, and (3) an intermediate portion including a compressive member, such as but not limited to a single or double helix, integral with the distal and proximal portions, wherein the compressive member has a second orientation opposite that of the first orientation. When a force (e.g., rotational or axial) is applied to the bone screw in the first direction, the spaces between the surfaces of the compressive member increase, due to the difference in orientation. In this stressed state, a resorbable material is then applied within the spaces and is allowed to cure. Once the bone screw is inserted into the bone member, the resorbable material will begin to be resorbed, whereupon the compressive member will relax and exert tension between the bone member and any other object the bone screw is secured to.

Abstract: Long bone fracture fixation systems, and methods for using same, are described. The systems primarily include an intramedullary nail having an elongated throughbore and a first slot for receiving transcortical screws and another slot for receiving an insert. A modular sleeve having a throughbore and a pair of openings for receiving transcortical screws and another pair of dissimilarly shaped openings for receiving the insert are placed over the proximal portion of the intramedullary nail. The modular sleeve can be provided with various opening patterns for receiving transcortical screws at various angles relative to the intramedullary nail. The insert is then properly positioned and is held in place by a hollow set screw disposed within, and coaxial to, the throughbore of the intramedullary nail. In this manner, the throughbore of the intramedullary nail is unobstructed, thus allowing instrumentation to be freely inserted through the entire length of the throughbore.

Abstract: A vacuum package system for hydrating and/or rehydrating orthopedic graft materials, such as allograft materials, xenograft materials, and synthetic materials, is described. The system primarily includes a container, which includes a dividing device for dividing the container into first and second compartments and for isolating the compartments from one another, the first compartment containing a liquid component and the second compartment containing either dry porous and/or dehydrated orthopedic graft material under vacuum. An elongated pocket portion extends from, and is in communication with, the second compartment. A vacuum reservoir device is disposed within the pocket portion and is in communication with the second compartment.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive fastener is formed by extruding, then pulforming and then machining the fastener. The pulforming forms uniaxial longitudinal stress in the fastener. The fastener has a head and a shank. The fastener is positioned in an osteosynthesis plate so that an opening in the plate is substantially coaxial with the bore on the bone. The shank extends into the opening in the plate and into one of the bone portions. The head overlies the plate. The fastener is heated to relieve the stresses in the shank so that the shank expands to frictionally secure the shank to the bore without deforming the material and thereby preventing thermal necrosis.

Abstract: A joint distraction device for facilitating joint arthroscopy disclosed. In the first embodiment of the invention, the distractor disclosed is a series of fluidly fillable spheroid members to form a toroid. The joint distractor is placed between articular cartilage surfaces and filled to hold the joint surfaces apart. In a second embodiment of the invention, a string of spheroidal members is disclosed. The spheroidal members have varying diameters and are used to separate the articular surfaces of a joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee joint prosthesis system adapted to replace the articulating knee portion of a femur and a tibia. The knee joint prosthesis system includes a first femoral component and a second femoral component. The first femoral component includes a first femoral engagement region and a first condylar portion having a first femoral bearing surface. The first femoral engagement region is operable to engage a resecting engagement surface of the femur and the first condylar portion includes a first posterior region having a first thickness. The second femoral component includes a second femoral engagement region and a second condylar portion having a second femoral bearing surface. The second femoral engagement region is operable to engage the resected engagement surface of the femur and the second condylar portion includes a second posterior region having a second thickness.

Abstract: A fixation device for engaging the soft tissue in a body. The fixation device includes a body portion and a plurality of teeth. The body portion has a proximal face, a distal face, a central aperture and a suture slot. The central aperture is formed through the proximal and distal faces and is configured to receive a screw. The suture slot intersects the central aperture and is configured to receive a suture. The plurality of teeth coupled to the proximal face of the body portion and are configured to engage the soft tissue. A soft tissue securing device and a method for securing soft tissue to a bone are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating a bone fracture includes a step of attaching a pair of bone fragments together with an internal screw. An outrigger pin is then attached to the internal screw. An alignment guide is positioned in the internal screw and in the outrigger pin. An external fixator frame is then attached to the outrigger pin. This structure combines the function of an internal screw with an external fixation pin in cases where there are at least two significant bone fragments that need to be compressed together and a need for external buttressing in order for proper healing of the bone fracture.

Abstract: A bioresorbable material is disclosed having a ceramic and polymer coating. The ceramic and polymer coating increases the tailorability of resorption rates and properties and increases design flexibility by virtue of its simplicity.

Abstract: A bone attachment assembly for a remaining portion of a long bone diaphysis following resection is provided. The assembly includes a main body, means for anchoring the device with respect to the remaining bone portion, such as an anchor body, and means for attaching the main body to the means for anchoring. The means for attaching the main body may preferably be in the form of one or more washer springs retained upon a connecting rod attached to the means for anchoring. The assembly may be connected to an orthopedic appliance, an interposed orthopedic appliance connected to a second bone attachment assembly, or a transcutaneous bar for attaching an external appliance. A reaming device for creating an intramedullary cavity, a guide device for guiding an aperture-forming procedure in a remaining bone portion, and a milling device for shaping an interface surface of the bone in a preselected geometry are also provided.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.