Abstract: A trial implant system including a trial implant configured to be temporarily inserted into an intervertebral space defined by a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body is disclosed. The trial implant may include a superior plate and an inferior plate coupled to the superior plate. The superior plate may have a first mating portion that defines a first articulating interface and the inferior plate may have a second mating portion that defines a second articulating interface. The second articulating interface may be configured to interact with the first articulating interface of the superior plate such that at least one of the superior plate and the inferior plate is capable of movement relative to the other. The first and second articulating interfaces may be primary or auxiliary articulating interfaces. For example, the first and second articulating interfaces may be corresponding curved surfaces or they may be corresponding engagement features.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant, alone and in combination with an insertion tool for inserting same and a method for inserting same. The implant has upper and lower parts which have universal movement relative to each other. Each of the upper and lower parts also has a surface engaging an adjacent vertebrae. Each part has a keel extending from said surface into a cutout in the adjacent vertebrae, and each keel has an anterior opening recess therein. An insert tool has a pair of arms which are received in the recess of the keels through the anterior opening to securely hold and insert the implant. Projections and matching indentations in each arm and the base of its recess securely attached each arm within its keel.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a base block, an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument configured to be inserted into a medullary canal of a patient's femur, an adaptor, and a modular cutting block. The base cutting block includes a slot, and the adaptor is positioned in the slot. The adaptor includes a mounting bracket engaged with the base plate, and a fastener coupled to the intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument. The modular cutting block is configured to be secured to the base block.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: An orientation guide comprising a housing arranged to couple to a surgical instrument. In one embodiment the orientation guide further comprises first and second indicators (22, 26). The first indicator (22) is pivotally coupled to the housing (20) such that the first indicator (22) can rotate relative to the housing (20) about a first axis (24) to maintain its angular position about the first axis (24) relative to a vertical axis irrespective of movement of the housing (20). The second indicator (26) surrounds the first indicator (22) and is pivotally coupled to the housing (20) such that the second indicator (26) can rotate relative to the housing (20) about a second axis (32) orthogonal to the first axis (24) to maintain its angular position about the second axis (32) relative to the vertical axis irrespective of movement of the housing (20).

Abstract: An anchoring device and method for attaching an object to a bone comprises an anchoring member having proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being adapted to hold the object to the bone while the distal end is in the bone, and a locking member having proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end adapted to secure the anchoring member into the bone and oppose its pull-out or loosening by stopping its backing or preventing its unscrewing while the distal end is in the bone. Also provided are first and second fasteners, with the first fastener adapted to fit to the proximal end of the anchoring member, and the second fastener adapted to fit to the proximal end of the locking member. The end of the second fastener can have an angle that matches an angle of the locking member.

Abstract: A device for treating fractures, comprises an intramedullary member sized and shaped for insertion along a longitudinal axis of a bone within a medullary canal thereof, the intramedullary member including an opening extending obliquely therethrough, the opening, when the intramedullary member is in a desired position within a bone, aligning with a desired axis along which an implant is to be inserted into a bone, the intramedullary member including a channel formed therewithin and opening to the opening and a locking mechanism mounted in the channel, the locking mechanism including a locking abutting structure extending into the opening in combination with an implant sized to be slidably received through the opening and inserted along the desired axis, the implant including a plurality of implant abutting structures aligned to engage the locking abutting structure preventing medial movement of the implant relative to the intramedullary member.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes at least one bone fixation member and a bone fixation instrument. The bone fixation member includes a strap and a locking mechanism. The strap can be pulled through the locking mechanism so as to form a loop about a target bone so as to secure first and second bone segments in an approximated, compressed configuration. The bone fixation instrument is configured to apply tension to the loop about the target bone. The fixation instrument includes a tension assembly that is configured to secure a free end of the bone fixation member to the fixation instrument. The tension assembly is further configured to pull the free end so as to increase tension in the loop while the tension in the loop is less than a select tension. The tension assembly is unable to further increase tension in the bone fixation member once the tension in the bone fixation member has reached the select tension.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant can include a pair of endplates between which is coupled a bag that is filled or is fillable with small beads or particles having smooth exterior geometries. The bead sack implant allows for articulation about various centers of rotation without a predefined neutral position.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: A technique for locating an axis of a bone, which extends through the center of rotation of the bone around a joint between that bone and another bone, involves a. moving the bone in a plane about the said joint, between a first point and a second point, b. locating a third point which is equidistant from the first and second points, and c. locating the axis which passes through the third point, perpendicular to a line which connects the first and second points. The invention provides an instrument for performing this technique.

Abstract: A cutting guide instrument for use in a cutting step in an orthopedic surgical procedure comprises a reference component comprising a first element which can be attached or otherwise aligned relative to the bone in a predetermined arrangement and a locator arm. The invention further comprises a cutting block comprising a reference surface which can be engaged by a cutting tool to define the location and orientation of the tool during the cutting step. The cutting block further comprises at least one fixation bore for receiving a fixation pin to fix the cutting block to the bone. The locator arm can be fitted against the reference surface so that the reference component and cutting block are arranged in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer.

Abstract: A patella drilling system includes a clamp and a patella drill guide. The clamp includes an arm with a pointed tip that is received in a dimple on the surface of the patella drill guide and another arm with a bone-gripping member spaced from the tip. The clamp is used to hold the patella drill guide firmly against the resected posterior surface of the patella while the surgeon drills into the patella to form holes for mounting pegs on the implant. The clamp may allow the patella drill guide to be pivoted while clamped so that the orientations of the guide bores may be optimized. The system includes an optional cap that may be used on the pointed tip of the clamp to hold the implant firmly in place while the bone cement sets.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is described which comprises an alignment guide having a first part including a distal end and a second part having a proximal end. The first part is attached to the second part by a pivot mechanism so that the first part can be tilted relative to the second part. A brace is attached toward the proximal end of the alignment guide for attaching the instrument to a limb of a patient. A component is attached toward the distal end of the alignment guide. The pivot mechanism is configured so that tilting the first part does not substantially change the separation between the component and the brace.

Abstract: A bone screw driving system includes a screw having a head and a shaft extending from the head. The screw includes a stepped opening extending in the shaft that includes a first portion and a second portion having a greater cross-sectional dimension than the first portion. The bone screw driving system further includes a screw driver having a driver shaft that defines a tip configured to engage the screw head. The driver further includes a pin extending from the tip and sized to fit within the opening. The pin includes an abutment movable to a locked configuration in the second portion of the opening, wherein the abutment defines a cross-sectional dimension greater than that of the first portion of the opening.

Abstract: A suture anchor is disclosed having an outer body with an axial bore which receives and inner body for rotation. Suture passes between the inner body and outer body and rotation of the inner body wraps the suture thereabout locking the suture thereto. Rotation of the inner body also effects radial expansion of at least a portion of the outer body to engage to anchor into a bone hole.

Abstract: A patella drill guide includes a base portion rotatably mounted on a bone-gripping component. A trial portion with a contoured articulation surface is above the base portion. The base portion and trial portion have aligned drill guide bores. The base portion and trial portion can be rotated together on the bone-gripping component to optimize the positions of the drill guide bores with respect to the patella surface, thereby optimizing the locations of the mounting pegs of the patella implant component on the patella to optimize the orientation of the patella implant component. The base and the bone-gripping component may be unitary so that the entire assembly rotates on the patella about the central longitudinal axis of the bone-gripping component.

Abstract: A trial implant assembly is provided that includes a threaded shaft having exterior threading adjacent a distal end and a trial implant that includes a trial base having an interiorly threaded through hole couplable to the distal end of the shaft and a trial head having a superior endplate and an inferior endplate and a support connecting the superior endplate to the inferior endplate. A variety of visualization windows are provided through the trial implant as well as a variety of mechanically adjustable stops to prevent over insertion of the trial head within the intervertebral disc space.