Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis has spaced condyle surfaces defining a notch therebetween. The notch defines an elongated cam housing having an anterior cam and a posterior cam at opposite ends of the housing. The tibial component of the knee prosthesis includes a platform and a bearing supported on the platform, the bearing defining bearing surfaces configured to articulate with the condyle surfaces. The tibial component includes a spine projecting superiorly from the bearing that defines an anterior face and a posterior face. The posterior face and the posterior cam define complementary curved surfaces configured for cooperative engagement when the femoral component and the tibial component are at a predetermined flexion angle. The cam housing is configured to form a gap between the posterior cam and the spine when the knee is normally extended. In another feature, the spine includes a stiffening pin extending therethrough.

Abstract: An instrument for use in determining an anterior-posterior dimension of a femur during a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes a body having a base and a member extending upwardly from the base, said member providing a first part of a sliding mechanism. A stylus includes a stylus support providing a second part of a sliding mechanism which can engage with the member to allow relative sliding movement between the stylus and base, and a stylus member mounted on the stylus support. An implant size indicator interacts with the sliding mechanism to be moved relative to a scale by the member to indicate a size of an implant corresponding to the relative positions of the body and stylus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a green body comprising a powder mixture in which a metal powder and a space filler assume respective positions, comprising applying a material that comprises aspherical metallic particles to at least one surface of the green body, thereby forming a coating on the green body. The present invention also provides implants that are produced in accordance with such method.

Abstract: The invention concerns monolithic foam sleeves that comprises titanium or titanium alloy foam having a porosity of 50 to 85% and possesses a proximal surface, a distal end, an interior wall that defines an interior channel and extends from the proximal surface to the distal end; and a terraced outer surface that tapers such that said sleeve is widest at the proximal surface and most narrow at the distal end.

Abstract: Devices for implanting a prosthetic device, such as an artificial spinal implant, are provided. The installation tool can include a body, a pair of opposed levers, an optional implant holder disposed between the levers, a drive rod at least partially disposed within the body and able to be coupled to the implant holder and/or implant, and a female threaded member associated with the body and selectively engageable with the drive rod. As the drive rod translates along a longitudinal axis of the installation tool, the implant holder and/or implant separates the levers and distracts adjacent vertebral bodies to position a prosthetic device therebetween. The implant holder and/or implant can be longitudinally advanced in rotation and/or translation modes.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling an orthopaedic implant includes positioning a first orthopaedic component in contact with a second orthopaedic component and coupling the first orthopaedic component to the second orthopaedic component with a bolt. The method also includes applying an empirically-determined starting torque to the bolt such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a first predetermined clamp load. The bolt is then rotated by an empirically-determined rotation angle such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a second predetermined clamp load.

Abstract: An implantable spinal cross connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation devices, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, an exemplary cross connector in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate body with at least one rod-receiving recess formed therein, and a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the elongate body and that is effective to lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess(es). The present invention also provides an inserter tool to facilitate implanting a spinal implant or device, such as a spinal cross connector.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic device is provided for soft tissue attachment, reinforcement, and or reconstruction. The device comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion and a three-dimensional synthetic portion. In illustrated embodiments, the naturally occurring extracellular matrix portion comprises layers of small intestine submucosa, and the three-dimensional synthetic portion comprises a foam or a three-dimensional mesh, textile, or felt.

Abstract: A knee implant system includes a femoral adapter. The femoral adapter has a threaded bore so that a stem extension can be threaded onto the proximal end of the adapter. The same stem extension can be threaded onto the distal end of the tibial tray so that the number of stem extensions required in the system is reduced. The femoral adapter has a tapered exterior surface so that a metaphyseal sleeve can be frictionally connected to the femoral adapter. The metaphyseal sleeve has a threaded bore so that the same type of stem extension can be threaded onto the metaphyseal sleeve. The system can include a group of adapters to give the surgeon the option of selecting the appropriate valgus angle and anterior-posterior position of the stem extension.

Abstract: An instrument(10) for use in performing arthroplasty is provided. The instrument(10) includes a first portion(11) adapted to prepare a convex surface(64) on the head(5) of the long bone(4). The instrument (10) also includes a second portion (13) adapted to prepare an elongated cavity (62) or a third portion (14) adapted to prepare a central support surface (56) on the head (5) of the long bone (4), or both second portion (13) and the third portion (14). The third portion (14) and the second portion (13) are operably associated with the first portion(11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to trans-capsularly administering into a diseased joint a high specificity antagonist selected from the group consisting of: i) an inhibitor of a pro-inflammatory interleukin; ii) an inhibitor of TNF-? synthesis; iii) an inhibitor of membrane-bound TNF-?; iv) an inhibitor of a natural receptor of TNF-?; v) an inhibitor of NO synthase, vi) an inhibitor of PLA2 enzyme; vii) an anti-proliferative agent; viii) an anti-oxidant; ix) an apoptosis inhibitor selected from the group consisting of EPO mimetic peptides, EPO mimetibodies, IGF-I, IGF-II, and caspase inhibitors, and x) an inhibitor of MMPs; and xi) an inhibitor of p38 kinase.

Abstract: A spinal implant insertion tool, comprising: a) a shaft having distal end having upper and lower pairs of prongs extending therefrom, the prongs adapted for holding an implant or an implant trial and defining a centerline therebetween, and b) an adjustable stop slidably received upon the shaft of the tool, wherein the adjustable stop has a bifurcated distal end defining first and second prongs that are off-centerline from the centerline. Because the stop is bifurcated and thereby avoids the centerline of the vertebral bodies, it will not collide with components of a Caspar distractor.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis assembly includes a metaglenoid element (7) having a plate (13) with a central tubular bushing (14) and members for anchoring it in the glenoid cavity. The assembly also includes a glenoid sphere (9) that fits over the metaglenoid element which has an axial screw that is (35) screwed into the bushing. The glenoid sphere has a member to facilitate installation thereof on the metaglenoid element. The member may include a pin (46) adapted to slide in the tubular bushing (14) and in an axial channel of the screw, so that the glenoid sphere (9) can be screwed into place without any risk of damaging the thread of the screw or the tapping of the bushing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an orthopaedic joint prosthesis implant kit (2). The implant kit comprises a stem component (4) of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis which is intended for articulation with a mating component of the joint. The stem component has a distal end (6) and a proximal end (8), and a neck part (10) at the proximal end, and is configured for fixation in a bone cavity-using bone cement material with the distal end within the cavity and the proximal end at the opening of the cavity, and with the neck part protruding from the cavity towards the mating component of the joint. The implant kit further comprises a positioning kit (18), at least one spacer (20, 22, 24) for location between the wall of the cavity and the stem component at its proximal end, and a delivery device (26).

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for bone screw fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide a bone fixation device that includes a receiving head having a recess adapted to seat a spinal rod therein and a shank extending distally from the receiving head. An anti-rotation mechanism can be located distal of a distal end of the receiving head and around a proximal portion of the shank, and it can be configured to interact with bone to prevent rotation of at least a portion of the bone fixation device relative to the bone.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for connecting spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, implanted in a patient's spinal column. In particular, various spinal cross connectors are provided for connecting to one or more spinal fixation elements implanted in a patient's spine. The cross connectors can have a variety of configurations, including a fixed or adjustable length, as well as various features that allow certain portions of the cross connectors to be angularly oriented.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a proximal head and a distal shaft configured to engage bone, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, an insert positioned in the proximal end of the receiver member having a pair of spaced apart insert arms defining a recess therebetween, and a closure mechanism positionable between and engaging the insert arms to capture a spinal fixation element within the recess of the insert and fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.