Abstract: A kit (100) for use in performing joint arthroplasty on a head of a long bone (4) is provided. The kit (100) includes a first trial (102) including a first trial articulating surface (106) and an opposed first trial mounting surface (108) having a first trial location feature (110). The kit (100) also includes a second trial (104) including a second trial articulating surface (112) and an opposed second trial mounting surface (114) having a second trial location feature (116). The first trial articulating surface (106) and the second trial articulating surface (112) have different geometries and the first trial location feature (110) and the second trial location feature (116) have substantially identical geometries whereby different trials may be used with a common location feature.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer composition comprising cross-linked polyethylene having a non-polar biocompatible lipid disposed in at least a portion of the free volume of the polyethylene. The invention further provides methods for making the polymer composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant or medical implant part comprising a body and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer comprises a mixture comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight of about 400,000 atomic mass units or more. The invention also provides a method for producing such a medical implant or medical implant.

Abstract: A multi-level spine stabilization system comprises a plurality of securing members configured for attachment to a plurality of vertebrae. A plurality of adjustable rods segments extend between the plurality of securing members. The adjustable rod comprises a first rod segment that engages a second rod segment in an adjustable relationship. The length of the rod may be adjusted by moving the first rod segment relative to the second rod segment. For example, the first rod segment may be in a slideable relationship with the second rod segment such that sliding the first rod segment relative to the second rod segment results in a change in the length of the rod. In one embodiment, portions of both the first rod segment and the second rod segment are positioned within and secured to the securing member. Advantageously, the multi-level spine stabilization system described herein may be used to center dynamic portions of the rod between securing members.

Abstract: A remotely-activated injection device for use in vertebroplasty is provided to inject a flourescent probe material into a patient. The injection device includes a pump defining an injection chamber having an exit opening; an actuator; and a cable having a first end coupled to the actuator, and a second end remotely engaging the pump. The actuator remotely controls the pump by responsive movement of the cable to thereby cause injection of a flourescent probe material from the injection chamber of the pump through the exit opening to the patient.

Abstract: A glenoid component (100) for use with a prosthetic humeral component (102) for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The glenoid component (100) may be fitted at least partially into a cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The glenoid component (112) includes a body (112) having a stem portion (114) for inserting at least partially into the cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The stem portion (114) cooperates with the interior wall (116) of the cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The body (112) has a bearing portion (120) for articulating cooperation with the prosthetic humeral component (102).

Abstract: A combination cutting and spacer guide has a cutting block portion and a guide arm portion. The cutting block portion has a cutting guide slot and holes to receive pins or drills for mounting the combination cutting and spacer guide to the femur. The cutting guide portion also has a cutting guide slot defining the distal femoral resection plane. The guide arm portion has a planar femoral and tibial surfaces and an elongate slot between the surfaces. A shim has a shim arm with contact surfaces for contacting part of the guide arm and part of one of the bones of the knee and a mounting member connected to the shim arm. The shim arm mounting member is receivable in the elongate slot of the guide arm to mount the shim to the guide arm to adjust the level of the femoral resection plane.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant or medical implant part comprising porous ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight of about 400,000 atomic mass units or more and a porosity of about 15% to about 65%. The invention further provides a process for producing a medical implant or medical implant part.

Abstract: A prosthetic component assembly, such as an acetabular cup, includes a shell and a bearing insert or liner. The shell and bearing insert are configured to provide an increased congruency between the shell and the bearing insert thereby decreasing the amount of motion (i.e. micromotion) between the shell and the bearing insert. In one form, increased congruency is achieved through first and second (inner and outer) tapers that are respectively provided on the shell and the bearing insert. The outer taper has first and second outer taper portions. A relationship between the first outer taper portion and the inner provides an essentially congruent fit, while a relationship between the second taper portion and the inner taper provides an interference fit. The relationships between the inner and outer tapers allow the bearing insert to achieve load sharing at a dome of the outer shell as well as at a rim of the shell.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for incrementally advancing functional probes through tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for distracting two vertebral bodies and delivering a flowable material into the disc space, comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a shape adapted to distract, the body also having a longitudinal bore defining a first outlet port in the distal portion, and a first injection port in the proximal portion.

Abstract: An implant having alignment indicia is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the implant is generally elongated and comprises a first end portion and a second end portion with a plurality of fixation holes formed therein. The first end portion is configured for attachment to a bone on a first side of an anatomical feature found in the patient's body. The second end portion is configured for attachment to a bone on a second side of the anatomical feature. The implant further comprises a contoured perimeter. Alignment indicia are formed in the perimeter between the first end portion and the second end portion. The alignment indicia are configured to indicate proper positioning of the bone plate on the at least one bone with respect to the anatomical feature. The alignment indicia may comprise, for example, protrusions or indentations formed in the perimeter of the bone plate.

Abstract: A bone plate is disclosed herein. The bone plate generally comprises a bone facing surface, an outward facing surface opposite the bone facing surface, and at least one hole extending through the bone plate from the outward facing surface to the bone facing surface. An arced compression surface is provided within the at least one hole and a cam path is formed on the arced compression surface. The cam path comprises a cam groove that forms an indentation in the arced compression surface. The arced compression surface generally extends 360° or less within the at least one hole. Similarly, the cam path generally extends one revolution or less around the hole upon the arced compression surface. Depending on the type of screw used in association with the bone plate, the bone plate to be used as either a compression plate or a locking plate.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant for replacing the surface of a bone, such as in a joint arthroplasty, includes a bone facing surface for mating with the prepared end of the bone. The surface includes a porous coating to promote bone ingrowth. A bioresorbable post extends from the bone facing surface for engagement within a prepared cavity or bore in the bone. The bioresorbable material of the post is selected so that the post will not be substantially resorbed into the existing bone until substantial bone ingrowth has been achieved in the porous coating.

Abstract: A trial implant kit includes a plurality of intermediate components and a plurality of inner components. Each of the plurality of intermediate components has a uniform inner surface, although at least two of the plurality of intermediate components having distinct outer surfaces. Each of the distinct outer surfaces is configured to engage one of a plurality of acetabular shell component geometries. Each of the plurality of inner components has a uniform outer surface portion and a bearing surface, the uniform outer surface portion configured to be received by the uniform inner surface of any of plurality of intermediate components. The bearing surface is configured to engage a femoral head. At least two of plurality of inner components having distinct bearing surface configurations.

Abstract: A prosthetic trial for a joint prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal section and a distal section for implantation in a bone. A body includes a channel receiving at least the proximal section of the stem. A locking mechanism is at least partially disposed within the body. The locking mechanism is biased into a locking position in which the mechanism locks the stem within the first channel of the body. The locking mechanism is accessible outside said body to be pulled into a releasing position to unlock the stem from the body.

Abstract: An adjustable tibial trial insert includes an upper plate having an upper articular surface and a lower plate. A height-adjustment mechanism of the insert is coupled to and positioned generally between the upper plate and the lower plate and is configured to move between a closed position where the upper and lower plates are adjacent each other and an opened position where the upper and lower plates are spaced-apart from each other in order to adjust a height or thickness of the insert.

Abstract: A radially expandable sheath is provided having a substantially closed distal end with at least two sidewalls extending proximally therefrom and defining a central lumen. Each sidewall can have a substantially concave outer surface adapted to seat a graft member, and each side wall is at least partially separated by a longitudinally oriented slot that extends from a proximal end along a substantial length of each sidewall. The slot preferably terminates at a position just proximal to the distal end. The device can also include a sheath expander that is adapted to be disposed in the central lumen of the radially expandable sheath and that is configured to flex the sidewalls to radially expand the sheath so as to fix a graft member within a bone tunnel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for spinal fixation, in particular, for joining a bone anchor with spinal stabilizers such as a spinal rod or spinal plate in a polyaxial fashion. The invention is also directed to polyaxial connectors which incorporate arcuate washers. The polyaxial features of this invention are achieved preferably with snap-in washers which minimize the numbers of parts that a surgeon may have to handle during surgery.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine includes a vacuum chamber and a sealing mechanism within the chamber. A product-filled package can be supported within the chamber with its open end disposed between sealing bars of a sealing mechanism. At least one of the sealing bars is continuously heated including as the package is placed within the chamber, as a vacuum is drawn in the chamber, as the sealing bars are closed around the open end of the package and as the package is removed after sealing is complete.