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 surgical garment includes a head gear apparatus for supporting a face shield and shroud. The head gear apparatus includes a helmet that supports a fan assembly, and that defines forward and rear ventilation passageways. The helmet includes a chin bar that defines a centrally located slot, and an upper ledge. The upper edge of the face shield contacts the upper ledge, while the lower edge of the shield includes a tab that extends through the slot. The chin bar and face shield include a plurality of magnetic elements that magnetically connect the lower edge of the face shield to the chin bar. The helmet is suspended from a strap assembly that is carried directly on the head of the wearer. The strap assembly includes an adjustable occipital support that bears against the occiput of the wearer. The face shield can include a plurality of film layers that can be removed when soiled.

Abstract: A method of making an implantable scaffold for repairing damaged or diseased tissue includes the step of suspending pieces of an extracellular matrix material in a liquid. The extracellular matrix material and the liquid are formed into a mass. The liquid is subsequently driven off so as to form interstices in the mass. The scaffold may further comprise biological agents that promote tissue repair and healing. Porous implantable scaffolds fabricated by such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant device or component thereof comprising a metal substrate, an intermediate coating, and an outer coating of aluminum oxide, as well as a method of making such a medical implant device or component thereof.

Abstract: A tool for separating components of a modular prosthesis includes an upper and lower body, each defining opposing bills at one end that are sized to fit in juxtaposed relation within an initial gap between the components. The upper body is provided with a handle so that the tool may be manually held by the surgeon with the opposing bills in position in the prosthesis. The tool includes a jack assembly disposed between the upper and lower bodies of the tool that is configured to be driven into an extended position, gradually separating the upper and lower bodies, and consequently exerting a separation force on the prosthesis components through the bills of the tool. The jack assembly is driven by a threaded actuator rod that bears against one element of the jack assembly as the actuator rod is rotated within a threaded bore in one of the bodies of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing material for a medical implant or medical implant part, the bearing material comprising: (a) a matrix of crosslinked polyethylene, (b) a biocompatible hydrophobic carrier, and (c) a beneficial agent soluble in the biocompatible hydrophobic carrier. Also disclosed are methods for preparing a bearing material in accordance with the invention. The bearing material releases a beneficial agent at least partially by a load-activated mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable humeral cutting guide for defining a cutting plane for a saw in a bone using a positioning structure includes a clamp, a saw guide, and an orientable coupling. The clamp is configured to be secured to the positioning structure. The saw guide includes a slot formed therein and formed to cooperate with a saw and limit the saw to cutting in a specific plane. The orientable coupling is mounted to the clamp and the saw guide. The orientable coupling is configured to adjust the saw guide at a selectable anterior/posterior angle and a selectable medial/lateral angle.

Abstract: Two spacer components and a retaining ring are part of an orthopaedic system. The system may also include trial or implant stem components that are inserted or implanted in the proximal and distal ends of the long bone. One spacer segment has a male portion and the other spacer segment has a transverse female slot. The male portion and female slot are positioned to allow the male portion to be moved into and out of the female slot in a direction other than the proximal-distal direction. The retaining ring is then threaded into a locked position to limit relative movement between the male portion and female slot. The spacer segments can thus be connected after the segments have been connected to the native bone without damaging the soft tissue at the native bone through distraction.

Abstract: A joint endoprosthesis system has first and second prosthetic components. The second prosthetic component has a bearing surface. The interface of the bearing surface and the first prosthetic component defines the joint articulation. A signal source and sensor are affixed on opposite sides of the joint articulation. The signal source generates a first signal that is received by the sensor. The sensor generates a second signal that has a characteristic that varies depending on the distance between the sensor and the signal source. A transmitter transmits a signal. The signal has a characteristic that varies depending on the characteristic of the second signal. This system can be used to measure a dimension of the joint space and to determine whether a dimension of the joint space has changed over time. The system may alternatively use magnets and magnetic sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric orthopaedic bearing material for use as an implant material or part thereof comprising one or more crosslinked regions and one or more non-crosslinked or substantially non-crosslinked regions at the surface. The bearing material can be prepared from a crosslinkable polymer, e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The orthopaedic bearing material has an advantageous combination of at lest one wear property and at least one mechanical property. Also disclosed are processes for producing orthopaedic bearing materials, for example, by irradiating a raw material in consolidated form through a radiation mask having a perforated pattern for crosslinking selected regions of the raw material, and optionally shaping the raw material into a bearing material. Alternatively, a pulsed radiation beam can be used for crosslinking.

Abstract: A surgical head gear apparatus or helmet includes a lighting system that utilizes circuit board mounted LED clusters supported on the surgical helmet. The LED clusters are part of a light array mounted to the forward portion of the helmet. In one embodiment, the light array is self-contained with its own power supply. In another embodiment, the light array is electrically connected to an external power supply and controller, such as en existing controller associated with the ventilation system of the helmet. In accordance with the invention, the only remote link for the LED clusters and circuit boards is to a control switch and/or power supply.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the ambient conditions of a mammalian joint, and particularly a joint that has been instrumented with a joint endoprosthesis includes a sensor supported by a component of the joint endoprosthesis. The system includes a transmission element that is also supported within the body of the patient, preferably within the endoprosthesis. The transmission element transmits a signal indicative of the sensed ambient condition within the instrumented joint. For example, the sensor can be a temperature sensor used to evaluate the temperature within a joint, such as a hip joint, during activity or exercise by the patient.

Abstract: A compressor tool for use in minimally invasive surgery is provided having first and second elongate elements where each elongate element is connected to the other at a pivot point within a pivot region of each element for rotating articulation in an articulation plane with respect to each other. The first and second elongate elements are configured to provide a tool pivot region including the pivot point, a tool handle proximal to the tool pivot region, and a tool working portion distal to the too pivot region so that pressure applied to the tool handle portion results in a compressive force being applied by the tool working portion. The tool has a first closed position for insertion of the tool through an incision or portal so that the pivot region is located within the incision or portal, and a second working position where the tool working portion is arranged to provide a compressive force to spaced apart elements within a patient's body.

Abstract: A system for guiding an implant to an optimal placement within a patient includes a trajectory guide for guiding instruments along a selected trajectory and a trajectory fixation device for fixing the trajectory guide in a selected position. The trajectory guide defines a path configured to align with the selected trajectory. A movable support mounts the trajectory guide and selectively moves the trajectory guide to align the trajectory guide with the selected trajectory prior to fixing the trajectory guide in the selected position. The trajectory is aligned coarsely by hand, then the trajectory is aligned using a fine adjustment system. After fixing the trajectory guide, instruments can be inserted along the trajectory through the path defined by the trajectory guide.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a composite material having a first layer and second layer. The first layer has an articulating surface defined therein, whereas the second layer has a engaging surface defined therein for engaging either another prosthetic component or the bone itself. The first layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene or UHMWPE, whereas the second layer is constructed of a copolymer of ethylene and an acrylate. The ethylene portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to the polymer of the first layer, whereas the acrylate portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to commonly utilized bone cements. A method of making a prosthetic bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A percutaneous access device includes an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube. The outer tube may be sized to span from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate the spine of the patient. The distal end of the outer tube may be adapted to releasably engage a bone anchor. The inner tube may be adjustable relative to the outer tube between a first position and a second position in which the distal end of the inner tube contacts the bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a distal bone engaging portion and a receiving member having a recess for receiving a spinal fixation element. The proximal end of the receiving member may have an arcuate groove formed on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate connection of an instrument to the receiving member.

Abstract: A kit (10) for use in implanting a stem (12) into a long bone (36) for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The kit (10) includes a stem (12) for implantation into the long bone (36), a cement restrictor (16), and a quantity of bone cement (20).

Abstract: A bone marrow sampling device is provided, including an outer cannula having a sidewall with a plurality of openings and a distal tissue penetrating tip. An inner cannula is positioned within the outer cannula, and includes a sidewall with at least one opening. Selective relative movement of the inner cannula and the outer cannula enables the device to be configured in multiple bone marrow sampling modes in which the at least one opening in the sidewall of the inner cannula is aligned with different openings in the sidewall of the outer cannula such that bone marrow can be drawn into the inner lumen of the inner cannula from different radial and longitudinal positions external to the sidewall of the outer cannula without the need to reposition the outer cannula.

Abstract: This invention relates to an agent for producing a pharmaceutical drug for postoperative use after removal of bone tumors produced from a nucleic acid by linking a known sequence for promoting bone growth and a known proteinase inhibitor by a variable spacer molecule. This linkage results in a novel bifunctional active ingredient combining both properties in a biological molecule. This invention is used in the medical field, in particular in the specialty field of orthopedics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractor featuring cassette assemblies that provide the blades for the retractor and include mechanisms for controlling the angulation and retraction of the blades. The use of such cassette assemblies allow for the addition or removal of blades on the retractor by attaching or detaching the cassette assemblies to a frame. The mechanisms for controlling angulation and retraction of the blades allow a surgeon greater flexibility for creating a surgical site.