Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrogen halide acid and/or an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidizing agent. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature without damaging the metal elements on the substrate surface. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An improved milling block for use in shaping endplates of opposing vertebral bodies, the block having upper and lower vertical slots for anchoring pins that allow free movement of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a laterally-moving vibratory cutting element.

Abstract: A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes providing a humeral prosthesis having a prosthetic head component, wherein (i) the prosthetic head component includes a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion, and (ii) the glenoid-bearing portion and the acromion-bearing portion define an outer bearing surface, and (iii) the outer bearing surface extends in a medial/lateral direction across a radial distance D, and (iii) D?190°. The medical procedure further includes implanting the humeral prosthesis in the patient so that the acromion-bearing portion contacts and bears directly against a natural acromion of the patient during abduction of an arm of the patient that possesses the humerus.

Abstract: A prosthetic orthopaedic head has a fluid chamber defined therein. A fluid filter is positioned in the fluid chamber. In response to a load being exerted on the prosthetic head, synovial fluid is advanced through a filter thereby removing debris from the synovial fluid. A method of operating a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intercalary implant has two stem members and a collar. One stem member includes a stem portion to be received in the intramedullary canal of a native end portion of a long bone and a threaded male portion to be outside of the intramedullary canal. The second stem member also includes a stem portion to be received in the intramedullary canal of the opposite native end portion of the long bone. The second stem member has a spacer portion and a shoulder to be outside of the intramedullary canal. The collar has an annular base portion with an opening and a cylindrical female threaded portion. When assembled, collar connects the first and second stem members and the implant spans a gap in the shaft of the long bone. The parts can be assembled without distracting the native end bone portions in the proximal-distal direction to prevent damage to soft tissue around the native end bone portions.

Abstract: A surgical drill assembly is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to mate to a driver mechanism, and a distal end having a bone preparation element formed thereon. An elongate, hollow sleeve is coupled to, but slidably disposed around at least a portion of the elongate shaft. The hollow sleeve includes a stepped region that is positioned between proximal and distal portions such that the distal portion has an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the stepped region to allow the distal portion to be disposed within a lumen in a drill guide, and the stepped region to abut the drill guide. In use, the elongate, hollow sleeve is effective to longitudinally align the elongate shaft therein during a surgical procedure. The elongate shaft can also optionally include a stop member that is effective to limit penetration depth of the bone preparation element with respect to the hollow sleeve.

Abstract: A pre-stressed orthopaedic implant includes a tension member extending through a bore in the implant. The tension member can include a bolt that is tightened into threads at the closed end of the bore, thereby compressing the implant between the bolt head and the threaded engagement. The implant is fixed within a bone while the implant is maintained in compression to improve the implant's ability to withstand tensile loads.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.

Abstract: Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.

Abstract: An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: An intercalary prosthesis spans a space in the shaft of a long bone between native proximal and distal ends of the long bone. The intercalary prosthesis has first and second intercalary segments connected to proximal and distal stem components. The stem components are implanted in the proximal and distal ends of the long bone. One of the intercalary segments has a male dovetail and the other has a female dovetail. The male and female dovetails are positioned to allow the male dovetail to be moved into the female dovetail in a direction other than the proximal-distal direction. The intercalary segments can thus be connected after the segments have been implanted without damaging the soft tissue at the native bone through distraction. The intercalary segments and stem components are provided as part of a kit. The method of implanting the intercalary prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal anchor assembly for securing a fixation element includes an anchor element and a twist-in cap. The anchor element is configured for attachment to a bone, typically by comprising a mono- or polyaxial screw or hook, and includes a proximal portion having an open slot for receiving the fixation element and having radially inwardly protruding flange segments. The twist-in cap is received in and closes the open slot. The proximal portion of the anchor and the cap are adapted to twist-lock together by a partial rotation of the cap from an open position to a closed position to cover the slot so as to capture the fixation element and to lock the cap in the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly such as an anchor screw, bone plate, offset hook, post, transverse connector or other spinal anchor for anchoring to bone and clamping a linkage such as a rod, wire cable or the like. The assembly has a top member with an open slot to receive the linkage, and a twist-lock closure cap to close the open end, capturing the linkage in the slot. One closure cap fits over and around the top member, with a set of segmented protrusions that extend through a corresponding set of protruding flange segments spaced about the circumference of the top member. The cap is configured to rotate and lock against the top member like a flange-locking bayonet mount when turned through a limited degree of rotation.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis is disclosed that includes a neck member having a tapered neck body. The modular prosthesis further includes a sleeve component having a first elongated tapered bore. The tapered neck body is received within the first elongated tapered bore so as to taper lock the sleeve component to the neck member. The modular prosthesis also includes a stem member configured to be implanted into a medullary canal of a bone. One of the neck member and the stem member includes a second elongated tapered bore. The other of the neck member and the stem member includes a tapered post that is received within the second tapered bore so as to taper lock the neck member to the stem member.