Abstract: An ankle prosthesis includes a tibial device attachable to a tibia. The tibial device has a concave articulating surface. A talar assembly includes a dome portion having a convex articulating surface engaging the concave articulating surface of the tibial device such that the dome portion is pivotable relative to the tibial device. The talar assembly also includes a base portion attachable to a talus. The base portion is pivotable relative to the dome portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are bilayer matrices of a polysaccharide such as collagen (COL) and another polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid (HA) with various COL/HA ratios. Each layer has a porous structure. These materials are useful for tissue regeneration, particularly when used with orthopedic implants and drug delivery.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for inducing or enhancing chondrogenesis in vivo or in vitro. The method is performed by exposing the cells in vitro or in vivo to an extracellular matrix comprising of type I collagen, type II collagen or a mixture of type I collagen or type II collagen and hyaluronate and further containing BMP-4 or a combination of BMP-4 and GDF-5.

Abstract: To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a screw for a pedicle screw fixation, a retractor is provided having a guide of an appropriate length to provide access from the skin surface to the dorsal aspect of the vertebra over the pedicle. The retractor has a handle to provide appropriate holding leverage and to maintain the guide so as to stabilize the guide against the lateral aspects of the facet with the paraspinous musculature. The retractor has a channel of an appropriate size to accommodate a variety of tools, including a drill bit or a tap. The channel also provides a pathway for a probe or feeler to inspect the placement of the screw. A tool groove may be provided in the channel to support the shaft of a tool, such as a tap.

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 prosthesis (10) including a stem (12) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (14) of a long bone (16). The prosthesis (10) further includes a rod (20) operably associated with the stem (12) and a centralizer (22) having an opening (24) for receiving at least a portion of the rod (20). The centralizer (22) has a surface (26) for guiding the rod (20) into the opening (24).

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component for engaging the femur having an articular surface and a recess within the articular surface, and a tibial component for engaging the tibia with a bore, and a meniscal component comprising a rotation pin configured for rotatable mounting within the bore of the tibial component. The meniscal component also includes a bearing surface for sliding contact with the articular surface of the femoral component and an elongated channel defined amid the bearing surface. A stabilizing post is provided that includes a base slidably mounted with the elongated channel and a spine post projecting from the base through the channel and into the recess when the articular surface is in contact with said bearing surface. The stabilizing post thus slides within the channel when contacted by the interior of the recess in the femoral component.

Abstract: Improved matrices and adhesives for tissue repair comprising a biocompatible, bioerodable polymer, said polymer comprising a thermoplastic lactide-containing terpolymer of monomer units derived from lactic acid, glycolic acid, and either caprolactone or valerolactone, which has a water solubility of about 0.01 to about 500 mg/mL at about 25° C. and adhesive strength of about 600 to about 150,000 Pa. The matrix or adhesive can further comprise a filler or a bioactive agent, or both.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing apparatus includes a bowl, an attachable/detachable lid, and a handle extending from the bowl. The bowl incorporates a bone cement vapor removal system that allows the extraction of bone cement vapors or fumes even after the lid has been detached from the bowl. Such extraction of vapors may be continuous. The vapor removal system is coupled to a vacuum source. The handle is ergonomically shaped and incorporates vacuum tubing that couples the bone cement vapor removal system of the bowl with the vacuum source.

Abstract: This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.

Abstract: A non-cannulated dilator that is designed with a rigid elongated solid body and with a judiciously configured tip is utilized as the first dilator of a series of dilators which are inserted into the body of a patient for minimally invasive spinal surgery and is made from a solid elongated body, that could be round, ovoid or other cross sectional configuration whose diameter is greater than one and a half (1½) millimeter, and that includes a tool engaging end portion at the proximal end is sufficiently rigid so as not to bend and has a pointed shaped insertion end portion at the distal end with the point of the pointed end being discreetly blunted and utilized in a surgical procedure as a replacement of the typical guide wire and is characterized as providing a “feel” to the surgeon as it penetrates through the tissue and muscle of the patient as it proceeds toward the target.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device is provided having a handle adapted to facilitate grasping thereof, and an elongate penetrating element coupled to the handle and having a proximal inlet port and a distal piercing tip for penetrating into tissue and bone. The device is particularly effective in that the configuration of the handle and the elongate penetrating element allows a person to grasp and manipulate the handle while accessing the inlet port to aspirate fluid therethrough. The device is also effective to facilitate penetrating of the device into bone due to the configuration of the distal penetrating tip. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, while the device is described for use as a bone marrow aspiration device, the device can be used to withdraw or inject fluid.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously implanting a first component and a second component of an orthopaedic assembly into a body of a patient includes the steps of securing a first instrument to the first component, and advancing the first component into the body of the patient. The first instrument is advanced into the body of the patient such that a portion of the first instrument extends out of the body. A second instrument is secured to the second component, and the second component is advanced into the body of the patient. The second instrument is advanced into the body of the patient such that a portion of the second instrument extends out of the body. A third instrument is advanced into contact with both the first instrument and the second instrument so as to position the first component and the second component in a predetermined position relative to one another. An instrument assembly for percutaneously implanting an orthopaedic assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A facet joint fixation system that provides initial rigidity for stabilizing the facet joint, is sufficiently strong to withstand facet joint shear stresses, and (after supporting a successful fusion) can be resorbed by the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assisting safe one-handed insertion of an implant. An implant implantation device has a frame which includes a trigger mechanism, an outer sleeve mechanically coupled to the frame, an inner shaft having a grabber for mechanically engaging an implant, the inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer sleeve, and a retaining element disposed over the inner shaft for directing the grabber toward a closed position. An implant clip has a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member, a first implant holder pivotally coupled to the first member, the coupling causing the implant clip to have a closed position and an open position, and a second implant holder, the second implant holder pivotally coupled to the second member, a surface of the first implant holder and a surface of the second implant holder remaining substantially parallel to each other while the first member and the second member pivot between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A glenoid component for securement to a glenoid surface of a scapula so as to provide a bearing surface for a head portion of a humerus includes a body portion having a first surface configured to contact the glenoid surface of the scapula and a second surface configured to receive the head portion of the humerus. The glenoid component also includes an anchor peg extending from the first surface of the body portion for penetrating the glenoid surface of the scapula so as to secure the body portion to the glenoid surface of the scapula. The anchor peg has a first end portion and a second end portion with the first end portion of the anchor peg being secured to the first surface of the body portion, and the second end portion of the anchor peg having a number of fins secured thereto.

Abstract: A retractor blade assembly includes a fixed blade having a longitudinal axis and an adjustable blade operatively coupled to the fixed blade and adjustable relative to the fixed blade along the longitudinal axis of the fixed blade. The adjustable blade may include a flexible tab that is movable between a first position, in which the tab is generally co-planar to the adjustable blade, and a second position, in which the tab is oriented generally transverse to the adjustable blade.