Abstract: An orthopedic implant assembly is presented which has a flange member having a through bore with internal threads and a screw which has a single continuous thread that has a first section and a second section. The cross sectional configuration of the thread in the first section is different than the cross sectional configuration in the second section. The first section defines a cancellous thread while the second section defines a locking .thread which is an asymmetrical buttress thread that has the same pitch and angle along the leading or thrust surface as the cancellous thread and a thicker square spiral edge or face joined to a transverse rear surface.

Abstract: An implantation apparatus for preparing adjacent vertebral bodies to receive an intervertebral implant including a plurality of keels. The implantation apparatus includes an elongated handle portion, and a template portion carried at a distal end of the handle portion substantially perpendicularly to the handle portion. The template portion defines a plurality of open channels corresponding in position and shape of the plurality of keels. Each channel is positioned and shaped for preparing a vertebral opening to receive a corresponding keel.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second arms of the first member both including an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The second member has first and second arms that both include an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The rotation axis extends generally perpendicular to the upper and lower contact surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a three-dimensional composite structure and a method for producing the mold for the three-dimensional composite structure. The mold is formed of at least one rigid die member and a second thermoplastic die member. The second thermoplastic die member is formed by coupling a rubber flexible pattern to a surface of the first die member. Vacuum or pressure is applied to a heated thermoplastic sheet to cause the heated thermoplastic sheet to deform about the flexible pattern, thereby forming the second die. Strips of reinforced polymer thermoset pre-preg material are then positioned within the cavities formed by the flexible pattern and are allowed to cure. Optionally, heat, pressure, and vacuum may be applied to the mold construction to facilitate the curing of the thermoset materials.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The expandable implant includes a locking mechanism for arresting relative movement between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A unilateral fixator for adjustment of a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion. The fixator includes a telescopically adjustable strut having first and second ends and a strut axis, and first and second compound joints. The first compound joint is coupled to the first end of the strut and to a first bone clamp, and includes a first gear mechanism controlling linear and rotational motion of the first bone clamp relative to first and second axes while the first bone clamp is engaged with the first bone portion. The first and second axes are generally orthogonal to one another and to the strut axis. The second compound joint is coupled to the second end of the strut and to a second bone clamp and includes a second gear mechanism controlling linear and rotational adjustment of the second bone clamp. The first compound movable joints can rotate about the strut axis.

Abstract: A bone plate attachable to a bone for internal fixation. The bone plate has an upper surface and an opposite bone-contacting surface and includes a plurality of threaded through-holes for bone fasteners. The bone plate can include through-holes for passing sutures, and also suture-clearance recesses formed on the bone-contacting surface. Each suture-clearance recess is defined proximate to at least one of the suture holes for providing suturing clearance for a suturing instrument, such as a curved suturing needle.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device. The spinal fixation device includes a plurality of arm assemblies. Each arm assembly can be attached to a single vertebra. Pairs of adjacent arm assemblies can be movably coupled to one another by one or more telescopic assemblies. The telescopic assemblies can oriented substantially transversely to the vertebrae and allow relative movement between the vertebrae.

Abstract: Safety cast compositions for the prevention of thermal injury are provided basically comprising a curable casting material, a flexible substrate coated or impregnated with the casting material and a thermochromic material. Methods for using the safety cast to prevent cast burns in patients in need of immobilizing a body member are also provided.

Abstract: A unilateral external fixator device that allows for gross manipulation and fine adjustment of deformities in six degrees of freedom. The device may comprise a strut assembly and two compound movable joints, one at each end of the strut assembly. One compound movable joint may comprise two revolute joints, each containing a gear reduction mechanism and may rotate about the strut. The second compound movable joint may contain two revolute joints, each containing a gear reduction mechanism, and may move along the length of the strut assembly. The gear reduction mechanisms may comprise helical spline assemblies that allow for gross and fine adjustment of the fixator.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus. The apparatus includes a handle structure, a shaft structure coupled to the handle structure, and a spreading structure coupled to the shaft structure and movable between a compact and an expanded configuration. The apparatus includes a protective sheath of shape-recovery material. The protective sheath covers the entire spreading structure in a substantially form fitting manner in any configuration of the spreading structure including the compact configuration, the expanded configuration and any configurations therebetween.

Abstract: A brace for a patient appendage. The brace can include a first member and a second member. The first member is positioned proximate a first side of the patient appendage and includes a main body portion extending in a longitudinal direction. The first member additionally includes a circumferentially extending portion at least partially extending about the patient appendage. The second member is positioned proximate a second side of the patient appendage and includes a first end having an outer convexly curved portion.

Abstract: An external fixation system for a joint having a first and second bone and defining an anatomical axis of rotation is provided. The fixation system can include a proximal frame couplable to the first bone and a distal frame couplable to the second bone. A first connector can include a first member pivotally coupled to a second member at a first pivot axis. A second connector can include a third member pivotally coupled to a fourth member at a second pivot axis. The first and second connectors are mountable between the proximal and distal frames at a location such that the first and second pivot axes are coaxial with the anatomical axis of rotation.

Abstract: A castless system and method for sizing a medical device for use with limbs, joints, appendages, and other body members of a human or animal subject. The system uses at least two digital images to create a body member profile and extract measurements for the selection of a model template. The model template is used to manufacture a custom made orthosis, such as a brace.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant and associated method. The intervertebral implant can include a first component having a first articulating surface and a first bone engagement surface for engaging a first vertebra, and a second component having a second articulating surface and a second bone engagement surface for engaging a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra. The first and second articulating surfaces articulate with each other for substantially replicating a natural spinal movement. The first and second bone engagement surfaces define an outer surface substantially shaped as an envelope of five cylinders.

Abstract: Methods of treating tissue defects, including defects such as bone fractures, vertebrae fusions, and spinal disc repair, using electric or electromagnetic fields and growth factors. In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of a human or other mammal subject in need thereof, by administering electric stimulation and growth factors to stimulate endogeneous stem cells in the subject to facilitate healing. Other embodiments include methods of administering electric stimulation, growth factors, and stem cells to the defect. In various embodiments the amount of growth factor is a subefficacious amount.

Abstract: A foot/ankle implant and associated method. The foot/ankle implant comprises a composite structure having a ceramic component with a macroprosity and a polymer component filling the macroporosity. The composite structure forms an anatomically-shaped and load-bearing graft for implantation between two bone portions of the foot or ankle to correct associated deformities. The ceramic component is gradually resorbable after implantation, and the composite structure is gradually replaceable by tissue/bone ingrowth.

Abstract: A minimally invasive retractor system is shown which has a support frame having two opposing pairs of horizontally oriented sides. The sides of the frame can be adjusted to vary an interior space of the frame. Four retractor blades are mounted on the frame for engaging tissue within a surgical site. Each retractor blade has an elongate body portion with a length which is oriented perpendicularly to the frame in use. One of the retractor blades can be equipped with a light source and a suction source which are integral to the blade. The blade also has an integral power source for powering the light source. The blade can also house a tissue retractor such as a dural retractor for retracting the dural sack of a patient during spinal surgery.

Abstract: A bone graft material comprising about 50-90% quickly bioresorbable porogen particles and about 10-50% of a calcium matrix material. A bioactive substance can be included in the matrix material, the porogen particles, or both. Commercial packages containing the bone graft materials and methods for repairing bone therewith are also claimed.