Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus may include a bone fixation plate having a fixation hole and a fastener shaft received in the fixation hole. The fastener shaft may include a first portion having an outer surface defining a first cam and a second bone-engaging portion. An annular member may be received in the fixation hole and may include an inner surface defining a second cam for cooperating with the first cam to selectively move the annular member in a radial direction between an unexpanded position permitting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole and an expanded position restricting movement of the fastener shaft and annular member relative to the fixation hole. The annular member may be moved between the expanded position and the unexpanded position by rotation of the annular member relative to the fastener shaft following insertion of the fastener shaft into a bone.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly is provided and may include a fixation member defining at least one aperture. At least two locking features may be circumferentially spaced around an inner perimeter of the at least one aperture and may include a first end and a second end. The at least two locking features may each include a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the at least one aperture. A fastener may include at least two discrete locking members respectively received in the at least two locking features at the first end. The at least two discrete locking members may be circumferentially spaced around an outer perimeter of the fastener, may extend from an outer surface of a head of the fastener, and may be received within the first end in an unlocked state and rotated from the first end to the second end in a locked state.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly and associated method. The bone fixation assembly includes a bone fastener having a head and a bone-engaging portion, a receiver defining an opening along a first axis for receiving the bone fastener at a variable angle, and at least one supporting augment coupled to the bone fastener. The receiver has an inner articulation surface at a lower portion of the opening and matingly articulates with the supporting augment.

Abstract: A ceramic scaffold comprising a ceramic substrate having a surface with a first microtexture on at least a portion of the surface and a first erodable coating having a smooth surface, said first coating covering at least a portion of the first microtexture. The microtexture may be formed of peaks, valleys, or a combination of peaks and valleys from about 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers in each of height, length, and width. The peaks, valleys, or combination of peaks and valleys may be elongated and oriented in the same direction on the surface. The microtexture may also be asymmetrically arranged on the surface of the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: A bone plating system includes a plate member and a first bone screw. The plate member defines a longitudinal axis and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The plate member further defines an elongated hole extending between the top surface and the bottom surface with a width in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongated axis and a length with a greater dimension in a direction generally parallel to the elongated axis. The elongated hole is defined by a sidewall having a spherical cross section in the direction generally perpendicular to the elongated axis. The sidewall has a threading. The first bone screw has a threaded and spherical head for threadably engaging the elongated hole. The threading extends completely around the sidewall of the elongated hole such that the first bone screw may threadably engage the elongated hole anywhere along the length.

Abstract: A bone aspiration needle is provided. The cannulated body can define at least a first aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a first region of an anatomy. The bone aspiration needle can also include a second aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a second region of the anatomy and a third aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a third region of the anatomy. The first aperture can be a distal most aperture and the third aperture can be a proximal most aperture. The first aperture can have a first area, the second aperture can have a second area, and the third aperture can have a third area. The second area can be greater than the first area and less than the third area so as to enable the aspiration of substantially equal amounts of bone marrow substantially simultaneously from each of the first aperture, second aperture and third aperture.

Abstract: An alignment device for an intramedullary locking nail insertable in an intramedullary canal of a long bone. The alignment device includes a locating member having a handle portion connected to an elongated insertion member, and a targeting member movably coupled to the locating member. The insertion member can be inserted in a proximal portion of the intramedullary canal. The targeting member includes a plurality of guiding portions. Each guiding portion is configured to receive one of a plurality of blocking fasteners along an implantation trajectory and into the bone and around the intramedullary canal when the insertion member is inserted into the intramedullary canal. The implantation trajectory of each blocking fastener does not intersect the insertion member.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a wire/cable coupled to an external orthopedic device. The tensioner can include a housing, an outer sleeve movable relative to the housing, a movable tension actuator handle operable to move the outer sleeve relative to the housing, and a plurality of movable jaws supported in the outer sleeve. The jaws can move between an open position for receiving the wire/cable and a closed position for gripping the wire/cable when the tension actuator handle is operated.

Abstract: A fastener adapter and fastener strap combination includes a first strap member having first and second ends, an outer surface and an inner surface with hook material; and a second strap member having first and second opposing surfaces of hook material. The second strap member is attached to the inner surface intermediately between the first and second ends of the first strap member. The first surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a first all-hook opening. The second surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a second all-hook surface. The combination also includes a continuous fastener strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion frictionally attached to the first all-hook opening and the second end portion frictionally attached to the second all-hook surface.

Abstract: An interspinous implant. The interspinous implant includes a resilient S-shaped body having first and second saddle-shaped portions. First and second stirrup-shaped brackets extend in opposite directions from the first and second saddle-shaped portions for engaging first and second spinous processes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating an annulus fibrosis defect comprising an angiogenic factor and a carrier. Methods include administering the composition to the annulus fibrosis defect, where the administering can include injecting the composition. The present compositions can stimulate angiogenesis and revascularization thereby facilitating repair of the defect.

Abstract: An external fixation system for a bone and associated method. The fixation system includes a proximal frame defining a continuous proximal boundary, a distal frame defining a continuous distal boundary, and at least one frame connector configured for interconnecting the proximal and distal frames at any position along at least one of the proximal and distal boundaries.

Abstract: An orthopedic device can include an intramedullary nail and an insert telescopically received in the intramedullary nail. The insert includes at least two guiding bores for corresponding bone fasteners that can be locked at an angle to the intramedullary nail. A locking set screw can be coupled to the insert and move the insert to a position that locks the bone fasteners to the nail.

Abstract: An enclosure device connecting a pedicle fixation device with an elongated spinal fixation member. The enclosure device can include an enclosure member and an elongated guide member affixed to the enclosure member and defining a fracture region for breaking off the guide member from the enclosure member. The enclosure member can have a spherical outer surface rotatably received within a receiver portion of the pedicle fixation device. The enclosure member can include an internal bore capable of slidably receiving the fixation member.

Abstract: A bone fixation device. The bone fixation device includes a receiver having a deformable portion, a bone fastener having a head, the head insertable into the receiver from the deformable portion, and a retaining member couplable to the deformable portion. The retaining member deforms the deformable portion and angulatably retains the fastener relative to the receiver.

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: A biodegradable bone replacement material for the treatment of bone defects and delivery of antibiotic compounds, particularly for treating bone infections, comprising calcium sulfate hemihydrate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, an antibiotic mixture comprising a tetracycline compound and an ansamycin compound. Preferably, the ratio of calcium sulfate hemihydrate to calcium sulfate dihydrate is from 1:1 to about 3:1. Methods for treating, repairing or augmenting an osseous defect using the bone replacement material are also provided.

Abstract: Bone graft compositions comprising demineralized bone matrix, calcium phosphate, collagen and bioinductive cellular solution. Methods to repair and heal defective and missing bone using the bone graft compositions are also described.

Abstract: A system for performing osteotomies includes a bone plate and a retractor assembly. The bone plate is operative for securing the relative positions between first and second portions of a bone that are separated by a gap. The bone plate generally includes a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and an intermediate portion. The first mounting portion is for attachment to the first bone portion. The second mounting portion is for attachment to the second bone portion. The intermediate portion connects the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion in a first direction and has a central width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction that is substantially less than a width of first and second ends. The retractor assembly establishes a wedge-shaped gap between the first and second portions of the bone. The retractor assembly generally includes first and second handle members and first and second jaw members.