Abstract: A surgical device for use in attaching a first member (e.g., soft-tissue) to a second member (e.g., a bone) includes a suture anchor that has a body having a first end; a pointed tip at an opposite second end; and a contoured outer surface. An anchor head that is coupled to the body at the first end has an opening to permit attachment of one or more suture to the body. The suture anchor also includes a reservoir formed in the body and being open at the first end thereof and closed at an opposite end. The reservoir is configured to store and release at least one of a drug, a therapeutic agent, a growth factor, or a combination thereof from a top surface of the anchor body into a site of an interface between the first and second members to promote healing or therebetween or limit post-operative pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying patients that will respond to treatment with anti-TNF-therapy, i.e., anti-TNF responder patients. In particular, the present invention relates to determining response to an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a patient with a chronic inflammatory disease by determining the activity of type I interferon in the patient. The invention further relates to quantification of type I interferon as a measure of predicting responsiveness to anti-TNF therapy in patients with a chronic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile chronic arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease, as well as for cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods that inhibit expression of Adam12 gene products, such as ADAM12 mRNA and/or ADAM12 polypeptides, as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of, or promotion of healing of, wounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that control, i.e., antagonize/inhibit or agonize/stimulate, de novo glucocorticoid production in the skin. Such methods and compositions can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including inflammation, acute wounds, chronic non-healing wounds, keloid, fibrotic or hypertrophic scars, and epithelial-derived cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to BMP fusion genes, BMP fusion proteins. The invention further relates to methods for treatment using BMP fusion genes and BMP fusion proteins. Additionally, the invention relates to BMP fusion gene and BMP fusion protein pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for osteoinduction, which comprises a complexed-acidic-phospholipid complex containing calcium, phospholipid, and inorganic phosphate combined with collagen in a composite form. The composition is effective to promote new bone formation upon introduction of the composition into various osseous defects.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having an anterior side, a posterior side, a pair of laterally spaced condylar portions, and an intercondylar portion joining the condylar portions and including a recess. A cam surface is located adjacent the intercondylar recess on the anterior side of the femoral component and has a saddle shape that is defined by an at least substantially concave first radius of curvature and a convex third radius of curvature that is perpendicular to the concave first radius of curvature. The prosthesis also includes a tibial component including a platform having an upper surface that includes first and second laterally spaced concavities. Each concavity is adapted for receiving one condylar portion of the femoral component. The tibial component has a tibial post for reception in the intercondylar recess of the femoral component.

Abstract: An implant system and apparatus configured to permit motion of the wrist in at least one physiological direction, as well as in a dart thrower's motion, and constrain motion of the wrist in at least one non-physiological direction are provided. The implant according to one embodiment includes a distal component and proximal component. Each of the distal and proximal components includes a primary articulating portion and a secondary articulating portion. Primary and secondary articulating portions include at least one component having either a substantially convex or a substantially concave shape. The secondary articulating portion is configured to be radially and volarly disposed in relation to the primary articulating portion.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of, miscarriages, especially recurrent miscarriages. The methods comprise administering to a female subject a therapeutic agent that modulates the activity or binding of components of the complement system, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. For example, the therapeutic agent can be a C3-convertase inhibitor, an antibody against C5, an antagonist of the C5a receptor, or an antibody against factor B or factor D. Screening methods for agents that can prevent or reduce the risk of miscarriages, especially recurrent miscarriages, are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides small molecules that act as catalytic antioxidants and methods of use thereof. The compounds can repeatedly bind and destroy reactive oxygen species by serving as substates for enzymes of the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) class. Some embodiments of the catalytic antioxidant compounds are derived from drugs with anti-inflammatory activity due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the surface of a material that has a distinguishable infrared spectrum comprising (a) positioning an infrared fiber optic probe to be in contact with a surface of the sample or material at a region of interest for detecting attenuated total reflectance or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the region for detecting reflection, (b) detecting mid- or near-infrared radiation attenuated total reflectance or reflection off of the surface of the sample or the material, (c) analyzing the infrared radiation from step (b) for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters, and (d) actuating the removal device when a signal from the infrared fiber optic probe is between pre-selected values for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters for the sample of the material.

Abstract: The invention provides small molecules that act as catalytic antioxidants and methods of use thereof. The compounds can repeatedly bind and destroy reactive oxygen species by serving as substates for enzymes of the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) class. Some embodiments of the catalytic antioxidant compounds are derived from drugs with anti-inflammatory activity due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of orthopedics in addressing soft tissue to bone attachment. The embodiments of the present invention provide for a bioabsorbable inlay, a bioabsorbable inlay assembly, and a method to implant the bioabsorbable inlay between soft tissue and bone. Also provided is a means for facilitating soft tissue to bone attachment through the use of a bioabsorbable inlay, bounded with osteoconductive or osteoinductive materials, affixed at the interface of soft tissue to bone attachment sites. In an embodiment, the bioabsorbable inlay is formed into circular discs with holes for sutures to pass through and bounded with hydroxyapatite. The circular discs are then placed in communication between the soft tissue and bone at the appropriate site of attachment through the use of anchors and/or sutures. The bioabsorbable circular disc inlays are either overlaid or recessed into the bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the likelihood of development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an individual, which comprise determining the sequence at one or more polymorphic positions within the human genes encoding Fc?RIIB. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding Fc?RIIB polymorphisms, nucleic acid probes that hybridize to polymorphic positions and kits for the prediction of SLE status.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the likelihood of development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an individual, which comprise determining the sequence at one or more polymorphic positions within the human genes encoding Fc?RIIB. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding Fc?RIIB polymorphisms, nucleic acid probes that hybridize to polymorphic positions and kits for the prediction of SLE status.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating bone length discrepancies and angular deformities in a patient in need thereof, where the method involves radiofrequency ablation epiphysiodesis of a physeal plate. Specifically, the method treats long bone discrepancies with a minimally invasive procedure. The present invention is also directed to a method of inhibiting bone growth, where the method involves exposing a physeal growth plate to radiofrequency ablation epiphysiodesis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for enhancing bone density or formation. In accordance with the method, a nucleic acid encoding an angiogenic protein is administered to a cell in a region of a bone such that the nucleic acid is expressed to produce the angiogenic protein, whereby bone density or formation is enhanced within the region. Optionally, a nucleic acid encoding an osteogenic protein is administered to a cell within the same region such that the nucleic acid is expressed to produce the osteogenic protein. The method can be employed to produce a bone graft having a cell harboring an exogenous nucleic acid encoding an angiogenic protein and, optionally, a cell harboring a nucleic acid encoding an osteogenic protein. To facilitate the inventive method, the invention also pertains to a recombinant viral vector having a nucleic acid encoding an angiogenic protein and a nucleic acid encoding an osteogenic protein.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of the ultrastructure of connective tissue, such as cartilage, including (a) providing a probe operative in the near-infrared or mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, (b) positioning the probe either to be in contact with the connective tissue (for detecting attenuated total reflectance) or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the connective tissue (for detecting reflection), (c) detecting infrared radiation which penetrates the surface of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or which reflects off the surface of the connective tissue and (d) analyzing the infrared radiation from step (c) for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency, and comparing at least one of the peak height, the peak area and the frequency for established values for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency for normal connective tissue to detect a modification in the molecular structure of the connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention unexpectedly provides a method for treating acute or chronic tendinopathy by transdermal administration of low-dose glyceryl trinitrate, or other nitric oxide-generating agents. The present invention also provides a method of relieving pain caused by tendinopathy by transdermal administration of low-dose glyceryl trinitrate, or other nitric oxide-generating agents.

Abstract: A dual-radius glenoid component of a shoulder joint prosthesis for use in total shoulder arthroplasty has two radii of curvature. At substantially the center of the articulating surface a first non-conforming radius of curvature is provided, while a second conforming radius of curvature, smaller than that of the first radius of curvature and more closely conforming to the curvature of the humeral component, is disposed about the periphery of the articulating surface. The central non-conforming radius of curvature provides reduced constraint of the humeral component. In contrast, the conforming peripheral radius of curvature provides maximum constraint of the humeral component. When the humeral component is substantially centered on the articulating surface reduced constraint is placed on the prosthesis and less load is transferred to the bone-implant interface. As the humeral component translates towards the periphery, constraint on the prosthesis increases to prevent dislocation.