Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: Rolled resorbable membranes and methods for their application have been discovered. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, rolled resorbable resorbable membranes are applied to the transverse processes of two or more vertebrae to facilitate fusion of the vertebrae.

Abstract: A resorbable, flexible implant in the form of a continuous macro-porous sheet is disclosed. The implant is adapted to protect biological tissue defects, especially bone defects in the mammalian skeletal system, from the interposition of adjacent soft tissues during in vivo repair. The membrane has pores with diameters from 20 microns to 3000 microns. This porosity is such that vasculature and connective tissue cells derived from the adjacent soft tissues including the periosteum can proliferate through the membrane into the bone defect. The thickness of the sheet is such that the sheet has both sufficient flexibility to allow the sheet to be shaped to conform to the configuration of a skeletal region to be repaired, and sufficient tensile strength to allow the sheet to be so shaped without damage to the sheet. The sheet provides enough inherent mechanical strength to withstand pressure from adjacent musculature and does not collapse.

Abstract: Resorbable polylactide polymer scar tissue reduction barrier membranes and methods of their application are disclosed. The scar-tissue reduction barrier membranes are constructed entirely of polylactide resorbable polymers, which are engineered to be absorbed into the body relatively slowly over time in order to reduce potential negative side effects. The scar tissue reduction barrier membranes are formed to have thicknesses on the order of microns, such as, for example, thicknesses between 10 and 300 microns. The membranes are preshaped with welding flanges and stored in sterile packaging.

Abstract: A marker assembly formed of a carbon fiber composition is disclosed. The marker assembly includes a shaft sized and shaped to be inserted into an organ, wherein the shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end of the shaft is sized and shaped to be positioned near a target region within the organ, and the shaft includes a lumen extending through the shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The lumen is constructed to accommodate a needle therethrough, so that the needle enters through the proximal end of the shaft, extends through the shaft, and exits through the distal end of the shaft. The marker assembly can also include other radiopaque or semi-radiopaque materials that provide higher definition imaging than titanium, when implanted within the organ.

Abstract: Resorbable polylactide polymer scar tissue reduction barrier membranes and methods of their application are disclosed. The scar-tissue reduction barrier membranes are constructed entirely of polylactide resorbable polymers, which are engineered to be absorbed into the body relatively slowly over time in order to reduce potential negative side effects. The scar tissue reduction barrier membranes are formed to have thicknesses on the order of microns, such as, for example, thicknesses between 10 and 300 microns. The membranes are preshaped with welding flanges and stored in sterile packaging.

Abstract: A resorbing, flexible implant in the form of a continuous macro-porous sheet (42) is disclosed. The implant is adapted to protect biological tissue defects, especially bone defects in the mammalian skeletal system, from the interposition of adjacent soft tissues during in vitro repair. The membrane (42) has pores with diameters from 20 microns to 3000 microns. This porosity is such that vasculature, and connective tissue cells derived from the adjacent soft tissues including the periosteum, can proliferate through the membrane into the bone defect. The thickness of the sheet is such that the sheet has both sufficient flexibility to allow the sheet to be shaped to conform to the configuration of a skeletal region to be repaired, and sufficient tensile strength to allow the sheet to be so shaped without damage to the sheet. The sheet provides enough inherent mechanical strength to withstand pressure from adjacent musculature, and does not collapse.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: Resorbable polylactide polymer scar tissue reduction barrier membranes and methods of their application are disclosed. The scar-tissue reduction barrier membranes are constructed entirely of polylactide resorbable polymers, which are engineered to be absorbed into the body relatively slowly over time in order to reduce potential negative side effects. The scar tissue reduction barrier membranes are formed to have thicknesses on the order of microns, such as, for example, thicknesses between 10 and 300 microns. The membranes are preshaped with welding flanges and stored in sterile packaging.

Abstract: A resorbable, flexible implant in the form of a continuous macro-porous sheet is disclosed. The implant is adapted to protect biological tissue defects, especially bone defects in the mammalian skeletal system, from the interposition of adjacent soft tissues during in vivo repair. The membrane has pores with diameters from 20 microns to 3000 microns. This porosity is such that vasculature and connective tissue cells derived from the adjacent soft tissues including the periosteum can proliferate through the membrane into the bone defect. The thickness of the sheet is such that the sheet has both sufficient flexibility to allow the sheet to be shaped to conform to the configuration of a skeletal region to be repaired, and sufficient tensile strength to allow the sheet to be so shaped without damage to the sheet. The sheet provides enough inherent mechanical strength to withstand pressure from adjacent musculature and does not collapse.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable, assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: A resorbable, flexible implant in the form of a continuous macro-porous sheet is disclosed. The implant is adapted to protect biological tissue defects, especially bone defects in the mammalian skeletal system, from the interposition of adjacent soft tissues during in vivo repair. The membrane has pores with diameters from 20 microns to 3000 microns. This porosity is such that vasculature and connective tissue cells derived from the adjacent soft tissues including the periosteum can proliferate through the membrane into the bone defect. The thickness of the sheet is such that the sheet has both sufficient flexibility to allow the sheet to be shaped to conform to the configuration of a skeletal region to be repaired, and sufficient tensile strength to allow the sheet to be so shaped without damage to the sheet. The sheet provides enough inherent mechanical strength to withstand pressure from adjacent musculature and does not collapse.