Abstract: A catheter assembly for infusion or aspiration of an internal body site includes a catheter comprised of a tubular sidewall extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the sidewall bounding a lumen. At least one port is formed on the catheter so as to communicate with the lumen. At least one filament extends outwardly from the first catheter. The filament is configured to form a fluid pathway within a body of a patient for fluid entering or exiting the at least one port of the catheter when the catheter is implanted within the body of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ formation of a structural prosthesis includes a tubularmember having a proximal end and an opposing distal end. A balloon having a compartment is disposed on the tubular member such that a curable biomaterial can be selectively delivered to the compartment of the balloon through the tubular member. A line is disposed on or in the wall of the balloon to facilitate at least partial severing of the wall of the balloon after the biomaterial has at least partially cured therein such that the balloon can be selectively removed from around the at least partially cured biomaterial, thereby forming a structural prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone includes positioning an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant having a first plate and an opposing second plate. A portion of a tool inserted between the first plate and the second plate of the fusion implant is expanded so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone. The tool is then removed from the expanded fusion implant.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel orthopedic fastener. The novel orthopedic fastener comprises a body portion adapted to extend substantially below the surface of a bone, and a head portion adapted to extend substantially above the surface of the bone, wherein the body portion is formed of a first material and the head portion is formed of a second material. In one preferred form of the invention, the first material comprises a bioabsorbable material which is bioactive so as to encourage tissue in-growth, and the second material comprises a bioabsorbable material which is not bioactive so as to not encourage tissue in-growth.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth projecting therefrom. At least a portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engages with the at least one tooth of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated while forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis for replacing a portion of a bone having an articulating end includes a neck having a bore extending therethrough, a body having a bore extending therethrough, and an elongated stem. A proximal end of the stem is received within the bore of the body and the bore of the neck so that at least a self-locking taper connection or a press fit connection is formed between the stem and each of the neck and the body.

Abstract: A binary attachment mechanism for a modular prosthesis comprises a body and a stem. The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, an internal surface bounding a bore extending between the top and bottom surface. The stem has a protrusion having an external surface adapted to be received in the bore of the body. Sliding the protrusion into the bore causes the external surface of the protrusion to form discrete, spaced apart, releasable connections with the internal surface of the body.

Abstract: A tripartite attachment mechanism for a modular prosthesis comprises a body, a sleeve and a shaft. The body has a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface bounding a bore extending between the top and bottom ends, and an external prosthetic surface. The sleeve has a channel extending therethrough, an external prosthetic surface, and a protrusion having an outer surface adapted to be received in the bore. The shaft is adapted to be slidingly received in the bore and the channel. With the shaft in the bore and the channel, sliding the protrusion into the bore causes the internal surface of the bore to bias against the external surface of the protrusion and further causes the internal surface of the channel to bias against the shaft, thereby locking the body, sleeve, and stem in a fixed relative position.

Abstract: A novel fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The fixation system comprises an interference screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: (i) drilling a tunnel in the bone; (ii) positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel; (iii) placing an interference screw in the bone tunnel so as to force the graft ligament laterally against the opposite side of the bone tunnel; and (iv) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the interference screw so as to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes an elongated shaft having an exterior sidewall extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end. A helical first thread is wound about and outwardly projects from the exterior sidewall of the shaft so as to extend between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft. A first suture port transversely extends through at least a portion of the first thread at the proximal end of the shaft. The suture port is configured to receive a suture line.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of spaced apart expandable sidewalls extending therebetween. The top surface, bottom surface, and pair of expandable sidewalls at least partially bound a compartment therebetween. A discrete reinforcing member has a predetermined shape. The reinforcing member is selectively positioned within or outside of the compartment such that a compressive force applied on the top surface and bottom surface of the housing is transferred through the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of a diseased or traumatized facet of a mammalian vertebra includes a surface that articulates with another prosthetic facet or a natural facet, a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the diseased or traumatized spine facet which is to be replaced, and an element to attach the prosthesis to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to or abutment against the posterior arch. A method of installing the prosthesis includes the steps of resecting at least a portion of a facet and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the posterior arch.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a placement portion frangably connected to an attachment portion. The attachment portion includes an outwardly projecting barb. During insertion of the suture anchor within a bore hole formed on a bone, the barb scores at least a portion of the bone bounding the bore hole. Once the suture anchor is disposed within the bore hole, a withdrawal force is applied to the suture anchor such that the attachment portion thereof rotates within the bore hole and disconnects from the placement portion. In an alternative embodiment, the suture anchor can be formed without the outwardly projecting barb.

Abstract: A prosthesis for the replacement of multiple diseased or traumatized spinal facets comprises a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the facets to be replaced and where the prosthesis attaches to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to, or abutment against, the lamina. Multiple configurations of the prosthesis provide for replacement of the two inferior facets, the two superior facets, a superior and inferior facet, or all four facets. A method of installing the prosthesis is provided that is comprised of the steps of resecting at least a portion of the facets that carry the diseased or traumatized spinal facets and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the lamina.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth or one adjustment hole formed thereon. A portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engage with the at least one tooth or one adjustment hole of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth or one adjustment hole formed thereon. A portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engage with the at least one tooth or one adjustment hole of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth projecting therefrom. At least a portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engages with the at least one tooth of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated while forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A surgical site chemical dispensing system for dispensing a liquid chemical agent, such as an antibiotic, anesthetic, growth factor, hormone, anti-neoplastic agent, or the like, directly onto a site of a surgical procedure. The system includes at least one bladder formed from a pair of thin sections of a flexible material to have an internal cavity that connects to an open tube wherethrough the liquid chemical agent is passed, under pressure, into the bladder. The liquid chemical agent passes, as a low volume flow, through at least one hole formed through a bladder section of material and onto the surgical procedure site. The invention includes a fixation device that includes at least one hollow pin for passing a volume of the liquid chemical agent therethrough directly into or onto a bone proximate to a fracture therein.

Abstract: A surgical site chemical dispensing system for dispensing a liquid chemical agent, such as an antibiotic, anesthetic, growth factor, hormone, anti-neoplastic agent, or the like, directly onto a site of a surgical procedure. The system includes at least one bladder formed from a pair of thin sections of a flexible material to have an internal cavity that connects to an open tube wherethrough the liquid chemical agent is passed, under pressure, into the bladder. The liquid chemical agent passes, as a low volume flow, through at least one hole formed through a bladder section of material and onto the surgical procedure site.

Abstract: A ligament fixator for a ligament anchor system and a process its use in an arthroscopic procedure for mounting a ligament graft end in a tunnel formed into a bone. The anchor system includes footing member for positioning in a bone tunnel, and includes a longitudinal opening formed therethrough, and a ligament carrying member that has a forward of proximal portion for fitting through the member longitudinal opening and includes a coupling for securing it to the footing member.