Abstract: This current invention provides methods and agents for preventing and treating autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disease by targeting pathogenic age-associated B cells as well as methods of detecting these pathogenic age-associated B cells as a method of diagnosing and predicting autoimmune disease and other lymphoproliferative and chronic inflammatory disorders. The current invention also provides targets for drug development and basic research for autoimmune diseases and other lymphoproliferative and chronic inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: An improved new method of making a multi-component implant comprising a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel, and a porous rigid base suitable for implantation into a mammal, to treat, repair or replace defects and/or injury biological tissue as well as the implant made from the improved method. The invention also includes an improved method for making devices, constructs, and materials comprising a hydrogel and a porous rigid material. The invention also includes a mold and kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training and implementing a machine learning algorithm to generate feature maps depicting spatial patterns of features associated with osteolysis, synovitis, or both. MRI data, including multispectral imaging data, are input to the trained machine learning algorithm to generate the feature maps, which may indicate features such as a location and probability of a pathology classification, a severity of synovitis, a type of synovitis, a synovial membrane thickness, and other features associated with osteolysis or synovitis. In some implementations, synovial anatomy are segmented in the MRI data before inputting the MRI data to the machine learning algorithm. These segmented MRI data may be generated using another trained machine learning algorithm.

Abstract: A method includes: accessing MRI data acquired from a joint area, the MRI data including a series of spatially mapped spectral data points; generating MRI images of the joint area; receiving information encoding a region of interest that encompasses a suspected metal particle deposition area over at least one of the MRI images; constructing magnetic field maps using the MRI data, each representing off-resonance frequency shifts over the joint area; removing a background of off-resonance field inhomogeneity from the magnetic field map such that the region of interest is free from off-resonance field inhomogeneity; identifying clusters from the magnetic field maps with the background of off-resonance field inhomogeneity removed, the clusters defined over a first dimension of offset frequencies and a second dimension of cluster volumes; and computing a quantitative metric by combining information from the identified clusters according to both the first dimension and the second dimension.

Abstract: A system for controllably turning over a patient in a bed includes a flexible body sling and a ratchet device. The flexible body sling includes a main torso portion that terminates in a first end and an opposing second end and is configured for placement under the patient between a head and a tailbone of the patient. The flexible sling has a first sling strap that is coupled to the first end and a second sling strap that is coupled to the second end. The ratchet device has a mount that includes a curved portion for placement over a side rail of the bed to detachably secure the ratchet device to the bed. The ratchet device has a rotatable spool with a slot for receiving one of the first sling strap and the second sling strap. The ratchet device has a pivotable handle for driving the rotatable spool.

Abstract: An implant comprising at least three components, namely, a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel adjacent to or surrounding the solid hydrogel (together considered “the hydrogel”), and a porous rigid base. The solid hydrogel and porous rigid base carry joint load, and the porous hydrogel layer and the porous rigid base allow for cellular migration into and around the implant. The invention is also a novel method of manufacturing the implant, a novel method of implanting the implant, and a method of treating, repairing or replacing biological tissue, more preferably musculoskeletal tissue, with the implant.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for activating and promoting mineralization in tissue that does not normally mineralize, specifically intervertebral discs. The composition comprises agents that increase the expression of the gene that encodes TNAP and/or the activation, amount or activity of TNAP protein, and agents that decrease the expression of ANK and/or ENPP and/or the activation, amount or activity of these proteins. The composition can be in the form of a cell or cells. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for total elbow replacement are provided to allow a surgeon to intraoperatively select a linked or unlinked constraint by utilizing a connection located on the body of the ulnar and/or humeral stem. Additional modularity also allows the selection of a cemented or cementless stem as described herein. The modularity and adjustability provides a number of advantages.

Abstract: This invention related to methods and assays for screening for, identifying, and predicting the severity and clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Specifically, this invention provides various biomarkers for the prediction of flares of the disease both in number and severity, as well as clinical manifestations of the disease, and methods of using these biomarkers to correctly subclassify patients with this disease, and prescribe appropriate treatment. The invention also provides for biomarkers of lupus disease activity, i.e., flares, as well as biomarkers for the prediction of future flares, and methods of using these biomarkers. The invention also provides, in these biomarkers, targets and methods for drug development and basic research for SLE.

Abstract: Improved instruments (tools) and surgical techniques are provided for use in surgical procedures that treat femoroacetabular impingement of both the Cam and Pincer types.

Abstract: An implant having at least three components, namely, a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel adjacent to or surrounding the solid hydrogel (together considered “the hydrogel”), and a porous rigid base. The solid hydrogel and porous rigid base carry joint load, and the porous hydrogel layer and the porous rigid base allow for cellular migration into and around the implant. The invention is also a novel method of manufacturing the implant, a novel method of implanting the implant, and a method of treating, repairing or replacing biological tissue, more preferably musculoskeletal tissue, with the implant.

Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular guide for use in orienting an acetabular component with respect to an acetabulum of a patient as part of a surgical procedure includes a body having a bottom contact surface that has a portion that is shaped and configured to initimately receive and interlockingly mate with an acetabular notch of the patient's acetabulum in accordance with a three-dimensional image of the acetabulum of the specific patient. The three-dimensional image can be in the form of a three-dimensional virtual model of the patient's acetabulum that is constructed at least in part on 3D image data of the pelvic region of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for total elbow replacement are provided to allow a surgeon to intraoperatively select a linked or unlinked constraint by utilizing a connection located on the body of the ulnar and/or humeral stem. Additional modularity also allows the selection of a cemented or cementless stem as described herein. The modularity and adjustability provides a number of advantages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to treat a grafts, implant, scaffold, and constructs, including allografts, xenografts, autografts, and prosthetics comprising collagen, with an inhibitor of collagen cross-links and/or advanced glycation endproducts (AGE), in order to alleviate the mechanical weakness induced by the cross-links. The invention also provides for kits for use in the operating theater during autograft, allograft or xenograft procedures, or for preparing allograft, xenografts or prosthetics that have not been already treated prior to packaging. The kit comprises a first agent or agents that inhibit collagen cross-links and/or advanced glycation endproducts, instructions for use, optionally a wash or rinse agent, and a device for containing the graft and first agent.

Abstract: Improved instruments (tools) and surgical techniques are provided for use in surgical procedures that treat femoroacetabular impingement of both the Cam and Pincer types.

Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular guide for use in orienting an acetabular component with respect to an acetabulum of a patient as part of a surgical procedure includes a body having a bottom contact surface that has a portion that is shaped and configured to initimately receive and interlockingly mate with an acetabular notch of the patient's acetabulum in accordance with a three-dimensional image of the acetabulum of the specific patient. The three-dimensional image can be in the form of a three-dimensional virtual model of the patient's acetabulum that is constructed at least in part on 3D image data of the pelvic region of the patient.

Abstract: A femoral component for a knee joint prosthesis is formed of a body having an anterior side, a posterior side, and pair of laterally spaced condylar portions. The femoral component includes an intercondylar portion that joins the condylar portions and includes a recess. The intercondylar portion has an arcuate shaped roof that extends between a pair of opposing side walls. The arcuate shaped roof is formed so as to be defined by a single radius.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having a first condylar bearing surface and a second condylar bearing surface. Each of the first and second condylar bearing surfaces has a cross-section in a coronal plane that exhibits at least two different radii. The prosthesis also includes a tibial component and an insert component associated with the tibial component. The insert component has bearing surfaces that are complementary to the first and second condylar bearing surfaces, wherein a contact point is established between the bearing surfaces of the insert component and the first and second condylar bearing surface. In accordance with the present invention and as a result of the above construction, varus and valgus rotation of the femoral component relative to the insert component causes the contact point to move laterally as the knee is rotated. By shifting the contact pointy laterally/outwardly, the knee stability (i.e., stiffness) gradually increased.

Abstract: An implant comprising at least three components, namely, a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel adjacent to or surrounding the solid hydrogel (together considered “the hydrogel”), and a porous rigid base. The solid hydrogel and porous rigid base carry joint load, and the porous hydrogel layer and the porous rigid base allow for cellular migration into and around the implant. The invention is also a novel method of manufacturing the implant, a novel method of implanting the implant, and a method of treating, repairing or replacing biological tissue, more preferably musculoskeletal tissue, with the implant.