Abstract: A surgical implant for preventing withdrawal of a bone dowel graft from a facet joint, the apparatus including a plate having a posterior face and an anterior face, a passageway extending to and between the posterior face and the anterior face, an opening through the posterior face that is configured for detachably coupling to an inserter and one or more anti-migration projections extending outwardly from the anterior face. In use, the plate is placed over a bone dowel seated in a facet joint and coupled to the superior process and the inferior process by inserting a screw through the passageway into the inferior process.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a facet joint by providing a fixation member with a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section, forming a void having a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section within the facet joint and inserting the fixation member into the void. The void is formed by engaging a first drill guide with the facet joint having two drill guide paths and drilling two spaced-apart or slightly overlapping passageways within the face joint, followed by engaging a second drill guide with the facet joint and drilling a third passageway between the two other passageways. The fixation member includes a tapered, anti-migration section configured for engaging the opposing articular surfaces of the joint.

Abstract: A method and devices for placing spinal implants including placing the implants completely within a spaced defined between adjacent vertebral bodies where the implants are supported by the cortical bone of the vertebral bodies. An insertion instrument places the implants in pairs with a variable-sized space placed in between. The implants are made of a biocompatible material and are particularly suited for anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. The spinal implants used to facilitate spinal fusion, correct deformities, stabilize and strengthen the spine.

Abstract: Implants for promoting bone growth and methods of using same, the implants including a perforated placental membrane sheet wrapped around an osteoconductive material composed of bone chips, bone granules, bone powders or combinations thereof, the osteoconductive material being configured for providing a scaffold upon which bone growth can occur. The placental membrane sheet acts to maintain the osteoconductive material in a cohesive, organized configuration within a site of a patient where bone growth is to be induced. The perforations in the placental membrane sheet create passageways in the exterior of the implant through which the osteoconductive material can communicate with adjacent bone surfaces which are to be fused.

Abstract: Preparations containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and methods of making and using same. The HGF and HA preparations can be prepared together in solution as an injectable fluid without gelatinization, or impregnated within a porous hydrophilic matrix material with, or without, cross-linking of the HA with the matrix material. The preparations can be used as a dermal filler or to generate and promote healing of cartilage, vertebral discs, connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments and bone in vivo.

Abstract: Implants for promoting bone growth and methods of using same, the implants including a perforated placental membrane sheet wrapped around an osteoconductive material composed of bone chips, bone granules, bone powders or combinations thereof, the osteoconductive material being configured for providing a scaffold upon which bone growth can occur. The placental membrane sheet acts to maintain the osteoconductive material in a cohesive, organized configuration within a site of a patient where bone growth is to be induced. The perforations in the placental membrane sheet create passageways in the exterior of the implant through which the osteoconductive material can communicate with adjacent bone surfaces which are to be fused.

Abstract: A method for treating back pain by stabilizing the sacroiliac joint. The method includes fusing a sacrum bone to an ilium bone or otherwise mechanically immobilizing the sacroiliac joint by inserting at least two implants into voids formed within or between the articular surfaces of each sacroiliac joint of a patient without substantially distracting the joint. The voids are arranged within each joint at either a converging orientation or a diverging orientation. A kit containing the implants and tools required to insert the implants into the joint are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation, propagation and use of prenatal stem cells. The cells are CD105 negative. In certain embodiments the cells are also SSEA-4 positive or negative, and c-kit negative. The cells may be isolated from a prenatal sample, for instance third trimester amniotic fluid or placental membrane. The cells may be combined with a biologically compatible solution or a biologically compatible matrix and utilized to treat a human subject. The invention also contemplated enriched populations of prenatal stem cells. The enriched cell population may be propagated in the appropriate culture medium and the resulting progeny cells utilized therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method and devices for placing spinal implants including placing the implants completely within a spaced defined between adjacent vertebral bodies where the implants are supported by the cortical bone of the vertebral bodies. An insertion instrument places the implants in pairs with a variable-sized space placed in between. The implants are made of a biocompatible material and are particularly suited for anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. The spinal implants used to facilitate spinal fusion, correct deformities, stabilize and strengthen the spine.

Abstract: Preparations containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and methods of making and using same. The HGF and HA preparations can be prepared together in solution as an injectable fluid without gelatinization, or impregnated within a porous hydrophilic matrix material with, or without, cross-linking of the HA with the matrix material. The preparations can be used as a dermal filler or to generate and promote healing of cartilage, vertebral discs, connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments and bone in vivo.

Abstract: A method for treating back pain by stabilizing the sacroiliac joint. The method includes fusing a sacrum bone to an ilium bone or otherwise mechanically immobilizing the sacroiliac joint by inserting at least two implants into voids formed within or between the articular surfaces of each sacroiliac joint of a patient without substantially distracting the joint. The voids are arranged within each joint at either a converging orientation or a diverging orientation. A kit containing the implants and tools required to insert the implants into the joint are also described.