Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component that are covalently linked, and at least one stabilizing or enhancing agent, wherein the first high molecular weight component and the second high molecular weight component are each selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides. This stabilized hydrogel matrix may be prepared as bioactive gels, pastes, slurries, cell attachment scaffolds for implantable medical devices, and casting or binding materials suitable for the construction of medical devices. The intrinsic bioactivity of the hydrogel matrix makes it useful as a gel or paste in multiple applications, including as a cell attachment scaffold that promotes wound healing around an implanted device, as gels and pastes for induction of localized vasculogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration, as a wound adhesive, and for tissue bulking.

Abstract: A retraction apparatus and method are disclosed that provide optimized access to a surgical site. In one form, a retraction frame has a retraction opening with two sets of blades operating therein. The blades are used to sequentially retract the tissue from about an incision. The sequential retraction of the blades generates only narrow gaps between the blades so that tissue and blood encroachment during the surgical procedure are minimized.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a suction device handle for use with a vacuum supply conduit to suction a fluid or tissue, the handle comprising: a hand-grippable body defining a chamber; the hand-grippable body comprising a distal end configured to support a suction tip; the suction tip including a distal end of a vacuum supply conduit extending within an outer cannula, the vacuum supply conduit being offset from a distal end of the outer cannula by a predetermined distance; wherein the distal end of the hand grippable body is connected to a proximal end of the outer cannula and the chamber is connected in fluid communication with the suction pressure or vacuum generated at the distal end of the vacuum supply conduit. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method which allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the hardware may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system comprises one or more pattern tags, each comprising a plurality of contrasting portions, a tracker for obtaining image information about the pattern tags, a database with geometric information describing patterns on pattern tags; and a controller for receiving and processing the image information from the tracker, accessing the database to retrieve geometric information, and comparing the image information with the geometric information. The contrasting portions are arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern and at least one of the contrasting portions on a pattern tag has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section. The perimeter of the contrasting portion may comprise a conic section, including for example an ellipse or a circle. The tracking system can be implemented in a surgical monitoring system in which the pattern tags are attached to tracking markers or are themselves tracking markers.

Abstract: A bone plate system having a retainer for resisting back-out of a bone anchor from a throughbore of a bone plate is provided. In one aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer disposed in a bone plate throughbore with a pair of elongate arm portions of the resilient retainer extending along opposite sides of the throughbore. In another aspect, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of elongate interference portions completely exposed in the throughbore and spaced from each other across the throughbore to retain a head of a bone anchor received in the throughbore. In addition, a bone plate system having a resilient retainer with a pair of opposite end portions disposed within a groove of a throughbore wall such that a bone anchor may be inserted into the throughbore without contacting either of the opposite end portions of the retainer.

Abstract: A minimally invasive and open surgery surgical system for implanting spinal screw assemblies to be connected by a spinal rod is disclosed. In one form, the system includes an improved tool device for inserting a cap insert into an initial and final locking of a screw assembly and securing a spinal rod inserted through an incision to a vertebra. In another form, the system also includes a screw fixation system that allows greater variability in thread diameter for orthopedic implant for in the spine, iliac crest, or bones.

Abstract: A monitoring system tracks the non-visible structure of a body and relatable non-visible structures in real time in three dimensions. A tracker obtains image information of the body and its vicinity. A controller spatially relates the image information with previously obtained scan data of the object revealing non-visible structure of the object. For the scan, a fiducial reference detectable in the scan is removably attached to a location on the object. The scan data and image information are used by the controller to provide the user with real time information about the relative 3D locations and orientations of the relatable non-visible structures and the non-visible structure of the body. Using three-dimensional tracking markers attached to the fiducial reference on the body and to the relatable non-visible structures, the system and method may be employed to track in three dimensions in real time a plurality of bodies having non-visible structure.

Abstract: Connective tissue regenerative compositions and methods of repairing and regenerating connective tissue using such compositions are provided. The compositions generally comprise a bioactive hydrogel matrix comprising a polypeptide, such as gelatin, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The hydrogel matrix may further include polar amino acids, as well as additional beneficial additives. Advantageously, the compositions include further components, such as osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials, medicaments, stem or progenitor cells, and three-dimensional structural frameworks. The compositions are useful for regenerating connective tissue, and can be administered to an area having injury to, or a loss of, connective tissue, such as bone, cartilage, tendon, and ligament.

Abstract: An implant device is provided that is configured for implantation at multiple locations between adjacent vertebrae. The implant device comprises an implant body, a first portion of the implant body, and a second portion of the implant body adjustably interconnected with the first portion. The implant body has a compact orientation and an extended orientation to allow the implant body to be shifted from one orientation to the other orientation for being positioned in any one of areas between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, between laminar regions of the adjacent vertebrae, spanning an opening in the annulus between the adjacent vertebrae, and in the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A monitoring system tracks the non-visible structure of a body in three dimensions. A tracker obtains image information of the object and instruments in its vicinity, all bearing 3D tracking markers. A controller spatially relates the image information with previously obtained scan data of the object revealing non-visible structure of the object. For the scan a fiducial reference detectable in the scan is removably attached to a location on the object. The scan data and image information is used by the controller to provide the user with real time information on the relative 3D locations and orientations of the instruments and the non-visible structure of the body. In a further embodiment the monitoring system may be used to model and track the changes in the body itself. In other embodiments, a model of the body and instruments is used to track contemplated actions and warn about possibly inappropriate instrument procedures.

Abstract: A method for making an insert for a bone structure located within a surgical site comprises operating on the bone structure with a materials removing tool to remove materials from the bone structure; tracking in three dimensions the location and orientation of the bone structure; tracking in three dimensions the location and orientation of the working tip of the materials removing tool; creating a software model of the materials volume removed from the bone structure; and making the insert based on model data within the software model. An associated system comprises a controller and a tracker for tracking a 3-D tracking marker rigidly attached to the bone structure and a 3-D tracking marker rigidly attached to the materials removing tool. A manufacturing device is used to manufacture the insert based on the model data from the controller.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for achieving control and stabilization of bone fractures in mammals, most specifically humans. Stabilization and traction is often required to support fractured bones of the arms or legs. The devices and methods disclosed herein are especially useful in the emergency or military setting. The devices utilize a collapsible, inflatable member that is expanded and locked into position. The frame or inflatable member is fabricated primarily from polymeric materials with low radiodensity. The limb contact regions are adjustable to fit a wide variety of limb sizes and fracture locations. The traction applied by the splint is adjustable, controllable and measurable. The traction splint is compact and will fit in a compartment of most emergency rescue vehicles, thus making it more available for use than standard traction splints used today. The traction splint is either a separate device or integrated into a backboard.

Abstract: A rigid positioning and orienting portion of a handheld apparatus has a three-dimensional tracking marker monolithically integrated within its structure, thereby making it possible to track the apparatus using a suitable a tracker. The tracker may track the position or orientation, or both, of the monolithically integrated tracking marker. The tracker may be a two-dimensional imaging tracker. The tracking marker may be monolithically integrated with a rigid positioning and orienting portion of the handheld apparatus during the manufacture of the rigid positioning and orienting portion of the handheld apparatus. In a surgical monitoring system the monolithically integrated tracking marker is trackable by a tracker and may have markings containing a plurality of contrasting portions arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern; wherein at least one of the contrasting portions has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section recognizable to a controller in communication with the tracker.

Abstract: An expandable interbody device for implantation within an intervertebral space is provided, together with methods and tools for use therewith. The interbody devices of the present invention include upper and lower bearing members configured to expand via an expansion mechanism configured to allow the insertion of osteoconductive materials and other structures into the interior of the interbody device before and after implantation, and before and after expansion of the interbody device. The insertion tool is configured expand the interbody device and to allow insertion of materials into the interbody device through a protected pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed are cement products, methods of forming cement using the cement product, and methods of using the cement product in orthopedic and dental applications. Generally, the disclosed cement product includes a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a polymerizable resin comprising ethylenic unsaturated double bond, a suitable glycidyl group and/or a suitable isocyanate group. The second component includes a compound comprising more than one type of amine selected from the group consisting of primary amine, secondary amines, tertiary amines and quaternary amines. Alternatively, the second component includes a compound comprising a suitable mercapto (SH—) group, a hindered amine or a dimethylthiotoluenediamine (DMTDA). Optionally, the cement product includes a filler and/or a bioactive component to promote bone formation.

Abstract: Systems and tools for inserting and securing an implant within the intervertebral space. An intervertebral disc implant with upper and lower bearing members with an articulation interface between the members for providing relative motion therebetween. The implant may be provided with various securing members for fixing the implant within the intervertebral space. A tool may be used to insert the implant, which includes a plurality of shiftable implant engaging members that are shiftable between non-engaging and engaging configurations to alternatively release or hold the implant.

Abstract: A tool for holding or driving an implant member having a recess is provided including an elongate tool shaft having a distal head portion for being received in the recess and a securing mechanism that keeps the head portion in the drive recess and which is disposed proximally up along the tool shaft from the distal head portion. In one form, the securing mechanism includes a plurality of resilient leg member having distal end locking portions. In another form, a drive system includes a drive tool and a driven member. The drive tool has a generally annular flange portion that is radially larger than the drive head portion. The driven member has a generally annular securing portion for receiving the flange portion in releasably locked engagement so that the circumferential extent of the locking engagement is maximized relative to the smaller radial size of the drive head portion.

Abstract: An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In one form, the implant retention device may include an elongated tensioning member having a portion configured to connect to the implant and at least one anchoring device disposed on the tensioning member, the anchoring device configured to at least partially penetrate spinal tissue such as the annulus, vertebral body, or other secure tissue.

Abstract: A surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. Tracker obtains image information, with controller configured to spatially relate image information with previously obtained scan data. Fiducial reference is configured for removably attaching to a location proximate a surgical site. The fiducial reference is observable by the tracker so that software of the controller determines three-dimensional location and orientation based on scan data and image data of the surgical site, spatially relating the image information to the scan data to determine the three-dimensional location and the orientation of the fiducial reference.