Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical method or procedure for securing a prosthesis to bone. More particularly, the present invention relates to (i) a surgical method or procedure for securing a low load bearing prosthesis such as, for example, an adhesion barrier, to a patient's bone, (ii) a tack or drive screw for securing the low load bearing prosthesis and (iii) associated instrumentation for driving the tack or drive screw into the patient's bone.

Abstract: A catheter device that includes a double-threaded guidance wire that allows multiple use of a compliant cavity creation device (i.e., treatment of more than one level). The double-threaded guidance wire may be connected with the luer part of the device and a distal part of the balloon using a threaded engagement to avoid lengthening of the inner tube, avoid lengthening of the balloon, and to limit the plastic deformation of the system in axial direction. In other implementations, the double-threaded guidance wire may be reconnected to the distal part of the balloon with a distal thread of the double-threaded guidance wire in order to restore the nominal length.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing portions of bone, comprises a plate to be coupled to a target portion of bone including a first hole extending therethrough from a proximal surface to a distal, bone-facing, surface thereof and a first rigid member received within the first hole, the rigid member sized relative to the first hole to be rotatable therewithin about an axis substantially perpendicular to a proximal-distal axis of the first hole, the first rigid member including a first bore extending therethrough from a proximal opening to a distal opening, the first bore being sized and shaped to receive a first bone fixation element to be inserted through the plate into the target portion of bone in combination with a first deformable member coupling the first rigid member to the plate.

Abstract: Expandable fixation assemblies, expandable cranial fixation assemblies, and expandable intervertebral implant assemblies are provided for securing structures to bone and for securing bones and/or bone segments with respect to each other. An expansion member can be moved through at least a portion of an expandable fixation body, thereby causing expansion of the expandable fixation body, such that bone engagement features of the expandable fixation body engage surrounding structure, such as bone.

Abstract: Embodiments described include devices and methods for forming a porous polymer material. Devices disclosed and formed using the methods described include a spacer for spinal fusion, craniomaxillofacial (CMF) structures, and other structures for tissue implants.

Abstract: The shaped article is obtained via a cementitious reaction of a particulate composition reactive with water, whereby said reaction is obtained between said composition and an aqueous, liquid or gaseous phase. The particles of the shaped article are present in the form of interlocked particles, whereby the interlocking of said particles is obtained in a 100% water-saturated atmosphere.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: The bone repair material comprises the following components: A) a first granular component with a diameter larger than 20 ?m chosen from the group of: calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, or calcium sulfate dihydrate; B) a second component chosen from the group of apatite powder with a particle diameter smaller than 1 ?m, (preferably smaller than 100 nm); and B) a third component comprising water or an aqueous solution, whereby C) the volume fraction of the second and third component represents at least 35 volume-% of the total bone repair material.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable compositions, and method for preparing same, containing a calcium salt-containing component, optionally demineralized bone, a plurality of discrete fibers, optionally a flow additive, and optionally continuous reinforcing fibers or an array of organized fibers in the form of mesh. Advantageously, the discrete fibers have a specific aspect ratio (length/diameter) from about 50:1 to about 1000:1. The addition of a small amount of discrete fibers and/or the continuous reinforcing fibers or fiber mesh can cause drastic increases in certain mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural toughness, and/or screw pullout strength.

Abstract: The prosthetic joint has at least two members having each a cooperating articulating surface layer on a substrate material. At least one of said articulating surface layers comprises amorphous diamond-like carbon; or Titanium Nitrate (TiN) on a bonding layer bonded to the substrate material. The prosthetic joint provides a reduction of the number of wear debris and shows enhanced dry run properties.

Abstract: The intramedullary nail (1) is designated in particular for the tibia and has a distal end (2) for insertion into the medullary canal, a proximal end (3), a central axis (4) and a generally rod-like shape over the hole length L. The nail (1) has three distinct locking sections (5,6,7) with at least one through-hole (8) each for receiving locking screws whereby said three locking sections (5,6,7) are separated from each other by two distinct intermediate sections (9,10) having less through-holes (8) per length unit than each of the locking sections (5,6,7).

Abstract: A driver has a tip that enables it to engage each one of a conventional hexagonal-head fastener and a conventional lobed-head fastener. The tip includes alternating flutes and crests. The crests are substantially flat to engage straight walls of a hexagonal-head. The flutes engage the lobed head of the fastener. A socket-type driver engages each type of conventional fastener. A fastener and a pair of socket-type fasteners have alternating flutes, which can be engaged by a conventional lobed-head driver, and crests or sidewall surfaces, which can be engaged by a conventional hexagonal-head driver.