Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.

Abstract: A fixation device, having an elongated element extending along a central axis, having a total length L and including a proximal section formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent for electromagnetic radiation within a preselected wavelength range and a distal section formed of a material that is substantially nonabsorbent for electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range in combination with a middle section axially arranged between the proximal and distal sections, the middle section formed of a material that is substantially absorbent for electromagnetic radiation in the preselected wavelength range.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system includes a catheter having a first lumen and proximal and distal ends. A notch is disposed in the first lumen, forming a second lumen. An embolic device has a retaining ring at the proximal end. An engagement member includes a distal loop extending through the retaining ring, and a proximal loop extending into the first lumen. An elongated detachment member can be disposed through the loops and have a detachment member bump disposed between the loops. When the detachment member is disposed within the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is engaged. When the detachment member is pulled proximally, the detachment member is withdrawn from the distal loop, and the detachment member bump contacts the proximal loop. These acts assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device comprising inferior and superior fusion cage devices that provide an ability to correct spondylolisthesis via in-situ adjustment.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: A mechanism can include a step feature guidewire having a guidewire with a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter. A self-expanding element can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter. The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent proprieties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element. Further, the expanded diameter can be approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. While the guidewire is designed for passing through a body lumen while treating a patient, the expanded diameter is less than any body lumen diameter the guidewire is determined to pass through.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site.

Abstract: A bending tool can be configured to bend an orthopedic implant and includes a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The first jaw assembly includes a first base and a first adjustment member that is movably coupled to the first base. The second jaw assembly is movably coupled to the second jaw assembly. The second jaw assembly includes a second base and a second adjustment member that is movably coupled to the second base.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion operatively coupled to the spacer portion and one or more blades for securing the implant to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The blades preferably include superior and inferior cylindrical pins for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant may be configured to be inserted via a direct lateral trans-psoas approach. Alternatively, the implant may be configured for insertion via an anterior approach.

Abstract: Provided are porous, biocompatible implant bodies and materials. These materials suitably comprise a population of randomly arranged thermoplastic constituents, with at least some of the constituents being bonded to one another The implant bodies are capable of being manipulated at room temperature from a first shape to a second shape, and of maintaining the second shape at about internal body temperature. Also provided are related methods of fabricating such implants and installing the implants into a subject.

Abstract: An instrument system, associated milling or drilling guide and method include use of a trial implant of a size corresponding to an actual implant for the intervertebral space, with a milling guide mounted on the trial implant. The system also includes a cutting tool which is used to form a cutout in an adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: A method of performing arthroplasty includes preparing a head of a long bone to receive a prosthesis using a reamer. The reamer includes a first cutting structure having an inner concave surface that defines a first cavity and terminates in a generally circular leading edge. The inner concave surface includes a first cutting feature that is spaced apart from the leading edge. An elongate member extends from the first cutting structure into the first cavity toward the leading edge that includes a second cutting feature. A second cutting structure is secured to the elongate member and positioned within the first cavity. The second cutting structure extends outwardly from the elongate member toward the inner concave surface and includes a third cutting feature.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoulder prosthesis includes glenoid defect-filling component configured to be implanted within a defect in a glenoid of a patient. The glenoid defect-filling component includes a porous metallic body and a plurality of holes formed in the porous metallic body, the plurality of holes being arranged in a pattern to receive a number of pegs of a discrete polymer glenoid component.

Abstract: An expandable implant system is configured to increase the height of a target bone, for instance that has been subjected to a compression fracture. The expandable implant system includes an implant assembly that can be inserted into the target bone, and subsequently expanded so as to increase the height of the target bone. The expandable implant system further includes an insertion assembly that is configured to create an insertion channel into the target bone, such that the implant assembly can be inserted in a collapsed configuration into the target bone along the insertion channel, and subsequently expanded.

Abstract: A secondary cover plate that contacts a stand-alone fusion cage without rigidly connecting to the cage, and instead only docks against the cage (or passes through a fixation cage) and is secured into the adjacent bone. The secondary cover plate is the last item that would be added to the fixation cage construct and would at least partially cover the head of one or more angled screws. The secondary cover plate could slidably engage the fixation cage without permanently snapping into any features of the cage itself. The secondary cover plate would then be final positioned by advancing into one or more adjacent vertebral bodies. The secondary cover plate advancing step could be achieved by tapping it into place (into bone) or rotating it into place (into bone) so that it is finally secured into the bone.

Abstract: Non-load-bearing, drug-eluting components that can be added to load bearing spinal implants.

Abstract: A trialing and preparation system for preparing a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae is provided. The system includes a guide shaft, a trialing cage or spacer, a scraper and a driving shaft. The guide shaft supports the trialing spacer within the disc space and may include an angular adjustment for such access. The scraper sleeves over the guide shaft into an abutting relationship with the adjacent vertebrae. The driving shaft is coupled to the scraper by a pivoting and reciprocation mechanism that allows angular adjustment of the scraper. Also, reciprocation of the driving shaft reciprocates the scraper through a limited sweep of motion to remove osteophytes from the vertebrae.

Abstract: An interbody spacer comprising a series of stacked walls connected by a common base, wherein the spacer collapses when pressed into an access delivery tube. During insertion, the walls can flex as a unit, like bending a deck of cards, to traverse bends in the access tube. Upon distally exiting the portal of the access delivery tube, the walls track apart (like spreading fingers) to create a wide base of support for the vertebral body endplate. A graft delivery device that uses a conveyor belt-type approach to deliver bone graft from the device to a location in a patient. In some embodiments, the conveyor-belt is manually actuated.

Abstract: A laser device having a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end, the distal end configured to receive a fixation member to be affixed to a target surgical site. The laser device includes a laser source supported by the laser device body and capable of emitting a laser beam to the distal end, wherein the laser source is responsive to at least one input so as to selectively switch between an inactive configuration whereby the laser source does not emit the laser beam, and an active configuration whereby the laser source emits the laser beam.

Abstract: An alloy and an implant having a three-dimensional structure based on such alloy. The alloy comprises a MgZnCa alloy containing nanosized precipitates being less noble than the Mg matrix alloy and having a Zn content ranging 0.1 wt. % Zn to 2 wt. % Zn and a calcium content ranging from 0.2 wt. % to 0.5 wt. %, and having one or more other elements, with the remainder being Mg. Any second phase generated during the solidification process may be completely dissolved by a solution heat treatment. Finely dispersed nanosized precipitates can then be generated by a subsequent aging heat treatment step. These precipitates are used to “pin” the grain boundaries and to prevent the coarsening of the grain structure during further processing to achieve grain sizes below 5 ?m.