Abstract: A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular femoral prosthesis for use during performance of a hip revision procedure includes a proximal body component, a distal stem component, and a locking bolt. Surgical instruments and methods for use in implanting such a modular femoral prosthesis are disclosed.

Abstract: Cells derived from postpartum tissue and methods for their use in treatment of diseases of the heart or circulatory system are disclosed. Cells may be used in either differentiated or undifferentiated forms, in homogenous cultures, or as populations with other cells, and in conjunction with other bioactive factors.

Abstract: The inventive intervertebral implant (1), in particular an artificial intervertebral disc comprises a central axis (2), a top part (3) and a lower part (4), wherein A) the top part (3) is provided with a top apposition surface (5) which rests on a base plate of a superimposed vertebral body, B) the lower part (4) is provided with a lower apposition surface (6) for resting on the covering plate of an underneath vertebral body, C) one part (3, 4) comprises a convex joint element (12) provided with a convex sliding surface (11) and the other part (3, 4) comprises a joint shell (13) provided with a complementary concave surface, D) the convex joint element (12) and the convex joint shell (13) form a joint (9) by means of which the two parts (3, 4) are rotatable with respect to each other around at least one axis of rotation and E) the intervertebral implant (1) is permeable to x-rays.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a final concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w).

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: The intravascular catheter has two segments; a proximal segment with high stiffness and a distal segment with lower stiffness. The catheter can also have an intermediate segment of lower stiffness than the proximal segment and higher stiffness than the distal segment. The catheter comprises a polymeric inner tube, a reinforcing inner jacket which is spirally wound over the inner tube and which becomes progressively softer from a proximal end to a distal end, and a polymeric outer sheath extruded over the inner jacket according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,624. The reinforcing jacket comprises helical coiled wires or fibers of various materials and layers wound over the inner tube in order to provide improved multi-axial mechanical properties, such as torque, compression, tension and anti-kinking characteristics.

Abstract: A pelvic clamp has a rail-like straight guide for two arms which are displaceable relative to one another along this straight guide and project from the straight guide and on each of the free ends of which an approximately tubular carrier for a tip intended for bone contact is provided. A locking device releasable using at least one handle is provided between the two parts displaceable relative to one another, namely between at least one of the arms and the straight guide. Preferably at least one of the arms preferably both arms, is or are capable of being folded or dismantled and thus shortened via at least one joint which can be fixed in a desired position and/or a plug connection.

Abstract: In a device for injecting bone cement, the discharge direction of the bone cement after insertion of the cannula should be controllable in a certain region. This is made possible through a radial exit aperture (5) which is provided on the front end of the cannula (3). Since the cannula is inserted with the aid of a guide wire (1), it has an orifice (4) on its front end, which orifice must be closed off by means of a ball (15) prior to the injection. A plunger serves to insert the ball (15). So that the situation of the radial aperture (5) is known at all times, even with inserted cannula, the handle (17) of the cannula has an asymmetrical shape.

Abstract: An interspinous process implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having a flexible body having i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to bear upon an upper spinous process, ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to bear upon a lower spinous process, and iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower portions, wherein the anterior wall has a narrowed portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid bone fixation element including a threaded proximal cortical bone contacting portion for threadably engaging the cortical portion of a human bone and a non-threaded expandable distal collections portion for engaging the cancellous portion of the human bone. The hybrid bone fixation element can be used, for example, as a pedicle screw, a bone screw or in any other type of b ne fixation application.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for removing an implanted glenoid component from the glenoid of a patient includes a protective cannula and a flexible wire saw. The flexible wire saw is positioned in the protective cannula such that both ends of the flexible wire saw extend out of one end of the protective cannula, with a portion of the middle section of the wire saw forming a loop that extends out of the other end of the protective cannula. Surgical methods for the use of such a surgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants with a calcium phosphate containing layer are disclosed. The implants, which can have a metallic character (e.g., made from a cobalt chromium alloy), can include a surface that is exposed to one or more formulations that results in a chemical and/or physical modification. In some instances, the modified surface is texturized so as to include a plurality of surface pits. The average pit size opening can range, for example, from 40 nm to about 10 ?m, and can include a plurality of average pit sizes in some cases. The modified surfaces can promote growth of a calcium phosphate layer, which can be accelerated relative to conventional techniques. Other variations of such implant surfaces, and methods of producing similar implant surfaces, are also discussed.

Abstract: A modular femoral prosthesis for use during performance of a hip revision procedure includes a proximal body component, a distal stem component, and a locking bolt. Surgical instruments and methods for use in implanting such a modular femoral prosthesis are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying and retrieving a self-expanding intravascular stent includes an intravascular delivery wire and floating marker band movably retained over the intravascular stent delivery wire and releasably mounting the self-expanding intravascular stent. The floating marker band is movably retained to a fixed marker band, and a distance between the fixed marker band and the floating marker band is variable and self-adjusting. One or more struts of the self-expanding intravascular stent are releasably constrained between a catheter wall and one or more sides of the floating marker band.

Abstract: A facet interference screw (10) for insertion between the facet joints of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae includes an externally threaded shaft portion and a head. The facet interference screw is preferably split into first (20) and second (30) components, each including an outer, semicircular externally threaded surface (22, 32) so that when coupled together the semicircular externally threaded surfaces form the externally threaded shaft portion. The inner surfaces (24, 34) of the first and second components may include curved contacting surfaces so that when inserted, the first component is movable with respect to the second component. Alternatively, the screw may include a damping component (60a?) between the inner surfaces of the first and second components to facilitate damping of the first and second components with respect to one another. The damping component preferably also facilitates articulated motion of the first and second components.

Abstract: For suture tying in a medical procedure including the use of an anchor that includes a suture locking device that includes a sliding pin guided by axial side slots formed in the locking device that forces the suture where the two ends thereof are inserted into the interior of the suture locking mechanism to drive the captured suture and pin to fit into a recess on the top of the suture locking mechanism such that the top of the pin binds the suture against the upper inner surface of the recess. The recess can be serrated to enhance the locking capability and the pin is polygonal shaped to provide side surfaces that run parallel to the wall of the recess to assure that the side portion of the pin does not fracture the suture and cause it to weaken. The locking of the suture is automatic upon the deployment of the anchor which actuates the pin into the locking position, thus eliminating the necessity of manually knotting the suture and improving the cinching of the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A system and method for managing inventories of orthopaedic implants includes receiving a medical image of a bone of a patient from a healthcare provider, performing a digital templating procedure on the medical image to determine an orthopaedic implant for use with the bone of the patient; transmitting the digital templated medical image to the healthcare provider, and shipping the orthopaedic implant to the healthcare provider in response to an electronic approval of the digital templated medical image received from the healthcare provider. Implant constraint data may also be received from the healthcare provider and used in determining the orthopaedic implant. In addition, a number of orthopaedic implants having a range of different sizes based on the size of the determined orthopaedic implant may be shipped to the healthcare provider. In some embodiments, the healthcare provider may perform the digital templating procedure on the medical image.

Abstract: A method for cutting a bone of a patient using a bone saw tool that includes determining a cutting region that corresponds to a region of the bone to be cut and determining the position of the bone saw tool in the coordinate system. The method includes activating a bone saw blade guard of the bone saw tool if the bone saw tool is outside the cutting region.