Abstract: An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Abstract: A braided stent system includes an expansion ring attached to internal and external surfaces of a lumen. A frame of the ring may impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the lumen, the frame including a plurality of elongate members joined at a coupling and at first and second intersections opposite the coupling. A clip can extend from the intersections and can be operable to slidably secure the frame to the inner and outer surfaces of the lumen.

Abstract: A bone plate having at least one variable angle locking hole is described. The variable angle locking hole allows a bone anchor having a threaded head to be driven into underlying bone while oriented at an angle with respect to a central hole axis of the hole that is within a range of angles at which the head is configured to threadedly mate with the at least one thread of the bone plate. Accordingly, the bone anchor can be driven into the underlying bone until the threaded head threadedly purchases with the bone plate inside the variable angle locking hole.

Abstract: A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. The device has coplanar holes, which allow insertion of protective sleeves. A drill and bone screws can be inserted through the protective sleeves. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the intramedullary nail holes. The aiming arm has a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, wherein said aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail after implantation.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject one or more of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retains respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-expanding braid for treating an aneurysm. The braid can include a lumen with a proximal end opposite a distal end. Translating the braid can cause a distal segment of the braid to expand and form an outer occlusive sack while a segment proximal the distal segment can invert into the outer occlusive sack like a tube sock. The braid can then be detached from its delivery system.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube can include positioning a pull wire having an engagement bump on its proximal end within a channel of a device and sliding the pull wire proximally through a channel of a device by moving grippers of the device proximally to engage and slide the bump. Subsequent distal movement of the grippers can result in the grippers disengaging the bump without disturbing the position of the pull wire or causing the pull wire to move distally.

Abstract: A drug-impregnated sleeve for encasing a medical implant is provided. In one embodiment, the sleeve may include a body made of a biologically-compatible material that defines an internal cavity configured to receive the medical implant. In one embodiment, the biologically-compatible material is bioresorbable. The body may include a plurality of apertures, such as perforations or holes, extending from the cavity through the body. The sleeve may further include a first end, a second end, and a drug impregnated into the resorbable sheet. In one possible embodiment, the first end of the sleeve may be open for receiving the medical implant therethrough and the second end may be closed. The implant may be encased in the sleeve and implanted into a patient from which the drug is dispensed in vivo over time to tissue surrounding the implantation site. In one embodiment, the body is made from at least one sheet of a biologically-compatible material.

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) so that it is finally secured into the bone.

Abstract: A syringe having an energy source disposed therein is disclosed. The syringe is capable of both the delivery and/or aspiration of materials as well as the delivery of an effective amount of various types of energy to a target to produce a desired result. A method utilizing the syringe to administer materials and to deliver energy to the material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Shoulder joint implants are disclosed herein for use in shoulder reconstruction that are configured to facilitate the inclusion a central bone screw for augmented bone fixation. The implant can include a baseplate (or metaglene) configured to secure a glenosphere or other prosthetic component to the glenoid. To facilitate lateral or proximal insertion of a central bone screw through the implant, a throughbore defined along the central axis of the metaglene can be widened to accommodate the maximum diameter of the screw. To enable fixation of the glenosphere to the metaglene, a collet can be configured to engage the smaller diameter of a glenosphere coupling element and inserted into the central throughbore. The collet and the bone screw can be separate parts, thereby making insertion of the bone screw optional. Alternatively, the collet and bone screw can be integrated together to form a unitary construct.

Abstract: A graft retention device has an elongated body with first and a second ends, and a midpoint therebetween. A pair of elongated slots through the body defines a tang therebetween. At least one of the slots have an open first end into the body at the body first end such that the first end is closed via a retention line between the tang and the body. A graft retention loop disposed over the tang is slidable therealong from a first position closer to the body first end and a second position closer to the midpoint.

Abstract: A device for treating a bone includes a first clamp member sized and shaped to be mounted over a bone laterally across a fixation plate positioned along a length of the bone. In addition, the device includes a second clamp member coupleable to the first clamp member so that, when the first and second clamp members are coupled together in an operative position, the first and second clamp members extend about at least a portion of a periphery of the bone. The second clamp member includes a spring feature biased toward an initial configuration and deflectable toward a second configuration away from the bone.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, devices, and systems for removing speckle from a coherent light source, such as laser light. The methods, devices, and systems help eliminate or reduce speckle introduced from a coherent light source, such as laser light, by utilizing the teachings and principles of the disclosure.

Abstract: Arcuate fixation members with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided intervertebral implants. The arcuate fixation members may be of different lengths, cross sectional geometries, and/or cross sectional areas. Applications of intervertebral implants utilizing arcuate fixation members are particularly suitable when a linear line-of-approach for delivering fixation members is undesirable.

Abstract: A detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel has a generally hollow distal tube. The distal tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portion of the tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressed to an elongated condition. A generally hollow proximal tube has a proximal end and a distal end. A coupling joins the proximal and distal tubes. An engagement system engages and deploys the implantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube. The engagement system moves the compressible portion to the compressed condition when engaging the implantable medical device, and deploys the implantable medical device and releases the compressible portion to the elongated condition.

Abstract: A central inflatable distractor and a perimeter balloon are inserted into the disc space in uninflated configurations. The central inflatable distractor is then expanded, thereby distracting the vertebral endplates to the controlled height of the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon is then inflated with a curable substance. The perimeter balloon expands as it is filled with the curable substance and conforms to the void remaining in the disc space around the central inflatable distractor, thereby creating a horseshoe shape. Once the flowable material in the perimeter balloon has cured, the central inflated distractor can be deflated and removed. The remaining void (or inner space) is then packed with graft for fusion.

Abstract: A detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel has a generally hollow distal tube. The distal tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portion of the tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressed to an elongated condition. A generally hollow proximal tube has a proximal end and a distal end. An engagement system engages and deploys the implantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube. The engagement system moves the compressible portion to the compressed condition when engaging the implantable medical device, and deploys the implantable medical device and releases the compressible portion to the elongated condition.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant inserter, comprising: a) a elongated central body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface, and a longitudinal throughbore therethrough, b) upper and lower blades, each blade having a distal end portion and a base portion, the base portion of each blade pivotally coupled to the elongated central body, c) a shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is advanceable within the throughbore and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the shaft having a distal end forming a pusher having an acicular transverse cross-section, d) upper and lower endplates respectively detachably connected to the distal end portion of a respective blade.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system having a lumen with proximal and distal ends. An embolic device having a proximal retaining ring and an expandable member having a contracted and expanded state, with two apertures. The expandable member is disposed in the lumen in the expanded state. An engagement member has a distal loop extending through the retaining ring and a proximal loop extending into the lumen. The detachment member slides within the lumen and another of the apertures and is disposed through the loops. It comprises a bump on the detachment member between the loops. When the detachment member is in the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is in an engaged position. Pulling the detachment member withdraws it from the distal loop. The bump contacts the proximal loop to assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.