Abstract: An expandable implant includes an implant body defining an internal void, the implant body including a plurality of interconnected linkages. A first plurality of the linkages has an expansion characteristic that is different from a second plurality of the linkages. An expandable bladder is sized to be disposed in the internal void. The bladder defines a bore configured to receive an expansion material, such that the expansion material applies an expansion force against the bladder, which thereby applies the expansion force against the implant body so as to cause the first linkage to expand greater than the second linkage. The expandable implant can be placed in a fracture location so as to restore height to a fractured target bone.

Abstract: A system for reaming a medullary canal of a bone, comprises a reamer device including an elongated member and a reamer head rotatably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member and a drive shaft sized and shaped to be inserted through the elongated member so that a first connector at a distal end of the drive shaft is engagable with the reamer head, rotation of the drive shaft rotates the reamer head relative to the elongated member, the drive shaft including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a hole extending laterally therethrough from a first opening through a first side wall of the drive shaft to a second opening through a second side wall of the drive shaft in combination with a seal configured to be inserted through the hole of the drive shaft so that the seal extends across the channel of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A kit includes a number of femoral prostheses of different sizes and shapes. Each femoral prostheses in the kit includes a femoral stem including a proximal end portion defining a proximal stem axis, a femoral neck portion including a lateral shoulder extending distally and laterally at an angle relative to the proximal stem axis, such that when projected onto a coronal plane including the proximal stem axis, the lateral shoulder is not parallel to the proximal stem axis. Each prostheses further includes an insertion/extraction cavity extending distally from a proximal surface of the neck portion, the cavity defining an insertion/extraction cavity axis which, when projected on to the coronal plane, is not parallel with the proximal stem axis, and the lateral shoulder of each femoral prosthesis is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal stem axis that is different from the angle of each of the other femoral prostheses.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis or disk prosthesis comprising a front side, a rear side, an upper side which can be placed on the base plate of vertebral body, a lower side which can be placed on the base plate of a vertebral body, a right side, a left side, a cavity which can receive a fluid hydraulic osteocementum, an opening in the cavity and several outlets out from the cavity. The total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SV on the front side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SH on the rear side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SR on the right side and the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets on the left side satisfy the following conditions: SL>SR or SR>SL or SH>SV or SV>SH.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to systems and methods for reducing the area of an image sensor by reducing the imaging sensor pad count used for data transmission and clock generation.

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: The present invention is directed to a system and method for performing tissue, preferably bone tissue manipulation. The system and method may include implanting markers on opposite sides of a bone, fractured bone or tissue to facilitate bone or tissue manipulation, preferably in-situ closed fracture reduction. The markers are preferably configured to be detected by one or more devices, such as, for example, a detection device so that the detection device can determine the relative relationship of the markers. The markers may also be capable of transmitting and receiving signals. An image may be captured of the bone or tissue and the attached markers. From the captured image, the orientation of each marker relative to the bone fragment may be determined. Next, the captured image may be manipulated in a virtual or simulated environment until a desired restored orientation has been achieved. The orientation of the markers in the desired restored orientation may then be determined.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a wound coil heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the wound coil heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the wound coil heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the wound coil heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the wound coil heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the wound coil heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising a metallic customized patient-specific surgical instrument is disclosed. The metallic customized patient-specific surgical instrument includes a base plate sized to be positioned on a resected surface of a distal end of a patient's femur, an anterior resection guide body attached to, and extending from, the distal surface of the base plate to a free distal end, a posterior resection guide body attached to, and extending from, the distal surface to a free distal end, and a pair of chamfer resection guide bodies attached to, and extending from, the distal surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intramedullary nail insertion system has a handle, a coupler, and a securement member. The handle has a body that includes a distal body end, and a proximal body end that is spaced from the distal body end along a proximal direction. Further, the handle defines an aperture that extends from the distal body end to the proximal body end. The coupler includes a distal coupler end having a first fastener that fastens to an intramedullary nail, and includes a proximal coupler end having a second fastener sized to be received through the distal body end in the proximal direction into the aperture of the handle. The securement member has a third fastener that fastens to the second fastener of the coupler so as to capture the handle body between the securement member and the intramedullary nail. The system can be assembled using a two-handed operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a viscous material comprising: a) a first container capable of containing a viscous material; b) a transfer piston insertable in the first container so that the piston forms a circumferential seal with respect to the container, the transfer piston including a hole; and c) a mechanism for attaching an aperture of a second container to the hole in the transfer piston wherein insertion of the transfer piston into the first container causes the viscous material to pass through the aperture into the second container.

Abstract: A stemless humeral component for replacing the humeral head of a patient's humerus includes a support flange having a number of cantilevered legs extending distally away from a bottom surface thereof. Instruments and methods for surgically installing the stemless humeral component are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to microorganisms that are genetically modified to express at least one exogenous enzyme involved in D-glucosamine uptake and metabolism. Methods for the production of an exopolysaccharide are also disclosed. The exopolysaccharide comprises N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucose and may be used as a bioresorbable implant for soft tissue repair, replacement, or augmentation.

Abstract: A novel high tensile strength semi-absorbable composite suture with minimized non-absorbable mass. The suture has a core made from a bioabsorbable polymer. The core is covered by a braided sheath. The braided sheath is made from an absorbable yarn and a bioabsorbable yarn. The bioabsorbable yarn is made from a least one filament of a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable yarn is made from at least one filament of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: A surgical tool including a handle, a functional tool, and a torque limiter is described. The handle is sized and dimensioned for manipulation by a surgeon in a surgical environment. The functional tool is supported by the handle. The torque limiter is supported by the handle and is located between the handle and the functional tool. The torque limiter permits the handle and the functional tool to move relative to each other based on an amount of force applied to the functional tool.

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: Devices and methods for enhancing the effectiveness of spinal stabilization, and particularly that of cervical spinal stabilization, are provided herein. More specifically, methods and systems are disclosed for effectively positioning occipital plates and spinal fixation assemblies within target vertebrae, while also reducing any associated patient trauma (e.g., muscle stripping, tissue damage, etc.). The systems and methods can utilize trans-lamina delivery of the spinal fixation assemblies to allow for the positioning of the fixation elements along the midline of the patient's spine.

Abstract: Devices can generally include an implant having a braided section that can be implanted in a deployed state such that, in the deployed state, the braided section folds to form an outer occlusive sack extending across a neck of an aneurysm to engage a wall of the aneurysm from within a sac of the aneurysm and an inner occlusive sack forming a trough nested within the outer occlusive sack. The implant can be closed at one or more of the braid ends to define a substantially enclosed bowl-shaped volume.