Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for preparing and implanting tissue scaffolds. Various embodiments of scribing tools are provided that are configured to mark one or more predetermined shapes around a defect site in tissue. The shape or shapes marked in tissue can be used to cut a tissue scaffold having a shape that matches the shape or shapes marked in tissue. In one embodiment, the scribing tool used to mark a shape in tissue can also be used to cut the tissue scaffold.

Abstract: A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty. Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant having a metal surface and a hydroxyapatite layer comprising gallium ions therein disposed on at least part of the metal surface is described. The hydroxyapatite layer has an average crystallite size of less than about 75 nm in at least one direction and dissolves for more than 2 hours in vitro. The hydroxyapatite layer is substantially free of carbonate. The coating, which is formed on a sodium titanate surface, has increased shear strength and tensile strength. The coating is formed by a solution deposited hydroxyapatite process under inert conditions. The pH of the solution varies by less than 0.1 pH unit/hour during coating formation.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a first endplate and a second endplate, a first wedge member and a second wedge member spaced from the first wedge member that couple the first and second endplates together. The first and second wedge members are configured to translate along an actuation member housed between the first and second endplates to cause the implant to expand from a first collapsed configuration into a second expanded configuration. The actuation member has a first threaded section spaced apart from a second threaded section where the first and second threaded sections are at an angle with each other. The actuation member is configured to move the first and second wedge members from the first collapsed configuration into the second expanded configuration so that the first and second endplates separate from each other to contact and engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: Various spinal implants and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal implant is provided having an expandable container with an interior volume that is selectively expandable between a compressed condition and an expanded condition. The expandable container is coupled to a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with a superior surface of the expandable container, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with an inferior surface of the expandable container. In addition, at least one inlet port is formed in the expandable container and is effective to communicate a fluid to at least one cavity disposed within the interior volume of the expandable container.

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. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant having a metal surface and a calcium phosphate layer disposed on at least part of the metal surface is described. The calcium phosphate layer has an average crystallite size of less than about 100 nm in at least one direction and dissolves for more than 2 hours in vitro. The calcium phosphate layer is substantially free of carbonate. The coating, which is formed on a sodium titanate surface, has increased shear strength and tensile strength. The coating is formed by a solution deposited hydroxyapatite process under inert conditions. The pH of the solution varies by less than 0.1 pH unit/hour during coating formation.

Abstract: A number of low-profile metallic customized, patient-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to an intervertebral implant for replacing an intervertebral disc of the human spine. The intervertebral implant includes a first conformable endplate, the first conformable endplate being conformable to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load, a second endplate and a core between the endplates, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the boney vertebral endplate. The invention is also directed to a method of replacing an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: A system for inserting an anchor member into bone includes a receiving member and an anchor member receivable within the receiving member. The receiving member is elongate along a longitudinal axis and has a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along the longitudinal axis. The receiving member has an internal surface that defines a transmission element. The anchor member includes an engagement element configured to rotatably engage the transmission element such that the transmission element is configured to drive the anchor member in a distal direction relative to the transmission element so as to rotatably decouple the engagement element from the transmission element. The distal direction extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the receiving member and is parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An anatomical implant application, such as a bone implant application for instance, can receive an anatomical image that is representative of an anatomical structure. The anatomical implant application can generate an implant image that is associated with the anatomical structure. The generated implant image can define an inner surface that faces the anatomical image. A plurality of distances can be determined from respective locations of the inner surface of the implant image to the anatomical image in respective straight lines. The distances may represent a superimposition of the implant image over the anatomical image. The distances may be compared to a tolerance. The inner surface may be repositioned so as to change at least the select one of the distances. An implant, such as a bone implant for instance, may be fabricated in accordance with data that is associated with the implant image.

Abstract: A method of inserting a screw into a fusion cage, comprising the step of: i) attaching a screw head of a bone screw to a flexible bone screw driver comprising: a) a proximal handle, b) an intermediate shaft, c) a flexible distal end portion comprising a plurality of interlocking segments portion defining a periphery and a distal tip adapted to engage the screw head, and d) a flexible pre-bent sleeve that is configured to be placed radially over and around the plurality of interlocking segments to provide a loaded configuration, wherein the plurality of interlocking segments portion is substantially straight in its unloaded configuration, whereby the pre-bent sleeve pre-determines the trajectory of the tip in the loaded configuration, ii) inserting the bone screw into a threaded throughhole of a fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded thro

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 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: A device (100) for creating a tunnel through soft tissue, comprises an elongated insertion member including a lumen extending therethrough to a distal opening, the elongated insertion member being sized to be inserted into the body via an opening of no more than 35 mm diameter and a tunneling member (108) received in the lumen for movement between an insertion configuration in which a tissue penetrating distal tip is received within the lumen and a tunneling configuration in which the distal tip extends distally from the distal opening by a desired distance in combination with a handle (104) coupled to a proximal end of the insertion member, the handle remaining outside the body and including a first actuator (106) for moving the tunneling member between the insertion and tunneling configurations.

Abstract: A ratcheting epiphysiodesis plate comprises a female base half having a ratchet arm and a male sliding half having a series of ratchet teeth, the male sliding half being slidably connected to the female base half with the ratchet arm engaging the ratchet teeth, one of the female and male sliding halves including a first fixation element receiving hole for receiving therethrough a fixation element for binding the plate to a bone.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing images to optimize orthopaedic functionality at a site within a patient, including obtaining at least a first, reference image of the site, or a corresponding contralateral site, the first image including at least a first anatomical region or a corresponding anatomical region. At least a second, intra-operative results image of the site is obtained. At least one stationary base with at least two base points is selected to serve as a reference for both images during analysis including at least one of scaling, calculations, and image comparisons.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation system fuses bone, bones, or bone pieces in a predetermined anatomical position. The orthopedic fixation system includes an implant that transitions between an unconstrained shape and a constrained insertion shape, a drill guide, first and second K-wires, and a cannulated drill bit. The drill guide and the first and second K-wires retain the bone, bones, or bone pieces in an anatomical position corresponding with the predetermined anatomical position. The cannulated drill bit fits over the first and second K-wires and drills, respectively, first and second drilled holes into the bone, bones, or bone pieces. After insertion of the implant into the first and second drilled holes, the implant attempts to transition from its constrained insertion shape to its unconstrained shape such that the implant continuously compresses the bone, bones, or bone pieces thereby holding the bone, bones, or bone pieces in the predetermined anatomical position.

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.