Abstract: Coiled spinal implants for disc, vertebral body, and spinal motion segment replacement or reconstruction comprise a plurality of loops and spaces between the loops, with the loops formed of a hollow material and having a plurality of apertures or a longitudinal gap that extend(s) through the sidewalls of the loops and into the hollow center. The coiled implants include one or more balloons within the hollow center, the spaces between the coil loops, and/or within the central void that the coil surrounds. Filling the balloon expands the loops and thereby increases the height of the coil. Bone graft material or bone cement may be deployed from the apertures or gap.

Abstract: A method for joining two or more segments of a bone implant comprises the steps of placing a plurality of thin layers of an intermetallic material between first and second segments of the bone implant and applying a mechanical load to the plurality of layers. In a subsequent step, the plurality of layers are ignited by applying an external activation energy thereto, the ignition heating the plurality of layers to a reaction temperature and causing the segments to become affixed to one another after cooling.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a tensioning and crimping tool, the tensioning and crimping tool including a housing unit, a crimping section including a housing, a trigger-handle mounted to the housing, a crimping unit, including an inner crimping tube and an outer crimping tube, where the outer crimping tube is mounted around the inner crimping tube and configured to move in an axial direction relative to the inner crimping tube to crimp a crimp onto the cable, a tensioning section including the housing, a collet opener end, and a tensioning unit including a collet, a cone sheath, a tensioning rod, a tensioning nut rotatable on the tensioning rod, an inner spring configured to actuate the collet in a first direction, and an outer spring configured to actuate the tensioning rod in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Implants and methods for augmentation, preferably by minimally invasive procedures and means, of body tissue, including in some embodiments repositioning of body tissue, for example, bone and, preferably vertebrae are described. The implant may comprise one or more chain linked bodies inserted into the interior of body tissue. As linked bodies are inserted into body tissue, they may fill a central portion thereof and for example in bone can push against the inner sides of the cortical exterior surface layer, for example the end plates of a vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the body tissue to its original or desired treatment height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further augment and stabilize the body tissue. The preferred implant comprises a single flexible monolithic chain formed of allograft cortical bone having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies connected by substantially flexible links.

Abstract: A multi-basket clot capturing device that includes a distal basket connected to a wire. The distal basket may be positionable distal of the clot and operable to capture a distal portion of a clot. A proximal basket may be connected to a hypotube that is slidably axially connected to the wire. The proximal basket may be positionable proximal of the clot and operable to capture a proximal portion of the clot. A cage can form between the proximal and distal baskets around multiple portions of the clot for capturing the clot. Sliding the wire distally, or microcatheter proximally, relative to the clot causes the distal basket to move from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The cage may be around at least two portions of the clot that are opposed.

Abstract: A braided stent system includes a stent body having a lumen formed by a plurality of braided members with interstices formed therebetween and a first expansion ring connected to the lumen of the stent body. The first expansion ring may include a frame defined by a plurality of interconnected support assemblies that are selectively positioned to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the stent body, each support assembly can include a plurality of legs joined at a first intersection and connected to one of the other interconnected support assemblies at a second intersection opposite the first intersection. Each support assembly can include a claw portion mechanically connected to one or more of the interstices of the stent body so that the frame imparts an outward radial expansion force of the stent to facilitate use and delivery of the stent.

Abstract: A surgical system kit is described. The surgical system kit includes a peripheral electrode, a surgical access instrument configured to be placed in a surgical target site, and a control unit. The surgical access instrument has a body with a proximal end, and a distal end, two or more electrodes on the distal end at fixed locations and spaced apart a known distance. The control unit is configured to send a signal to the peripheral electrode, receive information indicative of a neural response from at least one electrode of the surgical access instrument, and interpret the information according to a nerve conduction velocity modality to measure the nerve conduction velocity through the segment of the nerve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a finishing rasp having a longitudinal axis, an elongated shaft, a handle, and a cutting head. The elongated shaft has an outer circumference and a bore formed therein, and the bore has an open end defined in a distal end of the elongated shaft and a blind end positioned proximally of the open end within the elongated shaft. The handle is secured to an opposite, proximal end of the elongated shaft. The cutting head is secured to, and extends away from, the distal end of the shaft. The cutting head has a length that extends along the longitudinal axis and is arcuate in shape so as to extend around less than the outer circumference of the elongated shaft at the open end of the bore. The cutting head includes a plurality of linear cutting teeth that extend along the length of the cutting head.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

Abstract: An interspinous process having a narrowed distal portion.

Abstract: A device for measuring blind holes formed through a bone includes (a) a first elongated rod including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including an increased diameter abutment extending radially outward therefrom, the abutment including a proximal surface formed to contact a portion of the bone adjacent a distal opening of the blind hole to assume a locked configuration with the bone and (b) a second elongated rod extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis.

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 control instrument 100 for a guidewire comprising a first component moveable from a first position, in which the guidewire can move axially relative to the first component, to a second position in which the guidewire is fixed relative to the first component and a second, rotatable, component, wherein rotation of the second component causes the first component to move axially, only when the first component is in its second position, thereby moving the guidewire move axially.

Abstract: A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non-articulating with respect to the bridge members. The spinal rod engaging members preferably include a spring, for example, a spring washer, to provide an opposing force so that the spinal rod engaging members can provisionally snap onto the spinal rods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spinal implant. The spinal implant may be used for lateral insertion into an intervertebral disc space. For example, the spinal implant may include a spacer body to which a plate is fixed. The intervertebral spacer body may include a pair of opposite sides having a pyramid-shaped teeth to fuse to bone. The plate defines at least one upper and lower borehole that each receives a screw. Each screw attaches the plate to a vertebral body between which the intervertebral spacer body is inserted. The boreholes may include locking threads that are adapted to lock the screws into place by engaging complementary locking threads of head of the screw.

Abstract: Methods for treating Alzheimer's disease, or the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, are provided. Some embodiments are to methods for treatment comprising administering cells obtained from human umbilical cord tissue, or administering pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cells or prepared from such cells, such as cell derivatives. Some embodiments are to methods for treatment comprising hUTC. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the inventive methods, as well as kits for practicing the methods are also provided.

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: Provided are methods and systems for fabricating multimaterial bodies in a layer-wise fashion, which bodies may be used bone-stabilizing implants. The multimaterial bodies include rigid and flexible portions that are integrally formed with one another. The multimaterial bodies may be softened or stiffened in specific areas to match the biological or anatomical features of a bone.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible and implantable scaffolds for treating a tissue defect, such as a bone gap. The scaffolds can have a modular design comprising a tissue scaffold rack designed to accommodate one or more modules. Also provided are methods for fabrication and use of such scaffolds.