Abstract: A plate for treating calcaneal fractures comprises a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and including a plurality of first openings extending therethrough extending along a second longitudinal axis from the a first end connected to the second end of the first portion to a second end, the first and second portions being angled relative to one another such that, when the plate is positioned along a desired portion of a calcaneus bone, the first and second portions extend parallel to a superior surface of the bone bordering a subtalar joint, the second portion including a plurality of second openings extending therethrough, wherein each of the first and second openings are configured to receive a bone fixation element therein at a user-selected angle relative to a central axis thereof.

Abstract: An endovascular surgical tool includes a flexible, electrically-conductive corewire, a return conductor, a resistive heating element attached to the distal end of the corewire, and a therapeutic payload attached to the loop of the resistive heating element by a coil connecting member. The corewire includes at least one segment at its distal end which transitions from the substantially uniform cross-section of its proximal end to a smaller distal cross-section. The return conductor is electrically insulated from and bonded to the corewire. The resistive heating element includes a first terminal electrically connected to the corewire, a second terminal electrically connected to the return conductor, a helical coil, and a loop. The helical coil and the loop are electrically in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. The coil connecting member has a release temperature lower than a loop melting temperature of the loop of the resistive heating element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug eluting surgical screw and a method for manufacturing a drug eluting surgical screw. The drug eluting surgical screw may include a shaft having a threaded portion, a head having a drive recess disposed at a proximal end of the shaft, the drive recess having a reservoir region and a driver engagement region, and at least one or more drug eluting components disposed within the reservoir region of the drive recess in a manner that does not substantially impair a connection between a driver and the surgical screw when the driver is operably disposed within the driver engagement region, each of the at least one or more drug eluting components including a carrier matrix and a therapeutic agent, the therapeutic agent being at least 20 wt % of the drug eluting component prior to any implantation of the drug eluting surgical screw.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical instrument system includes an instrument case and a charging plate that may be placed in a sterile surgical field. The charging plate is configured to receive electrical power from outside the sterile surgical field and transmit that electrical power to other devices within the sterile field.

Abstract: A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

Abstract: An method includes creating a first bore and a second bore in a glenoid region of a scapula offset from each other by a first distance. A glenoid component is provided that includes a base component having a bearing surface and a first peg and a second peg each extending from a scapula-facing side of the base component and being positioned in non-parallel orientation with respect to each other. At least one of the first peg and the second peg is flexed so that a first end portion of the first peg and a second end portion of the second peg are offset by a second distance which corresponds to the first distance. The first end portion of the first peg and the second end portion of the second peg are then advanced into the first bore and the second bore, respectively.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes a tensioning mechanism adapted to couple to a tether extending along a path between at least two bone anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. The tensioning mechanism can be adapted to apply a tensioning force to the tether along the path of the tether to thereby move the tether along the path. The device further includes an actuation mechanism movably coupled to the tensioning mechanism such that the actuation mechanism is adapted to effect movement of the tensioning mechanism to control the tensioning force applied to the tether.

Abstract: An assembly for manipulating a bone includes a first manipulating element configured to be attached to a first portion of bone and including a location emitting signal and a second manipulating element configured to be attached to a second portion of bone and including a sensor detecting the location emitting signal to provide a position and orientation signal of the first and second manipulating elements relative to one another. The assembly also includes a tracking unit including a processor tracking movement of the first and second manipulating elements relative to one another in a plurality of dimensions using the position and orientation signals.

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: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: Various devices and methods for breaking and retaining surgical reduction tabs are provided. In general, the devices and methods can allow a single surgical instrument to break a plurality of surgical reduction tabs off one or more surgical implants and retain the broken tabs within the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument can include an opening at a distal end thereof that is configured to receive a surgical reduction tab therein when the tab is connected to a surgical implant. A retention element at least partially disposed within the instrument can be configured to engage the tab received in the opening so as to hold the tab securely within the instrument. With the tab received in the opening and held by the retention element, the surgical instrument can be configured to be manipulated to break the tab off the surgical implant. The broken tab can be retained within the surgical instrument by being held therein by the retention element.

Abstract: Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed.

Abstract: Knots and methods of forming knots made of flexible material for use in a surgical environment are described. The knots include one or more ways to unlock at least a portion of the knot.

Abstract: A dynamic bone fixation element can include a sleeve elongate along a first direction and a fixation member. The sleeve can define a channel that extends from a proximal end through to a distal end along the first direction. The channel has a first cross-sectional dimension. The fixation member has a head, a shaft extending from the head and elongate along a second direction, and an abutment member extending from the shaft and integral with the shaft, wherein the shaft extends through the channel such that the sleeve is captured between the abutment member and the head. At least a portion of the shaft that is within the channel has a second cross-sectional dimension that is less than the first cross-sectional dimension such that the fixation member is moveable with respect to the sleeve along a direction that has a directional component transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting allogeneic therapeutic cells (such as human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells (hUTC)) in blood. The methods includes the steps of identifying one or more one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC) and one or more markers positive for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); providing a blood sample from a patient that has been treated with allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC), analyzing the sample using an assay method to detect one or more markers positive for PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC); and distinguishing between the PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC). In one embodiment, the cells are hUTC and the markers positive of hUTC include CD10 and/or CD13 and the one or more markers positive for PBMC includes CD45.

Abstract: An instrumentation kit for use in preparing a shoulder to receive a glenoid component in one embodiment includes at least one combination device, the combination device including a boring section configured to form a first bore in a glenoid, a drive section operably connected to the boring section, a reaming section positioned proximally from the boring section and operably connected to the drive section, the reaming section configured to ream a portion of the glenoid, and at least one drill guide configured to guide a drill bit and positioned so as to guide the drill bit to form a second bore at a location spaced apart from the first bore, wherein the reaming section and the boring section are positioned with respect to each other such that the boring section forms the first bore and the reaming section simultaneously reams a portion of the glenoid adjacent to the first bore.

Abstract: A cutting burr that includes a pair of axially spaced diamond-shaped portions designed to be keyed into a spindle of a locking mechanism of a high speed surgical drilling instrument and adapted to fit into a single pawl thereof to lock said cutting burr in place so as to prevent axial movement thereof and provide concentric rotation of said cutting burr without any wobbling. The orientation of both portions may be identical with respect to a center plan and diamond shape in the portion at the proximal end of the shank of the cutting tool may be larger than the intermediately located diamond shape of the other portion. The apexes of the facets of the six-sided diamond shape may be disposed below the surface of the shank of the cutting burr.

Abstract: A post that is configured to be coupled to a head of a bone fixation element that is attached to a bone part can include a post body that is elongate along a first direction and defines a proximal end and a distal end that is spaced from the proximal end along the first direction. The post body can include an internal surface that defines a socket at the distal end. The socket can be configured to receive the head of the bone fixation element. The post can further include a locking member that is disposed within the socket such that when the socket receives the head of the bone fixation element the locking member couples the post body to the bone fixation element. The post body is polyaxially pivotable relative to the head when the post body is coupled to the bone fixation element.

Abstract: An aiming device system that is configured to align at least one bone anchor guide to a first distal hole of an intramedullary nail can include an aiming arm that is configured to be operatively coupled to the intramedullary nail and an aiming guide. The aiming arm can define a sliding support that is elongate along a first direction. The aiming guide can include a guide body that defines at least a first bone anchor guide. The aiming guide is attached to the aiming arm such that the aiming guide is selectably movable along the sliding support, and selectably rotatable relative to the aiming arm. When the first bone anchor guide is retaining the guide sleeve, at least one of the selectable movement and selectable rotation of the guide body at least partially aligns the first bone anchor guide with the first distal hole of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a customized patient-specific guide block is disclosed. The method includes generating a image of a patient's bony anatomy and an implanted prosthetic component secured to the patient's bony anatomy, identifying landmarks on the patient's bony anatomy and the prosthetic component, selecting a revision surgical instrument based the image and the landmarks, and manufacturing the customized patient-specific guide block including a customized prosthesis-specific negative contour shaped to match a corresponding contour of the implanted prosthetic component.