Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for surgical suturing are provided. In general, a loading element can be configured to facilitate loading of a plate into a surgical instrument configured to facilitate passage of a suture through tissue. The surgical instrument can be configured to advance the suture through a tissue of a patient, to capture a free end or looped end of the suture after the suture's advancement through the tissue, and to pull the captured suture out of the patient's body with a portion of the suture remaining passed through the tissue within the patient's body.

Abstract: A bone fixation pin is inserted into a bone with an apparatus comprising a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having an inner surface and an opening configured to receive the bone fixation pin; a drive shaft having a proximal end configured to engage a handle and a distal end; and a body having an axis and a peripheral edge. The body comprises a bore along the axis, the bore being configured to slidably engage the distal end of the drive shaft; and a plurality of evenly spaced slots in the peripheral edge of the body. A plurality of chuck arms move radially along the evenly spaced slots in the peripheral edge of the body, each chuck arm having an inner surface and an outer surface. The distal end of the drive shaft and the body are within the proximal portion of the housing, the body being biased toward the distal end of the housing; and the inner surface of each chuck arm is configured to engage the bone fixation pin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for tissue constructs that promote wound healing. The composition comprises a dimensionally stable fibrin construct for local administration to a wound site or region. In one embodiment, the fibrin construct is a wound healing composition, including components that promote wound healing, such as platelets, growth factors, white blood cells and fibrin clots. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment composition includes (i) aggregated fibrin, (ii) blood cells, and (iii) optionally, growth factors and/or other proteins.

Abstract: An obturator provides access to a joint through a capsule surrounding the joint. A distal end of the obturator has a first distal location with a first width dimension and a second distal location with a second width dimension, wherein the second distal location is proximal to the first distal location and the second width dimension greater than the first width dimension. A retractable blade can extend from the obturator to be exposed between the first distal location and the second distal location.

Abstract: A bone fixation pin is inserted into a bone with an apparatus comprising a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having an inner surface and an opening configured to receive the bone fixation pin; a drive shaft having a proximal end configured to engage a handle and a distal end; and a body having an axis and a peripheral edge. The body comprises a bore along the axis, the bore being configured to slidably engage the distal end of the drive shaft; and a plurality of evenly spaced slots in the peripheral edge of the body. A plurality of chuck arms move radially along the evenly spaced slots in the peripheral edge of the body, each chuck arm having an inner surface and an outer surface, with each chuck arm being biased toward the axis of the body by a first biasing force. The outer surface of each chuck arm slidably engages the inner surface of the housing.

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: Disclosed is an apparatus for use with an instrument handle, the apparatus including a housing, a knob receivable in the housing, the knob having a key hole structure to receive an instrument bulb and neck, a slot in the housing to receive the knob, wherein the knob is pressed into the slot to facilitate installation and removal of the instrument bulb and neck.

Abstract: A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.

Abstract: Methods of making an implant for medical use, having a body formed of a plurality of single strands of a first material. The body further includes at least one multi-strand of radiopaque material incorporated among the single strands, the multi-strand having at least two side-by-side filaments of radiopaque material that lie substantially contiguous to each other over substantially the entire length of the multi-strand.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for attaching soft tissue to bone. In general, a deployment device, insertion assembly, and suture anchor are provided. The insertion assembly is coupled between the deployment device and the suture anchor to allow the deployment device to deploy the suture anchor into bone. Each of the various components disclosed herein can be used alone, in combination with one another, or in combination with various other devices.

Abstract: This invention provides for compositions for cryopreservation of human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells. The cryopreservation compositions may comprise: (a) amino acids; (b) vitamins; (c) inorganic salts; and (d) DMSO, sucrose, mannitol, and lactobionic acid. The invention also provides for kits comprising the composition and human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells and methods of cryopreserving the cells, which utilize the compositions.

Abstract: A capture tube mechanism for delivering and releasing a self-expanding stent includes a core wire on which a proximal portion of the stent is removably retained by a distal portion of a tubular capture sleeve. In one embodiment, one or more elongated members extending through corresponding apertures through the capture sleeve and out the distal end of the capture sleeve can be pulled to split the tubular capture sleeve to release the stent. In another embodiment, the capture sleeve can be pulled proximally over one or more stop members provided on the core wire to release the stent.

Abstract: A neurophysiological monitoring system includes at least one surgical instrument having at least one magnetometer and a control unit configured to receive magnetic field data generated by the at least one magnetometer. The control unit may provide stimulation to a nerve at a known stimulation time and receive magnetic field data from the at least one magnetometer indicative of a response to stimulation of the nerve at a receive time. An interpretation of the magnetic field data based upon the receive time and the stimulation time may be generated.

Abstract: A package for an object includes a support element with means for coupling the object to the support element. A first hollow protective element is provided as a stopper coupled to the support element of the object. The support element presents a grip portion which projects from the stopper, the support element, alone or in co-operation with the stopper, defining a first chamber containing the object. A second hollow protective element is provided as a cover. The cover is coupled to the stopper so as to cooperate with the stopper to define a second chamber inside which the grip portion of the support element extends. The cover is coupled to the stopper, with the grip portion of the stopper projecting from the cover. The means for coupling is configured to hold the object suspended through the means for coupling, so that the object extends into the space left free between the means for coupling and a bottom portion of the support element.

Abstract: A modular femoral prosthesis for use during performance of a hip revision procedure includes a proximal body component, a distal stem component, and a locking bolt. Surgical instruments and methods for use in implanting such a modular femoral prosthesis are disclosed.

Abstract: Implants described herein can be used as flow diverters and can generally include a plurality of twisting struts extending from a central node. The twisting struts can be twisted along a long axis of each strut. The implant can have a proximal portion affixed to the central node and extending radially from the central node. The twisting struts can have a distal portion. The long axis can be disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the twisting struts. The implant can have a collapsed configuration to be delivered through a catheter into an aneurysm. The implant can have an expanded configuration to anchor within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A bone fixation system including a bone fixation element including a head portion having a bore passing therethrough from a first side surface to a second side surface, wherein the bore is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone fixation element, a securing element positioned within the bore, and a bone plate extending along a plate axis and having a threaded plate hole extending therethrough from a first surface to a second surface configured to contact a bone in an operative configuration.

Abstract: A system and method that acquire (i) at least a reference image including one of a preoperative image of a surgical site with skeletal and articulating bones and a contralateral image on an opposite side of the patient from the surgical site, and (ii) at least an intraoperative image of the site after an implant has been affixed to the articulating bone. The system generates at least one reference landmark point on at least one anatomical feature on the articulating bone in the reference image and at least one intraoperative landmark point on that anatomical feature in the intraoperative image. The reference and intraoperative images are compared, and differences between the orientation of the articulating bone in the two images are utilized to analyze at least one of offset and length differential.

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.