Abstract: The present application relates to a process for preparing polyesters comprising reacting a dicarboxylic acid with butanediol in the presence of a catalyst, wherein in the process an aluminosilicate is present, as well as the use of aluminosilicates in such a process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pump body, two or more arms extending from the pump body configured to hold a cement mixing container, a vacuum port exposed on an exterior surface of the pump body and positioned to engage a port on the cement mixing container, a venturi positioned proximate the vacuum port; a perforator within the pump body, the perforator configured to puncture a gas container to release gas to the venturi to create a vacuum at the vacuum port; and an actuator configured to puncture the gas container with the perforator.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a vacuum during a surgical procedure can include a vacuum pump assembly having a port, a first housing, a second housing, a first silencer or tubular magnet and a second silencer. The first housing can define a first cavity receiving the vacuum pump assembly therein. A portion of the first housing can be formed by a portion of the port. The second housing can define a second cavity receiving the first housing therein. A portion of the second housing can be formed by a second portion of the port. The first silencer or tubular magnet can be coupled to the first housing and can have a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis. The first silencer or tubular magnet can extend from the first housing within the second cavity. The second silencer can be coupled to the second housing and can have a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis. The second silencer can extend from the second housing within second cavity.

Abstract: According to one example, an adjustable cut guide for resecting a bone can include a base, a cam, an actuator, and an insert. The base can include a channel extending between a first end and a second end and a slot intersecting the channel. The cam can extend into the slot, and the cam can be coupled to the base within the slot to rotate between a first position and a second position. The actuator can be disposed in the slot, where the actuator can be translatable by rotation of the cam between an extended position when the cam is in the first position and a retracted position when the cam is in the second position. The insert can be disposed within the channel of the base and the insert can be secured relative to the base by the actuator when the actuator is in the extended position.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing a biodegradable polyester from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and a diol where in a first reaction step the aromatic acid is esterified with the diol, and in a second reaction step the aliphatic acid is added to the reaction mixture. Furthermore, there is described an apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of hydroxyl-end-groups of a polyester, wherein the polyester is prepared from at least one dicarboxylic acid and at least one dihydroxy alcohol, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid anhydride and mono-isocyanate, and wherein the additive is added during a step of prepolycondensation and/or during a step of polycondensation and/or after a step of polycondensation.

Abstract: According to one example, a valve for an apparatus configured to mix bone cement is disclosed. The valve can include a base defining a first portion of a passage. The passage can be configured to allow a component of the bone cement through the valve. The valve can include a projection extending from the base to a base opposing end and forming a second portion of the passage that communicates with the first portion. The projection can have a frustoconically shaped surface that comprises one of an outer surface or an inner surface that forms a part of the second portion of the passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical bone screw comprising a shaft which has a bone thread and comprising a blocking means for interacting with a bone plate or for directly anchoring in the bone, in particular in the cortical bone. The surgical bone screw also comprises a screw head which has a rotationally symmetrical enveloping contour. The blocking means has a rib structure with at least one flank structure portion extending in the circumferential direction. According to the invention, the lateral surface of the enveloping contour has a constant or stepped concave progression, and the rib structure flank portion which extends in the circumferential direction is interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction, in particular multiple times, such that at least one elevation, in particular a plurality of elevations which are spaced in the circumferential direction, is produced in order to interact with the bone plate or with the bone in a blocking manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone plates that are configured for use with bones having periprosthetic fractures. For example, in the event that a proximal femur is fractured in an area that is adjacent to a prosthetic component, such as a femoral stem used in a hip replacement, the periprosthetic bone plates of the present invention may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the periprosthetic bone plates include a periprosthetic zone having a plurality of central apertures and a plurality of outer apertures that are offset from the central apertures. The periprosthetic zone may further include a plurality of indentations, each indentation extending longitudinally between adjacent outer apertures to narrow a width of the bone plate.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be incorporated into a variety of implants, and in particular, into endoprosthetic joint replacements.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be incorporated into a variety of implants, and in particular, into endoprosthetic joint replacements.

Abstract: An artificial ligament is provided having an elongate body and two ends, with a loop being provided at least one of the ends and a loop liner being provided within the loop. A kit of artificial ligaments is also provided with each ligament in the kit having a different fixed length. Also provided are methods for determining a length of artificial ligament to be used within a prosthetic knee joint, selecting a ligament from a range or kit of ligaments, and implanting a prosthetic knee joint assembly comprising an artificial ligament.

Abstract: According to one example, an adjustable cut guide for resecting a bone can include a base, a cam, an actuator, and an insert. The base can include a channel extending between a first end and a second end and a slot intersecting the channel. The cam can extend into the slot, and the cam can be coupled to the base within the slot to rotate between a first position and a second position. The actuator can be disposed in the slot, where the actuator can be translatable by rotation of the cam between an extended position when the cam is in the first position and a retracted position when the cam is in the second position. The insert can be disposed within the channel of the base and the insert can be secured relative to the base by the actuator when the actuator is in the extended position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shoulder prosthesis comprising a glenoidal component having a glenoidal articulation surface and a humeral component having a humeral articulation surface, and a separate mobile glenohumeral bearing component comprising a glenoidal bearing surface and a humeral bearing surface arranged on opposite sides of the glenohumeral bearing component. The glenoidal bearing surface contacts in an implanted state the glenoidal articulation surface and/or the humeral bearing surface contacts in an implanted state the humeral articulation surface. At least one of the glenoidal and humeral bearing surfaces is concave. The glenohumeral bearing component is disposed in an implanted state between the glenoidal component and the humeral component. Both the glenoidal and humeral articulation surfaces are convex.

Abstract: The present application relates to a process for preparing polyesters comprising reacting a dicarboxylic acid with butanediol in the presence of a catalyst, wherein in the process an aluminosilicate is present, as well as the use of aluminosilicates in such a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of polyamide 6 with low extract content and a device for it. Here, a melt of non-extracted polyamide 6 is cleaned from monomer and oligomers in a degasification device in vacuum, wherein the vapor being withdrawn from the degasification device by the vacuum generation device is cleaned from monomer, oligomers and optionally water at first in a direct condenser which is operated with liquid ?-caprolactam and subsequently in a pre-separator which is cooled with a coolant, before it reaches the vacuum generation device. A particularly preferable variant of the method envisages the usage of the melt of polyamide 6 with low extract content so prepared in a direct process of spinning into textile fibers and/or filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical bone screw comprising a shaft which has a bone thread and comprising a blocking means for interacting with a bone plate or for directly anchoring in the bone, in particular in the cortical bone. The surgical bone screw also comprises a screw head which has a rotationally symmetrical enveloping contour. The blocking means has a rib structure with at least one flank structure portion extending in the circumferential direction. According to the invention, the lateral surface of the enveloping contour has a constant or stepped concave progression, and the rib structure flank portion which extends in the circumferential direction is interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction, in particular multiple times, such that at least one elevation, in particular a plurality of elevations which are spaced in the circumferential direction, is produced in order to interact with the bone plate or with the bone in a blocking manner.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral component (10) for an orthopaedic prosthesis has a canted patellar groove adapted for optimal patella/component interaction, with the component configured to have a medial or lateral cant depending upon the method of implantation. The femoral component defines a distal “component transverse plane,” which is a plane tangent to the distal-most points of the component condyles (12, 14). In a “mechanical” implantation, the component transverse plane is substantially normal to the mechanical femoral axis of the femur after the component has been implanted. Where the femoral component is configured to be “mechanically oriented” in this manner, the component has a medially canted patellar groove. On the other hand, an “anatomic” implantation is one in which, after the component has been implanted, the component transverse plane is substantially parallel to an “anatomic” transverse plane.

Abstract: A cemented tibial prosthesis having a bone-contacting surface with a porous outer rim. With the bone-contacting surface seated against a resected proximal tibia, bone cement or another suitable adhesive will travel into the pores of the porous outer rim to enhance the connection between the tibial prosthesis and the tibia.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an orthopedic plate, in particular a plate for osteosynthesis. The plate (31) comprising a body (33). The body (33) has a distal surface (15) adapted to be arranged facing the fractured bone and a proximal surface (13) adapted to be arranged facing away from the fractured bone. The surfaces (13, 15) define a distal and a proximal face of the plate (31), respectively. The body (33) further has a length measured along a longitudinal direction (23), a width measured along a transverse direction (51), and a thickness measured from the distal surface (15) to the proximal surface (13). The body (33) comprises two longitudinal plate ends (35) delimiting the body (33) in the longitudinal direction (23). The body (33) comprises at least one slotted longitudinal section (47). The slotted section (47) extends over a part of the length of the body (33), wherein within the slotted section (47) at least one slot (37) is arranged.