Abstract: Dental compositions are disclosed. A dental composition can include a reaction produce of a reaction mixture comprising a first mixture and a second mixture. The first mixture can include a ceramic based biomaterial, and the second mixture can include mineral trioxide aggregate and a phosphoric acid monomer.

Abstract: A mold for forming a temporary prosthesis has at least two mold members at least partially separable from each other. The at least two mold members cooperatively define a generally enclosed interior cavity for forming the temporary prosthesis. The mold has a securement structure mounted on the at least two mold members for securing the at least two mold members to each other during the forming of the temporary prosthesis. The securement structure is removable from the at least two mold members by hand and without the use of a tool.

Abstract: An orthopedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components.

Abstract: Adult autologous stem cells cultured on a porous, three-dimensional tissue scaffold-implant for bone regeneration by the use of a hyaluronan and/or dexamethasone to accelerate bone healing alone or in combination with recombinant growth factors or transfected osteogenic genes. The scaffold-implant may be machined into a custom-shaped three-dimensional cell culture system for support of cell growth, reservoir for peptides, recombinant growth factors, cytokines and antineoplastic drugs in the presence of a hyaluronan and/or dexamethasone alone or in combination with growth factors or transfected osteogenic genes, to be assembled ex vivo in a tissue incubator for implantation into bone tissue.

Abstract: An integrated instrument for arthroplasty planning comprises a cutting block having an adjustable distance between an anterior cut guide and a posterior cut guide, and a sizer mounted to the cutting block, the sizer comprising medial and lateral posterior feet having an adjustable distance from one of the cut guides and an adjustable angular position relative to the one of the cut guides.

Abstract: The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removeably locks or helps to removeably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses including an apparatus for guiding a femoral bone cut during knee replacement surgery are disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a cut guide having a first side, a second side, a third side, and one or more slots. The first side can be configured to interface with a resected surface of a femur. The second side can be spaced from the first side. The one or more slots can be defined by the apparatus and extend from the first side to the second side. The third side can be disposed between the first side and the second side and can have at least one projection extending therefrom. The at least one projection can be configured to guide a cutting tool into the one or more slots.

Abstract: Methods and systems for installing an implant in an intramedullary canal are discussed. In an example, an intramedullary sounder tool has a sounder head including a plurality of teeth extending proximally from a distal tip towards a shank extending from the sounder head, each tooth comprising a distal cutting edge, a middle scraping edge, and a proximal cutting edge. The sounder head can be advanced into the intramedullary canal until the scraping edge engages cortical bone. If the scraping edge does not engage cortical bone, sounder tools having successively larger diameters can be advanced into the intramedullary canal until a scraping edge does engage the cortical wall, thereby avoiding cutting and damaging of the cortical bone. At such point, the width of the intramedullary canal and the implant used therein can be determined using markings on the shank that indicate the diameter of the sounder head.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component which exhibits enhanced articular features, minimizes removal of healthy bone stock from the distal femur, and minimizes the impact of the prosthesis on adjacent soft tissues of the knee.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide for junctionless monolithic composite implants and methods for manufacturing the same. The implant includes a monolithic composite body having a first region comprising a first metal alloy, a second region comprising a second metal alloy, and a transition region disposed between the first region and the second region formed from a bonded mixture of the first alloy and the second alloy. In one example, the transition region is a sintered mixture of the first alloy and the second alloy. In another example, the transition region is disposed at a region of minimum stress within the monolithic composite body under physiological loading conditions of the implant.

Abstract: A set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral dimensions with increasing anterior/posterior size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the medial/lateral dimensions beginning at the posterior end of the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking optimized to conform to female anatomy.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for reducing a rod into a saddle of a fixation member includes a distal end for engaging the saddle and a proximal end. A reducing device is disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The reducing device is operative to reduce the rod into the saddle. The reducing device defines a throughbore. The throughbore provides access there through by a first drive member to secure a plug to the saddle.

Abstract: External fixation systems, and methods for immobilizing joints or fractured bones. An external fixation system may include one or more clamp assemblies connected to one or more rod assemblies at polyaxial joints. Each rod assembly may be length adjustable, and may include a one-way locking mechanism to provisionally lock the length of the rod assembly, and additional locking mechanisms to permanently lock the length of the rod assembly. The system may be deployed pre-assembled as a unit to immobilize a joint or fracture. Another external fixation system further includes a spanning member extending transverse to the rod assemblies. Two or more external fixation systems may be deployed in a stacked configuration on one set of bone pins to immobilize two joints and/or fractures. The systems may be provided in kits including guiding instrumentation, bone pins and pin clamping assemblies for connecting the bone pins to the external fixation systems.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.

Abstract: A method and instrument for tensioning a flexible tie used for fastening an implant on a bony element by forming a first loop around it. In some embodiments, the instrument comprises a shaft having a distal end configured for contact with a rod, a moving part slidably engaged with the shaft, a holder connected to the moving part and configured to hold an end of the flexible tie, and a tension control member comprising a trigger that pivots relative to the moving part. In some embodiments, the method comprises coupling the end of the flexible tie to the instrument and squeezing the trigger to shorten the first loop of the flexible tie around the bony element, causing the moving part and the holder holding the end of the flexible tie to move in translation away from the distal end of the shaft, thereby exerting tension on the flexible tie.

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: Methods and systems include a patient specific instrument for installing a glenosphere within a joint. For example, a method for implanting a glenosphere includes installing first and second pins in a glenoid cavity using a patient specific instrument that sets a distance between the guide pins, installing an implant at the location of the second guide pin, and guiding a glenosphere onto the implant using a helper connected to the first pin. In another example, a glenosphere helper includes a cup shaped body having an interior surface for engaging at least a portion of an outer surface of the glenosphere, and a flange extending from the cup to receive a guide pin at a point, the flange extending from the cup shaped body such that the point is positioned outside a periphery of the glenosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.

Abstract: A hip stem prosthesis is provided for treating a deficient hip joint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spinal stabilization apparatus includes a vertebral anchor having a head portion and a bone attachment portion. An elongate, flexible guide is removably coupled to the head portion of the vertebral anchor and has a channel extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a slot in the head portion of the anchor. An elongate cord may be received within the channel to facilitate inserting and securing a spacer between pairs of anchors installed into adjacent vertebrae of a person's spine.