Abstract: The subject matter includes a system and method for providing graphical feedback visualizing forces within a joint through a range of motion of the joint. The method can comprise receiving position data, receiving force data, and generating a graphical representation based on the position data and the force data. The receiving position data can include data for at least one bone of a joint while the at least one bone is moved through a range of motion (ROM). The receiving force data can occur concurrently to receiving the position data and using one or more processors, the force data can be collected from at least one force sensor embedded within a trial prosthesis in the joint. The graphical representation can illustrate changes in the force data versus locations of the bone as it moved through the ROM.

Abstract: A vertebral fixing system having a flexible elongated member, a connecting part, and an anchor, where the anchor may engage a bone structure (e.g., a vertebra) through an opening of the connecting part and the flexible elongated member may connect to the connecting part. In some cases, the vertebral fixing system may include a tightening part configured to apply a tension to the elongated member and/or secure the elongated member with respect to the connecting part. The vertebral fixing system may be configured to receive a rod and may be capable of connecting thereto. The connecting part may have a plurality of connecting members, where at least one of the connecting members includes an opening for receiving the anchor and at least one of the connecting members connects to the elongated member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a provisional tibial prosthesis system for a set of prosthetic knee joints for implantation in a natural knee, the provisional tibial prosthesis system including a bearing component and a bearing support, the spacing of the bearing component from the bearing support is adjustable to allow for representation of a variety of different sized final tibial prostheses. In this system, only one provisional bearing component corresponding to each level of constraint is needed and shims are used to adjust the spacing of the bearing component from the beating support. The shims are slidably insertable between the bearing component and the bearing support in an anterior/posterior direction to allow for adjustment of the spacing of the bearing component from the bearing support. The number of provisional components needed during knee surgery is reduced and adjustment of the system only requires the knee joint to be distracted by a distance equal to the height of a particular shim.

Abstract: A method for treating arthritis of a joint includes identifying a bone lesion in a bone adjacent to the joint; and implanting in the bone a reinforcing member in or adjacent to the bone lesion. A kit for conducting the method includes: (a) at least one reinforcing member having a proximal face adapted to face the joint, a distal face adapted to face away from the joint, and a wedge-shaped edge adapted to pierce bone, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is planar and sterile; and (b) a container adapted to maintain the at least one reinforcing member sterile. Another kit includes: (a) a sterile fluid; (b) a syringe for injecting the fluid into a bone; (c) a curing agent adapted to cure the fluid to polymerize and/or cross-link; and (d) a container adapted to maintain the sterility of contents of the container.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a spinal implant that can provisionally retain a rod in an assembly head without having to first lock the rod relative to the assembly head. The spinal implant has a clip insert structured to retain the rod in the assembly head. The clip insert has a top portion with a cylindrical opening and extending over the cylindrical opening to cover the connection rod in part when the connection rod is engaged in the clip insert. The top portion is deformable by application of force on the connection rod to engage the connection rod with the clip insert. The clip insert and the assembly head are mechanically decoupled and can be fully received within the assembly head. The mechanical forces to which the assembly head is subjected are not transmitted to the clip insert.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt-stabilizing a material including UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a solid material including UHMWPE including a first concentration of free-radicals. The method includes coating at least part of the solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant, to provide a coated solid material. The method includes heating the coated solid material in an environment including oxygen, the heating being sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing, a bone screw, and a retainer for pivotably coupling the head of the bone screw to the housing. The retainer is positioned into the bore of the housing and includes a plurality of alternating tabs and slots circumferentially arranged to define a cavity for receiving the head portion of the bone screw therein. The retainer is axially moveable in the housing from a first position in which the head portion is not passable through the lower opening of the retainer to a second position in which the head portion is passable through the lower opening of the retainer.

Abstract: A orthopedic tool (10) for bone fixation is provided for driving a bone pin into a fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone by maintaining the fractured bone in a reduced state. The tool may be a handheld device including a magazine (56) having a plurality of passageways (98) containing one or more bone pins (62) positioned within the passageways. The tool may also include a pneumatically—powered piston (64) having a projection (70) that is sized for receipt within the plurality of passageways, the projection applying sufficient force to the bone pin to drive the bone pin out of the magazine and into the fractured bone.

Abstract: A method for anatomical analysis and joint implant design. Embodiments provide users with the ability to anatomically analyze a single bone or a series of bones that exist in a database, evaluate surgical landmarks and axes, identify differences among specific characteristics of a given population, and modify existing implants or create new implant designs based on anatomical analyzes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a patient specific soft tissue location within a joint are discussed. For example, a method can include imaging a target location for an orthopedic implant to collect image data regarding a morphology of the patient, the morphology including at least one of bone size and bone feature. The method can additionally include accessing stored soft tissue data and bone data corresponding to the target location of the orthopedic implant, locating a soft tissue of the patient based at least in part upon the soft tissue data and bone data and the image data, and displaying data including the location of the soft tissue of the patient. This data can be used to created patient specific surgical jigs according to one example of the present application.

Abstract: In a surgical power tool that includes an electric motor positioned in a housing and a movable element extending from the housing and operatively actuated by the electric motor, a controller can repeatedly interrogate for faults a plurality of components in or on the housing, such as the electric motor, the controller, a battery, a trigger, and a mode switch. Upon finding a component in a fault condition, the controller can engage a critical error handler that disengages the electric motor, disables at least some of the plurality of components, and directs a microprocessor in the controller into a safe software state. Upon engaging the critical error handler, the controller can further write to a memory an error code corresponding to which of the plurality of components is in the fault condition. The error code can be accessible via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tissue supports and methods for preparing a cartilage composition for repairing cartilage defects, which is prepared by expanding and integrating small cartilage tissue pieces derived from donor or engineered tissue. The methods and supports described herein promote cell migration and integration of neighboring tissue pieces in culture to form the cartilage composition. Methods of cartilage repair using the cartilage composition are also described.

Abstract: An instrument (10) and method are provided for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The instrument separates a patient's tibia and femur, in both extension and flexion, to measure a gap and an angle therebetween. The instrument includes various modular accessories (16, 54, 70, 80, 90, 100) that provide flexibility of usage throughout the TKA procedure and that accommodate different surgical philosophies.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant system includes a set of provisional orthopedic implants having different implant sizes, in which each provisional implant facilitates an intraoperative selection of the next-smallest implant size without removing the provisional implant from the bone. All of the implant sizes share a common sagittal configuration of distal and anterior bone contacting surfaces, but have variable sagittal configurations only in the posterior bone contacting surfaces. Thus, where a relatively larger femoral provisional component is mounted to a femur, changing to a smaller provisional component (i.e., “downsizing”) can be accomplished by recutting only two of five original femoral cuts. Cut slots provided in each provisional implant are sized and positioned to correspond to the posterior bone contacting surface geometry of the next-smallest provisional implant size.

Abstract: A device to aid in performing a revision surgery on a joint can comprise: a body member having a bone facing bottom surface, an opposing top surface, a first end portion configured to be disposed on a bone, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and configured to be disposed on the bone nearer to the joint relative to the first end portion; a connecting member attached to the body member and configured to extend beyond an end of the bone; and a guide member attached to the connecting member and including an opening configured to receive a cutting tool. The device can be sized and shaped based on a computed tomography scan of the bone, and the guide member can be configured so that when the device is installed on the bone, the longitudinal axis of the opening is aligned with a longitudinal direction of the bone.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for vertebral reduction using sleeves detachably coupled to collars of bone fasteners. The reduction can be performed during a minimally invasive procedure for implanting spinal stabilization systems. A sleeve can include internal threads that match threads on the respective collar to form a continuous set of threads. Threads on a closure member can be engaged with the threads on the sleeve and the closure member turned to translate the closure member along the sleeve. The closure member can be used to push a rod relative to the collar to which the sleeve is attached to cause a vertebral body to move.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical topical gel solution that contains 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and an aqueous low viscous gel matrix. This invention also relates to a pharmaceutical preparation containing this composition. The formulation of this type can be used in photodynamic therapy as well as in the photodynamic detection of abnormally proliferating cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to perform robot-aided surgery. A system may include a robotic controller to monitor a position and orientation of an end effector coupled to an end of a robotic arm. The robotic controller may apply a force to a bone using the end effector, such as via a soft tissue balancing component. The robotic controller may determine soft tissue balance using information from a tracking system, such as a position of a first tracker affixed to the bone. The soft tissue balance may be output, such as to a display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain aspects, unique methods and systems for connecting orthopedic components. In some forms, a male-type projection of a first orthopedic component is securely lodged within a female-type aperture in a second orthopedic component. In one embodiment, the projection, while received through a proximal entryway in the aperture, includes a first longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a first securing zone within the aperture and a second longitudinal region with deformed surface elements that provide a second securing zone within the aperture. The first securing zone is located proximate the distal end of the projection, and the second securing zone is located proximate the proximal entryway of the aperture.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed including apparatuses that can be used in a total knee replacement procedure. According to one example, a tibial implant is disclosed. The tibial implant can be configured for attachment to a tibia in a knee arthroplasty and can include a baseplate having a lateral portion and a medial portion oriented relative to an anteroposterior axis and a fixation member. Each of the lateral portion and the medial portion can have a distal surface configured to interface with a resected proximal surface of a tibia. The fixation member can be coupled to and extend both distally and medially from the baseplate such that the fixation member is oriented at an acute angle relative to the distal surface of the medial portion.