Abstract: A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning at least a portion of a delivery device over a connecting element, and inserting the delivery device and the connecting element through the patient's skin at the first location and along at least a portion of the first positioning tool. The first positioning tool is configured to facilitate directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward a second vertebral anchor within the patient's body.

Abstract: An external fixation clamp for receiving a fixation element includes an inner jaw and an outer jaw movable between an open position that permits the fixation element to be placed between the inner and outer jaws and a closed position that restricts removal of the fixation element from between the inner and outer jaws. A latch assembly may cooperate with the inner and outer jaws to secure the jaws in a closed position. The latch assembly may comprise a latch and a latch biasing member. The latch may be configured to translate linearly relative to one of the inner and outer jaws, and the latch biasing member may have a first higher level of stored energy when the inner and outer jaws are in the open position and a second lower level of stored energy when the inner and outer jaws are in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.

Abstract: A ball joint prosthesis can include a shell, having an outer articular surface of a first material and an open distal end, configured to receive a sealing receptacle. A volume of a second material, within the shell, can be more compressible than the first material. The ball joint prosthesis can have an effective compressibility that is intermediate between a compressibility of the first material and a compressibility of the second material.

Abstract: Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly suited for use at the subchondral bone level.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device for securement to a bone. The device includes an anchor, a receiver, a retainer and an insert. The receiver includes a seating surface defining a cavity communicating with the exterior of the receiver through a first opening configured to receive the connection head of the anchor therethrough. The retainer includes at least two discrete retaining members configured to engage with the receiver seating surface when they are captured between the connection head and the seating surface. The insert is disposed within the receiver and configured to frictionally engage the connection head. The insert includes a main body and at least one pin protruding from the main body, for circumferential insertion between two adjacent retaining members of the retainer.

Abstract: A bone implant surgery system is used for simulating a dental surgical procedure having a display that shows placing a simulated bone implant at a simulated implant site on a living body by using a simulated surgical tool holding the simulated bone implant. At least one hand-held haptic device is used to control the surgical tool and at least one controller is specifically configured to cause movement of the surgical tool on the display based on motions of the haptic device and to cause haptic feedback to a user holding the haptic device depending on the position of the surgical tool on the display. A user may then review and evaluate the results of the surgical simulation.

Abstract: An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cut guide including a locking area, an alignment guide, and a connect mechanism to connect the cut guide to the alignment guide, wherein the connect mechanism includes a cone lock connect mechanism configured to engage with the cut guide locking area.

Abstract: A tibial augment for use with a knee joint prosthesis, composed of annular members of different stock sizes, each size being configured to fit within a cavity formed in a human tibia. The augment may include a stepped distal surface. A provisional (temporary) tibial augment used to ensure a proper fit for the permanent augment is also provided. The provisional may include grooves configured to cooperate with a set of ribs on a tong-like holder used for removing the provisional from the cavity. A pusher for use implanting the tibial augment is also provided. In addition, a system for creating a cavity in a human tibia is also described. The system preferably includes a guide with a slot therein and a set of osteotomes that are inserted within different portions of the slot. Methods for using the tools and/or implanting the prosthetic devices discussed above are also described.

Abstract: Instruments and associated methods are disclosed for treating joints, and particularly bone tissue. One of these instruments may be a positioning instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target site of the bone tissue being treated. The positioning instrument may comprise an alignment guide having a device portal for insertion of a device therethrough. The positioning instrument may have an indicator probe having an extended arm, and a handle portion for maneuvering the positioning instrument. Another instrument may be a device for placement through the device portal of the alignment guide and to the target site. The device may comprise an implant insertion tool, an injection catheter, a cavity creation tool such as a bone drill, for example, or the device may be an implantable device.

Abstract: A multi-unit dental implant system including a dental implant, a straight abutment, an angled abutment, and a plurality of copings or other components configured to universally fit on the cone-section of the straight abutment and the cone-section of the angled abutment.

Abstract: Monoblock orthopedic and/or dental implants are disclosed. The monoblock implants include a ceramic articulating surface and an osseointegrative bone-contacting surface. Methods of making such implants also disclosed.

Abstract: A femur fixation device including an elongated nail configured for insertion into the medullary canal of the femur and a buttress element extending from the elongated nail. The buttress element is configured to reinforce the lesser trochanter region of the femur and assist in stabilizing the head portion of the femur.

Abstract: Methods for altering the natural history of degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine are proposed. The methods focus on the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, subchondral defects such as bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine and thereby treat pain.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous orthopedic implants made from polymer preforms and a method of manufacturing the same. A polymer material may be formed into a preform, such as by an injection molding process or an additive manufacturing process. In an exemplary embodiment, the overall shape and the porous framework of the preform is predetermined to be substantially the same as the overall shape and the porous framework of the final orthopedic implant. Then, the preform may be pyrolyzed and coated with metal to form the final orthopedic implant.

Abstract: Porous spacers (100) are provided for foot and ankle fusion. The porous spacers disclosed herein may be implanted between separate bones of a joint or between two segments of a single bone following an osteotomy procedure. Such spacers may be used in conjunction with an ankle resection system which includes a resection frame (150) and a resection guide (170). The resection frame can be anchored to the distal tibia and/or the talus and provides an opening (155) through which a bone cutting element can pass for cutting underlying bone. The resection guide can include one or more cutting slots (169, 171, 172) and the resection guide can be coupled to the resection frame with the one or more cutting slots positioned over the opening in the resection frame so that the bone cutting element can pass through the one or more cutting slots and through the opening in the resection frame for cutting the distal tibia and/or the talus.

Abstract: A femoral component instrument includes a rotatable locking mechanism such as a post and is capable of interchangeable use between posterior stabilizing (“PS”) and cruciate retaining (“CR”) femoral component types via the locking mechanism. The instrument further includes a modular pad so that a pad specific to the prosthesis type may be chosen. Each pad of a particular femoral component type is useable with a variety of sizes of that femoral component type. The locking mechanism of the instrument is alternatively useable with a variety of femoral component types. The locking end of the post keys to a pad aperture to rotatably align the post to an appropriate securement position. If a femoral component is not locked to the pad, the post of the instrument moves from an exposed position proximal to the proximal pad surface to a retracted position distal to the proximal pad surface, thereby permitting impaction.

Abstract: A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second elongate members of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a connector arm, a first coupling assembly proximate a first end of the arm, and a second coupling assembly proximate a second end of the arm. The first and second coupling assemblies are secured to the connector arm through a plurality of mating engagement features, such as dovetail grooves.