Abstract: Dental implant devices, kits, and methods for implantation or use in a bone cavity, are disclosed. A dental implant can include a body portion, extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, including a central bore extending from the proximal end to a termination point, located proximal of the distal end. The dental implant can further include and one or more channels extending between the central bore and an exterior surface of the body portion. A kit can include a set of different sized dental implants, a set of slugs including a resorbable material, and optionally, an injection tool. A method can include inserting the dental implant into a bone cavity, introducing a resorbable material into the central bore of the body portion, and permitting the resorbable material to flow from the central bore, through the one or more channels, and into the bone cavity.

Abstract: Drill bits comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and a cutting head located at the distal end of the shaft, having a cutting diameter, and having at least one flute, which includes a cutting edge and an offset leading spur are disclosed. A portion of the shaft of the drill bits located adjacent and proximal to the cutting head has a reduced diameter relative to the remainder of the shaft. The drill bits have a tapered point along the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the cutting head for guiding the drill bit or are cannulated to receive a guide wire.

Abstract: A spinal device and associated method are provided for spreading of first and second vertebral elements, each of the first and second vertebral elements having a circumferential surface defining a vertebral body and a pedicle having a pedicle root portion adjacent the circumferential surface. The device includes a first end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the first vertebral element, and a second end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the second vertebral element. The device further includes a resilient member extending between the first and second end members and being adapted to exert a force against the first and second vertebral elements.

Abstract: A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component.

Abstract: A family of tibial baseplates can comprise a plurality of tibial baseplates. Each of the plurality of tibial baseplates can define a common nominal baseplate size and a unique, non-congruent tibial baseplate periphery as compared to the other tibial baseplates of the family of tibial baseplates.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may include a pair of structural members coupled to at least a portion of a human vertebra with connectors. Connectors may couple structural members to spinous processes. Some embodiments of a spinal stabilization system may include fasteners that couple structural members to vertebrae. In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system, provides three points of fixation for a single vertebral level. A fastener may fixate a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae and couple a stabilization structural member to a vertebra. Connectors may couple the structural members to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Use of a spinal stabilization system may improve the stability of a weakened or damaged portion of a spine. When used in conjunction with an implant or other device, the spinal stabilization system may immobilize vertebrae and allow for fusion of the implant or other device with vertebrae.

Abstract: A dissociation device comprises a transducer configured to produce acoustic vibration selected to be sufficient to dissociate a male portion from an engaged female portion of a medical device, a power source configured to supply power to the transducer, and a processor for controlling the transducer. The transducer can be configured to produce ultrasonic acoustic vibration. The male portion of the medical device can comprise a male taper and the female portion can comprise a corresponding female taper.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a device for securing a ligature to an osseous structure, the device comprising a first part, a second part, a flexible elongate member for engaging the osseous structure, a closure element, and a deformable element between the first and second parts for holding open a gap G between them. The flexible elongate member is threaded through an orifice in the first part and the gap G. The closure element is configured for clamping the first and second parts against each other, overcoming the resilience of the deformable element, so as to frictionally lock the flexible elongate member threaded through the gap G. Embodiments disclosed herein also provide a method for using the device.

Abstract: A spinal plate system that maintains intervertebral spacing and spinal stability is provided. One embodiment includes a spacer for establishing an initial condition of an adjustable spinal device. The spacer includes a first coupling portion configured to couple selectively with a first segment of the adjustable spinal device, a second coupling portion configured to couple selectively with a second segment of the adjustable spinal device, and a spacer body extending between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. The spacer prevents movement of the first segment of the spinal device relative to the second segment when the first coupling portion is coupled selectively with the first segment and the second coupling portion is coupled selectively with the second segment.

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: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.

Abstract: A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of a body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the body.

Abstract: A dental implant can include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an apical end, a coronal end, and an exterior surface. A portion of the exterior surface can include a porous material. The dental implant can include at least one thread, including a non-porous material, having an interior surface and a bone-engaging surface. The interior surface can engage and wind around the exterior surface of the shaft and the bone-engaging surface can extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the shaft. The shaft can include one or more channels configured to communicate a flowable material, stored within the shaft, to the exterior surface. Each channel can include an opening at the exterior surface to release the flowable material. At least one channel can extend between a cavity of the shaft and the exterior surface and can optionally be angled toward the apical end.

Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone screw assembly which includes a shaft and sleeve adapted to engage and couple the bone screw assembly into a single coaxial unit while the bone screw assembly is being driven into a bone and then to release the bone screw assembly from the driver instrument. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft, a sleeve, and bone screw assembly engaging features on the elongate shaft and/or the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for reduction of vertebral bodies (or vertebrae) in various embodiments includes a reducer, and extender, and a hollow tube. The reducer couples to the extender, which in turn couples to an elongated member, such as a rod, and to a bone fastener assembly. The reducer allows reduction of the vertebral body incrementally, and by a desired amount. The reducer may include or may be used in conjunction with a holding device or holder in order to hold or keep the amount of reduction constant or steady once the desired amount of reduction has been obtained. The reducer may use one of several embodiments, including embodiments that use threaded assemblies or members, inclining members or wedges, offset cams, scissor jacks, and/or levers.

Abstract: Clamping devices and methods for external fixation systems include a post component having a yaw axis and a clamping system secured to the post component and rotatable about the yaw axis. The clamping system includes a outer jaw and a inner jaw having an inner surface facing the outer jaw. The outer and inner jaws together form an opening for receiving a fixation element of the external fixation system. The inner jaw and outer jaw have a roll axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of the fixation element. The clamping system and post component are rotatable about the roll axis. The inner jaw also includes a cylindrical outer-facing surface. The devices also include a base component having a cylindrical concave surface having a pitch axis. The concave surface of the base component interfaces with the cylindrical outer facing component on the inner jaw. The outer and inner jaws being rotatable relative to the base and the post component about the pitch axis.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprising an intervertebral spacer and two fastener ties is disclosed. The intervertebral spacer may be formed having a body extending in a longitudinal direction. The intervertebral spacer may further include a first insertion face, a second face, and two recesses disposed at the ends of the body. The recesses may each be defined by a first extension, a second extension, and an end wall. Each of the two fastener ties may be secured to the first extension at a first end and a second end may be fastenable to the second face. The ties may pass around a spinous process in part and hold the spinous process within a recess. The first extension of the body may have a height relative to the bottom wall of the recess that is no greater than the height of the second extension.

Abstract: Clamping devices and methods for external fixation systems include a post component having a yaw axis and a clamping system secured to the post component and rotatable about the yaw axis. The clamping system includes a outer jaw and a inner jaw having an inner surface facing the outer jaw. The outer and inner jaws together form an opening for receiving a fixation element of the external fixation system. The inner jaw and outer jaw have a roll axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of the fixation element. The clamping system and post component are rotatable about the roll axis. The inner jaw also includes a cylindrical outer-facing surface. The devices also include a base component having a cylindrical concave surface having a pitch axis. The concave surface of the base component interfaces with the cylindrical outer facing component on the inner jaw. The outer and inner jaws being rotatable relative to the base and the post component about the pitch axis.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant comprising: (a) a distal femoral component comprising a first condyle bearing surface having a first profile comprising at least three consecutive arcs of curvature; and (b) a proximal tibial component comprising a first condyle bearing surface having a second profile comprising at least three parallel arcs of curvature. The disclosure also includes a method of designing and fabricating an orthopedic implant, the method comprising: (a) evaluating images of distal femurs of a particular ethnicity to extract common shape features exhibited across an ethnicity that are unique to the ethnicity to create an ethnic specific template; (b) designing a distal femoral component comprising a first condyle surface using the ethnic specific template; and, (c) fabricating a distal femoral component embodying the first condyle surface.