Abstract: A spinal stabilization system including an insert positionable in the channel of the housing of a poly-axial pedicle screw which allows for locking the housing of the poly-axial pedicle screw from pivotal movement through a clamping force generated by rotational engagement of a fastener with the housing while clamping a cord of a support construct in the housing of the poly-axial pedicle screw through direct contact of the fastener against the cord.

Abstract: An occipital plate may include a central section, a pair of angled sections, and attachment assemblies comprising slide members configured to move along slots in the angled sections, and posts coupled to the slide members. Each post has a first and second cross dimensions. The first cross dimension of each post is less than a first cross dimension of a slide member. The second cross dimension of each post is approximately equal to a second cross dimension of a slide member. Rods may be coupled to the occipital plate at a variety of angles with respect to a midline of the plate. The angular adjustability may accommodate any misalignments in the rods. Further, the position of the attachment assemblies relative to the midline is adjustable to thereby provide for medial-lateral adjustability when attaching the rods to the occipital plate as part of an occipito-cervico-thoracic construct.

Abstract: A biocompatible synthetic bone growth composition comprising a fibrillar collagen component and a calcium phosphate component. The composition is formed into particles, and then formed into a unitary article that may be provided at the site of a skeletal defect. An osteoinductive component may be further added, either before or after forming the unitary article. The composition may be formulated as a paste or putty and facilitates bone growth and/or repair.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis constructs for treating bone fractures and bone screws for use in such systems are disclosed. The bone screws include a threaded front section configured for engagement with cortical bone, a threaded mid-section and an unthreaded neck section configured for limited movement within the near cortex of the bone. Osteosynthesis constructs of the type disclosed promote secondary healing by allowing for substantially parallel motion at the near and far cortex within the effective motion range for callus formation.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system including a bone plate having a contour that substantially matches the contour of an underlying bone. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig that can be moved relative to non-parallel cannulas guided by the jig into operative position relative to a bone plate. In one embodiment, the jig includes grooves which do not completely surround the perimeter of the cannulas guided by the jig. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a jig including guides having a position and orientation which is adjustable relative to other ones of the guides. In one embodiment, the jig includes two portions that can articulate with respect to each other. The bone fracture fixation system can also include a wire bender that can bend a wire greater than 180 degrees so that both ends of the wire can be inserted into a fractured bone.

Abstract: A transverse connector for coupling between first and second vertebral anchors of a spinal stabilization system. The transverse connector includes a first coupling assembly proximate a first end, a second coupling assembly proximate a second end, a first fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the first vertebral anchor, and a second fastener having external threading configured to threadably engage an internal threaded portion of a housing of the second vertebral anchor. Each of the first and second fasteners includes a spherical upper surface, such as a spherically concave upper surface. A spherical surface of each of the first and second coupling assemblies mates with the spherical upper surface of the respective fastener to provide multi-axial rotation of the transverse connector relative to the housings to permit a desired orientation of the transverse connector.

Abstract: A flexible containment device can comprise a textile material including at least one of a woven material, a braided material, a knit material, a felt material, and an electrospun material, wherein the textile material includes a plurality of biocompatible strengthening fibers configured to engage a bone graft material and configured to remain in a patient.

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: 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: 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: A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.

Abstract: A clamping device for an external fixation system includes a first clamp having an opening for receiving an external fixation element, the first clamp having an axle seat. A first base component includes a concave first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The concave first surface is in selective engagement with the clamp. A swivel element comprises an axle component and a post component. The axle component is disposed on the axle seat of the first clamp. The post component extends from the axle component and has a length sized to extend from the axle component through a second external fixation clamp. The post component is arranged to swivel relative to the axle seat. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.

Abstract: A prosthetic system that includes a prosthetic implant and a support structure secured to an inner surface of a cavity of a bone is disclosed. The support structure defines a channel that extends through the length of the support structure. The prosthetic implant is received in the channel, and a portion of the prosthetic implant is secured to an inner surface of the support structure by an adhesive. The support structure may comprise a pair of partially hemispherical components arranged in spaced apart relationship thereby defining the channel between the pair of components.

Abstract: An external fixation system includes a clamp system configured to capture a fixation element. The clamp system has a first and a second jaw and a first and a second link attached to the first and second jaws that are configured to control the motion of the jaws. The links are arranged such that, when the first and second jaws are moved to a closed position, the action of trying to open the jaws is resisted by the position of the links, and to open the jaws, the links must be actuated.

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.

Abstract: An orthopedic component having multiple layers that are selected to provide an overall modulus that is substantially lower than the modulus of known orthopedic components to more closely approximate the modulus of the bone into which the orthopedic component is implanted. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic component is an acetabular shell. For example, the acetabular shell may include an outer layer configured for securement to the natural acetabulum of a patient and an inner layer configured to receive an acetabular liner. The head of a femoral prosthesis articulates against the acetabular liner to replicate the function of a natural hip joint. Alternatively, the inner layer of the acetabular shell may act as an integral acetabular liner against which the head of the femoral prosthesis articulates.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.

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: The present invention provides an intramedullary nail having a body with a transverse bore extending through the body and having an area of enhanced stress distribution on at least the lateral side of the transverse bore. In one exemplary embodiment, the intramedullary nail includes a cutout adjacent to the transverse bore, such as an oblique cutout, that enhances the stress distribution of the intramedullary nail in the region around the lateral opening of the transverse bore. In one exemplary embodiment, the cutout includes a ramp portion or area that defines the lateral opening of the transverse bore. In other exemplary embodiments, the cutout includes a runout or a substantially flat portion that defines the lateral opening of the transverse bore.