Abstract: Methods of therapeutically treating osteoarthritis in a joint are disclosed. These methods aim to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis of a joint by treating the subchondral bone to heal, or delay the onset or progression of, bone marrow edema or lesions in the subchondral bone region of the joint. Associated devices and instruments for such subchondral treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A regenerative device can include a first side section, a second side section, and a top section extending between and connecting the first side section and the second side section. The top section and the first and second side sections can each be formed from a porous material that retains its structure after implantation in the patient. The regenerative device can be used for ridge augmentation of a maxilla or a mandible. The top section can include an opening configured for receiving an implant. The porous material can be permanently implanted in the mouth and promote bone regeneration or ridge augmentation. The first and second side sections of the device can include openings for receiving a fastener to secure the device to the alveolar ridge.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant having a thermally treated ceramic coating and a method of producing a coated prosthetic implant. The ceramic coating is deposited onto the prosthetic implant such as by a plasma spray coating process. The prosthetic implant is thermally treated in a low oxygen environment to increase the hardness and wear-resistance of the ceramic coating for improved articulation of the prosthetic implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone anchoring device for the operative repair of fractures, comprising a fracture fixation plate which has at least one opening and at least one anchoring element for the fastening of the fracture fixation plate on the bone, wherein the anchoring element has a shaft and a head, and wherein at least one part of the shaft can be guided through the opening while the head can be fixed in the opening, and wherein the shaft is produced in at least two parts with a first part on which the head is arranged and with a second part provided for the anchoring in the bone, wherein the first part and the second part of the shaft are guided such that they move toward each other along an axis when the bone anchoring device is in the state of being fixed to the bone.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating tissue during a surgical procedure where a surgical access device, including a body member having walls with at least one conduit therein, is inserted into the patient. A chilled fluid is circulated through the at least one conduit such that the tissue that is located proximate the body member is cooled. Alternatively, the body member may be constructed from a highly thermally conductive material such that heat energy is transmitted through the body from the tissue located proximate the body member and into a heat sink. The surgical device may include a first or second blade portions constructed from an inner and an outer shell having walls. Ribs located on the inner shell sealingly coupled to the inner wall of the outer shell to create the at least one conduit within the walls of the blade portion.

Abstract: Methods of forming polymeric articles using plasma treated polymer resins, and orthopedic implants comprising a polymeric article wherein the polymeric article has reactive groups bonded to polymer molecules in an interior region of the polymeric article.

Abstract: An assembly of a patient specific instrument and tracking system comprises a patient specific instrument having a body with a patient specific contact surface negatively shaped relative to a corresponding surface of a bone for complementary contact therewith. An inertial sensor unit with a preset orientation is connected to the body in a planned connection configuration, such that a geometrical relation between the contact surface and the inertial sensor unit is known. A tracking system has a tracking processor connected to the inertial sensor unit, a user interface, and bone orientation data related to the patient specific contact surface, the tracking processor producing orientation tracking data for the bone using the geometrical relation and the bone orientation data when the preset orientation of the inertial sensor unit is initialized, to output the orientation tracking data on the user interface.

Abstract: A spinal implant for stabilizing first and second vertebrae. The spinal implant includes an intervertebral spacer and a bone stabilization member configured to be coupled to the intervertebral spacer. The bone stabilization member includes a plurality of bone screw openings and a plurality of bone screws extendable through the bone screw openings to secure the bone stabilization member to the vertebrae. A retention member, which is slidably coupled to the bone stabilization member, is linearly slidable between a first position and a second position while coupled to the bone stabilization member. In the first position, each of the bone screws is permitted to be inserted into the bone screw openings, and in the second position the retention member at least partially covers each of the bone screw openings to prevent a bone screw from backing out of the respective bone screw opening.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device including a clamping device and a flexible band configured to be secured a vertebra. The clamping device includes a base member and an upper member configured to be secured together with a fastener. The flexible band is configured to be passed around a bone portion and through a passage of the base member to position the flexible band between a clamping surface of the base member and a clamping surface of the upper member. The flexible band is tensioned to urge the clamping device against the bone portion and then clamped between the clamping surfaces of the base member and the upper member. A stabilization member of a vertebral stabilization construct may be secured to the vertebra with the bone anchoring device without invasively altering or impairing the structural integrity of the vertebra.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a bone fastener including a collar, a fastener member, and a pin. The collar can have an upper portion with slot to receive an elongated member and a lower portion with a socket and an opening. The fastener member can have head and shank portions. The socket can receive the head portion and prevent movement of the head portion through the opening when the head portion is out of registration with the opening. The head portion and the socket can be configured to allow angulation of the fastener member within a defined range of motion within a selected plane. The head portion and the socket can define apertures which can be aligned with each other when the head portion is in the socket and which can receive the pin. One embodiment provides a generally spherical head portion with a flat.

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 system and associated method are provided for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine. A plate is provided to contact a region of a skull and be secured thereto. A spinal rod is configured to extend from a location adjacent the plate to a location adjacent at least one vertebra. An adjustable housing is provided to secure the rod to the plate, and has a first position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate can be adjusted and a second position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate is secured.

Abstract: A dermatome having a main body, a blade assembly and a blade guard, where the blade assembly has a blade edge and the blade guard has a base and a fence extending from the base toward the blade assembly so as to face the blade edge. The blade guard may include at least one blade assembly locator to facilitate the alignment of the blade guard with the blade assembly. A blade guard assembled on the blade assembly may operate so as to prevent unintended contact between the blade edge and objects.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a patient specific instrumentation jig model for implant revision comprises an anchor surface identifier to identify anchor surface(s) from a patient specific bone model of a bone requiring implant revision and from data related to an implanted implant on the bone. The anchor surface is in close proximity to the implanted implant. A PSI revision jig model generator generates a jig model using at least the identified anchor surface and a model of a replacement implant, the PSI revision jig model generator outputting a jig model comprising patient specific contact surface(s) corresponding to the identified anchor surface, and at least one tool interface portion positioned and/or oriented relative to the at least one contact surface, the at least one tool interface portion adapted to be interfaced to a tool altering the bone for subsequently installing an implant on the bone.

Abstract: An orthopaedic 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: An orthopaedic 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: An orthopaedic 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: Modified polymeric articles having modifying agents dispersed within and bonded to an interior region of the article. Methods of modifying polymer materials used to form polymeric articles, and methods of making polymeric articles from polymer particles having modifying agents bonded thereto.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for relieving damaged areas of the surfaces of hip or shoulder joints from stress. Said implant can be introduced into the space between the joint surfaces of the condyle and the socket cooperating in the natural joint. The inventive implant is cup-shaped or cap-shaped, rests in the socket by a convex external face, and sits on the condyle by a concave internal face in the implanted state. The implant comprises at least two articulation layers which are movable relative to each other and encompass articulation surfaces that face one another in the implanted state.