Abstract: An implantable textile prosthesis includes a first woven section having a tubular branch wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough. The tubular branch wall includes an elongate tubular extent and an asymptotically flared tubular extent, which is asymptotic with respect to the tubular branch wall. The asymptotically flared tubular extent includes a weaving pattern having a plurality of warp yarns and fill yarns and incorporating a gradual change in the number of warp yarns with respect to the fill yarns to provide a seamless and substantially fluid-tight transition region along said flared tubular extent. The tubular branch wall may be sutured to an elongate tubular main wall to provide an implantable tubular textile prosthesis particularly useful in branched end-to-side anastomoses. The tubular main wall may be heat-settably arched to resemble the natural arch of the aorta.

Abstract: An interbody osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes opposite end pieces with an integral central element. The end pieces are sized to maintain the height of an intervertebral disc space. The central element has a much smaller diameter so that the osteogenic fusion device forms an annular pocke around the central element. An osteogenic material is disposed within the annular pocket between the opposite end pieces. In one embodiment,the osteogenic material constitutes a collagen sheet soaked in asolution containing a bone morphogenetic protein. The osteogenic fusion device is configured so that the osteogenic material is in direct contact with the adjacent vertebral bone. In addition to the enhanced area of contact between the vertebral bone and the fusion material, the inventive osteogenic fusion device reduces stress-shielding and minimizes the radiopacity of the implant so that growth of the fusion mass can be continuously assessed.

Abstract: An implant assembly and associated method for selectively performing reverse and traditional arthroplasty for a shoulder joint that includes a humerus and a glenoid. The implant assembly may include a head, a cup, a humeral stem and an adapter. The method includes inserting the humeral stem to the humerus and connecting a male taper of the adapter to a female taper of the head. For reverse arthroplasty, the method includes attaching the adapter to the glenoid and the cup to the stem. For traditional arthroplasty, the method includes attaching the adapter to the humeral stem and the cup to the glenoid. The method also includes articulating the head with the cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthesis for implantation at the proximal articular surface of a proximal phalange, of a human great toe. The prosthesis comprises a base portion having a generally concave bearing surface shaped to articulate with the distal articular surface of a metatarsal bone, and a flat surface opposite the bearing surface for emplacement against a resected surface of the proximal phalange of the great toe of the human subject. A stem extends distally from the flat surface of the base portion, for implantation in the intramedulary canal of a proximal phalange of the great toe of the human subject. The stem has a generally frustoconical shape, with a substantially oval wide end at the flat surface of the base portion, tapering to a substantially circular end.

Abstract: The equal tension applying device is used to apply equal tension to a group of tendons. The device comprises a 3 to 9 inch elongate flexible member and a hook at each end of the flexible member. Typically a torn ACL is replaced with two loops of tendons defining 4 tendon strands. The ends of each strand have sutures therein. The tendon loops are fixed in a femoral tunnel with a fixation pin and extend into and through a tibial tunnel. The method includes the steps of: tying the ends of the sutures together to form a loop, placing a hook of the elongate tensioning device over the suture loop, applying tension on the device, followed by anchoring the ends of the tendon strands to the tibia.

Abstract: This invention provides a vertebral implant for impaction in a disc space to restore and/or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation. The implant has an elongated basis body having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces. Bearing surfaces are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls. Grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The implant can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and/or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP). These preferred materials for fabricating implants in the present invention reduce costs, increase service life and provide excellent physiological compatibility. The non-metallic material can be selected to be either a substantially permanent material, a biodegradable material or a bioerodable material.

Abstract: The present invention is a specialized implant having opposed surfaces for engaging each of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which the implant is implanted. The surface comprises arrayed projections having at least one forward facing facet directed at least in part toward the leading end of the implant and at least one rearward portion directed at least in part toward the opposite trailing end of the implant. Each of the forward facet and rearward portion has a length and a slope. The length of the forward facet is longer than the length of the rearward facet. The slope of the rearward facet is steeper than the slope of the forward facet. The surface projections also have opposed side facets directed generally toward the sides of the implant. The side facets are located between the forward facet and rearward facet and converge toward each other in a direction away from the base of the surface projections.

Abstract: Adjustable prostheses and related methods provide a wide range of adjustment along or about multiple axes. The prostheses and related methods make possible a straightforward, yet robust way of securing, e.g., a humeral head prosthesis in a desired position and maintaining the prosthesis in the desired position during use.

Abstract: A radial-capitellar implant for surgical replacement of the capitellum of the humerus and, optionally, the head of the radius. The radial-capitellar implant includes a capitellar implant or surface replacement arthroplasty of the capitellum and a radial prosthesis for replacement of the head of the radius. In one embodiment the radial prosthesis includes an articular head which moveable articulates with a stem implantable in the radius.

Abstract: A method for prevention of migration of epithelial cells in a capsular bag of an eye of a mammal is provided. The method comprises removing the natural lens of the eye from the capsular bag; introducing an object with at least one sharp edge into the capsular bag, in such a way that said sharp edge contacts the inside of the capsular bag to form a barrier preventing migration of epithelial cells across said barrier; and injecting a lens-forming composition into the capsular bag.

Abstract: An artificial interbody spinal implant adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies is disclosed. The implant has an asymmetrical leading end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas, such as the apophyseal rim and the apophyseal rim area, of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies without protruding therefrom. The asymmetrical leading end allows for the safe use of an implant of maximum length for the implantation space into which it is installed. The implant can also include an asymmetric trailing end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring aspects of a socket of a prosthetic limb having a residual limb contained therein. The apparatus includes and the method uses sensors for measuring one or more of pressure, force, temperature, moisture, and vacuum and one or more devices for displaying sensor values to the wearer, setting sensor limits, and/or sounding an audible alarm when a sensor limit is exceeded.

Abstract: An intravascular stent having a prefabricated, patterned polymeric sleeve for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel is disclosed. The polymeric sleeve is attached to at least a portion of an outside surface area of the stent structure. Alternatively, a plurality of individual microfilament strands are longitudinally attached to an outer surface of a stent structure in a spaced apart orientation and loaded with at least one therapeutic drug for the release thereof at a treatment site. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. Methods for making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation device and method for attaching an external prosthesis to a bone. The fixation device includes a main body having a compliant portion operable to be expanded and contracted. The main body has a first end fixedly retained in the bone and a second end coupled to an extension for receiving the external prosthesis. The main body and the extension define respectively first and second engagement surfaces for constraining a bone graft therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spacers that are configured to promote fusion. Windows or openings in the sidewalls of the fusion spacers may be provided to allow a physician to view the treated area to confirm that fusion has occurred or to check on the progress of treatment. Fusion spacers of the invention may have two or more pairs of openings or windows that allow viewing of the treated area from different perspectives.

Abstract: A surgical implant (1) in the form of an intervertebral implant defines a cavity (2) designed to receive bone replacement materials. The bone replacement material is entirely synthetic. With the surgical implant of the present invention, the danger of infection attending a natural bone replacement material is eliminated and, by selecting a synthetic bone replacement material, its physical properties (porosity, pore size, mechanical strength) are no longer exposed to fluctuations.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage of the present invention includes main body defined by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces. A withdrawal prevention portion is provided on the upper and/or the lower surfaces of the main body and asymmetrically with respect to the side surfaces in a top or bottom plan view. The withdrawal prevention portion regulates an insertion direction of the intervertebral cage.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes placing substantially spherical polymer particles in the tissue. The particles include an interior region having relatively large pores and a first region substantially surrounding the interior having fewer relatively large pores than the interior region.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis includes a disc member dimensioned for insertion within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae to replace at least a portion of an intervertebral disc removed therefrom. The disc member has sufficient rigidity to support the adjacent vertebrae in spaced relation, and defines a longitudinal axis extending the height of the disc member and a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The disc member includes an exterior wall which has a slit defined therein. The slit defines a longitudinal component of direction and a lateral component of direction. Preferably, the exterior wall includes a plurality of helical slits, adjacent slits being disposed in at least partial overlapping relation to define an overlapping region.

Abstract: Apparatus and surgical techniques provide alternative cutting fixtures and other features to improve bone resection accuracy and joint stability. According to one embodiment, stabilizers are removably attached to a cutting guide to temporarily lengthen the surface against which a saw or other cutting device rests. Another embodiment provides differently shaped saw blades, having curved distal ends and right-angle bends applicable to box cuts of the type associated with cruciate sacrifice knee-replacement surgery. Methods are also disclosed whereby the box cuts, distal and posterior augment cuts may be approached from a distal perspective, both laterally and medially. A different embodiment provides a trial/cutting guide having flat surfaces as opposed to curved surfaces adapted for articulation within a joint. Yet a further alternative embodiment teaches a device for determining the joint line relative to a tibia using the fibula as reference.