Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: A method of orienting a femoral head member of an implant relative to an acetabular member positioned in the acetabulum including implanting a femoral stem of an implant within an intramedullary canal of a femur, inserting an acetabular member in the acetabulum, positioning a femoral head member of the implant at least partially in the acetabular member with the femoral head member including a curved articulating surface and a plurality of indicia on the curved articulating surface, and orienting the femoral head member relative to the acetabular member and generally aligning one of the indicia on the curved articulating surface with an alignment feature of the acetabular member to signify an orientation of the femoral head member relative to the acetabular member.

Abstract: An artificial spinal joint and methods for replacing at least a portion of a natural intervertebral disc are provided. In some embodiments, at least portions of facet joints are replaced along with the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A stent assembly (10) is formed with a plurality of stent rings (12) which have sections (16, 18, 24) which are of a non-biodegradable material and struts and tie bars (20, 14) which are at least partially biodegradable. The stent ring (12) thus partially biodegrades in a patient over time. The structure is such that the apices (16, 18, 24) of the stent ring (12) are of a non-biodegradable material and thus able to behave as a conventional non-biodegradable stent, that is with the same flexibility and expansion force consistent with such stent rings. Parts (34, 44) of the stent ring (12) will degrade in time, thereby reducing the restoring force produced by the stent ring (12) and reducing the amount of foreign material retained within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the stent ring (12) will separate into individual components after a period.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a tibial prosthesis having a tibial baseplate with a fixed medial bearing component and a mobile lateral bearing component. In one exemplary embodiment, the lateral bearing component is secured to the lateral portion of the tibial baseplate utilizing at least one prosthetic ligament. Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a stop is provided to limit anterior or posterior movement of the lateral bearing component relative to the tibial baseplate. For example, the stop may be defined by cooperating shoulders formed on the lateral bearing and the tibial baseplate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an open wedge osteotomy. The apparatus includes devices for forming an open wedge osteotomy in bone, including a keyed-wedge implant. The method includes the steps of forming a cut in a bone, forming a keyhole in the bone surface at the proximal end of the cut, and positioning a keyed wedge-shaped implant into the cut formed into the bone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for repairing articular surfaces in a knee joint. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable for each patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. Kits are also provided to enable customized repairs to be performed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an implantable force distribution boot with hydraulic features that mimic the natural hydraulics of a joint. Further embodiments include an exterior prosthetic leg device having intermittent and/or variable electromagnetic features that can engage with magnetic blades on the implantable force distribution boot. In use, the exterior prosthetic leg can be maintained on a residual limb by magnetic force between the implanted blades and the exterior electromagnets. Also disclosed are surgical techniques for preparing a residual limb to better receive and adapt to a prosthetic device. The techniques include an improved surgical method for harvesting a vascularized glabrous skin free flap.

Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.

Abstract: A dynamic support apparatus having a frame, a dynamic interface, a temperature control mechanism, and a control system. The dynamic interface is capable of changing its geometry and is disposed on the top surface of the frame. The control system is operably connected to the dynamic interface and controls the changing geometry of the dynamic interface. There is also a temperature control mechanism disposed on the top surface of the frame for maintaining a comfortable temperature and moisture environment between the apparatus and the user's body.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a valve assembly having a base, a plurality of leaflets, and commissures. The valve also comprises a support stent having a plurality of expandable cells and a plurality of longitudinal struts. The support stent is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the prosthetic valve is positioned in situ. The support stent supports the base. The commissures of the valve assembly are secured at the longitudinal struts and adjacent one or more of the expandable cells. The longitudinal struts of the support stent further comprise a plurality of holes, and the plurality of leaflets are secured to the longitudinal struts via threads passing through the plurality of holes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fixation of bone to bone, or soft tissue to bone. The apparatus comprises two fixation devices (for example, two buttons) joined by a biologic material (for example, a graft or tendon). Each fixation device is provided with at least one opening that allows the passage of the flexible material attached to the biologic material. The button may be formed, for example, of metal, PEEK or PLLA.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a prosthetic valve is provided. The prosthetic valve includes an annulus, a pair of leaflets, and a pair of support elements. The annulus has a generally saddle-shape formed by a movable pair of first portions separated from each other by a movable pair of second portions. The pair of leaflets extend from the annulus and are separated from each other by the pair of support elements. The first portions of the annulus and the second portions of the annulus are configured to move back and forth from being generally concave to being generally convex such that any movement of the first portions of the annulus occurs at generally the same time as any movement of the second portions of the annulus.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a frame that includes at least one elongate member. The implantable medical device also includes a fixation member that has a first cuff, a second cuff, a tissue engagement member configured to anchor to tissue at an implant site to thereby hold the implantable medical device in a position at the implant site, and a cuff joining member that has an arcuate shape and that is connected at a first end to the first cuff and at a second end to the second cuff. The first cuff substantially surrounds a perimeter of a first portion of the at least one elongate member, the second cuff substantially surrounds a perimeter of a second portion of the at least one elongate member, and the cuff joining member does not substantially surround a perimeter of any portion of the at least one elongate member.

Abstract: A stent (30) is formed of a plurality of stent rings (24), each of which rings (24) is formed of a series of sprung sections (10) coupled to one another by flexible couplings (22). The flexible couplings (22) may be made of a biodegradable material. The flexible couplings (22) enable the stent (30) to expand to a smaller uncompressed diameter and then to expand further to a larger uncompressed diameter, by virtue of the flexible couplings (22) which allow the sprung sections to move from a partially overlapping configuration to a radially spaced configuration. The stent (30) can expand with expansion of a vessel, for example in a growing patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of a bone stabilization and distraction system of the present disclosure includes a light-sensitive liquid; a light source for providing light energy; a light-conducting fiber for delivering the light energy from the light source to cure the light-sensitive liquid; a delivery catheter having a proximal end in communication with the light-conducting fiber and the light-sensitive liquid, an inner lumen for passage of the light-conducting fiber, and an inner void for passage of the light-sensitive liquid; and an expandable body removably engaging a distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the expandable body has a closed end, a sealable open end, an inner cavity for passage of the light-sensitive liquid, an external surface and an internal surface, and wherein the expandable body has an insertion depth with a fixed dimension, a width with a fixed dimension, and a thickness with a changeable dimension.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a prosthetic valve that is designated for implantation at a patient's native heart valve, including a valve ring having a plurality of ring segments, each of the segments being hingedly coupled to an adjacent segment at a pivot joint. The valve ring is placed adjacent to a surface of the native heart valve, the prosthetic valve having been coupled to the valve ring. In an expanded state thereof, the valve ring defines a ring, all of the pivot joints being disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ring. The valve ring is foldable into a shape that has a generally circular cross-section that defines and surrounds at least in part a central lumen, by folding the segments with respect to each other, at the pivot joints. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A dynamic support apparatus having a frame, a dynamic interface, a temperature control mechanism, and a control system. The dynamic interface is capable of changing its geometry and is disposed on the top surface of the frame. The control system is operably connected to the dynamic interface and controls the changing geometry of the dynamic interface. There is also a temperature control mechanism disposed on the top surface of the frame for maintaining a comfortable temperature and moisture environment between the apparatus and the user's body.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for joint arthroplasty includes an alignment guide and a number of patient-specific anchoring elements. The alignment guide can be mounted on a bone of a patient during joint arthroplasty. The patient-specific anchoring elements extend from an inner surface of the alignment guide and have a patient-specific length relative to an outer bone surface of the bone of the patient.

Abstract: A coating and a method of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The coating compensates for regions of higher stress and resulting strain due to the geometry of the device. Certain embodiments may include a nonuniform coating on the device in which a strain on the nonuniform coating is less than a strain on a uniform coating when the device is placed under an applied stress during use. Other embodiments may include a coating with a greater resistance to strain on higher strain regions of the device.