Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass anti-adhesion wound dressings including patches made from amnion tissue obtained from human birth tissue. Exemplary amnion patches can be fabricated by folding a section of amnion over on itself with the epithelial layer on the outside of the folded patch and the fibroblast layer on the inside of the folded patch. Optionally, individual amnion tissue pieces can be sandwiched together to provide a multi-layer patch. Sufficient pressure is applied to the layered amnion to cause adherence between opposing faces of the fibroblast layers. The pressed fibroblast layers provide mechanical strength to hold the amnion patch together with the epithelial layers on the outsides of the amnion patch.

Abstract: Sutures with pre-tied knots for use in percutaneous surgical procedures. Described herein are pre-tied sutures and methods of using them that may be used with a suture passer for percutaneously suturing tissue, including percutaneously passing and securing a loop of suture around a tear in a meniscus tissue of the knee. A suture with a pre-tied knot may include a length of suture and a knot body on the length of suture, and a leader snare tied to the length of suture by the knot body. The leader snare typically has an opening loop (bight or snare) through which an end of the suture may be passed. The tail of the leader snare may be pulled to remove the leader snare for the knot body and draw the end of the suture through the knot body to close the knot, which can then be tightened to secure the tissue.

Abstract: An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The implant delivery system includes a distal guidewire port for receiving the proximal end of guidewire after the guidewire distal end has been affixed to a first point on bone or other tissue. The implant delivery system is tracked over the guidewire to a selected position defined by the guidewire attachment. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.

Abstract: A method for use with a balloon catheter device that includes a selectively bendable portion with a balloon disposed thereon, a control device for controlling bending of the selectively bendable portion, and a camera located at an end of a distal portion, includes inserting the distal portion into the nostril while the distal portion is straight; viewing an image provided by the camera; stopping insertion of the distal portion after the ethmoidal bulla is viewed in the image; articulating the distal portion in an upward direction to view the opening to the frontal sinus ostium or a downward direction to view the opening to the maxillary sinus ostium using the control device; inserting the distal portion into the frontal sinus ostium or the maxillary sinus ostium while the distal portion remains in the bent position; and inflating the balloon in the frontal sinus ostium or the maxillary sinus ostium.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a generally flexible elongate continuous anchor member capable of being inserted through tissue and moving between an elongate configuration and a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against at least one side of the tissue. The anchor member has a first set of openings and a second set of openings formed therein at spaced locations along a length of the anchor member. The tissue anchor also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member and the tensioning member extends through the proximal end portion to the distal end portion by passing through the first set of openings and then back to the proximal end portion by passing through the second set of openings. The anchor member is configured to form a plurality of folded panels upon pulling the tensioning member.

Abstract: A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

Abstract: A reusable dental impression tray having a reusable rigid tray holder with opposing sidewalls spaced apart substantially a first distance, a connector at a distal end of the tray holder couples the sidewalls together, the sidewalls and connector define an inward facing surface, a channel formed in and extends along the inward facing surface, and a disposable mesh bite tray having a generally U-shaped frame having an open end and a closed end, the U-shaped frame is made of a flexible material wherein the U-shaped frame has a static shape having a width at the closed end substantially the first distance and a width at the open end which is greater than the first distance, wherein with the U-shaped frame received in the channel, the open and of the U-shaped frame is held with the open end having a compressed width substantially the same as the first distance.

Abstract: A dental implant system having a dental implant, an abutment and a threaded screw is provided. The abutment has a guiding and lock structure and the dental implant has a complementary guiding and lock structure, for associating the abutment to the dental implant, with each guiding and lock structure having an anti-rotational structure. Threaded engagement of the threaded screw to a threaded section of the dental implant is not possible, when the anti-rotational structure of the abutment is held in an intermediate position on the anti-rotational structure of the dental implant, which intermediate position is a position where the longitudinal axes of the guiding and lock structures of the abutment and of the dental implant are coaxial with one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a faster method of orthodontic remodeling, where a patient wears an orthodontic fixed appliance biting an orthodontic remodeling device, the orthodontic remodeling device comprising: an extraoral housing containing a power source operably coupled to an actuator operably coupled to a processor that controls the actuator and captures and communicates device usage data; the extraoral housing operably connected to an intraoral U-shaped bite plate; the bite plate having upper and lower vertical rims on a facial edge thereof to contact both arches of teeth; and wherein during use the orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a frequency from 0.1 to 400 Hz. The patient then activates the orthodontic remodeling device for about 20 minutes daily. The method provides accelerated tooth movement as compared to without using the orthodontic remodeling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.

Abstract: A burr attachment removably attached to an adapter rotary driven by a motor that includes a tube with a wire shaft supported therein and a wire coil (no spring rate) serving as a journal bearing rotary supporting the wire shaft and having each of the coils randomly touch the outer periphery surface of the wire shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the tube to enhance cooling and attenuate vibrations while allowing the burr attachment to be bent without kinking. The burr attachment includes a proximal end support and a distal end support that removably attaches to the adapter. The wire shaft is affixed to the proximal end support and rotates relative to the distal end support operatively connected to the adapter. Only the burr attached is removable and disposable while the adapter and motor are re-usable.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, device, tools and method is provided for the insertion of improved anatomically corrected modular design anterior and posterior dental implants, the apparatus including a root component and a head/abutment component, wherein the root component is inserted into the jawbone using precision surgical guide tools in combination with self-limiting surgical templates and a precision adjustable clamping device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cannulated screw driver assembly which includes a rigid guide pin such that the assembly can be used to assist the surgeon in inserting and positioning the rigid guide pin and an interference screw within a bone graft tunnel. Once the screw is properly placed, screw driver assembly components to include the rigid guide pin, the driver and the handle can be removed while the screw remains in the tunnel to secure the graft. In one embodiment, the interference screw can be removed from the distal end of the driver and the driver and handle can be removed from the screw's proximal end. Embodiments of the inventions also include an interchangeable driver to mate with different size and types of interference screws.

Abstract: A dental jaw implant for supporting at least one of a replacement tooth neck and a crown portion includes a monolithic implant body comprising an ingrowth section comprising an ingrowth structure which grows together with a patient's jaw bone. An insertion opening is arranged at a coronal axial end. A replacement tooth neck and/or a crown portion is inserted in the insertion opening. A female thread adjoins the insertion opening. The female thread threads a replacement tooth retaining element. The replacement tooth retaining element retains the at least one of the replacement tooth neck and the crown portion. An outer cone is arranged at the coronal axial end. The outer cone tapers towards a non-coronal end. A radial step comprises an annular surface substantially disposed in a radial plane. The annular surface is arranged between the outer cone and the ingrowth section.

Abstract: A root canal filling system is provided that allows for better control of position, temperature delivery, and/or compaction forces of filling material when sealing root canals. The system includes a removable filler material delivery device and a holder. The delivery device has the capacity to provide information related to the position of the filler material, allows for a thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo, and allows for 3-dimensional packing forces to be applied to the filler material simultaneously as conditions are monitored. The system can additionally include a base unit and/or a plugger. The system (1) analyzes the position of the filler material in the canal prior to heating and packing the filler material, (2) heats the filler material such that the filler material is of a substantially uniform temperature, and (3) allows for packing of the filler material simultaneously as the delivery device is removed.

Abstract: A fixing device (1: 20) for orthodontic devices which includes a screw (2; 40) complete with an operating head (3; 42) with longitudinal slots (4; 45) for the insertion of orthodontic devices and a threaded shank (5) designed to be screwed inside the patient's oral cavity; apparatus for fixing orthodontic devices contained inside the operating head (3; 42). The fixing apparatus includes a shaped body (6) engaging inside a recess (7, 47) in the operating head (3; 42) and revolvable inside the recess (7; 47). The shaped body (6) has a through opening (8) for the insertion of the orthodontic device and opposing apparatus that anchor the orthodontic device to the operating head (3; 42) when the shaped body (6) is rotated inside the recess (7; 47) after the orthodontic device has been inserted in the through opening (8) and in the longitudinal slots (4; 45).

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes features for reducing friction between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire to be placed within the archwire slot. Other embodiments include a rounded exterior occlusal surface. Embodiments further include one or more receptacles for receiving an installation tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A system for attaching a natural tooth to a dental implant. The system includes a dental prosthesis and an elastomeric cushion. The dental prosthesis has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to a natural tooth and the second end is engaged with a dental implant. The elastomeric cushion is positioned in contact, either directly or indirectly, with at least a portion of the dental implant and at least a portion of the dental prosthesis such that the elastomeric cushion permits movement of the second end relative to the dental implant in response to movement of the natural tooth transferred through the dental prosthesis to the second end.