Abstract: A separable surgical guide instrument is configured to be inserted minimally invasively into a patient's soft tissue, and includes a guide body and a guide aperture that extends through the guide body. The guide body has a distal end that includes a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion that are arranged such that at least one of the first and second distal end portions is movable with respect to the other of the first and second distal end portions between 1) a closed position whereby the first and second distal end portions are concurrently insertable into a bone fixation aperture of a bone plate, and 2) an open position whereby the first distal end portion is spaced from the second distal end portion a sufficient distance such that the first and second distal end portions are not concurrently insertable into the bone fixation aperture.

Abstract: Various intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses are disclosed. For example, an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens can include a first optical lens and multiple anchors. The first optical lens is configured to at least partially correct a residual refractive error in an eye. The anchors are configured to be inserted through an anterior surface of an intraocular lens into lens material forming a second optical lens of the intraocular lens in order to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to the intraocular lens. The anchors can be configured to couple the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to different types of intraocular lenses, including intraocular lenses not specifically designed to be coupled to or receive the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens could also include at least one drug-eluting device located on the first optical lens and configured to deliver at least one medication.

Abstract: Provided are porous, biocompatible implant bodies and materials. These materials suitably comprise a population of randomly arranged and entangled thermoplastic constituents, with at least some of the constituents being bonded to one another The implant bodies are capable of being manipulated at room temperature from a first shape to a second shape, and of maintaining the second shape at about internal body temperature. Also provided are related methods of fabricating such implants and installing the implants into a subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing damaged meniscal tissue includes a meniscus implant including a porous body having a plurality of interconnected open micro-pores and one or more open cavities for receiving meniscal tissue. The interconnected micro-pores are arranged to allow fluid to flow into the porous body and are in fluid communication with the one or more open cavities.

Abstract: Methods for altering the natural history of degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine are proposed. The methods focus on the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, subchondral defects such as bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine and thereby treat pain.

Abstract: A system for implanting an interbody device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an interbody device having a plurality of lobes extending outwardly from a longitudinal rib, and having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced. An insertion guide has a bore therein from a proximal end to a distal end thereof to accept the interbody device in an unrelaxed shape. The distal end is shaped for insertion into an intervertebral space. The insertion rod may be positioned within the bore of the insertion guide whereby the interbody device is positioned within the intervertebral space by advancing the insertion rod into the insertion guide.

Abstract: A liner is arranged for use in prosthetic and orthopedic devices. The liner defines first and second end portions, and inner and outer surfaces. The liner includes an inner layer having a frictional component and forms at least part of the periphery of the inner liner surface. The inner layer defines a plurality of apertures. A porous element is in communication with the inner liner surface and is connected to the inner layer such that the apertures permit a transfer of air from the inner surface to the porous element. A base layer adjoins the porous element and extends between the first and second end portions of the liner.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a battery or other local power source and that can wirelessly power one or more intraocular devices using power from the battery. The eye-mountable device could be provided as a contact lens. The eye-mountable device could provide power to an intraocular device by emitting radio frequency energy, time-varying electrical fields through the conductive medium of the eye, or optical energy. The intraocular device could include an electronic lens configured to provide a controllable optical power to the eye. The intraocular device could include sensors configured to detect accommodation forces exerted by muscles of the eye; such detected forces could be used to control an electronic lens of the intraocular device or an electronic lens of the eye-mountable device. The battery could be rechargeable and the eye-mountable device could include instrumentation for receiving power to recharge the battery.

Abstract: A stent/graft assembly includes a tubular graft connected in substantially end-to-end relationship with a generally tubular stent. Free ends of the stent and graft extend in opposite directions from the end-to-end connection during a pre-deployment orientation of the assembly.

Abstract: A kit for use in arthroplasty. The kit including a shell which has a shell locking section. The kit further including a liner adapted to be inserted into the shell. The liner includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is generally concave. The outer surface is adapted to engage the shell, and includes a liner locking section and a curved section. The curved section has a radius. The shell locking section and the liner locking section are adapted to engage one another. The shell locking section and the liner locking section are self-locking tapers. The curved section extends tangentially from the liner locking section at a first transition point.

Abstract: An implant comprises a substrate and a coating on a surface of the substrate, and the coating includes silicon nitride and has a thickness of from about 1 to about 15 micrometer wherein the silicon nitride coating has a composition defined by SixNyWz, where W is C, H and/or O, 2<x<4, 3<y<5, and z is such that the coating contains less than 20 atomic percent of C, H and O.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision includes a deformable optic. The deformable optic includes a plurality of layers that have a progressively increasing hardness and/or refractive index characteristic from the outermost layer to the innermost layer to provide a range of accommodative power.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for participating in a wireless communication with an implantable ophthalmic device. In an embodiment, an exterior of an ophthalmic device includes a biocompatible surface of an enclosure having control circuitry disposed therein. With the control circuitry, the ophthalmic device aids in sensing a condition at an eye or assists vision with the eye. In another embodiment, wireless communication circuitry is disposed in or on the enclosure, the wireless communication circuitry to participate in a communication of a wireless signal that is in an infrared wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Electrical signaling between the control circuitry and the wireless communication circuitry is based on the wireless signal. In another embodiment, the wireless signal is based on electrical signaling between the control circuitry and the wireless communication circuitry.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores stress distribution, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature that inhibits extreme movement within the joint while permitting free floating over a significant range. In one aspect, the anti-migration feature is an enlarged anterior structure or a posterior meniscus remnant engaging channel while in another aspect, the anti-migration feature includes a tethering member. Still further, removable radiopaque features are provided to enhance trialing of the implant prior to final implantation within the joint.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for the wireless transmission of power and sensor information between two components of an implantable ophthalmic device are disclosed herein. An example device includes an accommodating intraocular lens (aIOL) and separate auxiliary electronics, both enclosed in biocompatible materials. The aIOL includes a dynamic optic, control logic, a battery and an antenna. The auxiliary electronics include an antenna, an energy storage cell, and a sensor. The auxiliary electronics may be wirelessly coupled to the aIOL for the wireless transmission of power and sensor information.

Abstract: A method of inserting and securing a corneal implant in engaging and fluid-flow limiting relation to the posterior cornea, such as to treat edema. The method includes securing a corneal implant in fluid flow limiting relation to the posterior cornea through an incision in the eye and securing it in place by a variety of steps such as corneal insertion or laser bonding, and preferably by inserting a removable corneal implant including a central region and a plurality of retention member(s) disposed on the periphery thereof into the eye so as to releasably and removably engage a portion of the eye and thereby retain the corneal implant in abutting and engaging relation with the posterior cornea. The retention members of the corneal implant may also comprise haptic leg(s) extending from the central region.

Abstract: Methods for the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevail the progression of osteoarthritis of a joint are disclosed. The methods involve treating the subchondral bone, while preserving, as much as possible, the joint's articular and cartilage surface. The methods could be performed before, during, or after an initial arthroscopic surgery to repair the joint. Associated devices and instruments for treatment of the subchondral bone are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implant devices and cutting clamp apparatuses and methods for creating the implants for insertion into a patient's joint to restore anatomic length and assist in final positioning of the bones following removal of cartilage and/or bone in preparation for fusion. A first implant is a biplanar implant having a shape to mimic the normal anatomical shape of the bones the implant is configured to mate with. The first implant may be cut using a cutting clamp and jig having the anatomical shape of the bones the implant will be inserted within or between. A second implant is a cylindrical piece of bone having a convex end and a concave end for mating with bones reamed to have the opposite mating surfaces. The second implant is created using cup and cone reamers having dimensions corresponding to the size of the patient's bones. Surgical methods for inserting the implants within a patient.

Abstract: A method includes forming a conjunctival incision in a patient's eye, attaching a synthetic flap to the patient's eye within the conjunctival incision, forming a scleral tunnel underneath the synthetic flap, the scleral tunnel extending from an exterior of a sclera to an anterior chamber of the patient's eye, and closing the conjunctival incision.

Abstract: An orthopedic prosthesis assembly includes a first prosthetic component, a second prosthetic component, a retainer, and a fastener and allows the removal of the first prosthetic component without having to remove the second prosthetic component from an intramedullary canal of a patient's bone. The fastener is received in an aperture of the first prosthetic component and the retainer is configured to engage the aperture of the first prosthetic component such that a part of the fastener is secured within the aperture. A rod of the fastener is configured to advance along the longitudinal axis through the first prosthetic component into the second prosthetic component. The end of the rod of the fastener is threaded into a threaded bore defined in the second prosthetic component.