Abstract: A distractor instrument for use in knee joint surgery is provided that includes a tibial plate, a femoral plate, a tibial arm having a plate end and a control end, wherein the tibial plate is fastened to the plate end of the tibial arm at its anterior edge, and wherein, when the tibial plate is engaged with the tibia, the tibial arm is configured to extend from the tibial plate generally medially or laterally of the knee joint. The distractor instrument also includes a femoral arm having a plate end and a control end, wherein the femoral plate is fastened to the plate end of the femoral arm, and wherein, when the femoral plate is engaged with the femur, the femoral arm extends from the femoral plate generally aligned with the tibial arm.

Abstract: An improved spinous process fixation implant assembly 50 includes a spinous process fixation implant 100 and an interspinous spacer implant 200. The spinous process fixation implant 100 includes elongated first and second components 110, 120, that are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. First and second spinous processes 90a, 90b of first and second adjacent vertebrae 80a, 80b are clamped between the first and second components 110, 120, respectively, and are separated by the interspinous spacer implant 200. The interspinous spacer implant 200 may be inserted between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae from two different directions.

Abstract: An assembly for guiding resection of a femur and tibia of a knee joint in preparation for installing a femoral and tibial knee components. For example, the assembly can include tibial and femoral IM rods to which are connected through a tensioning bolt that allows controlled adjustment of the distraction of the tibia and femur during cut positioning in a range of flexion angles. Also, the assembly is usable with relatively small, noninvasive approaches to the knee joint by way of relatively narrow, low profile components that attach to tibial and femoral IM rods. Further, the assembly includes several quick-release components to allow fast assembly and disassembly in a surgical setting. Each of these aspects, along with the ability of the assembly to accurately guide initial reference cuts to the tibia and femur, promotes an improved outcome for the patient.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring alignment of the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a sensored module that can be placed within a prosthetic component to measure load, position of load, and joint alignment. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. Alignment relative to a mechanical axis is measured. In a two bone system with a joint therebetween the total alignment measured comprises offsets measured for each bone. The joint is placed in a predetermined flexion that supports measurement of the joint as it is moved. The joint pivots on a point that is along the mechanical axis. Points along the arc made by the joint rotating between a first and second point are measured. An arc maximum is determined. The arc maximum is then converted to varus or valgus offset relative to the mechanical axis.

Abstract: A stabilizing belt for use by a person in need of assisted mobility or in recreation, the stabilizing belt comprising a pad, a belt to secure the pad to a wearer, and a pair of handles attached to the pad. The pad may be uniquely contoured to provide support and comfort for the wearer. A strap may be provided for added security and comfort. The belt may further comprise handle supports for reinforcement, a cover for durability, and a pocket for versatility.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for removing tissue or bone, the instrument comprising (1) a generally tubular component (2) a cutting device which is housed in the distal end member and part of which protrudes beyond the window in the distal member, and (3) a means for operating the cutting device. The tubular component comprises a distal end member containing a cutting device, a proximal member, and between the distal member and the proximal member a hollow, generally tubular intermediate member which deforms elastically when the angle between the distal member family proximal member is changed. The intermediate member can for example be composed of a nickel titanium alloy, and/or can be slotted, and/or can be in the form of an accordion, and/or be in the form of a coil.

Abstract: Medical devices for shearing tissue into small pieces are provided. One exemplary device includes oppositely rotating first and second rotatable members, each located at least partially within a distal housing. The device also includes first and second circular axle portions, and first and second blades that are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the first and second blades, between the first blade and the second axle portion and between the second blade and the first axle portion. The rotatable members are configured to engage tissue from a target tissue site with teeth of the first and second blades, rotate towards one another and inwardly to direct tissue from the target tissue site through a tissue engaging opening and into an interior portion of the distal housing. Methods of fabricating and using the above device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a distal bone engaging portion and a receiving member having a recess for receiving a spinal fixation element. The proximal end of the receiving member may have a groove formed on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate connection of an instrument to the receiving member.

Abstract: A tool for digitizing a mechanical axis of a tibia using a computer-assisted surgery system is described. The tool includes upper and lower mounting ends interconnected by an alignment rod extending therebetween. The upper mounting end is releasably fastenable to an upper reference point on a tibial plateau and the lower mounting end includes a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism having opposed caliper arms displaceable in a common plane relative to each other for clamping engagement with the medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle. At least one trackable member is mounted to the alignment rod of the tool and is in communication with the computer assisted surgery system for providing at least orientation information of the alignment rod. The mechanical axis of the tibia is parallel to the alignment rod and extends between the upper and lower reference points when the tool is mounted on the tibia.

Abstract: A dynamic trialing method generally allows a surgeon to perform a preliminary bone resection on the distal femur according to a curved or planar resection profile. With the curved resection profile, the distal-posterior femoral condyles may act as a femoral trial component after the preliminary bone resection. This may eliminate the need for a separate femoral trial component, reducing the cost and complexity of surgery. With the planar resection profile, shims or skid-like inserts that correlate to the distal-posterior condyles of the final insert may be attached to the distal femur after the preliminary bone resection to facilitate intraoperative trialing. The method and related components may also provide the ability of a surgeon to perform iterative intraoperative kinematic analysis and gap balancing, providing the surgeon the ability to perform necessary ligament and/or other soft tissue releases and fine tune the final implant positions based on data acquired during the surgery.

Abstract: A surgical inserter for use in inserting an implant into a vertebral space may include: (a) a handle; (b) a gripper having one end attached to the handle and a second end having a pair of arms; and (c) a grip activator having an opening that threadingly receives the gripper. The grip activator can be rotated in a first direction with respect to the gripper to cause the arms to move toward each other to grip the inserter and in a second direction with respect to the gripper to cause the arms to move away from each other to release the inserter. In one embodiment a compression force activator is used to deploy the implant and in another embodiment a tension force activator is used to deploy the implant.

Abstract: An oral appliance includes a frame for mounting to a user's teeth and a tongue contacting retaining member extending from the frame and configured in use to limit movement of the tongue toward the user's throat when the user is exercising or sleeping to maintain an open air passageway. The retaining member is positioned relative to the frame such that in use the retaining member contacts the tongue in a zone behind the second molars and in front of the pharyngeal reflex region of the tongue. The retaining member is further configured to lightly contact the tongue, and to apply a restraining force to the tongue as the tongue begins to move toward the user's throat during exercise or as the user falls asleep.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a height adjustment arrangement (100) for an ear cup in a hearing protector unit, wherein the height adjustment arrangement (100) comprises an elongated member (130) and a tubular holding member (110) connected to the elongated member, wherein the holding member provides a substantially hollow interior (111). The height adjustment arrangement further comprises a clamping member (120), wherein the clamping member is arranged to be moved from an unlocked position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member (130) and the holding member (110) is enabled, to a locking position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member and the holding member is prevented. The holding member (110) comprises a first locking member (114), wherein the second end of the holding member is provided with two flanges (115a, 115b) tapering in a direction towards the clamping member, and wherein the first locking member and the flanges are axially separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing artificial saliva. The system can include the mouthpiece, a portable supply unit, and a stationary supply unit. The portable supply unit can be adapted to be carried by a user. The portable supply unit can include a first fluid system, a first interface module, and a first control module. The first fluid system can be adapted to fluidly couple to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A tissue retention system to assist in maintaining adipose tissue on a patient in a displaced position during a medical procedure to provide access to a body region of the patient includes a flexible anchor pad having a pad length and a pad width. The anchor pad may include a pad body with an adhesive surface thereon, the adhesive being configured to selectively adhere to a patient's skin. The anchor pad also may include an opposing first attachment surface facing away from the adhesive surface. The tissue retention system also may include a flexible tension member having a second attachment surface.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a shaped filtering face-piece respirator having a face seal that includes a water-vapor-breathable layer.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for remodeling the tongue. One or more spaces or cavities are formed in the tongue using, for example, surgical or RF ablative techniques. The cavities can be closed or collapsed by inserting a tethered soft tissue anchor into the tongue and attaching the tethered portion of the soft tissue anchor to a bony structure such as the mandible or hyoid bone in order to exert a collapsing force on the one or more spaces or cavities. The insertion pathway of the tethered soft tissue anchor may pass adjacent to or even through one or more cavities. Also disclosed herein is a tongue remodeling system that includes means for creating a space in the tongue, and a tissue anchor configured to close the space. The tissue anchor may be tethered or expandable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bandage for knee joints that includes an elastic textile stocking, an annular or clasp-like elastic profiled insert arranged in or at the textile stocking to encase at least the lateral (fibula-side) section of the patella of the knee joint and at least one flexible, inelastic tensile strap essentially extending in the longitudinal direction of the bandage over the knee joint.

Abstract: A surgical implant device capable of conforming to a variety of surface topographies facilitates the growth and regeneration of site to which the device is applied. The device employs a plurality of elongate members supporting a column of discrete, rotatable elements in contact with each adjacent element. Anchor plates secure the respective ends of the elongate members, such anchor plates attachable to bone. The implant device provides and ordered array of individually rotatable elements to form a surface that permits bodily fluids to pass therethough.