Abstract: Bone graft retention devices, systems, and methods for retaining bone graft material at a desired site are described. The devices may attach to existing bone fusion systems or components thereof, such as rods or cross connectors, or may be integrated directly into a cross connector. The devices include a fin, and optionally one or more attachment elements. The bone graft material is attached to the fin, such as via an adhesive or by friction fit inside a cavity. Optionally, during insertion in a patient, the fin is flipped upwards so that it does not hinder the insertion. Following insertion of the rod or cross-connector in the desired location and tightening of the screws into their final positions, the fin of the bone graft retention device is flipped into place such that it aligns with the spine, pressing the bone graft material against the spine.

Abstract: Fusion plates and interbody fusion devices have been developed that contain slots to allow the use of pins to position and to guide the placement of the plate while the screws are being secured, reducing the likelihood of improper placement and localization of the plate and screws. The slots contain ridges formed of a plurality of teeth that are configured to engage with corresponding ridges and teeth on the shaft of a distraction pin. After the plate is placed over the distraction pins, the plate is immobilized in the inferior and superior directions and also in the anterior-posterior direction even prior to placement of the bone screws in the plate. Optionally, the pins may be compressed together to apply compression to the vertebra prior to placement of the bone screws.

Abstract: Bone graft retention devices, systems, and methods for retaining bone graft material at a desired site are described. The devices may attach to existing bone fusion systems or components thereof, such as rods or cross connectors, or may be integrated directly into a cross connector. The devices include a fin, and optionally one or more attachment elements. The bone graft material is attached to the fin, such as via an adhesive or by friction fit inside a cavity. Optionally, during insertion in a patient, the fin is flipped upwards so that it does not hinder the insertion. Following insertion of the rod or cross-connector in the desired location and tightening of the screws into their final positions, the fin of the bone graft retention device is flipped into place such that it aligns with the spine, pressing the bone graft material against the spine.

Abstract: Fusion plates and interbody fusion devices have been developed that contain slots to allow the use of pins to position and to guide the placement of the plate while the screws are being secured, reducing the likelihood of improper placement and localization of the plate and screws. The slots contain ridges formed of a plurality of teeth that are configured to engage with corresponding ridges and teeth on the shaft of a distraction pin. After the plate is placed over the distraction pins, the plate is immobilized in the inferior and superior directions and also in the anterior-posterior direction even prior to placement of the bone screws in the plate. Optionally, the pins may be compressed together to apply compression to the vertebra prior to placement of the bone screws.

Abstract: A single use, disposable system for cleaning that protects the individual's hands that avoids direct skin and hand contact with the material being cleaned, reducing the likelihood of transmission of pathogens, germs, dirt, odiferous material, noxious material, and allowing the individual to then progress forward without having to wash, cleanse or dry their hands, has been developed. The system includes an absorbent material such as a paper towel, baby wipe, surface cleaning wipe, or medical wipe, adhered on at least one surface to a flexible liquid or waste impermeable covering such as a glove, mitt, or baggie.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for stabilizing the spine and replacing spinous processes removed during spine surgery are provided. The device has a suitable configuration to attach to both spine surgery hardware and to the paraspinal muscles and fascia. The device contains a muscle attachment portion, one or more connectors, and one or more cross connectors. Each cross connector contains a pair of connection portions configured to attach to hardware that is implanted in the spine, such as screw heads or rods. The muscle attachment portion contains a plurality of openings for the attachment of the paraspinal muscles and fascia. Following spine surgery, a surgeon attaches the device to the hardware implanted in the surgical site, and sutures the paraspinal muscles to the openings. Thus the device provides a direct attachment to the paraspinal musculature and fascia, and thereby stabilizes the spine.

Abstract: Modified anterior or posterior fusion plates and interbody fusion devices have been developed that contain slots to allow the use of pins to position and to guide the placement of the plate while the screws are being secured, reducing the likelihood of improper placement and localization of the plate and screws. This reduces the amount of time required for the operative procedure, and prevents inadvertent introduction of the screws for the plate into the former pin holes. This system allows the surgeon to carefully identify the geometry of the vertebral bodies at the outset of the case, when there is no significant bleeding, and when the field is clearly visualized, to determine the placement of the distracting pins. Then, the careful placement of the distracting pins serves as the guide and basis for placement of the plate and screws.

Abstract: Neurological diseases such as Huntington's caused by the toxic effects of excetatory amino acids are alleviated by administering metabolic precursors of kynurenic acid to afflicted individuals. These metabolic precursors include kynurenine and tryptophan. Since the amount of kynurenic acid in Huntington's Disease patient's brains is less than that in normal individuals and such decrease is associated with the lesions found in the formation of the lesions. This occurs because kynurenic acid is an inhibitor of excitatory amino acid interactions at their receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric drug delivery system for delivery of any substance to the central nervous system. The delivery system is preferably implanted in the central nervous system for delivery of the drug directly to the central nervous system. These implantable devices can be used, for example, to achieve continuous delivery of dopamine, which cannot pass the blood brain barrier, directly into the brain for an extended time period. The implantable devices display controlled, "zero-order" release kinetics, a life time of a minimum of several weeks or months even when the devices contain water soluble, low molecular weight compounds, biocompatibility, and relative non-invasiveness. The polymeric devices are applicable in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, trauma, stroke, depression and other types of neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Abstract: A polymeric device releasing biologically active, water-soluble materials having a molecular weight of less than 1000 in a controlled, continuous and linear manner over an extended period of time. Insoluble polymer matrixes can be defined in any shape, size and drug content. When applied to medical use, biocompatible polymers are used so that the device is implantable. The device is made by modifying prior art devices based on diffusion of fluid into a polymeric matrix containing dispersed biologically active molecules to yield a polymer device which can be placed in a fluid environment, so that fluid is absorbed by the device and the water soluble molecules diffuse into the fluid environment, leaving behind pores and channels, where the rate of diffusion is limited by an impermeable coating over a portion of tThe U.S. Government has rights in this invention by virtue of this research supported in part by N.I.H. Grant GM26698.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and composition for treatment of ischemic, metabolic, congenital, or degenerative disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. The composition is formed by encapsulation within an implantable biocompatible polymeric device of one or more compounds which have the effect or replacing or stimulating functions of the nervous system. A variety of biocompatible polymers including both biodegradable and non-degradable polymers can be used to form the implants. An essential feature of the composition is linear release, achieved through manipulation of the polymer composition and form. The selection of the shape, size, drug, polymer, and method for implantation are determined on an individual basis according to the disorder to be treated and the individual patient response.