Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.

Abstract: Tether tensioning instruments, such as instruments used to tension and/or lock a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a handle, a tensioner base coupled with the handle, at least a portion thereof being movably coupled to the handle, and a tether coupling member coupled with the tensioner base and configured to fixedly engage a tether. The instrument may further comprise a tensioner tip movably coupled with the tensioner base, wherein at least a portion of the tensioner base is biased away from the tensioner tip, and wherein the instrument is configured to allow for step-wise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system.

Abstract: A porous implant for repairing lost bone stock such as around a prosthetic joint is provided. The porous implant has a composite structure with a solid structure and a porous structure which may be formed monolithically by direct metal laser sintering. The solid structure includes a support structure which extends into the porous structure.

Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and apply a force differential such that movement of the tether in a second direction opposite the first direction is made more difficult.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and lock the tether in place. The inner and outer surfaces preferably differ in surface roughness to facilitate automatic or self-locking of the tether in the assembly.

Abstract: Tether tensioning instruments, such as instruments used to tension and/or lock a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a handle, a tensioner base coupled with the handle, at least a portion thereof being movably coupled to the handle, and a tether coupling member coupled with the tensioner base and configured to fixedly engage a tether. The instrument may further comprise a tensioner tip movably coupled with the tensioner base, wherein at least a portion of the tensioner base is biased away from the tensioner tip, and wherein the instrument is configured to allow for step-wise movement of the tensioner tip away from the tensioner base to increase tension between the tether and an element of the spinal fixation system.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and apply a force differential such that movement of the tether in a second direction opposite the first direction is made more difficult.

Abstract: Tether clamping assemblies, such as clamping assemblies used to clamp a tether about a spinal feature to assist in spinal fixation, and related methods and systems. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tether configured to engage a bone or other anatomical feature, an inner coupling piece, and an outer coupling piece. A first passage may be at least partially defined by an inner surface of the outer coupling piece and an outer surface of the inner coupling piece. The first passage may be configured such that the tether can be clamped in between the inner surface and the outer surface to allow the tether to move through the first passage in a first direction and lock the tether in place. The inner and outer surfaces preferably differ in surface roughness to facilitate automatic or self-locking of the tether in the assembly.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.