Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized tissue or organ that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite bone graft for implantation in a patient, and methods of making and using the composite bone graft, along with methods for treating patients by implanting the composite bone graft at a site in a patient. The composite bone graft includes two or more connected, discrete, bone portions, and includes one or more biocompatible connectors which hold together the discrete bone portions to form the composite bone graft. The composite bone graft may include one or more textured bone surfaces. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced protrusions, preferably closely spaced continuous protrusions. The composite bone graft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior and/or posterior column. Implantation of the composite bone graft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized tissue or organ that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite bone graft for implantation in a patient, and methods of making and using the composite bone graft, along with methods for treating patients by implanting the composite bone graft at a site in a patient. The composite bone graft includes two or more connected, discrete, bone portions, and includes one or more biocompatible connectors which hold together the discrete bone portions to form the composite bone graft. The composite bone graft may include one or more textured bone surfaces. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced protrusions, preferably closely spaced continuous protrusions. The composite bone graft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior and/or posterior column. Implantation of the composite bone graft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: An implantable spinal graft includes a substantially annular body with opposed superior and inferior surfaces. At least a portion of the superior and inferior surfaces includes a plurality of bone-engaging protrusions. Both of the superior and inferior surfaces also include at least one region that is free of protrusions. Preferably, the protrusion-free regions are centrally disposed and are oriented so as to be parallel to or angled with respect to an anterior-posterior axis of the implant. The implant further includes a tip on the posterior that is formed by converging portion of the superior and inferior surfaces.