Abstract: A dental implant system including a dental implant with a micro-pattern surface treatment and an abutment with a micro-pattern surface treatment. The abutment cooperatively engages the dental implant during use.

Abstract: A selective filtering collection and delivery system for collecting and delivering autogenous bone to and from a surgical site is provided. The selective filtering collection device includes a suction nozzle, suction nozzle assembly and a vacuum source. Disposed in parallel between the suction nozzle assembly and the vacuum source are a removable filter cartridge and a filter bypass tube. A switch on the suction nozzle assembly may be actuated to provide suction to the suction nozzle through either the bypass tube or through the filter cartridge. When suction is applied through the filter cartridge, autogenous bone is collected on a filter medium within the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge may be removed and directly placed into a delivery device. The delivery device includes a ratchet system that actuates a plunger base to accurately extrude the bone material from the filter cartridge into the desired surgical location.

Abstract: An apparatus for material characterization including a probe for applying a force to a defined section of biologic tissue. The apparatus also includes a sensor to record the force applied onto the biologic tissue by the probe. And, the apparatus includes a data transmission interface to transmit the recorded force to a data processor.

Abstract: A selective filtering collection and delivery system for collecting and delivering autogenous bone to and from a surgical site is provided. The selective filtering collection device includes a suction nozzle, suction nozzle assembly and a vacuum source. Disposed in parallel between the suction nozzle assembly and the vacuum source are a removable filter cartridge and a filter bypass tube. A switch on the suction nozzle assembly may be actuated to provide suction to the suction nozzle through either the bypass tube or through the filter cartridge. When suction is applied through the filter cartridge, autogenous bone is collected on a filter medium within the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge may be removed and directly placed into a delivery device. The delivery device includes a ratchet system that actuates a plunger base to accurately extrude the bone material from the filter cartridge into the desired surgical location.

Abstract: A dental drill system for use in preparing an osteotomy of a predetermined depth and diameter sized to receive a dental implant therein is disclosed. The drill system comprises at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter adapted to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter adapted to size the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter. The invention also teaches a method of using the dental drill system to form the osteotomy opening, the method comprising the steps of using a starter drill to define at least a portion of the osteotomy opening, using at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and using at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter greater than the first diameter to increase the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system is disclosed. The system includes a surgical fastener, a surgical fastener holder sized and shaped to receive the surgical fastener at least partially therein, and a surgical fastener driver having a seat sized and shaped to frictionally receive a head of the surgical fastener therein. The fastener driver is constructed and arranged to selectively urge the fastener, and more particularly the fastener head, out of the seat. The surgical fastener driver thus includes an elongate body with the seat defined at an end thereof, and a drive piston disposed within the body. The drive piston has a first retracted position, and a second extended position in which at least a portion of the piston extends into the seat to urge the fastener out of the seat during usage. Also disclosed is a surgical fastener and a surgical fastener holder, respectively, for use with the system.

Abstract: A selective filtering collection and delivery system for collecting and delivering autogenous bone to and from a surgical site is provided. The selective filtering collection device includes a suction nozzle, suction nozzle assembly and a vacuum source. Disposed in parallel between the suction nozzle assembly and the vacuum source are a removable filter cartridge and a filter bypass tube. A switch on the suction nozzle assembly may be actuated to provide suction to the suction nozzle through either the bypass tube or through the filter cartridge. When suction is applied through the filter cartridge, autogenous bone is collected on a filter medium within the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge may be removed and directly placed into a delivery device. The delivery device includes a ratchet system that actuates a plunger base to accurately extrude the bone material from the filter cartridge into the desired surgical location.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system is disclosed. The system includes a surgical fastener, a surgical fastener holder sized and shaped to receive the surgical fastener at least partially therein, and a surgical fastener driver having a seat sized and shaped to frictionally receive a head of the surgical fastener therein. The fastener driver is constructed and arranged to selectively urge the fastener, and more particularly the fastener head, out of the seat. The surgical fastener driver thus includes an elongate body with the seat defined at an end thereof, and a drive piston disposed within the body. The drive piston has a first retracted position, and a second extended position in which at least a portion of the piston extends into the seat to urge the fastener out of the seat during usage. Also disclosed is a surgical fastener and a surgical fastener holder, respectively, for use with the system.

Abstract: A surgical fastener driver has a handle and a tube extending therefrom. The handle defines a cavity therein. The tube is in communication with the cavity and is affixed to the handle. The tube extends outwardly from the cavity to a seat. The cavity is shaped so as to receive a surgical fastener therein. A piston, having a outward end, is disposed within the tube and extends from the cavity to the seat. The piston has a retracted position, in which the outward end does not extend into the seat, and an extended position, in which the outward end extends into the seat. A trigger is integrated with the handle and has a first state in which the piston is held in the retracted position and a second state in which the piston is released so as to allow the piston to move to the extended position. A driver, that is disposed within the cavity, exerts outward force on the piston so as to drive the piston into the extended position when the trigger is in the second state.

Abstract: An internal nasal implant (10) for opening nasal valves (12, 13) of a human nasal cavity (14) includes an elongate body (16) of biocompatible material having a length to span dorsal surface portions of first and second upper lateral cartilage of a human nose. The elongate body (16) has a first end portion (22) and a second end portion (26) connected by a base portion to form an overall V-shape. The first end portion (22) and the second end portion (26) are capable of biasing the first and second upper lateral cartilage apart to increase air flow through the nasal valves (12, 13).

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant has a longitudinally extending axis with a first end, an opposite second end and a peripheral surface. The abutment-mount is used for delivering the dental implant to a prepared site of a jawbone with an implant drive tool and is also used as a device for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment-mount includes a screw, or other fastener for securing the abutment-mount to the implant. A surface is provided for attaching the dental prosthesis to the abutment-mount adjacent the first end. A structure is provided for transferring rotational force from the implant drive tool to the implant through the abutment-mount. An implant kit includes an abutment-mount, an implant and an abutment screw.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant terminates at one end in an anti-rotation member. The abutment-mount includes a body member having an longitudinal axis and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end defines an engagement member that is complementary in shape to the anti-rotation member of the dental implant. A prismatic portion extends from the second end of the body member along the longitudinal axis. The prismatic portion has a plurality of sides, with each side being parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body portion and the prismatic portion define a longitudinal opening passing therethrough that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A ball-topped screw for securing an abutment-mount to a dental implant while taking an impression of the abutment-mount using the indirect transfer method includes an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end. A portion of the elongated member includes a threaded section for securing the first end of the elongated member and an abutment mount to a dental implant. A spherical member is affixed to the second end, whereby the spherical member provides a gripping shape for a dental impression material that has set around the spherical member while the elongated member secures an abutment mount to a dental implant.

Abstract: A method of designing a skeletal implant comprises measuring physical characteristics of the bone to be implanted, generating a macro-design of the implant based on the physical characteristics, and determining a micro-design for the implant to ensure that strain in the bone is kept between 100 and 3000 microstrain to promote bone growth and to minimize bone resorption during functional loading. In an alternate embodiment, a dental implant comprises a crest portion having a circular bottom surface, an opposite circular top surface, and a side wall intermediate the bottom surface and the top surface, the top surface being adapted for attaching the dental prosthesis thereto. A circular base portion has a crestal end, an opposite apical end, and a core section intermediate the crestal end and the apical end having an outer surface. A helical thread extends about a portion of the outer surface of the core section that secures the device within existing bone.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant has a longitudinally extending axis with a first end, an opposite second end and a peripheral surface. The abutment-mount is used for delivering the dental implant to a prepared site of a jawbone with an implant drive tool and is also used as a device for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment-mount includes a screw, or other fastener for securing the abutment-mount to the implant. A surface is provided for attaching the dental prosthesis to the abutment-mount adjacent the first end. A structure is provided for transferring rotational force from the implant drive tool to the implant through the abutment-mount. An implant kit includes an abutment-mount, an implant and an abutment screw.

Abstract: A dental implant for having a longitudinal axis for implanting in bone, has a crest module having a top end, a bottom end and a wall having an outer surface and a threaded section. The threaded section has a crestal end and an apical end, the crestal end abutting the bottom end of the crest module, a helical thread extending along a portion of the first section from a base end outwardly to a distal end. The threaded section also has a length, a major diameter being defined as the diameter of the threaded section measured at the distal end of the thread and a minor diameter being defined as the diameter of the threaded section measured at the base end of the helical thread. The major diameter is constant along the length of the threaded section, whereas a selected thread feature is chosen as a function of a selected biomedical characteristic. The selected thread feature could include the minor diameter, the thread pitch or the thread geometry.

Abstract: A method of designing a skeletal implant comprises measuring the width, height, and elastic modulus of the bone to be implanted, generating a macro-design of the implant based on the width and height of the bone, and determining a micro-design for the implant, based on the measured elastic modulus, to ensure that strain in the bone is kept in a range to promote bone growth and to minimize bone resorption, during functional loading. For threaded implants, the shape of the thread is chosen so that bone strain adjacent the threaded attachment surface of the implant is between about 100 and 3000 microstrain. A device for implanting into the existing bone and for attaching a dental prosthesis thereto has a crest portion, a base portion, and a configuration for securing the base portion to the existing bone.