Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods may be adapted for grafting tissue at a tissue site that may include an elongate housing and a plurality of elongate cutting members. The plurality of elongate cutting members may define a cutting surface at a distal end of the elongate housing. The cutting surface may be adapted to contract from a first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. The contraction of the cutting surface from the first diameter to the second diameter may define a tapered profile between the first diameter and the second diameter suitable for obtaining a tapered graft.

Abstract: A system for playing blackjack requires a player or electronic system to: (i) receive a first bet from a player; (ii) deal an initial two-card hand to the player; (iii) deal one or more additional cards to the player; (iv) determine whether a sum total value of the initial two-card hand and the one or more additional cards exceeds twenty-one; (v) if so, offer the player an opportunity to place an additional bet; (vi) receive, from the player, the additional bet; (vii) in response receiving the additional bet, deal a final card to the player (optionally from a shoe that is different from that used for the initial hand); (vii) subtract a value of the final card from the sum total value to yield a new value; and (ix) based on the new value, determine whether the player has a winning hand, a push, or a losing hand.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cutting guide is disclosed for use in a surgical procedure to removed damaged tissue from a patient and form a recipient site configured and dimensioned to receive a donor graft. The cutting guide includes a first arm that abuts a section of the damaged tissue to be removed, and a second arm including a hole and a slot that receives a cutting implement, the first arm and the slot defining a distance therebetween corresponding to a desired dimension of the recipient site. In another embodiment, a cutting guide is disclosed for use in forming a donor graft from donor tissue. The cutting guide includes a body that receives the donor tissue, and a shaping member that is rotatably secured to the body. The shaping member includes at least one vane that shapes the donor tissue so as to form the donor graft.

Abstract: Biomarkers, biomarker panels and methods for diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA) and determining treatment are disclosed, using measurement of the expression level of certain polypeptides in a test sample from a subject, including MCP1, IL8, KC, MMP2, MMP3, Apolipoprotein A1, and Apolipoprotein E. Related methods for monitoring OA treatment efficacy, diagnostic reagents, and kits are also described.

Abstract: A method for repairing a cartilage defect according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, preparing a cartilage defect for implantation of a cartilage graft and attaching the cartilage graft via a transosseus tunnel.

Abstract: An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons) and at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). Preferably, a needle is attached to each of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair.

Abstract: Biomarkers, biomarker panels and methods for diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA) and determining treatment are disclosed, using measurement of the expression level of certain polypeptides in a test sample from a subject, including MCP1, IL8, KC, MMP2, MMP3, Apolipoprotein A1, and Apolipoprotein E. Related methods for monitoring OA treatment efficacy, diagnostic reagents, and kits are also described.

Abstract: An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons) and at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). Preferably, a needle is attached to each of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.

Abstract: A graft-positioning system that includes a body further comprising a shaft, a handle engaged to the first end of the shaft, a guide rest engaged to the second end of the shaft and a flange engaged to the guide. In addition, the shaft also includes a plurality of pin channels that extend from the first end to the second end of the shaft. The graft-positioning system may also include plurality of guide pins that are configured and arranged to be received within the plurality of pin channels. Additional embodiments provide an arthroscopic cutter that includes a tubular body and a drive shaft attached to a cutting head at one end and situated within a lumen defined within the tubular body. The tubular body further includes a guide rest engaged to the distal end of the tubular body and a flange engaged to the guide rest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.

Abstract: Instrumentation and assembly for arthroscopic elbow surgery which includes a humeral component. The humeral component is installed in a trough formed in the humeral condyle. The trough may be formed by using a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters (and optionally a template). The two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the humerus, and cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to form the trough. The humeral component may be employed in conjunction with an ulnar implant.

Abstract: Instrumentation and assembly for arthroscopic elbow surgery which includes a humeral component. The humeral component is installed in a trough formed in the humeral condyle. The trough may be formed by using a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters (and optionally a template). The two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the humerus, and cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to form the trough. The humeral component may be employed in conjunction with an ulnar implant.

Abstract: A TPLO plate configured to accommodate flexible strands (flexible loops) attached to tissue to be attached to bone. The TPLO plate has one or more suture eyelets, to allow the user (surgeon) to pass a flexible strand through the eyelets and attach/reattach the tissue to the plate at the anatomical location, and to improve the rotational stability of the joint or bone. The eyelets may have various shapes, forms and configurations and may be provided on or within a surface of the TPLO bone plate in any number, depending on the characteristics of the fractured bone or bone segments, or of the plate design. The eyelets preferably receive one or more flexible strands.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods may be adapted for grafting tissue at a tissue site that may include an elongate housing and a plurality of elongate cutting members. The plurality of elongate cutting members may define a cutting surface at a distal end of the elongate housing. The cutting surface may be adapted to contract from a first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. The contraction of the cutting surface from the first diameter to the second diameter may define a tapered profile between the first diameter and the second diameter suitable for obtaining a tapered graft.

Abstract: Biomarkers, biomarker panels and methods for diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA) and determining treatment are disclosed, using measurement of the expression level of certain polypeptides in a test sample from a subject, including MCP1, IL8, KC, MMP2, MMP3, Apolipoprotein A1, and Apolipoprotein E. Related methods for monitoring OA treatment efficacy, diagnostic reagents, and kits are also described.

Abstract: Implants for resurfacing or repairing one or more articular cartilage bearing surfaces of a biological organism include an engineered tissue and a biocompatible porous substrate secured to the engineered tissue for attaching the implant to a native bone of the biological organism. The engineered tissue includes a scaffold containing a biocompatible material, and a plurality of living chondrocytes supported by the scaffold. Methods for culturing chondrocytes for incorporation into a biocompatible implant are provided. A bioreactor for producing functional cartilaginous tissue from a cell-seeded scaffold and a system for producing functional cartilaginous tissue are also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons) and at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). Preferably, a needle is attached to each of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair.

Abstract: An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons), at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons), and two needles (each needle being attached to one fixation device, e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair.

Abstract: Techniques, mixtures, mixing and delivery kits, and improved delivery instruments for implantation of micronized allograft tissue over a microfractured defect. Allograft cartilage tissue is delivered over a cartilage defect that has been debrided and microfractured, without the need for a periosteal covering or separate type of patch sewn over the top. The allograft tissue may be any micronized cartilage particulates obtained by various methods, for example, cartilage delivered in its native form, dehydrated via lyophilization, “freeze-dried,” dehydrated via desiccation, or dehydrated by any other method.