Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for applying bio-resorbable membranes or plates to bone for internal fixation of bone defects is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable, time-released substance delivery device includes a casing having an exterior surface, and a number of pores disposed on the exterior surface of the casing. The time-released substance delivery device further has an interior chamber disposed within the casing, and a number of excretion tubes disposed within the casing. Each of the excretion tubes fluidly connects the interior chamber to one of the pores.

Abstract: A prosthesis for insertion into a body passage is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a plastic or polymer base material which is compatible with living tissue and which possesses a memory of a predetermined configuration. The base material further has a glass transition temperature at which the prosthesis can be molded intravascularly from the predetermined configuration to a larger-radius implant configuration, which is sized and shaped to conform to an internal anatomy of the body passage to expand a narrow segment of or to occlude an opening of an out pouch of the body passage. The glass transition temperature is greater than a temperature of the body passage so that the prosthesis after being molded can be allowed to cool to the temperature of the body passage.

Abstract: A cranial flap fixation device utilizing a piece design comprising an inner member and an outer member. The inner member includes a head and a shaft and the outer member comprises a nut for securing onto the shaft. A driving tool may be engaged with the inner member for secure engagement with the outer member. The present invention is also a cranial flap fixation system comprising three pieces, a nut, a bolt and a lock washer. The bolt having a threaded portion head for receipt into the nut and lock washer assembly, and the bolt also having an extra wide head portion for secure engagement inside the patient's cranium. The bolt is designed for use with a variety of bone structures since it is designed having an adjustable length so that the surgeon can cut the bolt after tightening onto the nut and lock washer assembly. A driving tool may be utilized to secure the cranial flap fixation system.

Abstract: A cranial flap fixation device utilizing a piece design comprising an inner member and an outer member. The inner member includes a head and a shaft and the outer member comprises a nut for securing onto the shaft. A driving tool may be engaged with the inner member for secure engagement with the outer member. The present invention is also a cranial flap fixation system comprising three pieces, a nut, a bolt and a lock washer. The bolt having a threaded portion head for receipt into the nut and lock washer assembly, and the bolt also having an extra wide head portion for secure engagement inside the patient's cranium. The bolt is designed for use with a variety of bone structures since it is designed having an adjustable length so that the surgeon can cut the bolt after tightening onto the nut and lock washer assembly. A driving tool may be utilized to secure the cranial flap fixation system.

Abstract: A marker assembly formed of a carbon fiber composition is disclosed. The marker assembly includes a shaft sized and shaped to be inserted into an organ, wherein the shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end of the shaft is sized and shaped to be positioned near a target region within the organ, and the shaft includes a lumen extending through the shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The lumen is constructed to accommodate a needle therethrough, so that the needle enters through the proximal end of the shaft, extends through the shaft, and exits through the distal end of the shaft. The marker assembly can also include other radiopaque or semi-radiopaque materials that provide higher definition imaging than titanium, when implanted within the organ.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning instrumentation into a target region of a brain generally includes an attachment member, specifically a disc adapted to be secured to a cranium, and a marker assembly adapted to be connected to a locator device, for example a conventional stereotaxic assembly. The marker assembly includes a detachable cannula, and is further adapted to be secured to the attachment member in order to immobilize the cannula at a precise position in the brain, thus facilitating additional imaging of the patient in order to determine the position of the cannula with respect to the target region.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: A marker assembly formed of a carbon fiber composition is disclosed. The marker assembly includes a shaft sized and shaped to be inserted into an organ, wherein the shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end of the shaft is sized and shaped to be positioned near a target region within the organ, and the shaft includes a lumen extending through the shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The lumen is constructed to accommodate a needle therethrough, so that the needle enters through the proximal end of the shaft, extends through the shaft, and exits through the distal end of the shaft. The marker assembly can also include other radiopaque or semi-radiopaque materials that provide higher definition imaging than titanium, when implanted within the organ.

Abstract: A cranial flap fixation device utilizing a piece design comprising an inner member and an outer member. The inner member includes a head and a shaft and the outer member comprises a nut for securing onto the shaft. A driving tool may be engaged with the inner member for secure engagement with the outer member. The present invention is also a cranial flap fixation system comprising three pieces, a nut, a bolt and a lock washer. The bolt having a threaded portion head for receipt into the nut and lock washer assembly, and the bolt also having an extra wide head portion for secure engagement inside the patient's cranium. The bolt is designed for use with a variety of bone structures since it is designed having an adjustable length so that the surgeon can cut the bolt after tightening onto the nut and lock washer assembly. A driving tool may be utilized to secure the cranial flap fixation system.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning instrumentation into a target region of a brain generally includes an attachment member, specifically a disc adapted to be secured to a cranium, and a marker assembly adapted to be connected to a locator device, for example a conventional stereotaxic assembly. The marker assembly includes a detachable cannula, and is further adapted to be secured to the attachment member in order to immobilize the cannula at a precise position in the brain, thus facilitating additional imaging of the patient in order to determine the position of the cannula with respect to the target region.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.

Abstract: A high-torque fastener having a threaded shaft and a star-shaped head is disclosed. The high-torque fastener is made of a resorbable or other non-magnetic material. A mating driver snugly fits around the star-shaped head of the fastener, to thereby apply torque to the perimeter of the star-shaped head. The driver can be made disposable, and the driver and fastener packaged together in a single, disposable, assembly. Additionally, the driver can be color coded to indicate the size of the fastener which is pre-attached to the driver in the packaging.