Abstract: A bone paste useful in the orthopedic arts, for example in the repair of non-union fractures, periodontal ridge augmentation, craniofacial surgery, implant fixation, impaction grafting, or any other procedure in which generation of new bone is deemed necessary, is provided by a composition comprising a substantially bioabsorbable osteogenic compound in a gelatin matrix. In various embodiments, the osteogenic compound is selected from (i) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); (ii) bioactive glass ceramic, BIOGLASS®, bioactive ceramic, calcium phosphate ceramic, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite carbonate, corraline hydroxyapatite, calcined bone, tricalcium phosphate, or like material; (iii) bone morphogenetic protein, TGF-?, PDGF, or mixtures thereof, natural or recombinant; and (iv) mixtures of (i)-(iii).

Abstract: An implant composed substantially of cortical bone is provided for use in cervical Smith-Robinson vertebral fusion procedures. The implant is derived from allograft or autograft cortical bone sources, is machined to form a symmetrically or asymmetrically shaped (e.g. a substantially “D”-shaped) implant having a canal running therethrough according to methods of this invention, and inserted into the space between adjacent cervical vertebrae to provide support and induce fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Osteogenic, osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials may be packed into the canal of the implant to expedite vertebral fusion and to allow autologous bony ingrowth.

Abstract: An implant composed substantially of cortical bone is provided for use in cervical Smith-Robinson vertebral fusion procedures. The implant is derived from allograft or autograft cortical bone sources, is machined to form a symmetrically or asymmetrically shaped (e.g. a substantially “D”-shaped) implant having a canal running therethrough according to methods of this invention, and inserted into the space between adjacent cervical vertebrae to provide support and induce fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Osteogenic, osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials may be packed into the canal of the implant to expedite vertebral fusion and to allow autologous bony ingrowth.

Abstract: An implant composed substantially of cortical bone is provided for use in cervical Smith-Robinson vertebral fusion procedures. The implant is derived from allograft or autograft cortical bone sources, is machined to form a symmetrically or asymmetrically shaped (e.g. a substantially “D”-shaped) implant having a canal running therethrough according to methods of this invention, and inserted into the space between adjacent cervical vertebrae to provide support and induce fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Osteogenic, osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials may be packed into the canal of the implant to expedite vertebral fusion and to allow autologous bony ingrowth.

Abstract: This invention includes a novel method for safely, effectively and efficiently pooling of tissues for treatment prior to implantation into a recipient in need thereof. In one embodiment, the method includes perfusion of a porous implant which achieves efficient interpenetration of desired factors into and removal of undesirable factors from the pores of the implant, cleaning of the implant, efficient passivation of the implant (inactivation of pathogens, microorganisms, cells, viruses and the like and reduction in antigenicity thereof), and the novel implant produced by such treatment. The process presents a system wherein the rate of pressure cycling, the fact of pressure cycling, and the amplitude of pressure cycling, results in highly cleaned tissues and other implants for implantation.

Abstract: This application provides a novel unitary bone implant having at least one rigid, mineralized bone segment, which may be machined to include threads, grooves, a driver head, perforations, a recess, or a symmetric shape, and a flexible, demineralized segment, which may also be machined to any desired shape prior to demineralization, or after demineralization. The disclosed implant has wide orthopedic applicability, including but not limited to repair or replacement of ligaments, tendons, and joints and for inducing vertebral fusions and fractured bone repair.

Abstract: This invention includes a novel method for safely, effectively and efficiently pooling of tissues for treatment prior to implantation into a recipient in need thereof. In one embodiment, the method includes perfusion of a porous implant which achieves efficient interpenetration of desired factors into and removal of undesirable factors from the pores of the implant, cleaning of the implant, efficient passivation of the implant (inactivation of pathogens, microorganisms, cells, viruses and the like and reduction in antigenicity thereof), and the novel implant produced by such treatment. The process presents a system wherein the rate of pressure cycling, the fact of pressure cycling, and the amplitude of pressure cycling, results in highly cleaned tissues and other implants for implantation.

Abstract: An implant composed substantially of cortical bone is provided for use in cervical Smith-Robinson vertebral fusion procedures. The implant is derived from allograft or autograft cortical bone sources, is machined to form a symmetrically or asymmetrically shaped (e.g. a substantially “D”-shaped) implant having a canal running therethrough according to methods of this invention, and inserted into the space between adjacent cervical vertebrae to provide support and induce fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Osteogenic, osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials may be packed into the canal of the implant to expedite vertebral fusion and to allow autologous bony ingrowth.

Abstract: An implant composed substantially of cortical bone is provided for use in cervical Smith-Robinson vertebral fusion procedures. The implant is derived from allograft or autograft cortical bone sources, is machined to form a symmetrically or asymmetrically shaped (e.g. a substantially “D”-shaped) implant having a canal running therethrough according to methods of this invention, and inserted into the space between adjacent cervical vertebrae to provide support and induce fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Osteogenic, osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials may be packed into the canal of the implant to expedite vertebral fusion and to allow autologous bony ingrowth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing collagen-based tissues or organs to substantially decellularize said collagen-based tissues or organs prior to implantation into a recipient in need thereof. Preferably, the method significantly reduces or eliminates immunogenicity of the tissue or organ such that upon transplantation, the tissue or organ is not rejected by the recipient's immune system. The method includes removing the tissue from a donor, processing the tissue to remove substantially all of the cells of the tissue or organ, and processing of the collagen scaffold for storage. The method further includes repopulating the collagen scaffold through seeding with stem cells for implantation into recipient.

Abstract: A bone paste useful in the orthopedic arts, for example in the repair of non-union fractures, periodontal ridge augmentation, craniofacial surgery, implant fixation, impaction grafting, or any other procedure in which generation of new bone is deemed necessary, is provided by a composition comprising a substantially bioabsorbable osteogenic compound in a gelatin matrix. In various embodiments, the osteogenic compound is selected from (i) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); (ii) bioactive glass ceramic, BIOGLASS®, bioactive ceramic, calcium phosphate ceramic, hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite carbonate, corraline hydroxyapatite, calcined bone, tricalcium phosphate, or like material; (iii) bone morphogenetic protein, TGF-&bgr;, PDGF, or mixtures thereof, natural or recombinant; and (iv) mixtures of (i)-(iii).

Abstract: An interference screw is provided by machining a fragment of autograft, allograft or xenograft cortical bone from a donor or from a recipient's amputated bone. The interference screw has a cortical surface into which a self-tapping thread is machined. The interference screw has a machined pointed, rounded or flush end and an opposite machined end which mates with a drive means, and has advantages over conventional interference screws known in the art in that subsequent to implantation, no residual hardware that must later be removed remains at the implant site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel non-migration tissue capsules and methods of using the same. The capsules are non-allergenic and biocompatible and can be implanted into a patient in need thereof to correct any number of defects and abnormalites whether congenital or brought about by aging, surgery, and injury. Preferably, medically useful substances can be disposed on or within the subject tissue capsules whereby the medically useful substances are protected and retained at the site of need by the capsule.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for efficient recovery of human tissue for processing by a tissue processing facility or tissue bank entity. According to this system, a tissue processing facility establishes a management services agreement (MSA) with a tissue recovery agency under which all of the operating costs and procedures of the tissue recovery agency are provided for by the tissue processing facility. In this manner, the efficiency of the tissue recovery facility is maximized such that substantially all of the resources of the tissue recovery facility may be devoted to the task of recovering essential and precious human tissue materials. The administrative burdens of per donor charges and the like are thus alleviated, to the mutual benefit of the tissue processing facility and the tissue recovery facility.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel configurations of tissue designed for simple implementation and use in various medical applications. Specifically exemplified herein are sections of tissue shaped and provided in tape form or patch form, and kits and methods implementing the same. Alternatively, there is disclosed sections of tissue having osteogenic properties and especially adapted for use in the repair of bone defects, diseases or injuries.

Abstract: This invention relates to implants useful as stents for opening or strengthening biological conduits, or as grafts or conduits for replacing or connecting portions of biological tissues having a lumen. Accordingly, the implants of this invention may be applied in portions of the peripheral and coronary vascular system, biliary, urinary, esophageal, digestive, ocular, tracheal, bronchial, reproductive, and neural systems. The implant comprises a segment of bone having a lumen through at least a part thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the implant is demineralized so as to be pliable.

Abstract: A dowel (300) is provided by obtaining a plug from the shaft (diaphysis) of various long bones. The dowel (300) has an intra-medullary canal (30) which can be packed with any of a variety of osteogenic materials. The dowel (300) has a cortical surface (10) into which an instrument attachment hole (15) may be machined and onto which an alignment mark (16) may be inscribed for proper orientation of the intra-medullary canal (30) or a driver slot (56) which may be used to assist in further machining of the bone dowel (300). The dowel (300) ha a chamfered insertion end and has improved biomechanical and vertebral fusion induction properties as compared to standard dowels known in the art. A threaded (31) or grooved (32) dowel (300) and an apparatus (400) for efficient production thereof are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel unitary bone implant having at least one rigid, mineralized bone segment, which may be machined to include threads, grooves, a driver head, a recess or a symmetric or asymmetric shape, and a flexible, demineralized segment, which may also be machined to any desired shape prior to demineralization, or after demineralization. The implant of this invention has wide orthopedic applicability, including for repair or replacement of ligaments, tendons and joints.

Abstract: The bone grinder of this invention is capable of consistently producing ground bone particles of varying particle sizes, depending on the grinder head employed. The device provides the ability to easily interchange grinder heads according to the needs of a surgeon and the novel grinder head design optimizes the use of available bone stock by cutting the bone rather than crushing the bone.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing bone extracted from a cadaver. A preferred prosthesis is formed of two tubes of differing diameter, the larger-diameter tube beng slidable over the smaller-diameter tube to provide a telescoping assembly. A stop is provided on the smaller tube, and is adjustably positioned thereon for operatively contacting an end of the larger tube to resist contraction of the assembly after insertion within a cadaver. Threaded pins are provided at the ends of the assembly for engagement within bone of a skeleton of the cadaver. The prosthesis retains the physical appearance of a cadaver after extraction of bone for use in surgical and other therapeutic purposes on living organisms.