Abstract: Orthopedic implants having a bone interface member and a water swellable IPN or semi-IPN with a stiffness, hydration, and/or compositional gradient from one side to the other and physically attached to the bone interface member. The invention also includes an orthopedic implant system including an implant that may conform to a bone surface and a joint capsule. The invention also includes orthopedic implants with water swellable IPN or semi-IPNs including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer first network and an ionic polymer second network, joint capsules, labral components, and bone interface members. The invention also includes a method of inserting an orthopedic implant having a metal portion and a flexible polymer portion into a joint, including inserting the implant in a joint in a first shape and changing the implant from a first shape to a second shape to conform to a shape a bone.

Abstract: Orthopedic implants having a bone interface member and a water swellable IPN or semi-IPN with a stiffness, hydration, and/or compositional gradient from one side to the other and physically attached to the bone interface member. The invention also includes an orthopedic implant system including an implant that may conform to a bone surface and a joint capsule. The invention also includes orthopedic implants with water swellable IPN or semi-IPNs including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer first network and an ionic polymer second network, joint capsules, labral components, and bone interface members. The invention also includes a method of inserting an orthopedic implant having a metal portion and a flexible polymer portion into a joint, including inserting the implant in a joint in a first shape and changing the implant from a first shape to a second shape to conform to a shape of a bone.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.

Abstract: Orthopedic implants having a bone interface member and a water swellable IPN or semi-IPN with a stiffness, hydration, and/or compositional gradient from one side to the other and physically attached to the bone interface member. The invention also includes an orthopedic implant system including an implant that may conform to a bone surface and a joint capsule. The invention also includes orthopedic implants with water swellable IPN or semi-IPNs including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer first network and an ionic polymer second network, joint capsules, labral components, and bone interface members. The invention also includes a method of inserting an orthopedic implant having a metal portion and a flexible polymer portion into a joint, including inserting the implant in a joint in a first shape and changing the implant from a first shape to a second shape to conform to a shape of a bone.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an opening. The opening has an edge, and at least a portion of the edge or an edge trim member is shaped so that bulk fibrous filters cannot pass freely through the opening in the container when they are inside and so that at least a portion of a top filter is accessible and graspable by the working end of the grasping tool. The edge trim member has a downwardly extending wall and tab members extending inward from the wall. The edge of the opening of the container has cutouts for receiving the tab members. The tab members can pass freely through the cutouts so that the edge trim member and the tab members can rotate freely relative to the container to define a locked position with the tab members underneath the edge of the opening so that the trim member can be releasably secured to the container.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.

Abstract: Orthopedic implants having a bone interface member and a water swellable IPN or semi-IPN with a stiffness, hydration, and/or compositional gradient from one side to the other and physically attached to the bone interface member. The invention also includes an orthopedic implant system including an implant that may conform to a bone surface and a joint capsule. The invention also includes orthopedic implants with water swellable IPN or semi-IPNs including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer first network and an ionic polymer second network, joint capsules, labral components, and bone interface members. The invention also includes a method of inserting an orthopedic implant having a metal portion and a flexible polymer portion into a joint, including inserting the implant in a joint in a first shape and changing the implant from a first shape to a second shape to conform to a shape of a bone.

Abstract: A snap-off surgical screw configured for threading into a bone of a patient using a driver member, comprising a shaft extension joined to a screw portion via a frangible connection. The frangible connection comprises at least one defect formed through an outer surface of the frangible connection. The defect is configured to promote selective separation of the shaft extension from the screw portion at the defect. A proximal end of the screw portion is preferably provided with a recess, and the frangible connection is preferably positioned in the recess to thereby configure the shaft extension to snap-off from the screw portion below the proximal end of the screw portion.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous filters from bulk has a grasping tool with a working end and a container with an opening. The opening has an edge. At least a portion of the edge or an edge trim member is shaped so that bulk fibrous filters cannot pass freely through the opening in the container when contained therein, and so that at least a portion of a top filter is accessible and graspable by the working end of the grasping tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fixation of a fractured bone with an intramedullary bone fixation device. During an implantation procedure, the fixation device may be guided by a removable guidewire which is not coupled to the fixation device. The guidewire and device may be inserted into an intramedullary canal along a pathway which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The fixation device may be composite, formed of a support structure and a matrix material. The matrix material may be thermo-chemically activated, transformable from a deformable first thermo-chemical state to a hardened second thermo-chemical state. The fixation device may be radially expandable to deform to the shape of the intramedullary canal, to provide support to the fractured bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fixation of a fractured bone with an intramedullary bone fixation device. During an implantation procedure, the fixation device may be guided by a removable guidewire which is not coupled to the fixation device. The guidewire and device may be inserted into an intramedullary canal along a pathway which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The fixation device may be composite, formed of a support structure and a matrix material. The matrix material may be thermo-chemically activated, transformable from a deformable first thermo-chemical state to a hardened second thermo-chemical state. The fixation device may be radially expandable to deform to the shape of the intramedullary canal, to provide support to the fractured bone.

Abstract: A bone plating system for fixating distal or proximal ends of long bones includes a bone plate having a head portion and a shaft portion, and a plurality of bone screws, at least one of which is a locking bone screw and at least one non-locking cancellous bone screw. The bone plate has a plurality of plate holes in the head portion and a plurality of plate holes in the shaft portion. The head portion or the shaft portion of the bone plate may have a plurality of threaded plate holes for engaging the at least one locking bone screw and at least one non-threaded plate hole for engaging the non-locking cancellous bone screw. The non-locking cancellous bone screw and the at least one non-threaded plate hole are configured and dimensioned to have a particularly useful dimensional relationship.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prosthetic knee replacement permit preparation of tibial plateau and femoral condyle surfaces and implant of tibial and femoral protheses components with the use of arthroscopic surgical techniques. The bone surfaces are resected by moving a rotating milling cutter longitudinally across the bone surface and moving the rotating milling cutter substantially laterally across the bone. Cement is supplied between the prostheses and the bone surfaces after positioning of the prostheses on the bone, and cement bonding is enhanced by applying suction to the bone to draw the cement into the bone.

Abstract: Angular positional adjustment relative to a handpiece is provided for a cutting window located at the distal end of an outer tube in an endoscopic surgical cutting instrument. A two-member hub assembly for the outer tube includes one hub member having a polygonal socket and a second hub member having a polygonal plug. Axial disengagement of the plug and socket permits relative rotation between them to provide alternative engagement positions. One hub member engages the handpiece while the other has the outer tube secured thereto, whereby changes in the angular engagement position between the hub members results in changes of the angular position of the cutting window relative to the handpiece.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes tibial and femoral components and a bearing insert designed for unicompartmental prosthetic total knee replacement and can be implanted using arthroscopic surgical techniques. The tibial and femoral prosthesis components have channels or portals therethrough allowing supply of cement to the prosthesis-bone interface after the prosthesis has been positioned for implant. Recesses communicate with the channels and cooperate with the bone surfaces to form cement receiving chambers, and rims at least partially surround the recesses to penetrate the bone surfaces to stabilize the positions of the prostheses and form seals preventing cement from escaping from the prosthesis-bone interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prosthetic knee replacement permit preparation of tibial plateau and femoral condyle surfaces and implant of tibial and femoral protheses components with the use of arthroscopic surgical techniques. The bone surfaces are resected by moving a rotating milling cutter longitudinally across the bone surface and moving the rotating milling cutter substantially laterally across the bone. Cement is supplied between the prostheses and the bone surfaces after positioning of the prostheses on the bone, and cement bonding is enhanced by applying suction to the bone to draw the cement into the bone. The apparatus for resecting the bone surfaces includes a rotating milling cutter having a body with cutting edges and holes extending through the body communicating with the interior of the body. Suction is applied to the end of the body to draw out tissue fragments through the holes and out of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prosthetic knee replacement permit preparation of tibial plateau and femoral condyle surfaces and implant of tibial and femoral protheses components with the use of arthroscopic surgical techniques. The bone surfaces are resected by moving a rotating milling cutter longitudinally across the bone surface and moving the rotating milling cutter substantially laterally across the bone. Cement is supplied between the prostheses and the bone surfaces after positioning of the prostheses on the bone, and cement bonding is enhanced by applying suction to the bone to draw the cement into the bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prosthetic knee replacement permit preparation of tibial plateau and femoral condyle surfaces and implant of tibial and femoral protheses components with the use of arthroscopic surgical techniques. The bone surfaces are resected by moving a rotating milling cutter longitudinally across the bone surface and moving the rotating milling cutter substantially laterally across the bone. Cement is supplied between the prostheses and the bone surfaces after positioning of the prostheses on the bone, and cement bonding is enhanced by applying suction to the bone to draw the cement into the bone.