Abstract: Intervertebral implants and associated methods of implantation and treatment are provided. In one aspect, an intervertebral implant for positioning between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra is provided. The implant includes an upper endplate, a lower endplate, and at least one support having a variable stiffness positioned between the upper and lower endplates. In some instances, the implant includes a sensing element for monitoring a characteristic of the intervertebral implant, a processor for determining a desired stiffness of the supports based on the characteristic monitored by the sensing element, and an actuator for adjusting the stiffness of the supports to the desired stiffness. In another aspect, a prosthetic device for a spinal joint is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of treating a motion segment of a vertebral column is provided.

Abstract: Implantable sensors and methods for detecting changes in a characteristic of a soft tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment, an implantable sensor for detecting indicators of cartilage wear in a joint is provided. The implantable sensor includes a sensing element for detecting a signal indicative of a characteristic of the cartilage of the joint and a telemetry circuit in communication with the sensing element for transmitting a data set representative of the detected signal. In another embodiment, a system for detecting changes in joint cartilage includes an implantable acoustic sensing element and an external receiver in communication with the implantable acoustic sensing element. In other embodiments, methods of detecting cartilage degradation in a joint and methods of using the disclosed sensors are provided.

Abstract: A chisel system for harvesting an implantable graft from an area of a human having a cartilage overlying a condyle, according to which a module is provided that has one end connected to a handle. A cutting surface is formed at the other end of the module that cuts through the cartilage and condyle.

Abstract: A chisel system for harvesting an implantable graft from an area of a human having a cartilage overlying a condyle, according to which a module is provided that has one end connected to a handle. A cutting surface is formed at the other end of the module that cuts through the cartilage and condyle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing surgical instrument tray shipping totes. A control system is adapted to control a bar code reader module, an RFID module, a database module and an interface module. The control system provides functionality adapted to process incoming and outgoing surgical instrument shipping totes containing one or more RFID-enabled surgical instrument trays. A database, ERP system or other system in communication with the control system alerts the operator of the status of an incoming tote and/or trays contained in the tote to increase processing efficiency and speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying surgical implants by use of a radio-frequency tag (RFID) is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable a radio-frequency tagged implant to receive an interrogation signal from a reader and to respond to the interrogation signal with identifying information about the tagged implants. The interrogation signal interrogates the implant to ascertain its information, and the RFID tag affixed on the implant in turn transmits a signal back to the reader. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify surgical implants, to assess, for example, any wear and tear on implants, and/or positional displacement of components of the implant.

Abstract: Each of an osteochondral plug graft and a kit comprises a trapezoid shaped construct configured for osteochondral implanting. An osteochondral regeneration method comprises forming a recipient socket in a chondral area of an articular joint in need of repair; harvesting a trapezoid shaped graft from another chondral area; and implanting the trapezoid shaped graft into the recipient socket.

Abstract: A system for detecting the integrity of a previously implanted prosthetic device may include a detector including a sensor configured to detect signals from the implant and securing means for securing the sensor in a sensing position relative to the implantable device. The system also may include a power source configured to provide power to the sensor and a computation means for processing data communicated by the detector and for displaying the processed data for diagnosing.

Abstract: A surgical procedure according to which a moldable material is positioned over a defect and over an area of the anatomy surrounding the defect so that the moldable material takes the shape of the area. After the moldable material forms a mold, a graft is placed on the mold; and cut to conform to a dimension of the defect.

Abstract: Each of an osteochondral plug graft and a kit comprises a trapezoid shaped construct configured for osteochondral implanting. An osteochondral regeneration method comprises forming a recipient socket in a chondral area of an articular joint in need of repair; harvesting a trapezoid shaped graft from another chondral area; and implanting the trapezoid shaped graft into the recipient socket.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for the presence and/or location of a foreign body is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving signals. In such embodiments, the surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo measurements to determine characteristics and/or location of the foreign body. In other embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a measurement circuit for detecting the presence and/or location of a foreign body by a change in the characteristics of the measurement circuit. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a foreign body, the orientation of a foreign body with respect to patient anatomy and/or another foreign body, and whether the foreign body has been completely removed.

Abstract: A surgical procedure according to which a slotted film is positioned over an area of a bone to be milled; and a portion of a milling assembly is inserted in the defect, with another portion of the assembly extending through one of the slots so that the slot can be used as a guide to mill the bone.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for preparing a graft for insertion in an opening in a human body, according to which a mold is formed in the opening and transferred from the opening to a position adjacent a stylus. A contour of the mold is traced with the stylus; and the tracing movement of the stylus is transferred to corresponding movement of a cutting member so that the cutting member cuts the same contour in the graft.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for implanting tissue from a cadaver/autograft bone into a recipient site at an anatomical area of a patient, and a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for use in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis.

Abstract: A graft retention tack is disclosed and can include a post configured to receive a bone growth factor and a head configured to receive a cartilage growth factor.

Abstract: An implantable pedometer for measuring the amount of joint use is disclosed. The implantable pedometer includes a sensor adapted for detecting indicators of joint usage. A counter is configured for storing count data corresponding to the number of indicators detected by the sensor and a telemetry circuit is configured for transmitting the count data outside of the body.

Abstract: A cannulated sensing device is disclosed and can include a housing that can have a proximal end and a distal end. A cannula can extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. Further, a sensor can be attached to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A device includes a sterilizing system configured to sterilize an implantable device and includes a coating system configured to apply an osteal functional coating to the implantable device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis.