Abstract: A multipart intervertebral implant is provided which includes an implant portion and an implant extender portion. The implant portion and the implant extender portion can be fastened together using any known fastening means including pins, interlocking structure (e.g., dovetail, tongue and groove, etc.), adhesives, etc. The size of the implant extender portion can be selected during a surgical procedure to provide an implant suitable for a particular intervertebral receiving bed. An intervertebral implant is also provided which may be formed from a multiplicity of implant sections which are fastened together to provide an implant having a desired length. Implants having surface configurations which more closely correspond to the configuration of vertebral endplates are also provided.

Abstract: Demineralized bone particles are obtained by demineralizing whole bone and thereafter subdividing the demineralized bone to provide the demineralized bone particles.

Abstract: A method, and an associated system, for sending to a first group of recipients only the content portions of a continuity source data-flow which takes the form of ordered, successive, alternating content and non-content segments. From a methodologic point of view, the invention involves, in a manner which utilizes content-segment material buffering, delivering fully, and in correct order, to the first recipient group the material in each content segment, via steps including (a) bridging each gap between next-adjacent content segments at least partially with transmitted injection material that differs from the non-content segment material in the gap, which injection material ends in time no sooner than the end of the gap, and (b) employing, as needed, and as a part of such full delivering of content-segment material, time-progressive, time-length-variable buffering, and subsequent, progressive buffer-delivering, of any content-segment material which overlaps in time with the transmission of injection material.

Abstract: An implant unit used in surgery has a body made from osteogenic implantable material and including an implant portion and a retaining portion, which is coupled to and extends transversely to the implant portion. The retaining portion is attached to the sidewall of the adjoining vertebral body or mammal bone to prevent displacement of the implant portion relative to the vertebral body or mammal bone and to accelerate fusion therebetween.

Abstract: A multipart intervertebral implant is provided which includes an implant portion and an implant extender portion. The implant portion and the implant extender portion can be fastened together using any known fastening means including pins, interlocking structure (e.g., dovetail, tongue and groove, etc.), adhesives, etc. The size of the implant extender portion can be selected during a surgical procedure to provide an implant suitable for a particular intervertebral receiving bed. An intervertebral implant is also provided which may be formed from a multiplicity of implant sections which are fastened together to provide an implant having a desired length. Implants having surface configurations which more closely correspond to the configuration of vertebral endplates are also provided.

Abstract: A maintenance platform (10) comprises a main frame (12) with base frames (12,14) releasably interconnected by split clamps (50) and load transfer couplers (52). Upper extension frames (62,64) are mounted on the base frames (12,14). A balcony (82) and stabilizers (100) are also provided. The platform (10) is of modular construction and can be assembled and disassembled manually without tools for use on either improved or unimproved surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided.

Abstract: Instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel from human or animal cadaveric bone and instrumentation for evaluating the suitability of the bone and/or dowel for implant use after each step of the manufacturing process is provided. Such instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel includes a blanking or coring apparatus, a milling apparatus a threading apparatus and a tapping apparatus. A gauge is provided to inspect and determine the suitability of the bone dowel at each step of the manufacturing process. By inspecting the dowel being manufactured after each step of the manufacturing process, time and effort which is needlessly wasted during completion of the manufacturing of dowels which are unsuitable for implant use (due to unsuitable bone and/or inaccurate machining of bone) can be avoided. Instrumentation for more accurately positioning bone and the partially manufactured dowel into the instrumentation for machining the dowel is also provided.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: A multipart intervertebral implant is provided which includes an implant portion and an implant extender portion. The implant portion and the implant extender portion can be fastened together using any known fastening means including pins, interlocking structure (e.g., dovetail, tongue and groove, etc.), adhesives, etc. The size of the implant extender portion can be selected during a surgical procedure to provide an implant suitable for a particular intervertebral receiving bed. An intervertebral implant is also provided which may be formed from a multiplicity of implant sections which are fastened together to provide an implant having a desired length. Implants having surface configurations which more closely correspond to the configuration of vertebral endplates are also provided.

Abstract: An Al—Cu—Si—Ge quaternary alloy uses Si—Ge additions to provide a reasonably dense and homogeneous distribution of precipitates. Heterogeneous nucleation on this Si—Ge template is used to enhance both strength and thermal stability. These precipitates are used as a template for heterogeneous precipitation of other hardening phases, particularly the •′ (Al2Cu) phase. Thus, a Si—Ge addition is used to provide a dense template of heterogeneous nucleation sites for subsequent precipitation of Al—Cu precipitates.

Abstract: Instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel from human or animal cadaveric bone and instrumentation for evaluating the suitability of the bone and/or dowel for implant use after each step of the manufacturing process is provided. Such instrumentation for manufacturing a bone dowel includes a blanking or coring apparatus, a milling apparatus, a threading apparatus and a tapping apparatus. A gauge is provided to inspect and determine the suitability of the bone dowel at each step of the manufacturing process. By inspecting the dowel being manufactured after each step of the manufacturing process, time and effort which is needlessly wasted during completion of the manufacturing of dowels which are unsuitable for implant use (due to unsuitable bone and/or inaccurate machining of bone) can be avoided. Instrumentation for more accurately positioning bone and the partially manufactured dowel into the instrumentation for machining the dowel is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a pulsatile flow pressure system for treating tissue, such as, for example, bone tissue. This system generally includes one, and preferably two, pressure chambers configured to receive the natural ends of intact bone. Alternate positive and negative pressures are enacted on the bone ends to force fluid into the bone and substantially out through an exterior surface thereof. Alternatively, both ends of an intact bone can be positioned in separate pressure chambers and simultaneous positive or negative pressures applied to the bone ends to force fluid through the bone tissue.

Abstract: An interference screw suitable for surgical use is provided. The interference screw is constructed from bone and includes an elongated body having an outer threaded surface, a tapered insertion end and a central throughbore. Insertion tool engaging structure is formed along the walls defining the throughbore. The insertion tool engaging structure extends from the proximal end of the elongated body over a substantial portion of the length of the elongated body. The insertion tool engaging structure functions to distribute the forces required to insert the interference screw throughout the body of the interference screw to prevent fracturing of the interference screw during insertion into bone.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis includes a bone graft implant member dimensioned for insertion within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae and having at least first and second longitudinal sections with respective first and second cross-sectional dimensions. The first cross-sectional dimension of the first implant section is greater than the second cross-section dimension of the second implant section to define a stepped region having a retaining surface. Consequently, upon insertion of the implant member within a generally correspondingly dimensioned receiving bed formed within the adjacent vertebrae, the retaining surface facilitates securement therewithin by corresponding engagement with surfaces of the receiving bed. A method for fusion of adjacent vertebrae utilizing the prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multipart intervertebral implant is provided which includes an implant portion and an implant extender portion. The implant portion and the implant extender portion can be fastened together using any known fastening means including pins, interlocking structure (e.g., dovetail, tongue and groove, etc.), adhesives, etc. The size of the implant extender portion can be selected during a surgical procedure to provide an implant suitable for a particular intervertebral receiving bed. An intervertebral implant is also provided which may be formed from a multiplicity of implant sections which are fastened together to provide an implant having a desired length. Implants having surface configurations which more closely correspond to the configuration of vertebral endplates are also provided.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis includes a bone graft implant member dimensioned for insertion within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae and having at least first and second longitudinal sections with respective first and second cross-sectional dimensions. The first cross-sectional dimension of the first implant section is greater than the second cross-section dimension of the second implant section to define a stepped region having a retaining surface. Consequently, upon insertion of the implant member within a generally correspondingly dimensioned receiving bed formed within the adjacent vertebrae, the retaining surface facilitates securement therewithin by corresponding engagement with surfaces of the receiving bed. a method for fusion of adjacent vertebrae utilizing the prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for cutting dowels from a bone mass which is easily disassembled for cleaning and sterilization. The dowel cutter includes an axial mounting member having a proximal end portion configured for engagement with a drill chuck and a distal end portion configured to receive a cylindrical cutting blade, an elongated supporting shaft having a distal end portion configured to support a drill guide, and a securement mechanism formed integral with the mounting member for releasably maintaining the relative orientation of the supporting shaft and the axial mounting member during utilization.