Abstract: An osteoimplant composite comprising a plurality of particles of an inorganic material, a bone substitute material, a bone-derived material, or any combination thereof; and a polymer material with which the particles are combined. The composite is either naturally moldable or flowable, or it can be made moldable or settable. After implantation, the composite may be set to provide mechanical strength to the implant. The inventive composite have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength required for most orthopedic applications. The invention also provides methods of using and preparing the moldable and flowable composites.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward porous composites for application to a bone defect site to promote new bone growth. The inventive porous composites comprise a biocompatible polymer and a plurality of particles of bone-derived material, inorganic material, bone substitute material or composite material. In certain embodiments, the porous composites are prepared using a method that includes a supercritical fluid (e.g., supercritical carbon dioxide) treatment. The invention also discloses methods of using these composites as bone void fillers.

Abstract: An osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix, corresponding osteoimplants, and methods for making the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix are disclosed. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may be prepared by providing demineralized bone and altering the collagenous structure of the bone. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may also be prepared by providing demineralized bone and compacting the bone, for example via mechanical compaction, grinding into a particulate, or treatment with a chemical. Additives such as growth factors or bioactive agents may be added to the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may form an osteogenic osteoimplant. The osteoimplant, when implanted in a mammalian body, may induce at the locus of the implant the full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation including vascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation.

Abstract: An implant including a substantially cohesive aggregate comprising bone-derived particles. Cohesiveness is maintained by a member of mechanical interlocking, engagement of adjacent bone-derived particles with one another through engagement with a binding agent, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, or a matrix material in which the bone-derived particles are retained. The aggregate is shaped as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional body.

Abstract: An osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix, corresponding osteoimplants, and methods for making the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix are disclosed. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may be prepared by providing demineralized bone and altering the collagenous structure of the bone. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may also be prepared by providing demineralized bone and compacting the bone, for example via mechanical compaction, grinding into a particulate, or treatment with a chemical. Additives such as growth factors or bioactive agents may be added to the osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix. The osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix may form an osteogenic osteoimplant. The osteoimplant, when implanted in a mammalian body, may induce at the locus of the implant the full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation including vascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation.

Abstract: An osteoimplant composite comprising a plurality of particles of an inorganic material, a bone substitute material, a bone-derived material, or any combination thereof; and a polymer material with which the particles are combined. The composite is either naturally moldable or flowable, or it can be made moldable or settable. After implantation, the composite may be set to provide mechanical strength to the implant. The inventive composite have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength required for most orthopedic applications. The invention also provides methods of using and preparing the moldable and flowable composites.

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: Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.

Abstract: Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.

Abstract: Methods for forming implantable compositions are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include (i) providing a gel base, (ii) adding water and a hydrating agent to the gel base to form a mixture, (iii) reducing the water content of the mixture; and (iv) adding a delivered material before, during, and/or after step (ii) or (iii). The water content is reduced to about 5% or less by weight of the implantable composition.

Abstract: Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.

Abstract: Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.

Abstract: A bioimplant is configured with at least two load-bearing surfaces each having a plurality of protrusions oriented at an angle with respect to one another to resist translation in all directions when opposing load bearing surfaces are under normally applied compressive loads.

Abstract: Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.

Abstract: An improved demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent that acts as (1) a diffusion barrier, (2) a enzyme inhibitor, (3) a competitive substrate, or (4) a masking moiety. A diffusion barrier acts as a barrier so as to protect the osteoinductive factors found in DBM from being degraded by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes at the implantation site. Stabilizing agents may be any biodegradable material such as starches, modified starches, cellulose, dextran, polymers, proteins, and collagen. As the stabilizing agents degrades or dissolves in vivo, the osteoinductive factors such as TGF-.beta., BMP, and IGF are activated or exposed, and the activated factors work to recruit cells from the preivascular space to the site of injury and to cause differentiation into bone-forming cells. The invention also provides methods of preparing, testing, and using the inventive improved osteodinductive matrix compositions.

Abstract: Various instrumentation, implants and methodology are disclosed for implanting bone implants in the TLIF approach. The implants are preferably cortical bone of various shapes. The instruments include chisels, rasps, trials, inserters, spreaders, adjustors, curettes, rongeurs, and impactors. The instruments have straight and bent shafts. The implants may have recesses or notches in their sides for receipt of a mating insertion instrument. Some of the implants have a threaded hole for receiving a mating threaded stud of an implant insertion instrument. The implants may have saw tooth vertebral gripping surfaces which are lordotic or parallel, may be C-shaped, multi-faceted or annular.

Abstract: A covering for delivering a substance or material to a surgical site is provided. The covering, with substance provided therein, may be referred to as a delivery system. Generally, the covering may be a single or multi-compartment structure capable of at least partially retaining a substance provided therein until the covering is placed at a surgical site. Upon placement, the covering may facilitate transfer of the substance or surrounding materials. For example, the substance may be released (actively or passively) to the surgical site. The covering may participate in, control, or otherwise adjust the release of the substance. In various embodiments, the covering is suitable for a variety of procedure specific uses. Implantation tools may be provided for placing the covering at a surgical site. Kits may be provided including variously sized or shaped coverings and one or more tools for use in placing the covering.

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: 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 covering for delivering a substance or material to a surgical site is provided. The covering, with substance provided therein, may be referred to as a delivery system. Generally, the covering may be a single or multi-compartment structure capable of at least partially retaining a substance provided therein until the covering is placed at a surgical site. Upon placement, the covering may facilitate transfer of the substance or surrounding materials. For example, the substance may be released (actively or passively) to the surgical site. The covering may participate in, control, or otherwise adjust, the release of the substance.