Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the repair of bone defects. The bone defect repair may be accomplished by minimally invasive means. The bone defect repair may utilize a bone growth promoting substance. The bone growth promoting substance may comprise a carrier material and at least one osteoinductive formulation.

Abstract: A system for implanting a prosthetic device with an opening into a bone includes a plug that is removably received within the opening of the prosthetic device. The system also includes a bone removal tool that advances into the bone from outside the bone and that removes a portion of the bone while advancing into the bone to reveal the plug. The bone removal tool includes a plug engaging portion that engages with the plug. The bone removal tool at least partially removes the plug from the opening of the prosthetic device while engaged with the plug. Moreover, the system includes an alignment system that detects whether the bone removal tool and the plug are substantially axially aligned.

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: Allogenic or xenogenic materials are used to provide intervertebral disc nucleus implants and/or annular plugs. The allogenic or xenogenic materials comprise natural disc annulus material, which may have a portion of the anterior longitudinal ligament attached. The tissue may be used “as is” without an additional core or covering, or it may be used in combination with other materials. The material may be rolled, folded, layered and/or sutured, stapled, or glued to provide a solid plug of natural biological material. The implant may be provided as a dehydrated, substantially rod-shaped segment having a diameter less than the diameter of the hydrated material, and may have one or more ends of the dehydrated rod terminate with a further reduced diameter portion, preferably a point.

Abstract: A flexible debridement device is disclosed and can include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A debridement tool can be coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The flexible debridement device can be moved between a straight position and a plurality of bent positions. Additionally, the flexible debridement device can automatically return substantially to the straight position after a bending force is removed from the flexible debridement device.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal of a long bone. The long bone defines trabeculae in the proximal cancellous bone and lamellae in the cortical bone. The body includes a proximal portion thereof and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a medial periphery and includes surface features on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal of a long bone. The long bone defines trabeculae in the proximal cancellous bone and lamellae in the cortical bone. The body includes a proximal portion thereof and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a medial periphery and includes surface features on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal of a long bone. The long bone defines trabeculae in the proximal cancellous bone and lamellae in the cortical bone. The body includes a proximal portion thereof and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a medial periphery and includes surface features on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body (32) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (24) of a long bone (12). The long bone defines trabeculae (60) in the proximal cancellous bone (22) and lamellae (71) in the cortical bone (65). The body includes a proximal portion (52) thereof and a distal portion (54). The proximal portion has a medial periphery (69) and includes surface features (64) on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, such as an acetabular cup, includes a shell, a liner and a bearing. The bearing may be coupled to the liner so as to form a bearing-liner subassembly. The shell is provided with a female taper complimentary to a male taper on the liner. The liner-bearing subassembly may be secured to the shell by engaging the complimentary tapers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a textured bone allograft for implantation in a patient, having one or more textured bone surfaces, and methods of making and using the textured bone graft. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced discrete, continuous, or a combination thereof, protrusions. The textured bone allograft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior column. Implantation of the textured bone allograft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength. The textured bone allograft does not shift, extrude or rotate, after implantation.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a body (32) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (24) of a long bone (12). The long bone defines trabeculae (60) in the proximal cancellous bone (22) and lamellae (71) in the cortical bone (65). The body includes a proximal portion (52) thereof and a distal portion (54). The proximal portion has a medial periphery (69) and includes surface features (64) on a substantial portion of its proximal portion. The surface features are positioned to optimally transfer load from the prosthesis to the long bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, such as an acetabular cup, includes a shell, a liner and a bearing. The bearing may be coupled to the liner so as to form a bearing-liner subassembly. The shell is provided with a female taper complimentary to a male taper on the liner. The liner-bearing subassembly may be secured to the shell by engaging the complimentary tapers.

Abstract: A variable position bone drilling guide apparatus for aiding a surgeon in preparing a bone site. The guide apparatus includes a template that is formed to include apertures therethrough and drill towers extending form the template in general alignment with the apertures. The first drill tower includes at least one drill passage therethrough and the second drill tower includes two drill passages therethrough. The duel passages in the second tower provide a surgeon with greater than one drill alignment option for a bone plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a bone for receiving a prosthetic implant (74) having a body portion (75) including a plurality of fins (78, 80, 82) arranged in a predetermined pattern and a stem portion (76). The apparatus comprises a cutter (12) for cutting fin tracks in the bone (70) to guide the plurality of fins (78, 80, 82) on the implant (74) as the implant (74) is installed into the bone (70). The apparatus also includes a rod (14) coupled to the cutter (12) for locating the cutter (12) relative to an intramedullary canal of the bone (70), and a drive rod (18) and head (20) coupled to the cutter (12) for driving the cutter (12) and rod (14) into the bone (70). The rod (14) is preferably removable from the cutter (12) to permit a rod having a different size to be selectively coupled to the cutter (12) depending upon the selected size of the stem (76) of the implant (74). The apparatus also includes a collar (16) slidably coupled to the cutter (12) in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly includes a single piece bearing component having an inner bearing surface for receiving a ball attached to a femoral prosthesis and an outer surface. The assembly also includes a shell component for attachment to an acetabulum to replace a natural hip socket includes an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the bearing component therein. The inner surface of the shell component is formed to include an arcuate groove therein. A formed wire is situated in the arcuate groove of the shell component. The wire is configured so that a portion of the wire extends radially inwardly from the arcuate groove of the shell component to engage an arcuate groove formed in the bearing component to retain the bearing component inside the shell component.

Abstract: A surgical retractor is disclosed for use when surgery is performed adjacent a bone and remains in place for an appropriate duration without requiring manual assistance. A barrier member includes a plurality of cannulated fixation posts for its temporary placement on, and attached to, the bone and a soft tissue engaging surface which extends transverse of a surface of the bone. Guides, including the cannulated fixation posts, slidably receive mounting pins which supplement the fixation posts for temporarily attaching the barrier member to the bone. The barrier member is also provided with bottom and top flanges which extend transversely of the soft tissue engaging surface and cooperate therewith to prevent entry of the soft tissue into an adjacent surgical site.

Abstract: An improved acetabular cup for use in cement fixation has at least one flat area on its generally hemispherical outer surface. The flat area resists rotation of the cup in the cement mantle after implantation while avoiding concentrations of stress in the mantle.