Abstract: A mechanism to connect the supporting portions of orthopaedic implants such as in the head, spine, upper limb and lower limb and thereby prevent loosening and fretting at the implant interface of an orthopaedic implant construct has been developed based on shape memory effect and super-elasticity of shape memory materials such as nickel-titanium (nitinol or NiTi) shape-memory-alloy, without the use of typical threaded fastening technique. Advantages are conferred by making the entire device, not just connecting pieces, out of shape memory alloy and having shape memory effect and super-elasticity. Heating the memory head of the device will compress the connection portion without the use of an auxiliary device (e.g. coupling member) so that the connection portion can be completely clamped down by the memory head.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a bone treatment device, which allows for reinforced security at the bone interface and/or for delivery of a bone treatment material into a bone portion. The bone treatment device can have a shaft member with first and second end portions. A delivery channel can be formed in the shaft member to assist administering a bone treatment material to a predetermined bone portion or tissue. The delivery channel can have a chamber formed in the shaft member and extending from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The delivery channel can also have one or more port members formed on the shaft member and communicating with the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a coded surgical suture, which is capable of affording a visual identification effect for determining the direction or end portions of the surgical suture. The surgical suture can have an elongated body member having first and second end portions. A coding member can be provided on one of the two end portions of the body member to afford a visual identification effect. In an exemplary embodiment, the coding member can have a color element. The present invention can also provide a coding system for identifying the direction or the end portions of a surgical suture or for distinguishing between different surgical sutures.