Abstract: A surgical implant for preventing withdrawal of a bone dowel graft from a facet joint, the apparatus including a plate having a posterior face and an anterior face, a passageway extending to and between the posterior face and the anterior face, an opening through the posterior face that is configured for detachably coupling to an inserter and one or more anti-migration projections extending outwardly from the anterior face. In use, the plate is placed over a bone dowel seated in a facet joint and coupled to the superior process and the inferior process by inserting a screw through the passageway into the inferior process.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a facet joint by providing a fixation member with a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section, forming a void having a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section within the facet joint and inserting the fixation member into the void. The void is formed by engaging a first drill guide with the facet joint having two drill guide paths and drilling two spaced-apart or slightly overlapping passageways within the face joint, followed by engaging a second drill guide with the facet joint and drilling a third passageway between the two other passageways. The fixation member includes a tapered, anti-migration section configured for engaging the opposing articular surfaces of the joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to methods of treating non-healing wounds. Specifically, the method includes injecting amnion fluid derived cells along the periphery of the wound. The wound is then treated with a placental membrane material including a plurality of slits for increasing the membranes capacity to expand. The slits produce a mesh-like pattern in the membrane material. The amniotic derived cells deliver to the wound electrolytes, growth factors, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, amino acids, lactate, pyruvate, enzymes, hormones and other factors useful in wound repair. The membrane material provides a scaffolding structure supporting cell growth, prevents microbial infection and decreases the rate of passive evaporative water and heat loss. The combination of the amniotic derived cells and the membrane material protects the wound and promotes cell regeneration.

Abstract: Implants for promoting bone growth and methods of using same, the implants including a perforated placental membrane sheet wrapped around an osteoconductive material composed of bone chips, bone granules, bone powders or combinations thereof, the osteoconductive material being configured for providing a scaffold upon which bone growth can occur. The placental membrane sheet acts to maintain the osteoconductive material in a cohesive, organized configuration within a site of a patient where bone growth is to be induced. The perforations in the placental membrane sheet create passageways in the exterior of the implant through which the osteoconductive material can communicate with adjacent bone surfaces which are to be fused.

Abstract: Implants for promoting bone growth and methods of using same, the implants including a perforated placental membrane sheet wrapped around an osteoconductive material composed of bone chips, bone granules, bone powders or combinations thereof, the osteoconductive material being configured for providing a scaffold upon which bone growth can occur. The placental membrane sheet acts to maintain the osteoconductive material in a cohesive, organized configuration within a site of a patient where bone growth is to be induced. The perforations in the placental membrane sheet create passageways in the exterior of the implant through which the osteoconductive material can communicate with adjacent bone surfaces which are to be fused.

Abstract: A placental membrane including a plurality of slits for increasing the membrane's capacity to expand. The slits are provided through the membrane and provided in sufficient numbers across the surfaces of the membrane to produce a mesh-like pattern in the membrane. The mesh-like pattern enables the placental membrane to be stretched and therefore increased in length and width. For ease of handling and storage, the expandable placental membrane is removably adhered to a backing, rolled into a cylinder and placed within a capped vial containing a solution of amniotic fluid cells for improving the effectiveness of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal facet joint and a surgical kit for use therein. The kit preferably comprises an allograft implant, a facet finder, a drill, a drill guide, and an implant inserter. The method preferably comprises the steps of locating the facet joint with a facet finer, sliding a drill guide over the facet finder until the drill guide engages the facet joint, removing the facet finder from within the drill guide, inserting a drill through the drill guide and drilling a socket within the facet joint to a predetermined depth, removing the drill from within the drill guide, securing an allograft implant within an implant inserter, inserting the implant inserter through the drill guide until the implant engages the socket, tapping the implant inserter to push the implant completely within the socket, removing the implant inserter from within the drill guide, and removing the drill guide.