Abstract: An orthopaedic implant system includes an orthopaedic implant having a plurality of fixation openings and a plug opening defining a plug opening diameter that is greater than a diameter of any of the fixation openings. The plurality of fixation openings include at least one first fixation opening configured to accept a fixation element inserted in a first bone and at least one second fixation opening configured to accept a fixation element inserted in a second bone. The plug opening is configured to accept a plug inserted in a joint space between the first bone and the second bone to cause compression distraction of the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: A talonavicular joint prosthesis includes a navicular component configured to be implanted in a navicular bone and including a base and a surface having an articulation recess formed therein; and a talar component configured to be implanted in a talus bone and including a bearing section configured to rest within the articulation recess. The talar component and the navicular component are shaped such that, when brought together, there is more conformity between the navicular component and the talar component in a dorsal-plantar plane than in a medial-lateral plane.

Abstract: Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.

Abstract: Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.

Abstract: The combination of a driver and fastener that allows a user to insert and remove the fastener by applying larger than normal torque loads to it includes: (a) a fastener with a proximal end handle and a distal end head configured to provide a standard indentation and an additional recess that provides additional surface area that allows larger torque loads to be applied to the fastener, (b) a main driver with a shaft having a central bore, a handle at its proximal end and a head at its distal end configured to allow it to be temporarily inserted into the fastener's head, and (c) an awl driver having an awl shaft with an awl handle affixed to its distal end and its proximal end including a tip configured to allow it to pass through the main driver's bore and be brought into contact with the fastener's head where it is used to cut into the fastener cannula so as to temporarily adhere the awl driver to the fastener.

Abstract: A subtalar joint prosthesis that is adapted to replace the natural subtalar joint that exists between a patient's talus and calcaneus bones includes talar and calcaneal components. Each of these is configured to have a shape that is herein defined as being a portion of the boundary surface of a frustum. Meanwhile, these components' inner surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each components's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection for the implantation of these components.

Abstract: A intramedullary fixation device for use in fixating, after an osteotomy or fracture, segments of a long, tubular bone that has been prepared for the use with the device by cutting into the bone a longitudinal-axis-aligned slot that extends from the free surface to the medullary cavity of the bone, includes: (a) an intramedullary beam whose beam cross-sectional shape varies along the beam's longitudinal axis, (b) a fin whose fin cross-sectional shape varies along the fin's longitudinal axis and a portion of which is attached to the beam surface, (c) wherein the area of any beam cross-sectional section is set so that it can be located in the bone's medullary cavity, and (e) wherein the area of any fin cross section is set so that it can be accommodated in the slot that is cut into the bone.

Abstract: A talonavicular joint prosthesis (1) adapted to replace the natural talonavicular joint that exists between a patient's talus and navicular bones, after appropriate surgical preparation of the joint-related portions of these bones so as to create a new joint space to accommodate this prosthesis, includes talar (2) and navicular (4) components. Each of these have inner (8, 28) and outer (6, 26) surfaces whose average separate distance is defined as the component's average thickness. These components inner (8, 28) surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each component's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection in the creation of the new prosthesis-accommodating, joint space.

Abstract: Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel drug delivery assembly having particular applicability to the field of orthopedic and surgical medicine. The devices and assemblies described herein enable the efficient application and retention of potentially expensive therapeutic materials to very specific locations, particularly those associated with voids in bone and tissue. One particularly unique aspect of the present invention involves the introduction of constructs which promote the retention of therapeutic material in the target area of application for beneficial use, for example by forming a proximal barrier that prevents leakage of the therapeutic material out of the target area. Additionally, the present invention provides unique devices and methods for surgical introduction of such constructs.

Abstract: The ankle joint prosthesis adapted to involve the patient's distal tibia and talus has, according to the present invention, tibial, talar and mobile or semi-constrained bearing components that are laterally to medially implanted in the patient. The tibial component's top surface has convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the distal tibia; its bottom surface being approximately flat. The talar component's top surface has saddle-shaped, convex curvature in its anterior to posterior plane, it's bottom surface has concave curvature and is configured so as to approximate and match with the curvature of a prepared portion of the talus. The mobile or semi-constrained bearing components have embodiments that comprise a wide variety of geometric shapes. A method for implanting such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A intramedullary fixation device for use in fixating, after an osteotomy or fracture, segments of a long, tubular bone that has been prepared for the use with the device by cutting into the bone a longitudinal-axis-aligned slot that extends from the free surface to the medullary cavity of the bone, includes: (a) an intramedullary beam whose beam cross-sectional shape varies along the beam's longitudinal axis, (b) a fin whose fin cross-sectional shape varies along the fin's longitudinal axis and a portion of which is attached to the beam surface, (c) wherein the area of any beam cross-sectional section is set so that it can be located in the bone's medullary cavity, and (e) wherein the area of any fin cross section is set so that it can be accommodated in the

Abstract: The combination of a driver and fastener that allows a user to insert and remove the fastener by applying larger than normal torque loads to it includes: (a) a fastener with a proximal end handle and a distal end head configured to provide a standard indentation and an additional recess that provides additional surface area that allows larger torque loads to be applied to the fastener, (b) a main driver with a shaft having a central bore, a handle at its proximal end and a head at its distal end configured to allow it to be temporarily inserted into the fastener's head, and (c) an awl driver having an awl shaft with an awl handle affixed to its distal end and its proximal end including a tip configured to allow it to pass through the main driver's bore and be brought into contact with the fastener's head where it is used to cut into the fastener cannula so as to temporarily adhere the awl driver to the fastener.

Abstract: Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.

Abstract: A subtalar joint prosthesis that is adapted to replace the natural subtalar joint that exists between a patient's talus and calcaneus bones includes talar and calcaneal components. Each of these is configured to have a shape that is herein defined as being a portion of the boundary surface of a frustum. Meanwhile, these components' inner surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each components's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection for the implantation of these components.

Abstract: A protective member having a substantially flat base portion, and a substantially cup-shaped member extending from a forward end of the base portion. The base portion is attachable to a shoe, such that the cup-shaped member substantially encapsulates and protects a forefoot and toe region. Further, at least one opening is provided in a forward portion of the cup-shaped member to allow access to the forefoot and toe region. The cup-shaped member is further defined by an anterior portion extending upward from the base portion, a dorsal extension portion extending from an upper end of the anterior portion, where the dorsal extension portion provided to substantially cover a top portion of the forefoot and toe region, and at least one lateral extension portion extending from a side end of the anterior portion, where the at least one lateral extension portion provided to substantially cover a lateral portion of said forefoot and toe region.

Abstract: A talonavicular joint prosthesis (1) adapted to replace the natural talonavicular joint that exists between a patient's talus and navicular bones, after appropriate surgical preparation of the joint-related portions of these bones so as to create a new joint space to accommodate this prosthesis, includes talar (2) and navicular (4) components. Each of these have inner (8, 28) and outer (6, 26) surfaces whose average separate distance is defined as the component's average thickness. These components inner (8, 28) surfaces are configured to: (a) generally follow the anatomic contour of the original joint surface to which each component is to be attached, and (b) minimize each component's average thickness, consistent with providing sufficient strength and rigidity for the components, so as to require minimum bone resection in the creation of the new prosthesis-accommodating, joint space.

Abstract: Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.

Abstract: Devices and methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided for treating patients suffering from tendon dysfunction. Certain exemplary brace embodiments contain strapping systems and inflatable cells that are adapted to support the forefoot of the patient.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel drug delivery assembly having particular applicability to the field of orthopedic and surgical medicine. The devices and assemblies described herein enable the efficient application and retention of potentially expensive therapeutic materials to very specific locations, particularly those associated with voids in bone and tissue. One particularly unique aspect of the present invention involves the introduction of constructs which promote the retention of therapeutic material in the target area of application for beneficial use, for example by forming a proximal barrier that prevents leakage of the therapeutic material out of the target area. Additionally, the present invention provides unique devices and methods for surgical introduction of such constructs.