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: Provided in one embodiment is a suture, comprising: a porous interior component comprising a volume of pores or interstices, the volume comprising a binding surface; and a first number of biological cells dispersed in the volume; wherein the first number of biological cells in the volume is greater than a threshold number representing a second number of the biological cells at 100% confluence on the binding surface.

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 intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion into the adjoining bone whose position is to be fixed relative to that of the tubular bone, a coupling element for fixing and locking the relative position of the nail and blade after their insertion, and a means for locating and positioning within the bones to-be-treated the nail and blade. Furthermore, the blade has a cross-sectional shape that is configured in consideration of the geometry of the bone into which the blade is to-be-placed and so as to enhance the ability of the blade to stabilize the bone, and these elements are configured so that they do not have to be decouple during the process of inserting the nail and blade.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a foot and ankle with a splint and an adjustable bladder. The method includes providing a device including a rigid splint that maintains a heel of the foot and at least one adjustable bladder provided underneath only a front of the foot; adjusting an inflation of the at least one bladder to a treatment inflation state; and maintaining a foot and ankle within the device for an extended period of time such that the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a dorsiflexion position or the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a position whereby plantarflexion is provided to the ankle.

Abstract: A plate includes a substantially rectilinear posterior tab and an anterior tab. The anterior tab includes a substantially rectilinear rear longitudinal part connected rigidly to the posterior tab such that they form between them a first angle of between about 90° and about 110° and a substantially rectilinear front longitudinal part which is inclined with respect to the substantially rectilinear rear longitudinal part such that they form between them a second angle which is between about 230° and about 250°. The second angle is at the same angular orientation as the first angle. The plate is thus shaped appropriately in relation to the calcaneus and can be placed in position in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the present invention for repairing an Achilles tendon that has completely or partially ruptured leaving a distal stump extending from a calcaneus and a proximal stump, the proximal stump having a proximal stump end, and the distal stump having a distal stump end, includes attaching a first suture to the distal stump, positioning an augmentation patch against an anterior portion of the Achilles tendon, attaching a second suture to the proximal stump and to the augmentation patch, apposing the proximal stump end and the distal stump end such that a gap between the proximal stump end and distal stump end is minimized or eliminated, joining the first suture with the second suture to secure the proximal stump to the distal stump, and attaching the augmentation patch to the calcaneus.

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: 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: An internal human prosthesis used in surgical procedures to treat flatfoot deformities, including pediatric, adult congenital, and adult acquired deformities. The internal prosthesis is inserted between the human talus and calcaneus bones. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis has a truncated conical shape along its long axis and a central bore through the center of its long axis. The base of the prosthesis includes a concave depression with a polygonal recess in its center.

Abstract: According to a first embodiment of our invention, a monitoring device is placed above, within, or on the bottom of a cast, boot, shoe, or other lower extremity immobilization or protective device, and has one or more single or cluster of pressure sensitive chambers designed to burst at a predetermined force or weight. The pressure sensitive chambers may be filled with air, liquid, semi-liquid, or particulate material. Once properly positioned, the device serves to detect and alert one or more individuals to the fact that weight-bearing has occurred and/or that a certain amount of force has been transmitted across the bottom or other portion of the cast, boot, shoe, mat, sock, insole, or lower extremity immobilization or protective device in a setting where such pressure could be deleterious or harmful (including situations where patients are recovering from a bony fracture, tendon injury, and recent lower extremity surgery).

Abstract: The intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion into the adjoining bone whose position is to be fixed relative to that of the tubular bone, a coupling element for fixing and locking the relative position of the nail and blade after their insertion, and a means for locating and positioning within the bones to-be-treated the nail and blade. Furthermore, the blade has a cross-sectional shape that is configured in consideration of the geometry of the bone into which the blade is to-be-placed and so as to enhance the ability of the blade to stabilize the bone, and these elements are configured so that they do not have to be decouple during the process of inserting the nail and blade.

Abstract: A device that can be inserted into footwear, or used as part of footwear that is designed to correct foot and ankle pathologies through user adjustable, strategically located fluid chamber or chambers.

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 surgical apparatus that makes possible the replacement of ankle tissue between the bottom of the tibia and the adjoining top of the talus bone comprises: (a) a base having primary and secondary anchoring holes that extend through the base and through which anchoring pins may be extended for anchoring withh the tibia, anchoring holes having adjoining and cooperating, threaded, set screw holes and set screws that cooperate to assist in fixing the position of the base relative to the anchoring pins and the tibia, (b) a surgical blade positioning shelf, the front surface of the shelf configured to approximate the curvature observable in the top portion of the talus and the rear surface of the shelf having attached to it a shaft which may slide in and out from an opening in the front surface of the base, and (c) indicia attached to the shaft which allows one to record the position of the front surface of the surgical blade positioning shelf relative to the base.

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 surgical apparatus that makes possible the replacement of ankle tissue between the bottom of the tibia and the adjoining top of the talus bone comprises: (a) a base having primary and secondary anchoring holes that extend through the base and through which anchoring pins may be extended for anchoring with the tibia, anchoring holes having adjoining and cooperating, threaded, set screw holes and set screws that cooperate to assist in fixing the position of the base relative to the anchoring pins and the tibia, (b) a surgical blade positioning shelf, the front surface of the shelf configured to approximate the curvature observable in the top portion of the talus and the rear surface of the shelf having attached to it a shaft which may slide in and out from an opening in the front surface of the base, and (c) indicia attached to the shaft which allows one to record the position of the front surface of the surgical blade positioning shelf relative to the base.

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: The intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion into the adjoining bone whose position is to be fixed relative to that of the tubular bone, a washer for use when the nail's design is such that its end section is not perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and a screw that passes through openings in the blade and washer and into a threaded bore in the nail so as to, when tightened, lock the screw, washer, blade and nail together so as to prevent relative movement between these elements.