Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella trial and drill guide that may be used to both perform a surgical trial of the patellofemoral joint and guide the surgeon in drilling a number of anchor holes in the patella of the patient.

Abstract: A method of metallizing a ceramic substrate includes depositing a barrier layer onto the substrate, depositing a tie layer onto the barrier layer, and depositing a metal layer onto the tie layer to metallize the substrate. The barrier layer may include an oxygen rich material, a nitrogen rich material, or a carbon rich material.

Abstract: Implantable devices formed of materials which are not readily imageable, and which may shift from a delivery configuration to a deployment configuration upon deployment, are delivered and deployed with a deployment/delivery device having sensors generating a signal indicating contact of the delivery/deployment device with tissue to guarantee purchase of the implantable device with tissue upon deployment. The implantable device may be a tissue anchor with talons which shift from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. The sensors may be positioned along a distal end of the delivery/deployment device to indicate purchase of the device with tissue, to ensure purchase of the talons with tissue upon deployment. The sensors may include at least three sensors, which may be spaced apart from one another, to indicate full contact of the distal end of the delivery/deployment device with tissue. The sensors may optionally be aligned with the talons.

Abstract: Implantable devices formed of materials which are not readily imageable are delivered and deployed with a deployment/delivery device having one or more sensors generating a signal indicating a condition of the implantable device relative to the deployment site. For instance, the signal indicates at least one or more of the following: purchase of the implantable device with tissue, level of purchase of the implantable device with tissue, the position of the implantable device relative to the deployment site, seating of tissue with respect to the implantable device, extent of contact of the implantable device with tissue, or further information about the implantable device and/or the delivery/deployment device. As such, the implantable device need not be imaged to determine the relationship of the implantable device relative to the deployment site.

Abstract: A method of forming an energy delivery portion of a medical device includes contacting a distal portion of an electrode shaft with an insulating material, and heating the insulating material to couple the insulating material to the distal portion of the electrode shaft to form an insulation tip. The distal portion of the electrode shaft includes one or more surface contours to entrain the insulating material.

Abstract: A medical device includes an electrode shaft and a tip. The electrode shaft is configured to deliver energy to a target site and includes an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The tip is coupled to a distal tip of the electrode shaft. The tip includes an inner portion of conductive material and an exterior layer of insulative material. The tip includes a tip lumen fluidly connected to the electrode shaft lumen and configured to deliver fluid to the target site.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical surgical tip that includes a conductive and low-profile cutting surface to provide high current density radiofrequency energy with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissues. For example, an electrosurgical tip of the present disclosure may include a ring of conductive material sputter-coated around a distal opening of a non-conductive base component and a strip of conductive material sputter-coated along a longitudinal axis of the non-conductive base component.

Abstract: An electrode for cardiac signal sensing includes an intermediate layer, an iridium-containing layer, an iridium oxide layer, an insulating polymer layer, and a conductive layer formed on a flexible polymer substrate. The intermediate metal layer has a first portion and a second portion, and is formed on the conductive layer. The iridium-containing layer includes at least 50 wt. % iridium and has a first portion and a second portion, and is formed on the first portion of the intermediate metal layer. The iridium oxide layer is formed on the first portion of the iridium-containing layer. The insulating polymer layer is formed on the second portion of the intermediate metal layer and the second portion of the iridium-containing layer. The iridium-containing layer is not formed on the second portion of the intermediate metal layer; and the iridium oxide layer is not formed on the second portion of the iridium-containing layer.

Abstract: An implantable leadless pacing device may comprise a power source and circuitry operatively coupled to the power source. The circuitry configured to pace a patient's heart and/or sense electrical activity of the patient's heart. A housing may at least partially enclose the circuitry. The pacing device may further include a first electrode secured relative to the housing and a fixation mechanism secured relative to the housing. The fixation mechanism may comprise a plurality of tines configured to move between an elongated delivery configuration and a curved deployed configuration. Each tine of the plurality of tines may include a radiopaque material.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrode for use with an implantable medical device, the electrode including a titanium surface, the method including: maintaining a nitrogen gas environment proximate to the titanium surface, delivering energy to a portion of the titanium surface, modifying the portion of the titanium surface with the energy delivered to the titanium surface, and forming titanium nitride by reacting titanium at the portion of the titanium surface with nitrogen from the nitrogen gas environment. Modifying includes increasing a surface area of the portion of the titanium surface, and removing titanium from the portion of the titanium surface. The titanium nitride is formed at the portion of the titanium surface where titanium has been removed.

Abstract: An implantable leadless pacing device may comprise a power source and circuitry operatively coupled to the power source. The circuitry configured to pace a patient's heart and/or sense electrical activity of the patient's heart. A housing may at least partially enclose the circuitry. The pacing device may further include a first electrode secured relative to the housing and a fixation mechanism secured relative to the housing. The fixation mechanism may comprise a plurality of tines configured to move between an elongated delivery configuration and a curved deployed configuration. Each tine of the plurality of tines may include a radiopaque material.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrode for use with an implantable medical device, the electrode including a titanium surface, the method including: maintaining a nitrogen gas environment proximate to the titanium surface, delivering energy to a portion of the titanium surface, modifying the portion of the titanium surface with the energy delivered to the titanium surface, and forming titanium nitride by reacting titanium at the portion of the titanium surface with nitrogen from the nitrogen gas environment. Modifying includes increasing a surface area of the portion of the titanium surface, and removing titanium from the portion of the titanium surface. The titanium nitride is formed at the portion of the titanium surface where titanium has been removed.

Abstract: An electrode for use with an implantable medical device includes a titanium surface, and a titanium nitride layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium surface. At least some titanium of the portion of the titanium surface is removed from the titanium surface prior to forming the titanium nitride layer. The textured titanium nitride layer is formed by reacting nitrogen proximate to the portion of the titanium surface with titanium at the portion of the titanium surface.

Abstract: An electrode for cardiac signal sensing includes an intermediate layer, an iridium-containing layer, an iridium oxide layer, an insulating polymer layer, and a conductive layer formed on a flexible polymer substrate. The intermediate metal layer has a first portion and a second portion, and is formed on the conductive layer. The iridium-containing layer includes at least 50 wt. % iridium and has a first portion and a second portion, and is formed on the first portion of the intermediate metal layer. The iridium oxide layer is formed on the first portion of the iridium-containing layer. The insulating polymer layer is formed on the second portion of the intermediate metal layer and the second portion of the iridium-containing layer. The iridium-containing layer is not formed on the second portion of the intermediate metal layer; and the iridium oxide layer is not formed on the second portion of the iridium-containing layer.

Abstract: An electrode for use with an implantable medical device includes a titanium surface, and a titanium nitride layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium surface. At least some titanium of the portion of the titanium surface is removed from the titanium surface prior to forming the titanium nitride layer. The textured titanium nitride layer is formed by reacting nitrogen proximate to the portion of the titanium surface with titanium at the portion of the titanium surface.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including a coating and associated method are disclosed. The implantable medical device can include a metallic housing. An adhesion layer formed on at least a portion of the metallic housing. A titanium nitride base layer formed on at least a portion of the adhesion layer. An intermediate layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium nitride base layer, and a titanium nitride top layer formed on at least a portion of the intermediate layer.