Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of rapid manufacturing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials (collectively, “implants”) outfitted with kinematic sensors to provide feedback regarding the kinematics of the trial or implant to discern which implant is preferable, and thereafter rapid manufacturing the implant.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: The use of biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials to provide temporary stability after a surgical joint procedure is provided. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable cam and/or post linings mounted to respective knee prosthesis components. Such linings are reabsorbed after a time sufficient for patient tissue formation to provide permanent stability. Likewise, the invention has application in any joint reconstruction where the integrity of the stabilizing tissue has been compromised by injury or as a result of the surgical procedure itself. Further aspects of the present invention include using biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials loaded with agents that may promote tissue formation, fight infection, and promote clotting. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of biologically reabsorbable snaps or other fasteners to attach a lining to the femoral component and/or the tibial component.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a joint condition includes in one embodiment: creating a 3d model of the patient specific bone; registering the patient's bone with the bone model; tracking the motion of the patient specific bone through a range of motion; selecting a database including empirical mathematical descriptions of the motion of a plurality actual bones through ranges of motion; and comparing the motion of the patient specific bone to the database.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: A prosthetic constraining device for use with a hip replacement prosthesis that includes an acetabular cup assembly adapted to be bonded to a patient's pelvis and a femoral stem adapted to be bonded to the patient's femur, where the femoral stem includes a ball component at its proximal end received within the acetabular cup assembly to form a ball joint type coupling, and where the constraining device includes a ring having a central aperture, where the ring is adapted to be mounted to a rim of the acetabular cup assembly so that the femoral stem passes through the central aperture, where the diameter of the central aperture is less than the diameter of the ball component on the proximal end of the femoral stem so that the ring assists in maintaining the ball joint type coupling between the acetabular cup assembly and the femoral stem, and where the ring comprises a biologic material, a biologically reabsorbable material and a combination of biologic, or biologically reabsorbable materials.

Abstract: An instrumented joint trial has a polymer layer defining a curved contoured articulating surface. A curved contoured sensor array is positioned below the polymer layer. Other components of the joint trial, such as a body with a proximal curved contoured surface, are positioned below the sensor array. The device can be made by forming a sheet of the polymer over the curved contoured surface of the joint trial body and then adhering the sensor array to one curved contoured surface of the formed polymer. The sensor array conforms to the shape of the formed polymer layer. The system includes a mating joint trial. The device may be used by temporarily attaching the joint trial to a resected portion of bone and then articulating the joint with the instrumented trial in place.

Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Abstract: The use of biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials to provide temporary stability after a surgical joint procedure is provided. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable cam and/or post linings mounted to respective knee prosthesis components. Such linings are reabsorbed after a time sufficient for patient tissue formation to provide permanent stability. Likewise, the invention has application in any joint reconstruction where the integrity of the stabilizing tissue has been compromised by injury or as a result of the surgical procedure itself. Further aspects of the present invention include using biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials loaded with agents that may promote tissue formation, fight infection, and promote clotting. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of biologically reabsorbable snaps or other fasteners to attach a lining to the femoral component and/or the tibial component.

Abstract: A prosthetic constraining device for use with a hip replacement prosthesis that includes an acetabular cup assembly adapted to be bonded to a patient's pelvis and a femoral stem adapted to be bonded to the patient's femur, where the femoral stem includes a ball component at its proximal end received within the acetabular cup assembly to form a ball joint type coupling, and where the constraining device includes a ring having a central aperture, where the ring is adapted to be mounted to a rim of the acetabular cup assembly so that the femoral stem passes through the central aperture, where the diameter of the central aperture is less than the diameter of the ball component on the proximal end of the femoral stem so that the ring assists in maintaining the ball joint type coupling between the acetabular cup assembly and the femoral stem, and where the ring comprises a biologic material, a biologically reabsorbable material and a combination of biologic, or biologically reabsorbable materials.

Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Abstract: The use of biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials to provide temporary stability after a surgical joint procedure is provided. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable cam and/or post linings mounted to respective knee prosthesis components. Such linings are reabsorbed after a time sufficient for patient tissue formation to provide permanent stability. Likewise, the invention has application in any joint reconstruction where the integrity of the stabilizing tissue has been compromised by injury or as a result of the surgical procedure itself. Further aspects of the present invention include using biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials loaded with agents that may promote tissue formation, fight infection, and promote clotting. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of biologically reabsorbable snaps or other fasteners to attach a lining to the femoral component and/or the tibial component.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention make use of semiannular stabilizing augments adapted to be mounted about the acetabular cup assembly of the prosthetic hip joint to provide constraint for the joint and to concurrently provide a range of motion desired by patients after surgery, but with the additional benefit of doing so without substantially increasing the risks of dislocation. At least one exemplary embodiment utilizes a semiannular augment formed from biologically reabsorbable material to temporarily constrain the prosthetic ball within the prosthetic acetabular cup. In such an embodiment, it is desired that the biologically reabsorbable material degrades in general proportion to the level of tissue developed by the patient's own body to supplement constraint of the hip joint. Thus, the artificial constraining augments may degrade inversely proportional to the patient's need for inhibition.

Abstract: An instrumented joint trial has a polymer layer defining a curved contoured articulating surface. A curved contoured sensor array is positioned below the polymer layer. Other components of the joint trial, such as a body with a proximal curved contoured surface, are positioned below the sensor array. The device can be made by forming a sheet of the polymer over the curved contoured surface of the joint trial body and then adhering the sensor array to one curved contoured surface of the formed polymer. The sensor array conforms to the shape of the formed polymer layer. The system includes a mating joint trial. The device may be used by temporarily attaching the joint trial to a resected portion of bone and then articulating the joint with the instrumented trial in place.

Abstract: A prosthetic constraining device for use with a hip replacement prosthesis that includes an acetabular cup assembly adapted to be bonded to a patient's pelvis and a femoral stem adapted to be bonded to the patient's femur, where the femoral stem includes a ball component at its proximal end received within the acetabular cup assembly to form a ball joint type coupling, and where the constraining device includes a ring having a central aperture, where the ring is adapted to be mounted to a rim of the acetabular cup assembly so that the femoral stem passes through the central aperture, where the diameter of the central aperture is less than the diameter of the ball component on the proximal end of the femoral stem so that the ring assists in maintaining the ball joint type coupling between the acetabular cup assembly and the femoral stem, and where the ring comprises a biologic material, a biologically reabsorbable material and a combination of biologic, or biologically reabsorbable materials.