Abstract: A bone fusion system including a collection vessel, an abrading and harvesting device, tubing and a probe. The abrading and harvesting device includes a needle portion and a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. The tubing is operably connecting the collection vessel and the abrading and harvesting device. The probe has a threaded portion and a tip portion at a distal end of the threaded portion. The threaded portion has a thread on an outer surface thereof. The tip portion is unsharpened and does not have a thread on an outer surface thereof. The probe is extendible through the central bore.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing piston, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing piston has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing piston has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing piston has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing piston, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing piston includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing piston. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing piston is movable in the processing vessel recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A scoliosis support rod system for treating scoliosis in a spine having a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The scoliosis support rod system includes a central rod segment, a first end rod segment, a first bone anchor and a second bone anchor. The central rod segment has a first end and a second end. The central rod segment is deformable in response to a force placed thereon. The central rod segment returns to an initial configuration when the force is discontinued. The first end rod segment has a first aperture formed therein. The first aperture is adapted to slidably receive the first end of the central rod segment. The first bone anchor is attachable to the first end rod segment. The first bone anchor is attachable to the first vertebra. The second bone anchor is attachable to the central rod segment. The second bone anchor is attachable to the second vertebra.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing an orthopedic procedure in the sacroiliac region are disclosed. In one form, an aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted into the aperture. The undercutting system may include an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly, and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The probe assembly is manipulated within a joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the probe assembly is in the extended position. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The cutting assembly is manipulated within the joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the cutting assembly is in the extended position to form a fusion region.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing cover, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing cover includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing cover. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing cover is movable in the processing cover recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a region between adjacent bones for fusion. A first aperture is formed that extends through one of the bones. An undercutting system is inserted into the first aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. A first path is cut between the adjacent bones by extending or retracting the cutting assembly with respect to the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A method of fusing a first bone and a second bone. An abrading and harvesting device is provided that includes a needle portion having a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. A probe is provided having an unsharpened tip portion. The probe is extended between the first bone and the second bone. The needle portion is extended over the probe by passing the proximal end of the probe through the central bore. The first bone and the second bone are abraded with the sharpened tip to cause bleeding bone to be exposed on the first bone and the second bone. A device is placed along a path formed by the needle portion between the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: A bone fusion system including a collection vessel, an abrading and harvesting device, tubing and a probe. The abrading and harvesting device includes a needle portion and a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. The tubing is operably connecting the collection vessel and the abrading and harvesting device. The probe has a threaded portion and a tip portion at a distal end of the threaded portion. The threaded portion has a thread on an outer surface thereof. The tip portion is unsharpened and does not have a thread on an outer surface thereof. The probe is extendible through the central bore.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing cover, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing cover has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing cover has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing cover has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating soft tissue conditions. A harvesting device is provided. The harvesting device is operably connected to a tissue processing device using tubing. An aperture is formed in a bone. The bone has an interior. The harvesting device is inserted through the aperture in the bone and into the interior of the bone. The harvesting device is manipulated to dissociate connective tissue progenitor cells in the interior of the bone. Tissue is aspirated from the interior of the bone. The connective tissue progenitor cells are separated from the aspirated tissue. The separated connective tissue progenitor cells are injected in a region of a body that is experiencing a soft tissue condition to treat the soft tissue condition.

Abstract: A bone fragment and osteomedullary tissue harvesting system that includes a harvesting device, a collection vessel and tubing. The harvesting device includes a needle portion and a handle portion. The needle portion that has a needle bore that extends through at least part of the needle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the needle portion. The handle portion includes a connection port and a vacuum control mechanism that are in communication with a handle bore that extends through the handle portion. The needle bore is in communication with the handle bore. The vacuum control mechanism includes a vacuum aperture that extends through a surface of the handle portion and is in communication with the handle bore. The collection vessel is capable of receiving aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The tubing operably connects the connection port and the collection vessel.

Abstract: A bone graft preparation and delivery system including a main body shaft, a bone graft matrix, a first end cap, a second end cap and a plunger. The main body shaft has a first end and a second end. The main body shaft has a main body shaft bore that extends between the first end and the second end. The bone graft matrix is placed in the main bore shaft. The first end cap is attachable to the first end. The second end cap is attachable to the second end. The bone graft preparation and delivery system is operable in a bone graft preparation configuration and a bone graft delivery configuration. When the bone graft preparation and delivery system is in the bone graft preparation configuration, the first end cap and the second end cap are attached to the main body shaft. When the bone graft preparation and delivery system is in the bone graft delivery configuration, the plunger is extendable through the main body shaft bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing an orthopedic procedure in the sacroiliac region are disclosed. In one form, an aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted into the aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The probe assembly is manipulated within a joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the probe assembly is in the extended position. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The cutting assembly is manipulated within the joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the cutting assembly is in the extended position to form a fusion region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing an orthopedic procedure in the sacroiliac region are disclosed. In one form, an aperture is formed that at least partially extends through at least one of an ilium and a sacrum. An undercutting system is inserted into the aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus, a probe assembly and a cutting assembly. The probe assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The probe assembly is manipulated within a joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the probe assembly is in the extended position. The cutting assembly is moved with respect to the insertion apparatus from a retracted position to an extended position. The cutting assembly is manipulated within the joint between the ilium and the sacrum while the cutting assembly is in the extended position to form a fusion region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a region between adjacent bones for fusion. A first aperture is formed that extends through one of the bones. An undercutting system is inserted into the first aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. A first path is cut between the adjacent bones by extending or retracting the cutting assembly with respect to the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A method of fusing a first bone and a second bone. An abrading and harvesting device is provided that includes a needle portion having a sharpened tip. The needle portion has a central bore extending therethrough. The needle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The sharpened tip is attached to the distal end of the needle portion. A probe is provided having an unsharpened tip portion. The probe is extended between the first bone and the second bone. The needle portion is extended over the probe by passing the proximal end of the probe through the central bore. The first bone and the second bone are abraded with the sharpened tip to cause bleeding bone to be exposed on the first bone and the second bone. A device is placed along a path formed by the needle portion between the first bone and the second bone.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing cover, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing cover includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing cover. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing cover is movable in the processing cover recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a region between adjacent bones for fusion. A first aperture is formed that extends through one of the bones. An undercutting system is inserted into the first aperture. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. A first path is cut between the adjacent bones by extending or retracting the cutting assembly with respect to the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A method of recovering progenitor cells from bone marrow aspirate. A bone void filler preparation container is provided. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet port and an outlet port. A bone graft matrix having a particle size of between about 1,000 ?m and about 2,000 ?m is placed in the bone void filler preparation container. A bone marrow aspirate is passed through the bone void filler preparation container. Progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container. Greater than about 83 percent of the progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container.