Abstract: This disclosure describes exemplary screw and intramedullary devices that are better able to bring bone fragments into close proximity with each other, generate a compressive load, and maintain that compressive load for a prolonged period of time while healing occurs. The devices are made of a shape memory material.

Abstract: Arthrodesis devices and arthrodesis procedures are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an arthrodesis device includes a shape memory material connecting member attached to two points of fixation.

Abstract: Arthrodesis devices and arthrodesis procedures are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an arthrodesis device includes a shape memory material connecting member attached to two points of fixation.

Abstract: Staple delivery devices are disclosed herein that include a plunger that translate to engage an elastic bridge of a staple to pivot legs of the staple outwardly to a strained state. Two or more pins retain the staple to the delivery device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes exemplary screw and intramedullary devices that are better able to bring bone fragments into close proximity with each other, generate a compressive load, and maintain that compressive load for a prolonged period of time while healing occurs. The devices are made of a shape memory material.

Abstract: Body armor comprising a projectile-resistant outer layer and an energy-absorbing inner layer, wherein the energy-absorbing inner layer comprises a superelastic three dimensional construct.

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel devices for controlling the unloading stress and recoverable strain of Nitinol devices and/or other shape memory material devices. The devices may be used to bring bone fragments into close proximity with each other, generate a compressive load between the bone fragments, and maintain that compressive load between the bone fragments while healing occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: A method of increasing a pullout force of a threaded fastener in osteoporotic bone includes drilling a hole in the bone. The spacer fabric is impregnated with a bone growth agent. A tube of the spacer fabric is sized to the hole in the bone. The tube of the spacer fabric is inserted in the hole of the bone. The spacer fabric is made from Nitinol wire. A threaded fastener is inserted into a central lumen of the tube of the spacer fabric to provide a rigid structure. The bone is grown into the spacer fabric.

Abstract: A device includes a bone cement or a biomaterial and a mesh structure impregnated with the bone cement or the biomaterial. The mesh structure reinforces the bone cement or the biomaterial and reinforces the material's fatigue properties. The mesh structure may be made of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A suture filament is suitable for use as a suture or a ligature. The suture filament includes a cover formed of a plurality of braided fibers of polyester, and/or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and/or a plurality of shape memory alloy filaments. The suture filament includes a core of shape memory alloy that is surrounded by the cover.

Abstract: In one example, a method for providing therapy to a patient includes inserting a medical implant into the patient, where the medical implant comprises a titanium substrate metallurgically bonded to a dynamic porous material comprising a shape memory alloy. The dynamic porous material conforms to an adjacent bone to create an interference fit between the medical implant and the adjacent bone.

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: A compression screw system, said compression screw system comprising: a compression screw comprising a shaft, a screw thread formed on said shaft at a distal location, and a bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a proximal location, wherein at least a portion of said shaft disposed between said screw thread and said bone-engaging feature is capable of being stretched; and a holding element connectable to said compression screw for releasably holding said at least a portion of said shaft in a stretched condition.

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: A delivery device delivers a compression plate to a fracture line in a bone. The delivery device includes a body that retains the compression plate in a strained condition, the body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a first beam. The delivery device also includes a cover plate attached to and moveable relative to the body, the cover plate including a second beam. A space is defined between the first beam and the second beam that receives the compression plate. The delivery device also includes a compression clip that retains the compression plate in the space.