Abstract: An orthopedic medical implant, implant part or surgical instrument includes a metallic body having a metal or a metal alloy. The metallic body includes a sub-surface that is a thermal diffused boron carbide layer, and the metallic body is void of an additive layer onto a surface of the metallic body.

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: Textiles and garments comprising shape memory materials are disclosed herein. Such garments can include intimate apparel.

Abstract: An intramedullary device includes a central bridge region having a first end and a second end. The intramedullary device also includes a bone engaging feature at both the first end and the second end. At least one of the bone engaging features includes a first barb and a second barb which, in an unbiased condition, flare outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the central bridge region and which are capable of being elastically constrained to a constrained condition such that the first end of the central bridge region may be advanced into a hole in a first bone fragment when the first barb and second barb are elastically constrained. The first barb and second barb are prevented from being withdrawn from the hole in the first bone fragment when the first barb and the second barb are not constrained. The intramedullary device i) is cannulated, ii) generates a compressive load, and iii) comprises nitinol.

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: A rigid fixation system and methods of treatment are disclosed herein to facilitate healing of diseased or damaged tissue by maintaining compression between bone fragments.

Abstract: A device promotes osseointegration between two adjacent vertebrae. The device includes a spacer fabric having a top layer, a bottom layer, and intermediate filler fibers connecting the top layer and the bottom layer. The spacer fabric is capable of expanding to fill a gap between two adjacent vertebrae.

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: This disclosure provides novel fixation devices which can be used with currently commercially available screws to increase their holding capacity (e.g., resistance to axial pull-out and shear).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to surgical fixation devices (e.g., staples, screws, etc.) which are 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 surgical fixations devices are manufactured from a shape memory material (e.g., a material capable of exhibiting superelasticity and/or a temperature-induced shape change).

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment, said apparatus comprising: a fusion device, said fusion device comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a first bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a first location, said first bone-engaging feature comprising at least one barb which, in its unbiased condition, flares outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and which is capable of being elastically constrained to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, such that said first end of said shaft may be advanced into a hole in the first bone fragment when said at least one barb is elastically constrained to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft but is prevented from being withdrawn from the hole in the first bone fragment when said at least one barb is in its unbiased condition; and a second bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a second location, said second bone-engaging feature c

Abstract: Apparatus for compression, comprising: a compression plate comprising first and second opposing regions connected together by an elastic bridge member, wherein the elastic bridge member has a non-linear configuration in its unbiased condition but is capable of being elastically deformed to a more linear configuration upon application of force to the elastic bridge member, and an opening formed in each of the first and second opposing regions, wherein the opening in each of the first and second opposing regions is configured to receive a fastener; such that the openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a first distance when the elastic bridge member is in its non-linear configuration, and openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a second distance when the elastic bridge member is in its more linear configuration, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

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: 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: 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: This disclosure provides a novel superelastic nickel-titanium (Nitinol or NiTi) splint/orthotic that maximizes the ability to slowly correct toe deformities by utilizing the viscoelastic properties of the bone. The superelastic Nitinol digital deformity orthotic is safe, can gradually correct digit curves, and ultimately results in better toe alignments compared to contemporary static splints or surgery.

Abstract: A compression screw comprising: a shaft capable of being stretched, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the shaft comprising a bone-engaging feature and the distal end of the shaft comprising a distal screw thread, and the proximal end of the shaft comprising a drive feature for turning the shaft; wherein inserting the compression screw into bone across a fracture line generates a force, and wherein the force generates a stress in the shaft that causes the shaft to stretch to less than its elastic limit; and wherein, after the shaft is inserted into a bone, the shaft attempts to foreshorten to its original un-stretched condition, thereby generating and maintaining compression across the fracture line.

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 providing compression within a body, the apparatus comprising: a compression plate comprising first and second opposing regions connected together by at least one elastic bridge member, wherein the at least one elastic bridge member has a non-linear configuration when it is in its unbiased condition but is capable of being elastically deformed to a more linear configuration upon the application of force to the at least one elastic bridge member, and at least one opening formed in each of the first and second opposing regions, wherein the at least one opening in each of the first and second opposing regions is configured to receive a fastener; such that the openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a first distance when the at least one elastic bridge member is in its non-linear configuration, and openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a second distance when the at least one elastic bridge member is in its more linear configuration, and further