Abstract: Effective methods of treating back pain from an intervertebral disc are provided. The methods of treatment include administering an immediate release analgesic at or near the intervertebral disc; administering a bulking agent or sealing agent within the intervertebral disc; and administering a sustained release analgesic within the intervertebral disc, wherein the sustained release analgesic releases the analgesic over a period of at least one day.

Abstract: An instrument set is provided that has a tapered configuration that facilitates the insertion of the instrument set into a patient.

Abstract: In one preferred aspect, a method is provided for inserting an instrument set having a tapered configuration into a patient. In another preferred aspect, a method is provided for inserting a cannula having an external threaded portion into bone. In yet another preferred aspect, a method is provided for forming and enlarging an opening in bone.

Abstract: In one preferred aspect, a method is provided for forming an opening in bone for the sequential dilation of tissue.

Abstract: In one preferred aspect, a method is provided for inserting an instrument set having a tapered configuration into a patient. In another preferred aspect, a method is provided for inserting a cannula having an external threaded portion into bone. In yet another preferred aspect, a method is provided for forming and enlarging an opening in bone.

Abstract: An instrument set is provided that has a tapered configuration that facilitates the insertion of the instrument set into a patient.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a needle system configured to enlarge an access path in a patient without further cutting into the tissue of the patient so as to reduce recovery time and trauma to the patient. Also provided are methods of using the needle system provided.

Abstract: In one preferred aspect, a method is provided for forming an opening in bone for the sequential dilation of tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing ingrowth of host bone comprising: modifying a bone graft structure to provide an ionic gradient to produce a modified bone graft structure; and implanting the modified bone graft structure. The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing the binding of growth factors and cell cultures to a bone graft structure comprising: applying ex vivo an effective quantity of an ionic force change agent to the surface of a bone graft structure to produce a binding-sensitized bone graft structure; implanting the binding-sensitized bone graft structure into a host bone; and administering to the binding-sensitized bone graft structure a molecule, a cell culture or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A multiple component cartridge includes a barrel defining a chamber and a longitudinal axis. A first plunger is disposed within the chamber and in sealing engagement with the barrel. The first plunger includes at least one member and is movable relative to the barrel such that the at least one member is configured for movement relative to the first plunger to facilitate passage of at least a first component through the first plunger. A second plunger is disposed within the chamber and in sealing engagement with the barrel. The second plunger includes at least one member and is movable relative to the barrel such that the at least one member of the second plunger is configured for movement relative to the second plunger to facilitate passage of at least a second component through the second plunger.

Abstract: Drug depot delivery devices and methods are provided for delivering one or more drug depots to one or more sites beneath the skin of a patient with or without repositioning the cannula. The device has a cannula capable of insertion to the site beneath the skin of the patient and one or more side port openings for delivering a drug depot. The side port openings are spaced a distance from the blunt tip, which will allow the user to implant at a set distance from a nerve. The device may also include an electronic monitor for detecting the proximity of the tip of the cannula to a nerve. In some embodiments, a method of delivering a drug depot is provided by detecting the nerve and delivering the drug depot at or near the nerve.

Abstract: Mixing systems for storing and mixing multiple components of various medical compositions are provided. Generally, the instant mixing systems comprise a barrel, a plunger slidably disposed inside a barrel, and a pushing rod slidably disposed inside the plunger. The instant mixing system may further comprise multiple chambers for storing individual components or mixtures of components, with at least one chamber disposed in the barrel and at least one chamber disposed inside the plunger.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the stiffness of an intervertebral disc between vertebral bodies. The method includes providing a syringe with a needle approximately in the range of 16 to 25 gauge; providing a material having a first stage with a first viscosity adapted to flow through the needle, the material having a second stage with a second viscosity greater than the first viscosity, the second stage material having a stiffness in a range of 1.0-5.0 MPa; testing the annulus fibrosus of the disc to ensure that the annulus fibrosus has sufficient continuity so as to retain the first flowable stage material when subsequently injected into the disc; inserting the needle into the annulus fibrosus; injecting the first stage material into the disc; and permitting the first stage material to become the second stage material so as to form a load bearing implant in the disc.

Abstract: Early treatment for a degenerated disc includes identifying a non-ruptured, dehydrated disc. A hygroscopic agent is then selected. This agent should pull water towards itself and have a hygroscopic compound with a molecular weight of at least 400 Daltons. Additionally, it may be desirable to selected hygroscopic compounds that are anionic or electrically neutral. The hygroscopic agent is then injected into the nucleus pulposus of the disc without any prior removal of the nucleus pulposus material. Because the surrounding disc structure allows for the passive diffusion of water into the nucleus pulposus, the hygroscopic agent will draw water into the nucleus pulposus, thus promoting tissue hydration within the disc. The hygroscopic agent may also include a biological agent and/or an imaging agent.

Abstract: A process for making an implantable material comprising a composite of a biocompatible polymer and a bioactive agent. The composite combines desirable mechanical properties of polymers and the bioactivity of tissue or one or more component of tissue. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to methods for the manufacture of implantable materials, devices and components via a powder molding process.

Abstract: A collagen delivery device is disclosed and can include a barrel having a syringe chamber. Further, a syringe can be disposed within the syringe chamber. The syringe can include a collagen material therein. Additionally, the collagen delivery device can include a plunger within the barrel. The plunger can be moved to expel the collagen material from the syringe.

Abstract: A collagen material is disclosed and can include a plurality of particles. Each particle can include an elongated, thin body having one or more arcuate portions and one or more straight portions. Further, each particle can include one or more fibers extending from the body. One or more fibers of one particle can engage the one or more fibers of one or more other particles to establish a matrix of material.

Abstract: A method of treating an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus is disclosed. The method can include inserting a guide needle to the annulus fibrosis, inserting an injection needle through the guide needle, penetrating the annulus fibrosis within the injection needle, and injecting collagen material into the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ground collagen material from fascia is disclosed and includes mixing the fascia with a freezing agent to yield a fascia/freezing agent mixture and grinding the fascia/freezing agent mixture to yield the ground collagen.

Abstract: A method for treating a joint pain in a subject comprising providing an effective amount of an anti-angiogenic agent to a synovial capsule adjacent to the joint.