Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system, useful for attachment across a patient's joint, includes portions which are formed entirely or in part of a non-metallic material, e.g., PAEK, and thus reduces the possibility of the formation of metal debris in vivo. The system can include a flexibility-enhanced piston, retained within a spring, which reduces the possibility of tissue impingement with the system.

Abstract: Various methods for treating a joint are disclosed herein. According to one method, a joint is surgically treated by performing a surgical repair treatment on tissue within the joint capsule; implanting a load reducing device at the joint and entirely outside of the joint capsule to reduce load transmitted by the treated tissue to allow for the tissue within the joint capsule to heal; and partially unloading the joint during healing of the surgical repair site.

Abstract: An actuator for relatively moving two parts in a damped manner. The actuator includes a damper housing for connection to a first of the parts. The damper housing includes a damper chamber. The actuator includes a drivable damper rod for connection to a second of the parts and being movable relative to the damper housing. The damper rod includes a damper unit located within the damper chamber. The damper unit is relatively movable within the damper chamber with the damper unit movement corresponding to the relative movement between the damper housing and damper rod and the relative movement between the first and second parts. The damper unit is movable in response to hydraulic pressure force upon the damper unit. The actuator includes a pneumatic pressure source for providing a pneumatic pressure force that is transferred to provide the hydraulic pressure force upon the damper unit.

Abstract: Internal braces and methods of implanting same. A brace can be implanted on one side of a joint, or a pair of braces can be implanted, one on each opposite side of a joint. Each brace supports the joint over at least a portion of its range of motion. Distraction may be provided, or load sharing can be accomplished without distraction. Relative axial rotation of the bones connected by the brace may be permitted. One or more compliant members may be provided in the brace.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: The hydro-pneumatic spring damping device in particular for wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles includes at least one hydro-pneumatic element (1) having a gas chamber (1h) wherein the hydro-pneumatic element (1) includes a heat exchanger (1i) which is arranged such that it influences the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (1h) and wherein a heat exchanger (1i) can be connected to a cooling device (21) via a coolant circuit (21).

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human ankle joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis and pain of the ankle without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the ankle joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: Internal braces and methods of implanting same. A brace can be implanted on one side of a joint, or a pair of braces can be implanted, one on each opposite side of a joint. Each brace supports the joint over at least a portion of its range of motion. Distraction may be provided, or load sharing can be accomplished without distraction. Relative axial rotation of the bones connected by the brace may be permitted. One or more compliant members may be provided in the brace.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a sheath for covering one or more components of an extra-articular implantable mechanical energy absorbing system. The sheath is generally an elongated structure having an inner space extending the length thereof. In use, the sheath can exclude the energy absorbing system from surrounding tissue and facilitate creating a capsule for its operation. Materials and dimensions are selected to achieve these purposes. The ends of the sheath include various attachment mechanisms for securing the sheath to one or more components of an extra-articular implantable mechanical energy absorbing system.

Abstract: The hydro-pneumatic spring damping device in particular for wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles includes at least one hydro-pneumatic element (1) having a gas chamber (1h) wherein the hydro-pneumatic element (1) includes a heat exchanger (1i) which is arranged such that it influences the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (1h) and wherein a heat exchanger (1i) can be connected to a cooling device (21) via a coolant circuit (21).

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments that related to a surgical retractor. In certain embodiments, the systems may include a laterally expandable sleeve, sleeve activators, and insertion tools. In other embodiments, there is disclosed various methods of retraction during surgery. In some embodiments, the methods include expanding a sleeve using a sleeve activator. In some embodiments described herein, a kit may be provided for a surgical procedure. The kit may include a flexible retractor and a retractor inserter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit for use during stabilization procedures. The kit may include a head stabilizer having an elongated shaft with an implant engaging portion coupled to the distal end portion. A holding apparatus may also be included in the kit. The holding apparatus may have a sleeve, a pusher shaft received within the sleeve, and an implant engaging mechanism coupled to the distal end portion of the sleeve. The kit may also include a retrieval tube having a handle portion, an implant engaging mechanism coupled to the distal end portion of the handle portion, and a locking mechanism coupled to the proximal end portion of the handle portion. Other instruments that may be included in the kit are guide wires, dilators, anchors, poly-axial heads, extensions, spinal rods, and set screws.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The restrictor includes an edge lining the opening oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The anchor body includes one or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.