Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, wherein the fibrinogen, the activating compound or both has been reconstituted with a solution containing at least one additive, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method and kit for treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of repairing a defect in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, without excising the entire nucleus pulposus of the disc. The method includes inserting an introducer needle through the annulus fibrosus by puncturing the annulus fibrosus with the introducer needle, injecting an in situ curable, bio-compatible polymerizable or polymeric material composition into the disc through the introducer needle directly or indirectly so that the in situ curable composition contacts a defect in the annulus fibrosus; and curing said material in situ.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, wherein the fibrinogen, the activating compound or both has been reconstituted with a solution containing at least one additive, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, wherein the fibrinogen, the activating compound or both has been reconstituted with a solution containing at least one additive, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition useful for preparing a tissue sealant for use on a patient, comprising: autologous fibrinogen, an activating agent and at least one supplement. The invention includes a method of treating a disc having at least one defect, comprising: introducing a composition into the disc, wherein the composition comprises autologous fibrinogen and an activating agent, and wherein the composition forms fibrin.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition useful for preparing a tissue sealant for use on a patient, comprising: autologous fibrinogen, an activating agent and at least one supplement. The invention includes a method of treating a disc having at least one defect, comprising: introducing a composition into the disc, wherein the composition comprises autologous fibrinogen and an activating agent, and wherein the composition forms fibrin.

Abstract: A method and kit for treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: A method is effective for prophylactically treating discs and facet joints near a spinal section that requires surgery. The method comprises the steps of performing a surgical procedure on a section of a spine, and reinforcing a disc or a facet joint adjacent to the surgically treated area with an effective amount of an injected, in situ curable biocompatible matrix or biocompatible polymeric compound. The procedure delays or prevents the development of permanent or irreversible degenerative changes in the treated disc and/or facet joint, thus offering the spinal surgery patient a higher probability of long-term success for arresting disc and facet joint degeneration and prevention of latent adjacent disc/facet joint problems.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition useful for preparing a tissue sealant for use on a patient, comprising: autologous fibrinogen, an activating agent and at least one supplement. The invention includes a method of treating a disc having at least one defect, comprising: introducing a composition into the disc, wherein the composition comprises autologous fibrinogen and an activating agent, and wherein the composition forms fibrin.

Abstract: A method of repairing a defect in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, without excising the entire nucleus pulposus of the disc. The method includes inserting an introducer needle through the annulus fibrosus by puncturing the annulus fibrosus with the introducer needle, injecting an in situ curable, bio-compatible polymerizable or polymeric material composition into the disc through the introducer needle directly or indirectly so that the in situ curable composition contacts a defect in the annulus fibrosus; and curing said material in situ.

Abstract: A patella recession instrument (10) and method provides a guide for producing an oval, tri-oval, or elliptically shaped recess on the posterior surface of the osteotomized patella for receiving a similarly shaped backing portion of a patellar implant. The apparatus includes a guide bushing (12) and a bushing positioning mechanism (14) for securing the bushing against the posterior of the osteotomized patella, with a guide opening (54) formed through the bushing covering the total area to be recessed. A reamer guide structure, which may be a separate structure (16) received in the bushing guide opening (54) or integrally formed with the bushing (12), receives one or more rotary reamer tools (18) in a plurality of reaming positions. The cutting face (80) of the rotary reamer tool (18) in each different reaming position covers a different portion of the total area to be recessed.

Abstract: A tibial resection guide alignment apparatus (10) includes an elongated base member (12) and structure connected to the base member for connecting the base member about a patient's tibia in an operating position adjacent to the anterior side of the surgically exposed tibial plateau. When connected in the operating position, a depth adjustment axis (D) associated with the base member (12) extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the patient's tibia. A carriage member (16) is slideably mounted on the elongated base member (12) so that its position may be adjusted along the depth adjustment axis. A depth adjustment mechanism (22) associated with the base member (12) and carriage member (16) provides fine adjustment to position the carriage member along the depth adjustment axis and then fix the carriage member in a desired position along the depth adjustment axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket implant installation apparatus and method combines holding, impacting, and aligning functions in a modular device. The apparatus comprises an installation tool that firmly engages a feature around the inner rim of a prosthetic socket implant so that the shell does not disengage during the installation process. An implant engaging arrangement on the installation tool is capable of extending to properly engage and hold implants in a broad range of sizes. The tool provides both axial and angular alignment references to facilitate the correct alignment of a prosthetic socket implant during installation. A mechanically isolated impacting rod slideably attaches within an opening along the longitudinal axis of the tool thus facilitating impact at the proper location and angle and allowing the alignment and impacting to be performed by one person.

Abstract: A tibial prosthetic implant includes a base or base plate with an offset tibial stem. The base includes an inferior surface adapted to abut a resected surface of a patient's tibia and forms a base for articulating surfaces adapted to articulate with the patient's femoral condyles. The longitudinal center axis of the tibial stem extends from the inferior surface of the base and is offset from a center of the base. The offset places the stem in position to extend into the central canal of the tibia so that it does not substantially interfere with the cortical bone when the inferior surface of the base substantially abuts and aligns with the resected surface of the tibia.