Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a bone fixation system comprising: a bone anchor with a tapered head, the head being threaded; and a plate that includes a void, the void including one of a counterbore or a countersink; wherein: (a) no portion of the void is threaded; (b) the void includes an inner wall; (c) the inner wall includes reliefs along its perimeter. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An orthopedic tension band plate includes proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion includes a first proximal aperture configured to receive a first securing member, and a second proximal aperture disposed distal of the first proximal aperture and configured to receive a second securing member. The distal portion includes first and second tines extending distally to first and second distal ends having first and second distal apertures configured to receive third and fourth securing members. At least the first and second tines are configured to wrap around and conform to portions of the bone proximate to the fracture and, thereby, convert tensile forces at the fracture into compressive forces when the first through fourth securing members are secured through their respective apertures and into the bone.

Abstract: A threaded implant for bone fixation is provided. The implant includes a head. The implant includes a shaft extending distally from the head. The shaft includes a distal tip. The shaft includes a first set of threads extending a first predetermined length from the distal tip. The first set of threads are configured to capture cortical bone in one of a foot and/or ankle bone of a patient. The shaft includes a second set of threads extending a second predetermined length from the first set of threads. The second set of threads configured to capture epiphyseal bone in the one of the foot and/or ankle bone. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are thiol-ene polymer networks which can reduce the ROS species that contribute to delayed bone healing and fusion. Furthermore, patients that suffer from neuropathic comorbidities such as diabetes suffer from a diminished healing capacity. An increase in proinflammatory factors and the high presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in diabetics are linked to lower fusion rates. To this end, there is a need for a clinically relevant bone graft to promote bone fusions in patients with neuropathic comorbidities. Incorporating thiol-ene networks for bone scaffolds has demonstrated increased osteogenic biomarkers over traditional polymeric materials and act as antioxidants. Thiol-ene networks offer improved bone grafts for diabetic patients by reducing the number of hydroxyl radicals associated with neuropathic comorbidities. These networks are particularly well suited in promoting healing in patients with Type II Diabetes or other conditions exacerbated by ROS-mediated damage.

Abstract: A semi-rigid, fixation device includes a rigid anchor portion configured to be directly rotated and driven distally into a first bone or bone portion of a patient. The device includes a rigid cap portion configured to be held in tension against at least one of a bone plate and a second bone or bone portion of the patient and indirectly rotated under torque provided by the anchor portion. The device includes a flexible member including a plurality of woven stands and having a fixed length between first and second ends, which are fixedly respectively coupled to the anchor portion and cap portion, such that a torque provided by the direct rotation of the anchor portion is transferred through the flexible member to the cap portion when the flexible member is held in at least a first amount of longitudinal tension. Methods of use and manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a bone fixation system comprising: a plate; and a tool; wherein: (a) the plate includes a hole to receive a bone anchor, (b) the hole includes a shelf, (c) the shelf includes a number of recesses; and (d) the hole is unthreaded and includes no resilient parts; wherein: (a) a distal end of the tool includes one or more lobes, (b) a number of lobes is no greater than the number of recesses, (c) each of the one or more lobes is configured to mate with one of the recesses. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.