Abstract: Bioactive compositions that induce or enhance the repair of damaged or diseased connective tissues upon contact of the tissues with the compositions in vivo include an effective amount of pleiotrophin. A delivery vehicle is also included in the compositions. The compositions may be delivered to the repair sites by injection or by implantation.

Abstract: An implant is formed of an expandable material. An opening is formed in a bone in a patient's body. At least a portion of the implant is positioned in the opening in the bone in the patient's body. The implant is retained against movement relative to the bone in the patient's body by absorbing body fluid with the implant and expanding the implant while the implant is disposed in the opening in the bone in the patient's body. The implant may be a hip replacement member.

Abstract: A method of promoting regeneration of surface cartilage of a joint includes the steps of forming punctures in a subchondral plate of an area of the joint to be treated, covering the puncture and the area to be treated with a chondrocyte-free patch made of a sheet of collagen membrane material without adding chondrocytes to the area to be treated, fixing the patch over the area to be treated, and allowing the area to be treated to regenerate cartilage without adding chondrocytes to the area to be treated.

Abstract: Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage.

Abstract: A device designed for surgical implantation to replace damaged tissue (such as a meniscus in a knee) is disclosed, having a hydrogel component reinforced by a three-dimensional mesh. The mesh component provides strength and structural support for the implant, which has at least one articulating surface, and at least one anchoring surface. In one embodiment, the mesh emerges from one or more selected locations around the peripheral rim of a meniscal implant, to provide anchoring attachments that can be sutured, pinned, clipped, or otherwise securely affixed to the fibrous capsule that surrounds the knee. Preferably, the rim surface should be porous, to promote scar tissue (or, in some cases, bone tissue) ingrowth into the implant, to create a strong permanent anchoring support for the implant.

Abstract: In an intervertebral implant having an upper and a lower supporting surface for abutment with adjacent vertebral bodies, having a concave dorsal longitudinal side, a ventral longitudinal side lying opposite the latter, having a rounded contour at the two end faces connecting the longitudinal sides and having at least one hole extending through the implant from the upper to the lower supporting surface, in order to facilitate the introduction of bone material after insertion of the intervertebral implant into an intervertebral space it is proposed that in the region of the middle portion of the ventral longitudinal side at least one introduction channel for bone material, which extends through the implant, exits from the implant.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae includes first and second opposed and operatively connected shells. Each one of the shells has a plurality of engaging members that are interdigitated with a corresponding plurality of engaging members of another of the shells. The implant also includes at least one extrusion opening and a cavity for containing osteogenic material. As one shell is moved relative to the other shell with a threaded actuator operatively connecting the shells, a volume of the cavity decreases and osteogenic material is extruded through the extrusion opening. A cross section of the implant at one or both ends thereof has a curvalinear shoulder for improved support of the vertebrae during bony growth and fusion of the vertebrae.

Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.

Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.

Abstract: An article for use in the preparation of a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for an intervertebral disc, having equilibrium water contents (EWCs) of from about 30 to about 90% and compressive strengths of at least 4 meganewtons per square meter (MNm−2), at their EWCs, when subjected to the same constraints as the normal nucleus, comprising one or more xerogel rods containing from zero to less than the EWC.

Abstract: An enhanced visibility composition for implantation from a remote source, so that the composition can be readily observed under fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques. The compositions include a biocompatible matrix, such as a hard tissue implant material for example, and radiopaque particles mixed in the matrix. The radiopaque particles have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, more preferably bout 350&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, even more preferably between about 450&mgr; and 1600&mgr;, and most preferably between about 570&mgr; and 1150&mgr;. Preferably the hard tissue implant and the radiopaque particles are formed or prepared in a slurry. Optionally, the enhanced visibility composition may further include additional radiopaque particles or contrast particles mixed in with the composition, which have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 350&mgr;, preferably between about 120&mgr; and 250&mgr;.

Abstract: A modular glenoid assembly is provided for attachment to a glenoid surface of a scapula. The modular glenoid assembly includes a base adapted to couple with the glenoid surface and a bearing insert. The base includes a lip that defines a channel. The bearing insert includes a bearing surface adapted to engage a head portion of a humeral component and a tab. The tab is formed to be received within the channel and engage the lip when the insert is moved in a superior direction into position against the base.

Abstract: Implantable devices useful for creating bony fusion particularly in intervetebral spinal fusion. The device is formed of bone and has an at least partially demineralized portion between two rigid bone portions creating an area of flexibility. In one application, the area of flexibility may be used to move the device between a reduced size insertion configuration and an expanded implanted configuration. In another use, the area of flexibility may be useful to dampen shock applied to the implant. A method is also disclosed for making the implants and inserting the implants into an intervertebral disc space to promote interbody fusion.

Abstract: Conditioning of the surface of silica-based glass or ceramic by differential immersion in a serum protein-containing solution, and the resultant microporous Ca—P surface layer having serum-protein like organic molecules, as defined herein intermingled throughout, is described.

Abstract: This invention provides molded, biodegradable porous polymeric implant materials having a pore size distribution throughout the material which is substantially uniform. These materials can be molded into implants of any desired size and shape without loss of uniformity of pore size distribution. The implants are useful as biodegradable scaffolds for cell growth in healing of tissue defects. When manufactured to have an aspect ratio greater than about 3, the implants can be further hand-shaped to fit the defect into which they are placed and the desired shape for the regrown tissue.

Abstract: An alignable orthopedic prosthesis system includes a prosthesis and an alignment guide. The prosthesis includes a stem having at least one slot extending along its length. The alignment guide has an alignment body with a guide surface extending from an end thereof, namely a key element formed as a blade for engaging and guiding the slot to orient the prosthesis stem. The alignment body also fits against a machined bone surface so that the blade is positioned in a plane that is oriented to guide the stem smoothly into contact with a recess formed in the bone.

Abstract: A dynamic fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae that includes a body and an engaging member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis having a first portion and two or more legs depending from the first portion. The legs are laterally spaced apart from each other and define a second end of the body spaced opposite the first end. The legs define an engaging member receiving cavity. An engaging member, such as a disc, is secured to the body and received within the engaging member receiving cavity, wherein the engaging member is secured to the body only by engagement of the engaging member with the legs. During installation, the engaging member causes the legs to flex.