Biomet, Inc.

United States Surgical Corporation

Other

David R Sarver

Thomas W Sander

Keith Raymond D'Alessio

Roy C Wiley

Barry L Eppley

William S Pietrzak

H Gene Hawkins

Daniel R Lee

Robert B Gangnath

Raymond A D'Alessio

A method and apparatus for repairing a torn meniscus during an arthroscopic surgical procedure includes a surgical staple and a pneumatic powered implant device. The surgical staple includes a pair of legs and a connection member retaining the pair of legs in a substantial parallel alignment. The pneumatic powered implant device is a portable and disposable device that can easily implant the surgical staple at any desired location during an arthroscopic surgical procedure. The pneumatic powered implant device also includes several quick disconnect barrels having different shapes providing the surgeon with the option of how to position the implant device during the arthroscopic surgical procedure.

Method and apparatus for repairing a torn meniscus

A biocompatible osteosynthesis plate operable for being enhanced in a substantially secured relation to a plurality of adjacent bone portions is provided. The biocompatible osteosynthesis plate includes an elongated section having a top face and a bottom face, at least one fastener opening disposed between the top face and the bottom face, and means disposed upon elongated section to permit the formation of additional fastener openings therethrough during a surgical procedure. The osteosynthesis plate is in a first configuration at a first thermochemical state and is operable to be converted to a second thermochemical state so that it may be deformed prior to fixation. The osteosynthesis plate may further include means disposed upon the elongated section for enhancing structural rigidity, which may be provided as one or more raised surfaces, or rails, disposed upon the top face of the osteosynthesis plate.

Method and apparatus for securing adjacent bone portions

Soft tissue is secured to bone with a surgical fastener having expandable legs. The surgical fastener is implanted into a predrilled hole in the bone and the legs are expanded by pulling a slidable pin with a flared distal end. The pin includes a breakaway notch and fins. The fastener may be fabricated from resorbable material and may be implanted arthroscopically.

Orthopedic fastener

Processes for fabricating substantially void-free polymeric articles are provided. In one embodiment, a polymer melt is formed followed by extrusion through a die to form a polymeric extrudate. The polymeric extrudate is directly discharged vertically upward into an open-ended mold the open-ended mold having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially vertically. The polymeric article is cooled and removed from the mold. In a further embodiment, a mold is loaded with polymeric particles. The mold is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is substantially vertical. A vacuum is drawn on the loaded mold followed by heating the loaded mold above the melting point of the polymeric particles. After the polymeric particles are melted, the loaded mold is charged with an inert gas to above ambient pressure to collapse any remaining voids. The loaded mold is slowly cooled to form a polymeric article. Oriented polymeric bioabsorbable cannulated surgical articles and a method of making same are provided. Also provided are methods and articles having polymeric material which has been oriented radially and optionally further oriented axially.

Process for making polymeric articles

A biocompatible implant for forming a barrier within a cavity formed in living tissue, the living tissue being at a first thermochemical state. The biocompatible implant includes a main body which is able to be inserted into the cavity. The biocompatible implant further includes a flange for securing the main body in a substantially stationary position within the cavity. The flange is relatively rigid at the first thermochemical state but is relatively deformable at a second thermochemical state.

Biocompatible implant and method of using same

A thermal packaging unit for a biocompatible implant. The thermal packaging unit includes a first compartment for storing the biocompatible implant. In addition, the thermal packaging unit further includes a second compartment which is operable to contain a chemical composition which is able to heat the biocompatible implant by means of an exothermic reaction.

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Logansport, IN, United States of America

David R Sarver