Osteotech, Inc.

Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

Mark P Daugherty

Lawrence A Shimp

John W Morris

Nelson L Scarborough

Todd M Boyce

David R Kaes

Erik O Martz

John W Boyle

Michael Dowd

Jack McMickle

Kenneth C Petersen

The present invention relates to a method for making bone particles from bone of a variety of sizes and a workpiece forming and holding device for use with the method. The workpiece forming device includes a base and a base frame attached to the surface of the base. An apparatus for forming a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium is also provided which includes the workpiece forming device and a detachable former member enclosing the base frame. Bone is immersed in an immobilization medium within such workpiece forming device, which is solidified to form a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium and then subdivided to provide particles of bone in association to with immobilization medium. The immobilization medium may be optionally removed to leave bone particles suitable for use in orthopedic applications including implants.

Method of making bone particles

A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Ramp-shaped intervertebral implant

A process for fabricating shaped material from demineralized bone particles includes the steps of applying a liquid slurry of demineralized bone particles to a support, removing excess liquid form the demineralized bone particles to provide a cohering shaped mass of demineralized bone particles, and warming the shaped mass of demineralized bone particles at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period. The resultant bone mass exhibits enhanced tensile strength and minimal bone particle disassociation upon rehydration thereby improving product handling and application at the operative site.

Process for producing flexible sheets from demineralized, elongate, bone particles

A milling apparatus is disclosed which includes a milling machine having a milling cutter which is sealingly isolated from the milling machine within an enclosed work area, a support fixture disposed within the enclosed work area for supporting a work piece, and a mechanism for moving the milling cutter along a predetermined path relative to the work piece. Preferably, the milling apparatus is employed to cut bone into small fragments for subsequent utilization, and the sealed isolation of the milling cutter inhibits cross-contamination between differing work pieces.

Bone milling apparatus

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Allenwood, NJ, United States of America

Mark P Daugherty