Abstract:
The invention provides devices and related methods and composition useful for diagnosis and monitoring the pain generator(s) of axial pain with or without radiculopathy and methods for screening test compounds potentially useful for treating axial pain with or without radiculopathy. Alternatively, degenerated discs can be monitored and treated before occurrence of a pathological pain condition. Pain markers and markers of degenerating disc include markers of neuronal, vascular, immune and matrix elements.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the design and composition of a depot implant for optimal delivery of growth factors to treat osteoporotic bone, in that such depot implant is constructed to be in a cylinder (rod) or sphere shape and have a natural or synthetic polymer scaffold with or without impregnated calcium phosphate particles. The density of the depot is higher than a typical BMP sponge carrier to facilitate it's implantation and slower release of the growth factor. The scaffold is such that it has adequate porosity and pore size to facilitate growth factor seeding and diffusion throughout the whole of the bone structure resulting in increased bone mineral density in the osteoporotic bone. In addition, the shape of the depot implant allows for delivery through a cannula or large bore needle.
Abstract:
Described is an implantable medical material comprising a malleable, cohesive, shape-retaining putty including mineral particles, insoluble collagen fibers and soluble collagen. The medical material can be used in conjunction with biologically active factors such as osteogenic proteins to treat bone or other tissue defects in patients.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the methods and compositions for the treatment of subjects having compromised bone conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to Combinatorial therapeutic strategies including small molecules and peptide mimics of LIM mineralization proteins, particularly LMP-I, to overcome the dose-related translational barriers for BMP-2 therapeutics.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the methods and compositions for the treatment of subjects having compromised bone conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to Combinatorial therapeutic strategies including small molecules and peptide mimics of LIM mineralization proteins, particularly LMP-I, to overcome the dose-related translational barriers for BMP-2 therapeutics.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an implant (10) for use in fusing adjacent bony structures. The implant comprises a plurality of pieces of bone (12) and a flexible mechanism (14) including one or more flexible, elongate, biocompatible connectors interconnecting the pieces of bone.
Abstract:
Embodiments for a spinal construct system including a spinal fixation plate attachable to fixture element in end-to-end fashion with a coupling mechanism that axially and torsionally constrains the first and second rods to one another. In one form, the end to end attachment arrangement is aligned along a common axis of the rods. In another form, the axes of the rods are offset laterally relative to one another.
Abstract:
Embodiments for a spinal construct system including a spinal fixation plate attachable to fixture element in end-to-end fashion with a coupling mechanism that axially and torsionally constrains the first and second rods to one another. In one form, the end to end attachment arrangement is aligned along a common axis of the rods. In another form, the axes of the rods are offset laterally relative to one another.
Abstract:
Described are novel methods for delivering a medical agent to a plurality of locations within a patient tissue volume such as the interior space of a spinal disc, and also for removing material therefrom during medical agent delivery to enhance the delivery. Also described are medical delivery devices such as needle assemblies configured to facilitate the regional delivery of medical agents to patient tissue.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for alleviating pain associated with neuromuscular or skeletal injury or inflammation by controlled and directed delivery of one or more biological response modifiers to inhibit the inflammatory response which ultimately causes acute or chronic pain. Controlled and directed delivery can be provided by implantable or infusion pumps, implantable controlled release devices, or by sustained release compositions comprising biological response modifiers.