A natural and sustainable material is derived from the nut of the tagua palm tree that may be fashioned into devices for humans and animals. A pulverized and reconstituted material is disclosed herein that is also treated with a low temperature atmospheric plasma treatment. In an embodiment, a biocompatible carrier gas is ionized to form a biocompatible atmospheric plasma stream. Material, such as nano-scale powdered hydroxyapatite, is introduced into the plasma stream, which is then applied to the natural nut material.

A natural and sustainable material is derived from the nut of the tagua palm tree that may be fashioned into devices for humans and animals. A pulverized and reconstituted material is disclosed herein that is also treated with a low temperature atmospheric plasma treatment. In an embodiment, a biocompatible carrier gas is ionized to form a biocompatible atmospheric plasma stream. Material, such as nano-scale powdered hydroxyapatite, is introduced into the plasma stream, which is then applied to the natural nut material.

A surgical technique can involve inserting an instrument defining a sliding surface between a metatarsal and a laterally-adjacent metatarsal. The technique can include moving the metatarsal across the sliding surface of the instrument toward the cuneiform to close a space between the metatarsal and the opposed cuneiform.

An implantable body for a posterior stabilization system includes a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface configured to abut against a lamina when the body is implanted along a vertebra. A lateral bone outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface and may include a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the body is implanted along a vertebra. The lateral bone outrigger may have a first height. A penetrating feature extends from the inwardly facing surface between the bone-engaging portion of the inwardly facing surface and the lateral bone outrigger. The penetrating feature may have a second height less than the first height. A fastener bore extends through the body at an angle toward the lateral bone outrigger.

The present subject disclosure provides a novel design for devices and methods for straightening a curved spine by using a reduction tool to move the spine with respect to an attached bone plate.

An alloy for biomedical use includes Zr as a main component, Nb the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight, Mo the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight, and Ta the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight. A tensile strength of the alloy is not less than 1000 MPa. A total content of Nb, Mo, and Ta in the alloy is not less than 2% by weight and not greater than 50% by weight. Mass susceptibility of the alloy is not greater than 1.50×10.sup.−6 cm.sup.3/g. A Young's modulus of the alloy is not greater than 100 GPa. Also disclosed is a medical product including the alloy and a method for producing the alloy.

A minimally invasive method of correcting a bunion includes performing an osteotomy to divide the metatarsal into first and second portions, creating a pocket in the first portion implanting a nail in the pocket, securing a suture to the joint capsule, tensioning the suture to align the great toe with the metatarsal, attaching the suture to the nail, and fastening the nail to the second portion. The nail includes an anchor portion for anchoring in the first portion, a head for attachment to a second portion, a passage for attachment of the suture, a first aperture for a fastener to attach the head with the first portion, and a second aperture for a fastener to attach the head with the second portion.

The present invention provides a negative pressure guided bone cement injection system comprising a negative pressure system, comprising a negative pressure introduction device, a pushing system for implant bone cement to the target area, a control system for regulating the negative pressure system and the pushing system, and at least one sensing device disposed at any position of the negative pressure system, which can sense at least one environmental parameter for observing the physiological condition of a patient's spinal vertebral body can be monitored immediately, and the result is actively or passively sent back to the system or the operator for adjusting the injection parameters.

The present technology provides patient-specific implants. The implants can include a plate having a geometry contoured to mate with an identified anatomical structure at a target position. The plate can include a first projection having a first contact surface with a first topography designed to mate with a corresponding first surface of a first vertebral body, and a second projection having a second contact surface with second topography designed to mate with a corresponding second surface of a second vertebral body. The first topography can be different than the second topography. In some embodiments, the first and/or second projection can be configured to contact, and have topographies designed to mate, with a plurality of surfaces, such as two adjacent surfaces, of the respective first and second vertebral bodies.

The present technology provides patient-specific implants. The implants can include a plate having a geometry contoured to mate with an identified anatomical structure at a target position. The plate can include a first projection having a first contact surface with a first topography designed to mate with a corresponding first surface of a first vertebral body, and a second projection having a second contact surface with second topography designed to mate with a corresponding second surface of a second vertebral body. The first topography can be different than the second topography. In some embodiments, the first and/or second projection can be configured to contact, and have topographies designed to mate, with a plurality of surfaces, such as two adjacent surfaces, of the respective first and second vertebral bodies.