Abstract:
An inflatable and implantable balloon (10) for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes (10A,10B,10C). Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon (10) for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to orthopedic implants including a porous, non- metallic, bone interface or outer bone contacting surface adapted for promoting bone ingrowth into the pores of such surface. The present disclosure also relates to orthopedic implants having a porous, non-metallic and/or polymeric bone interface or outer bone contacting surface wherein the implant has a stiffness that approaches or substantially matches the stiffness of the surrounding bone and thereby reduces the effects of stress shielding. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making such implants.
Abstract:
An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.
Abstract:
For dispensing a material with thermoplastic properties in a flowable state at an operation site in a human or animal patient, a device is used, which comprises the material having thermoplastic properties in a solid state and is equipped for bringing the material into a flowable state at a distal device end positioned at the site where dispensing is desired and for driving the flowable material from this distal device end. The device comprises a rotation drive (1), a consumable element (5) and a dispenser element (6), wherein one of the two elements is coupled to the rotation drive (1) and wherein the consumable element (5) comprises the material to be dispensed. The two elements (5 and 6) are arranged with parallel longitudinal axes and the dispenser element (6) comprises a distal end piece (6.2) with a proximal face against which a distal face of the consumable element (5) is held and advanced during dispensing. Dispensing is effected by rotating one of the elements and preventing the other one from rotating which results in a relative rotational movement between the distal face of the consumable element (5) and the proximal face of the end portion (6.2) which creates friction heat and therewith brings the material to be dispensed into a flowable state. The flowable material is driven away from the distal device end by the advancement of the consumable element (5).
Abstract:
Meniscus prosthetic devices are disclosed. The meniscus prosthetic devices are configured to replace the functions of a healthy natural meniscus. Methods of manufacturing, selecting, and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are also disclosed. The methods of manufacturing the prosthetic devices include injection molding polymers with reinforcing fibers in some instances. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method in some instances. The methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are utilized for replacing a damaged meniscus in some instances. Collectively, the meniscus prosthetic devices and associated methods are utilized for treating patients with damaged menisci.
Abstract:
A partial resurfacing implant (30b) for use in repairing an articular cartilage defect site (29) that includes a top articulating portion (30) having a top surface (30a) that is configured with at least one radius of curvature to approximate the surface contour of the articular cartilage surrounding the defect site. The implant also includes a supporting plate (32) that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is attached to the top articulating portion by a locking mechanism (33). The bottom surface of the supporting plate is constructed to facilitate the insertion of the implant into the defect site. Extending from the bottom surface of the supporting plate is at least one implant fixation portion (31). The at least one implant fixation portion is integrally connected to and is oriented about normal relative to the bottom surface. A method of repairing an articular cartilage defect with the partial joint resurfacing implant is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Joint space interpositional prosthetic devices for positioning between surfaces of a joint in a patient are disclosed. The prosthetic device may have exterior surfaces (24, 26) affixed to the joint surfaces and may have internal surfaces (32, 34) which provide bearing surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the bearing surfaces are encapsulated within the device. The exterior surfaces of the device may include bone securement features to facilitate attachment of the prosthetic device to the joint surfaces.
Abstract:
Joint space interpositional prosthetic devices for positioning between surfaces of a joint in a patient are disclosed. The prosthetic device may have exterior surfaces affixed to the joint surfaces and may have internal surfaces which provide bearing surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the bearing surfaces are encapsulated within the device. The exterior surfaces of the device may include bone securement features to facilitate attachment of the prosthetic device to the joint surfaces.