A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to devices (e.g., patches, plugs, beams, plates, screws, rods, granules, spacers, cages, discs, tape devices, or other shape determined by the geometry or anatomy of the site of application) and methods of use thereof.

A device adapted to be positioned between two bone regions, the device comprising a body having a stabilising arrangement configured such that bone growing from one bone region toward the other engages the stabilising arrangement of the device.

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for repairing a knee joint, including customizable and/or highly selectable implants and/or implant components for each patient to provide optimal fit and function.

A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.

An implant (1) for modifying the tissue deformation during bone healing between two bone fragments (5; 6), with a first end piece (2) that can be fastened to a first bone fragment (5) with a longitudinal axis L1, and a second end piece (3) that can be fastened to a second bone fragment (6) with a longitudinal axis L2, wherein the first and second end pieces (2; 3) are loosely meshed with one another by means of n1 parallel-connected tissue activators (4a; 4b) in each case to allow relative movement and the tissue activators (4a; 4b) are arranged to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axes L1 and L2 and preferably orthogonal thereto.

This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces and upper and lower plates. At least one of the curved surfaces of the core is metallic, and in some embodiments the entire core is metallic. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and a metallic inner curved surface which is shaped to slide over one of the curved surfaces of the core. In some embodiments, the center of rotation of the core is free to move relative to the upper and lower metallic plates. In some embodiments, one or more channels extend across one or both of the curved surfaces of the core for allowing passage of bodily fluid to promote lubrication between the core and at least one of the plates.

Technologies are generally provided for devices and methods for use in bone fixation, bone fusion and/or bone stabilization. In various embodiments, the devices and methods relate to a bone stabilization having a first end, second end and a bridge connecting the first and second ends. The first end has a bone engagement feature and may be fused to bone over time without the use of osteogenic materials.

Devices and systems can be used to treating spinal conditions. For example, this document describes artificial facet joint systems that can be implanted to treat spinal conditions while facilitating normal stability and motions of the spine. Such systems and methods can be used to treat spinal conditions such as, but not limited to, spondylosis, vertebral fractures, and the like.