Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.

The invention relates to a hip joint prosthesis comprising a shaft-like section that can be inserted into a femur, and a proximally arranged end cap assembly which closes a hollow space of the hip joint prosthesis. According to the invention the end cap assembly carries a coil assembly that is connected to a first electrode with a first pole and to a second electrode with a second pole. The first and the second electrodes enclose surfaces of the hip joint prosthesis, and in a state in which the end cap assembly closes the hollow space of the hip joint prosthesis, the coil assembly is predominantly arranged in the hollow space.

Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.

Methods for the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevail the progression of osteoarthritis of a joint are disclosed. The methods involve treating the subchondral bone, while preserving, as much as possible, the joint's articular and cartilage surface. The methods could be performed before, during, or after an initial arthroscopic surgery to repair the joint. Associated devices and instruments for treatment of the subchondral bone are also disclosed.

Disclosed are electrostimulative grafts that include at least one galvanic couple with an anode spaced from a cathode. The anode and cathode can be made from biodegradable metals. The graft can include a porous graft matrix material receptive to tissue ingrowth that occurs between the anode and cathode. The electrostimulation provided by the galvanic couple after implantation of the graft can impact the development of tissue within and/or around the porous graft matrix material. Also disclosed are methods for making electrostimulative grafts and for galvanically electrostimulating tissue growth in a porous graft matrix material.

Methods for the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis of a joint are disclosed. The methods involve treating the subchondral bone, while preserving, as much as possible, the joint's articular and cartilage surface. The methods could be performed before, during, or after an initial arthroscopic surgery to repair the joint. Associated devices and instruments for treatment of the subchondral bone are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a system for the consolidation of a bone structure, comprising: a system for determining the quality of the bone structure, including a body, first and second electrodes arranged on the body, an electric generator for applying an electric current, a measurement device for measuring the electric current, and a processing device for determining an electrical magnitude representative of the aptitude of the bone structure for allowing electric current to pass therethrough and for delivering a signal representative of the quality of the bone structure, using the determined electrical magnitude; and a device selected from between an electrical stimulation device for applying an electric bone-growth stimulation and a fixation device for immobilizing the bone structure.

The present invention provides for a joint fixation device and method utilizing magnetic members with at least one magnetic member positioned on each of opposite sides of a joint and secured to skeletal components. The magnetic members include at least one permanent magnet. The magnetic members can be configured to provide an attracting force or a repelling force. They can also be configured to provide a torque about the joint.

A system and method for altering bone growth on and within an orthopedic implant that includes an implant body; a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is at least partially embedded in the implant body, and comprises: a set of primary electrodes comprising at least one electrode, wherein a non-embedded segment of each primary electrode is proximal to a bone growth region, a set of secondary electrodes comprising at least one electrode, wherein a non-embedded segment of each secondary electrode is distal to the bone growth region, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to function in a stimulation operating mode, such that a subset of primary electrodes function as cathodes and a subset of secondary electrodes function as anodes; a control system comprising a processor, and circuitry that connects to the plurality of electrodes; and a power system.

A system and method for electrical stimulation in an orthopedic implant that includes at least one implantable component with an implant body, a plurality of electrodes, and implant circuitry is effective to convert an external wireless power transmission to an electrical current and effective to control the plurality of electrodes; and at least one non-implant with a power source, and transmitter circuitry to generate the electromagnetic field that couples with the implant circuitry.