Medical devices coupled to a sensor, and systems including such devices, can generate data and analysis based on that data, which may be used to identify and/or address problems associated with the implanted medical device, including incorrect placement of the device, unanticipated degradation of the device, and undesired movement of the device. Also provided are medical devices coupled to a sensor, and devices and methods to address problems that have been identified with an implanted medical device.

The present invention provides a prosthetic device including a pad-shaped spacer (100) including expandable layers (30) having a structure that expands in response to the introduction of moisture because the expandable layers (30) are made of a hydrogel material, so that in a surgery or treatment process, water is absorbed into the expandable layers (30) and fill a space inside a muscle or joint (J) tissue in a state in which the spacer (100) is implanted inside the space inside the muscle or joint (J) tissue until a new tissue grows inside the muscle or joint (J) tissue for a predetermined period of time, and the expandable layers (30) degrade gradually at a rate corresponding to a rate at which the tissue grows, with the result that the muscle or joint (J) tissue can be used during a recovery period.

A method for fixating an artificial convex caput femur surface to the pelvic bone of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: exposing the acetabulum surface, creating a hole or recess in the pelvic bone from the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone, providing the artificial convex caput femur, comprising an elongated member to the hip joint, inserting said elongated member in said hole, and performing an action on the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone such that the elongated member is structurally changed on the abdominal side of the pelvic bone or inside the pelvic bone.

Devices that are implantable within a patient's body, and more specifically, to implantable joints (e.g. hip joint, knee joint, shoulder joint, etc.) having a heating system. For example, a device implantable within a patient's body may include a first member configured to be coupled to a first bone and a second member configured to be coupled to a second bone, the first and second members being operatively coupled to form a moveable joint. A heating system may be configured to controllably heat at least a portion of the at least one of the first and second members. The heating system may include a controller operable to cause a heating element to apply heat based on one or more external conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, etc.).

A method of treating a hip joint of a human patient using a pelvic drill comprising a driving member, a bone contacting and an operating device for operating said driving member. The method comprise the steps of cutting the skin of the human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from the acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area using said pelvic drill, said hole passing through the pelvic bone and into the hip joint of the human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to the hip joint, through said hole in the pelvic bone of the human patient. In one embodiment the method includes inserting a needle or tube like instrument into the patient's body for filling a part of the patient's body with gas and thereby expanding a cavity within the body.

A joint spacer is provided for treatment of a joint of a human subject, the joint spacer including a pouch having a wall including a dermal graft material. The joint spacer is configured to be inserted into a space of the joint, and is shaped, when the pouch is inserted into the space and filled, to provide mechanical support to the joint. Other embodiments are also described.

An implant couples a first bone of a hand to a second bone of the hand. The implant includes a body that defines a median plane. The body also defines a first joint surface having a first central region that articulates with the first bone. The body further defines a second joint surface having a second central region that articulates with the second bone, and the second central region is disposed on an opposite side of the median plane of the body relative to the first central region. The first and second central regions correspond to profiles of first and second axial segments, respectively, the first and second axial segments are each one of a cylinder, a cone and a torus and are centered on first and second axes, respectively, and the first and second axes, as projected on the median plane, are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Medical devices coupled to a sensor, and systems including such devices, can generate data and analysis based on that data, which may be used to identify and/or address problems associated with the implanted medical device, including incorrect placement of the device, unanticipated degradation of the device, and undesired movement of the device. Also provided are medical devices coupled to a sensor, and devices and methods to address problems that have been identified with an implanted medical device.

Medical devices coupled to a sensor, and systems including such devices, can generate data and analysis based on that data, which may be used to identify and/or address problems associated with the implanted medical device, including incorrect placement of the device, unanticipated degradation of the device, and undesired movement of the device. Also provided are medical devices coupled to a sensor, and devices and methods to address problems that have been identified with an implanted medical device.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a hip joint is provided. The medical device comprises: at least one artificial hip joint surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the caput femur and acetabulum. At least one artificial hip joint surface comprises: a positioning hole with at least one opening in said at least one artificial hip joint surface. The hole is adapted to be placed and dimensioned such that the medical device is adapted to be fitted using a positioning shaft and at least partly surround the shaft, for positioning the at least one artificial hip joint surface in a desired position in the hip joint. The hole is adapted to be fitted using the positioning shaft, when the shaft is stabilized and placed in at least one of the femoral bone and the pelvic bone for positioning said medical device inside the hip joint.