The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device may also include first and second ramps configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may include a mating feature having a first angle relative to a vertical axis, and the second ramp may include a mating feature having a second angle relative to the vertical axis such that the first angle is different from the second angle. In particular, the first and second ramps may be configured to provide for symmetrical expansion of the first and second endplates.

The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.

An intervertebral spacer is designed particularly for patients who are not candidates for total disc replacement. The spacer maintains disc height and prevents subsidence with a large vertebral body contacting surface area while substantially reducing recovery time by eliminating the need for bridging bone. The intervertebral spacer or fusion spacer includes a rigid spacer body sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space between two vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the spacer body has two opposed metallic vertebral contacting surfaces, at least one fin extending from each of the vertebral contacting surfaces and configured to be positioned within slots cut into the two vertebral bodies. Holes, if present, cover less than 40 percent of the entire vertebral body contacting surfaces to provide increased bone ongrowth surfaces and to prevent subsidence.

An intervertebral disc is provided having an upper plate, a lower plate, and a core. The upper and lower plates include outer vertebral body contacting surfaces which are provided with attachment enhancing features to ensure bone integration. The attachment enhancing features shown include one or more fins, serrations and teeth. An opposite surface of the plates from the vertebral body contacting surfaces is formed with a recess which serves as a bearing surface for the core. In order to form an intervertebral disc with a lower disc height, at least one of the recesses is provided opposite a corresponding dome shaped portion on the vertebral body contacting surfaces. This allows the plates to be formed with a thinner profile for a smaller overall disc height. In addition to providing a lower overall height to the artificial disc, the dome shaped portion of the plates also provides a more anatomically shaped outer vertebral body contacting surface.

An implant stabilizes two adjacent bones of a joint, while enabling a natural kinematic relative movement of the bones. Support components are connected to each bone of the joint, and a flexible core is interposed between them. The core and at least one of the support components are provided with a smooth sliding surface upon which the core and support component may slide relative to each other, enabling a corresponding movement of the bones. The surfaces may have a mating curvature, to mimic a natural movement of the joint. The core is resilient, and may bend or compress, enabling the bones to move towards each other, and or to bend relative to each other.

A tibial support of an artificial knee joint, comprising a main tibial support body (100) and a tibial support platform (200), wherein the main tibial support body (100) is wing-shaped, a central axis thereof being vertical to the tibial support platform (200). A plurality of hollow screw holes is provided at the upper part of the main body (100). The tibial support platform (200) is located above the main tibial support body (100). The surface of the tibial support platform (200) is an organic polymer material layer matching a tibial liner. The hollow screw holes in the tibial support are sealed by the polymer material layer. Because a tibial support of an artificial knee joint adopts a high-biocompatibility organic polymer material, physical machining is allowed in an operation, and meanwhile, the surface corrosion of the tibial support is reduced. Hollow screw holes are sealed by means of a polymer material layer, thereby inhibiting joint liquid from entering the holes, and reducing the transportation of particles. Recesses (201) are provided at positions, corresponding to the screw holes, on the polymer surface, thereby aiding in drilling holes and mounting screws in an operation.

A prosthetic intervertebral disc is formed of first and second end plates sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space and to be implanted from the back of the patient, thereby decreasing the invasiveness of the procedure. The posterior approach provides for a smaller posterior surgical incision and avoids important blood vessels located anterior to the spine particularly for lumbar disc replacements. The first and second plates are each formed of first, second and third parts are arranged in a first configuration in which the parts are axially aligned to form a low profile device appropriate for insertion through the small opening available in the TLIF or PLIF approaches described above. The three parts of both of the plates rotate and translate with respect to one another in situ to a second configuration or a deployed configuration in which the parts are axially unaligned with each other to provide a maximum coverage of the vertebral end plates for a minimum of insertion profile. Upon deployment of the disc, a height of the disc is increased.

A dynamic intervertebral spacer includes a ring which is split on an anterior portion. A posterior portion of the ring acts as a torsion spring. After implantation, the ring is able to act as a spring between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, thus allowing dynamic bone growth in fusion procedures.

Spinal plates with additional features to improve the stability of the interface between the plate and the underlying bone. A bone plate may include one or more sharp ridges along the periphery of its underside. When attached to bone, the ridge digs into the bone and increases stability. A bone plate may alternatively or additionally include one or more holes for optional spikes, which may be inserted once the plate is attached to the bone. By separating the spikes and including them as an optional component, the plate may enhance stability while reducing or eliminating the chance of the spike injuring the patient. Furthermore, bone screws may incorporate alternating notches and ridges into the head of the screw. The notches and ridges may interface with a set screw, thereby preventing rotation and loosening of the screw.