The present invention relates to a medical implant for cartilage and/or bone repair at an articulating surface of a joint. The implant comprises a contoured implant body and at least one extending post. The implant body has an articulating surface configured to face the articulating part of the joint and a bone contact surface configured to face the bone structure of a joint, where the said articulating and bone contact surfaces face mutually opposite directions and said bone contact surface is provided with the extending post. A cartilage contact surface connects the articulating and the bone contact surfaces and is configured to contact the cartilage surrounding the implant body in a joint. The articulating surface has a layer that consists of titanium nitride (TiN) as the wear-resistant material. The cartilage contact surface has a coating that substantially consists of a material having chondrointegration properties.

In accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a system for creating a decision support material indicating damage to at least a part of an anatomical joint of a patient, wherein the created decision support material comprises one or more damage images, is provided. The system comprises a storage media and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to i) receive a series of radiology images of the at least part of the anatomical joint from the storage media; ii) obtain a three-dimensional image representation of the at least part of the anatomical joint which is based on at least a part of said series of radiology images, by generating said three-dimensional image representation in an image segmentation process based on said series of radiology images, or receiving said three-dimensional image representation from a storage media; iii) identify tissue parts of the anatomical joint in at least one of at least a part of said series of radiology images and/or the three-dimensional image representation using image analysis; iv) determine damage to the identified tissue parts in the anatomical joint by analyzing at least one of at least a part of said series of radiology images and/or the three-dimensional image representation of the at least part of the anatomical joint; v) determine suitable sizes and suitable implanting positions for one or more graft plugs based on the determined damage; vi) mark damage to the anatomical joint and suitable sizes and implanting positions for the one or more graft plugs in the obtained three-dimensional image representation of the anatomical joint; and vii) generate a decision support material, where the determined damage to the at least part of the anatomical joint and the suitable sizes and implanting positions for the one or more graft plugs are marked in at least one of the one or more damage images of the decision support material, and at least one of the one or more damage images is generated based on the obtained three-dimensional image representation of the at least part of the anatomical joint.

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing an implant, wherein a natural bone microstructure of a natural bone region is detected (S1), an implant region in the natural bone region is marked (S2), the detected bone microstructure in the marked implant region is analysed to determine reproduction parameters (S3), and on the basis of the determined reproduction parameters, an artificial microstructure for producing the implant is created (S4).

A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.

The invention is directed towards a process for implanting a cartilage graft into a cartilage defect and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The invention is also directed towards a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implanting a cartilage graft into a human or animal. The invention is further directed toward a repaired cartilage defect.

This invention provides methods for optimal implantation of a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function in an osteochondral, bone or cartilage tissue in a subject in need thereof. The methods include selecting and preparing a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function for implantation, which solid substrate has a length and width or that promotes a tight fit within the boundaries of the implantation site and is further characterized by a height sufficient such that when a first terminus of said solid substrate is implanted within a bone in a site for implantation, a second terminus of said solid substrate is at a height at least 2 mm less than an articular cartilage layer surface or is proximal to a tide mark region in said implantation site and optionally applying a biocompatible polymer layer to an apical surface of said implant, which layer does not exceed the articular cartilage layer surface in height. Tools for implementation of optimal positioning are described including a unique tool (5-120) for trimming cartilage at the implantation site.

A method for ameliorating joint conditions and diseases and preventing bone hypertrophy can include facilitating cartilage regrowth and preventing bone overgrowth to a damaged bone at a treatment site within a body joint to promote healing. The method can include providing a device having a first section comprising a joint-ward end having an inner surface and an outer surface and fenestrations between the inner and outer surfaces. A second section can include an opposing leading end and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the leading end. The leading end can be penetrated into the bone to a depth to substantially position: 1) the joint-ward end in a cartilage zone or at a boundary/transition area; and 2) the second section in the bone. Bone overgrowth into the cartilage zone may be prevented within the body joint when the device is positioned at the treatment site.

A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.

An implant for repairing an articular cartilage defect site including an implant fixation portion with an upper segment and at least one bone interfacing segment and a top articulating portion with an articulating surface and an engagement surface. The upper segment includes a supporting plate with a first locking mechanism segment. The engagement surface includes a second locking mechanism segment. The first locking mechanism segment with at least two channels is structured to couple to the second locking mechanism segment with at least two protrusions. The at least one bone interfacing segment structured for insertion into the articular cartilage defect site. An implant including an implant fixation portion, a top articulating portion, and a locking mechanism with a first locking segment coupled to the upper segment and a second locking segment coupled to the at least one engagement surface and structured to couple to the first locking segment.

The invention relates to an implant for replacing bone or cartilage material, which is constituted by a plurality of elements (B, B1, B2, B3, B4) produced from a non-metallic, linearly elastic material, an element (B, B1, B2, B3, B4) being connected to adjacent elements (B, B1, B2, B3, B4) by a viscoelastic polymer material such that gaps (L) remain between the adjacent elements (B, B1, B2, B3, B4) and that the adjacent elements (B, B1, B2, B3, B4) can move relative to one another.