A non-biodegradable implant for the replacement and regeneration of biological tissue in the shape of a plug, comprising a base section (2) configured for anchoring in bone tissue, a middle section (3) configured for replacing cartilage tissue of an intermediate and deep zone of the cartilage layer and having a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, and a top section (4) configured for growing cartilage tissue onto and into, thus regenerating a superficial zone of the cartilage layer, wherein the middle and top section comprise the same thermoplastic elastomeric material, which is porous in the top section, and non-porous in the middle section, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric material comprises a linear block copolymer comprising urethane and urea groups, and is substantially free of an added peptide compound having cartilage regenerative properties, and wherein the base section material comprises one of a biocompatible metal, such as titanium or titanium alloy, ceramic, such as sintered crystalline hydroxylapatite, mineral, such as phosphate mineral, and polymer, optionally a hydrogel polymer, and combinations thereof.

A continuous fiber-reinforced build material for additive manufacturing (AM) of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) structures, a machine for the preparation of the build material, and use of the build material for manufacturing of three-dimensional (3D) FRC end-product devices, such as medical devices for management of musculoskeletal and dental disorders.

A personalized fixation system includes a surgical planning software tool configured to adjust relationships of relevant anatomy of a subject, at least one bone anchor, a plate having a shape that does not conform to a single plane, the plate configured to accept the at least one bone anchor, wherein the shape of the plate is at least partially determined by the surgical planning software tool, and wherein the plate includes at least one node having a hole configured to receive the at least one bone anchor, and a locking element configured to connect the at least one bone anchor to the plate, wherein the plate is manufactured using additive manufacturing.

A system and method for improving upon an ability of a surgeon to repair traumatic bone injury using new materials, components, and structures. A structure may be used as an implant or a component of an external fixator for a fractured long bone with that structure having anisotropic and viscoelastic properties, such as through additive manufacturing techniques.

Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

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 non-biodegradable plug-shaped implant (1) for the replacement and regeneration of biological tissue is described. The implant comprises a base section (2) configured for anchoring in bone tissue, and a top section (4) configured for growing cartilage tissue onto and into. The top section comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric material, which is porous. The thermoplastic elastomeric material comprises a linear block copolymer comprising urethane and urea groups, and may be substantially free of an added peptide compound having cartilage regenerative properties. The base section material further comprises one of a biocompatible metal, ceramic, mineral, such as phosphate mineral, and polymer, optionally a hydrogel polymer, and combinations thereof, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric material further comprises carbonate groups.

The present disclosure includes fixation devices, such as an orthopedic screw or implant, that comprises one or more porous elements or fenestrations to aid in osteo-integration of the fixation device. The fixation device may be additively manufactured using biocompatible materials such that the solid and porous aspects of the screw are fused together into a single construct. In yet another aspect, the fixation device comprises at least a portion or section incorporating a porous structure, which enables bony ingrowth through the porous section/portion of the screw, and thereby facilitates biocompatibility and improve mechanical characteristics. Methods for using the fixation device are also described herein.

Apparatuses for distal fibula replacement and related methods are described herein. The apparatus generally includes an implantable stem component including a proximal portion that is contoured to have an anterior overlap with a portion of a fibula bone of a patient, and a distal portion that defines one or more channels configured to receive one or more tendons of the patient. Related methods include placing the apparatus on the portion of the fibula bone of the patient.

A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.