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.

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 prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores stress distribution, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature that inhibits extreme movement within the joint while permitting free floating over a significant range. In one aspect, the anti-migration feature is an enlarged anterior structure or a posterior meniscus remnant engaging channel while in another aspect, the anti-migration feature includes a tethering member. Still further, removable radiopaque features are provided to enhance trialing of the implant prior to final implantation within the joint.

A flexible bone implant includes a proximal stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a proximal conduit extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the proximal stem, whereby the proximal conduit is open at both the proximal and distal ends of the proximal stem. The implant includes a distal stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal conduit extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the distal stem, whereby the distal conduit is open at both the proximal and distal ends of the distal stem. The implant includes a flexible hinge interconnecting the distal end of the proximal stem with the proximal end of the distal stem for allowing the proximal and distal stems to flex relative to one another. A proximal stem protective tube is disposed within the proximal conduit of the proximal stem and has a length that matches the length of the proximal conduit, and a distal stem protective tube is disposed within the distal conduit of the distal stem and has a length that matches the length of the distal conduit. The proximal stem, the distal stem and the flexible hinge comprise a unitary structure made of a polymer material.

An implantable tissue repair device containing a body having a biocompatible hydrogel and a plurality of tissue anchoring elements projecting from the body, where the anchoring elements are integrally formed with the body and have the same biocompatible hydrogel as the body, and the anchoring elements, in use, are arranged to enter apertures in a tissue and anchor the device to the tissue.

A fusion cage has a first component that defines an outside surface that is configured to engage a vertebral endplate, and an interior surface. The fusion cage has a second component that defines first and second opposed surfaces. One of the first and second opposed surfaces can mate with the interior surface of the first component. The fusion cage can include vertical and lateral throughholes adapted to enhance fusion.

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.

The present invention discloses a metal-ceramic composite joint prosthesis and applications and a manufacturing method thereof. The joint prosthesis comprises a metal body and a ceramic body, wherein the metal body is integrally formed and comprises a porous structure layer, a boundary layer and a root-like layer, the boundary layer is located between the porous structure layer and the root-like layer, the root-like layer comprises a plurality of root-like filament clusters connected to the boundary layer but not in contact with one another, each root-like filament cluster comprises a main root perpendicularly connected to the boundary layer and a plurality of fibrous roots connected to the lateral side of the main root, the fibrous roots extend obliquely towards the side away from the boundary layer, and the ceramic body covers the root-like filament clusters and is formed on the boundary layer. The joint prosthesis achieves the compositing of metal and ceramic, thereby achieving both a wear-resistant ceramic body required for a joint friction surface and a porous metal structure with a good bone ingrowth effect required for an osseointegration surface. The root-like filament clusters of the root-like layer are rooted in the ceramic body, to form a tight and stable connection between the ceramic body and the metal body, and the root-like clusters being not in contact with one another prevents the ceramic body from locally breaking or cracking.

Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

The disclosure provides an articular gasket prosthesis and an articular prosthesis with the articular gasket prosthesis. The articular gasket prosthesis includes an elastic gasket disposed between a first skeleton and second skeleton forming a joint, the elastic gasket including: an elastic matrix, having a first contact surface facing the first skeleton and a second contact surface facing the second skeleton; and multiple synovial fluid passages, distributed in the elastic matrix and communicating the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the multiple synovial fluid passages being disposed according to a predetermined manner to gradually increase hardness of the elastic matrix from a center to an edge and gradually decrease elasticity of the elastic matrix from the center to the edge.