A temporo-mandibular joint prosthesis comprising: a first part for attaching to a temporal bone; a second part for attaching to a mandible bone; and a mechanism linking the first part and the second part. The mechanism defines a range of motion of the first part relative to the second part for when the first and second parts are attached to a temporal bone and a mandible bone, respectively. The mechanism includes a rotary joint providing a rotational range of motion of the first part relative to the second part; and a first slider joint providing a first translational range of motion of the first part relative to the second part.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for relieving upper airway obstructive breathing in a patient are disclosed. In some implementations, the apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices anchored to a mastoid bone and a mandible bone, respectively; an implant positioned between the first and second pivot device, the implant comprising a first end coupled to the first pivot device and a second end coupled to the second pivot device; an inactive position, the inactive position enabling a posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end; an active position, the active position preventing posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end, and anteriorly positioning the second end relative to the first end; and an activation mechanism enabling transition between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

The application is directed to devices and methods where one or more magnetic or magnetizable implants provides therapeutic benefits to a patient. The implant may be useful for expanding the range of motion of joints or dynamically providing different responses to changing conditions in the body where the implant is placed. An electromagnet is placed on or in a bone on one side of a joint, and another electromagnet or magnetically active material is placed on or in a bone on the opposing side of the joint. The electromagnet may be continuously energized to relieve pressure in the joint space, or may be energized in response to forces applied to the joint.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

A temporomandibular joint replacement system includes a condylar component secured with a mandibular bone and a fossa component with a fossa backing secured with a zygomatic bone and slidably attached with a removable fossa lining, the fossa lining having an open-ended concave fossa dome with a post-center peak to allow for mediolateral and anterior translation with a rounded, oblong condylar head of the condylar component. The slidable attachment mechanism of the fossa backing and fossa lining is laterally-oriented to allow for post-implantation removal and replacement without disturbing any bone or bone-interfacing components. The bone-interfacing surfaces are anatomically-contoured to their respective bone surfaces and formed with materials and textures which promote osseointegration with the joint replacement.

A device, for example a medical implant, and a method of making the same, the device having a metal or metal alloy substrate, for example cobalt chrome, and a diffusion hardened metallic surface, for example a plasma carburized surface, contacting a non-diffusion hardened surface or a diffusion hardened surface having a diffusion hardening species different from that of the opposing surface.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for relieving upper airway obstructive breathing in a patient are disclosed. In some implementations, the apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices anchored to a mastoid bone and a mandible bone, respectively; an implant positioned between the first and second pivot device, the implant comprising a first end coupled to the first pivot device and a second end coupled to the second pivot device; an inactive position, the inactive position enabling a posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end; an active position, the active position preventing posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end, and anteriorly positioning the second end relative to the first end; and an activation mechanism enabling transition between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

The present invention provides body anchored protraction devices. The protraction devices direct the negative forces of protraction over a large surface area on the chest and abdomen of a patient. The protraction devices employ a cantilever support rod and ultra-low friction joints to enable low compression on the head without restricting free movement.