An orthopaedic implant comprising: a body portion for replacing a missing joint or bone, or for supporting a joint or bone within a patient's body; a slot antenna for effecting wireless communication between the implant and an external device, wherein the slot antenna comprises a first surface in which is arranged a slot for receiving and/or transmitting wireless communication signals; wherein the slot antenna is comprised within the body portion, such that the slot is exposed to the environment outside of the implant.

An orthopaedic implant comprising: a body portion for replacing a missing joint or bone, or for supporting a joint or bone within a patient's body; a slot antenna for effecting wireless communication between the implant and an external device, wherein the slot antenna comprises a first surface in which is arranged a slot for receiving and/or transmitting wireless communication signals; wherein the slot antenna is comprised within the body portion, such that the slot is exposed to the environment outside of the implant.

A fastener comprising a polymer composition [composition (C)] comprising at least one polyaryletherketone polymer [(PAEK) polymer], and at least one nitride (NI) of an element having an electronegativity (ε) of from 1.3 to 2.5, as listed in <<Handbook of Chemistry and Physics>>, CRC Press, 64.sup.th edition, pages B-65 to B-158, based on the total weight of the composition (C).

A system and method for improving mechanical assemblies, such as prosthetic implants, intended to be installed in living tissue such as bone. Force-imparting devices are adapted and may include angularity, which may be introduced with specialized additive manufacturing, which may impart congruent cross-sections while providing variable stiffness. In some cases, the variable stiffness may be “stretchy” in a longitudinal direction and “rigid” in a radial directional which may provide an assembly bias. Additive manufacturing may allow the material of a prosthesis to be varied (e.g., density/porosity) to create variable stiffness over a length.

An apparatus for fatigue testing an article includes a base having a platform for receiving an article to be tested, a shaft extending toward said platform for applying a force to said article, a coupling assembly connected to said shaft, said coupling assembly comprising a joint that pivots about an axis, and flex pivots disposed to be aligned with said axis about which said joint pivots.

A process and system for performing orthopedic surgery to create a series of channels with a subject's bone to allow a reduced pressure system to be applied directly to the bone-implant interface to enhance bone healing is provided. The process for to promote healing of a bone of a subject includes creating a three-dimensional model of the bone; preoperatively planning a location of an implant relative to the model; creating a plan for the location of precision channels that reach the bone-implant interface based on the model and the implant; resurfacing the bone to fit the implant into or onto the bone based on the preoperative plan; and milling the precision channels into the bone in the location to promote healing of the bone and/or bone implant interface; and applying a pressure reduction system at the bone-implant interface to promote bone healing.

A process and system for performing orthopedic surgery to create a series of channels with a subject's bone to allow a reduced pressure system to be applied directly to the bone-implant interface to enhance bone healing is provided. The process for to promote healing of a bone of a subject includes creating a three-dimensional model of the bone; preoperatively planning a location of an implant relative to the model; creating a plan for the location of precision channels that reach the bone-implant interface based on the model and the implant; resurfacing the bone to fit the implant into or onto the bone based on the preoperative plan; and milling the precision channels into the bone in the location to promote healing of the bone and/or bone implant interface; and applying a pressure reduction system at the bone-implant interface to promote bone healing.

In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes accessing an intersomatic space and inserting an implant into the intersomatic space. The implant includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue.

A bone insert is provided that includes a cap having a convex top surface made from a plurality of cap micro struts, an elongated stem made from a plurality of stem micro struts, and a barrier between the cap and the stem. The stem of the bone insert is inserted into a hole formed in a host bone until the barrier is pressed against the exposed bone. The bone implant can be placed against a small focus contact point on the cap. Liquid cement can be injected into a large center hole in the cap and the cement can flow through the fenestrations between all of the cap micro struts as well as the space between the bone implant and the bone. The cement can cure to create a high strength structure that provides a strong bond between the bone implant and the host bone.

A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The medical device is adapted to be fixated to the femoral bone of the patient. The medical device comprises an inner and an outer surface, wherein a contacting portion of said inner surface is spherical and adapted to face the center of the hip joint when said medical device is implanted, and wherein said medical device is adapted to receive a prosthetic replacement for the caput femur fixated to the pelvic bone having a spherical portion. The medical device comprises at least one extending portion, extending said contacting portion of said inner surface such that said at least one extending portion clasps said spherical portion of said prosthetic replacement for the caput femur, such that said spherical portion is restrained in said medical device.