Enzymatic and non-enzymatic detectors and associated membrane apparatus, and methods of use, such as within a fully implantable sensor apparatus. In one embodiment, detector performance is controlled through selective use of membrane configurations and enzyme region shapes, which enable accurate detection of blood glucose level within the solid tissue of the living host for extended periods of time. Isolation between the host's tissue and the underlying enzymes and reaction byproducts used in the detectors is also advantageously maintained in one embodiment via use of a non-enzyme containing permeable membrane formed of e.g., a biocompatible crosslinked protein-based material. Control of response range and/or rate in some embodiments also permits customization of sensor elements. In one variant, heterogeneous detector elements are used to, e.g., accommodate a wider range of blood glucose concentration within the host. Methods of manufacturing the membranes and detectors, including methods to increase reliability, are also disclosed.

In some aspects, the present invention is a medical implant with an independent endplate structure that can stimulate bone or tissue growth in or around the implant. When used as a scaffold for bone growth, the inventive structure can increase the strength of new bone growth. The independent endplate structures generally include implants with endplates positioned on opposite sides of the implant and capable of movement independent of one another. In most examples, the endplates have a higher elastic modulus than that of the bulk of the implant to allow the use of an implant with a low elastic modulus, without risk of damage from the patient's bone.

A method of designing independent endplate implants is also disclosed, including ranges of elastic moduli for the endplates and bulk of the implant for given implant parameters. Implants with elastic moduli within the ranges disclosed herein can optimize the loading of new bone growth to provide increased bone strength.

Systems and methods discussed herein provide for fabricating orthopedic implants one or more shape-memory alloys including TiNi and TiNb and shape-setting the alloys to the geometry appropriate for the orthopedic implant. The shape-setting may include tuning the transformation temperature of the one or more alloys, and a single implant may comprise one or more alloys that may differ in composition, shape-setting process, or both.

A surgical implant system includes a surgical implant for securing adjacent vertebrae of a spine to each other. The surgical implant includes a spacer having at least one implant eyelet. The surgical implant system also includes at least one vertebral anchor configured for insertion through the at least one implant eyelet to fasten the surgical implant to the spine. The vertebral anchor has a tip portion, a head portion, an elongate shank extending from the head portion, and an elongate fin extending from the head portion and along a surface of the elongate shank. The elongate shank and the elongate fin form a generally t-shaped cross-section.

A spinal implant includes a first member having a wall that defines an axial cavity. A second member extends between a first end and a second end and defines a longitudinal axis. The second member is configured for disposal with the axial cavity and translation relative to the first member. A third member has an outer surface engageable with tissue and an inner surface disposed to dynamically engage the first end in response to the engagement of the outer surface with the tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.

An implantable prosthesis that includes a biased coiling member and a conforming coiling member. The biased coiling member may be biased to curve from a substantially linear configuration to a nonlinear configuration. The conforming coiling member may be engaged with and curved by the biased coiling member from the substantially linear configuration to the nonlinear configuration. The biased coiling member may define a longitudinal axis when in the substantially linear configuration. The biased coiling member and the conforming coiling member may move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis may be implanted in a surgical procedure that minimizes incision sizes and may be considered less invasive than typical implant procedures, especially spinal implant procedures.

Dural repair devices that are configured to effectively and reliably repair the damage of a dural tear due to incidental durotomies are provided, along with methods of use. The devices and methods enhance the ability of a surgeon to repair a patients dura mater, or dura, during surgery of the central nervous system. The dural repair device has a multi-layer structure configured to exert a pressure or tamponade effect to compress a patient's dura to its state prior to the spinal surgery. Thus, the dural repair devices and methods of use may reduce the patients risk morbidity, further surgery, spinal headaches, or other injuries and discomforts.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for spinal fusion procedures that can allow all components of the spinal fusion procedure to be inserted into the wound of a patient at once, and can thus minimize the number of components that must be separately inserted into a wound. This can be accomplished by providing a intervertebral fixation system that allows an intervertebral cage, vertebral fixation plate, and drill guides to be assembled into a single unit prior to insertion into a patient.

A central inflatable distractor and a perimeter balloon are inserted into the disc space in uninflated configurations. The central inflatable distractor is then expanded, thereby distracting the vertebral endplates to the controlled height of the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon is then inflated with a curable substance. The perimeter balloon expands as it is filled with the curable substance and conforms to the void remaining in the disc space around the central inflatable distractor, thereby creating a horseshoe shape. Once the flowable material in the perimeter balloon has cured, the central inflated distractor can be deflated and removed. The remaining void (or inner space) is then packed with graft for fusion.

A spacing device is provided for adjusting or measuring the spacing between adjacent vertebral bodies. The spacing device has a distal end with at least one distraction member adapted for insertion into an intervertebral disc space and movable between a low profile first configuration and a higher profile second configuration. Also provided is an actuator for moving the distraction member between the first configuration (for delivery of the distal end of the spacing device to a target disc space) and the second configuration (for manipulation or measurement of the space between adjacent vertebral bodies).