Disclosed is an expandable interbody fusion implant that is configured to have an initial configuration having a first footprint width suitable for being inserted into an intervertebral space and an expanded configuration having a second footprint width that is greater than the first footprint width. The implant may include a first body member and a second body member that is pivotally coupled to the first body member. The implant may be expanded using an inflatable balloon. The implant may be expanded bilaterally such that both body members rotate relative to the other or the implant may be expanded unilaterally such that one of the body members rotates relative to the other.

An articular ball impactor having a heat resistant material used during heat shrink fit process for providing secure fixation of Morse taper components in modular orthopedic implants. The female Morse component of the articular ball is heated by electromagnetic unit providing thermal expansion. Subsequently, itis impacted over the male Morse taper component and then cooled by commonly used sterile irrigation fluid allowing the female Morse component to shrink thus providing considerable compression, fit and significant reduction of micromotion that has been so widely responsible of fretting and mechanical corrosion.

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for firmly joining together components of a modular orthopedic prosthesis by securing female to male parts thereof together, and in particular a male part present in a modular component into a correspondingly configured female part (i.e., bore or recess) present in a further modular component thereof. Preferably the male part is tapered, and the bore or recess is correspondingly configured to provide a close tolerance fit therewith. In a preferred embodiment a securement device is used to join the components which securement device includes a heat resistant part or region which shields a heated part from its ambient environment; the securement device is useful in holding a component of an orthopedic prosthesis. In a further preferred embodiment the invention also comprises a heat treatment device which is issued to provide a suitable heat treatment to a component (or part thereof) of a modular orthopedic prosthesis. Methods of utilizing the securement device and the heat treatment device during surgical implantation of modular orthopedic prosthesis is also disclosed.

Disclosed is an expandable interbody fusion implant that is configured to have an initial configuration having a first footprint width suitable for being inserted into an intervertebral space and an expanded configuration having a second footprint width that is greater than the first footprint width. The implant may include a first body member and a second body member that is pivotally coupled to the first body member. The implant may be expanded using an inflatable balloon. The implant may be expanded bilaterally such that both body members rotate relative to the other or the implant may be expanded unilaterally such that one of the body members rotates relative to the other.

Systems containing an electrically conductive implant, and a device for treating the implant via induction heating are described. The device includes v. The one or more coils contain an electrically conductive material. The one or more coils can contain one or more connecting portions, and one or more heating portions. Typically, the one or more heating portions have an overall shape that conforms to one or more exposed surfaces of implants. Methods of treating an electrically conductive implant in a patient's body using the device are also described. The method includes placing the heating portions of the one or more coils in a position that is in close proximity to or in contact with one or more exposed surfaces of an implant, and activating the power supply to provide an alternating magnetic field to heat the implant.

Discloses is a system for the wireless transmission of energy and/or signals between spatially-separated regions with no electrically-conductive connection, the conversion of energy and/or signals into other forms of energy and/or forms of signal, and the application and/or detection of same in at least one peripheral region of said system. The system allows a wireless transmission of energy between at least two spatially-separated regions without an electrically-conductive connection, energy being supplied to at least one of these regions, transmitted to at least one additional region in a wireless manner, converted on demand into other forms of energy, and applied in a peripheral region of said system. Signals can be transmitted at the same time as energy is being transmitted.

A human or animal joint is treated by introduction of a device between the suitably prepared articulating surfaces of the joint, and the device is anchored in both these articular surfaces with a material having thermoplastic properties. For allowing at least limited articulation of the joint after implantation, the device includes two articulating portions, wherein one of the articulating portions is anchored in each articulating surfaces of the joint. On implantation a proximal face of the device is contacted with a vibrating tool and the vibration is transmitted through parts of the device to locations in which the material having thermoplastic properties is near the bone tissue of the articulating surfaces of the joint and in which liquefaction is desired. The liquefied material penetrates the bone tissue and, on re-solidification forms a positive fit connection between the device and the bone tissue.

An implant configured to completely replace degenerated or damaged nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc. The implant comprises a silicone elastomer shell that is implanted into a void within the annulus fibrosus created by at least partial removal of the nucleus pulposus therefrom. A colloidal suspension of platinum cured silicone-based polymer and carbon nanotubes is injected into the elastomer shell. The colloidal suspension is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, particularly infrared or near infrared light, to the point that it hardens. The hardened implant becomes a mechanical replacement for the original nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc.

An articular ball impactor having a heat resistant material used during heat shrink fit process for providing secure fixation of Morse taper components in modular orthopedic implants. The female Morse component of the articular ball is heated by electromagnetic unit providing thermal expansion. Subsequently, it is impacted over the male Morse taper component and then cooled by commonly used sterile irrigation fluid allowing the female Morse component to shrink thus providing considerable compression, fit and significant reduction of micromotion that has been so widely responsible of fretting and mechanical corrosion.

Discloses is a system for the wireless transmission of energy and/or signals between spatially-separated regions with no electrically-conductive connection, the conversion of energy and/or signals into other forms of energy and/or forms of signal, and the application and/or detection of same in at least one peripheral region of said system. The system allows a wireless transmission of energy between at least two spatially-separated regions without an electrically-conductive connection, energy being supplied to at least one of these regions, transmitted to at least one additional region in a wireless manner, converted on demand into other forms of energy, and applied in a peripheral region of said system. Signals can be transmitted at the same time as energy is being transmitted.