An alloy for biomedical use includes Zr as a main component, Nb the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight, Mo the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight, and Ta the content of which is not less than 0.1% by weight and not greater than 25% by weight. A tensile strength of the alloy is not less than 1000 MPa. A total content of Nb, Mo, and Ta in the alloy is not less than 2% by weight and not greater than 50% by weight. Mass susceptibility of the alloy is not greater than 1.50×10.sup.−6 cm.sup.3/g. A Young's modulus of the alloy is not greater than 100 GPa. Also disclosed is a medical product including the alloy and a method for producing the alloy.

Provided herein are biomimetic osteochondral implants that are generally useful for the at least partial resurfacing of damaged cartilage within a joint. The implants are constructed to have a modular, layered structure in which the physical properties (e.g., stiffness and lubricity) or dimensions of each layer can be adjusted (e.g., by using the appropriate material and controlling the thickness thereof) based on the anatomy to be replaced. For example, the material and or thicknesses of the layers can be selected to approximate the physical properties and/or dimensions of cartilage (and, optionally, chondral and subchondral bone). Also provided herein are methods of treatment involving the use of said biomimetic osteochondral implants to repair an osteochondral defect in a joint.

Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamia, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae.

The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

The shim-type implant for distraction and fusion of cervical facet joints is provided. The implant has a generally box-like shape with a blunt leading edge that may be centered or offset to the inferior face. The implant may include a graft window for enhanced osseous through-growth after implantation. The implant is coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) and/or tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) to allow for osteo-conduction, is porous, and has a roughened surface with serrations on the superior and inferior faces. The implant may be fabricated from a titanium or tantalum alloy. In an embodiment, a set of tools is provided with a chisel and one or tongs and one or more decorticators for inserting the implant.

The variable or adjustable depth medical implants in this application are capable of depth adjustment prior to implantation. The variable depth implants permit a single implant to provide multiple footprint configurations, allowing a surgeon footprint adjustability in the operating room. The implants can comprise a metallic lattice designed for specific physical properties, such as an elastic modulus. In some examples, the main body of the implant is taller than the adjustable portion of the implant (also referred to as the second implant body) so that the physical properties of the main body of the implant are controlling at the implant site. In some embodiments, the variable implant is constructed in an additive process as a single unit.

Placement apparatus and methods of use for impanation of spacers within an inter-vertebral disc space. In one embodiment, the load-bearing superstructure of the implant is subdivided and the bone forming material is positioned within an internal space of the placement instrument but external to the load bearing elements themselves. At least a portion of the bone graft material is freely contained within the disc space. A method of using the device is also described. In one embodiment, the placement device is used to place the implantable spacers at opposing ends of the disc space using a directly lateral surgical approach.

The present disclosure relates to a spinal implant. The spinal implant may be used for lateral insertion into an intervertebral disc space. For example, the spinal implant may include a spacer body to which a plate is fixed. The intervertebral spacer body may include a pair of opposite sides having a pyramid-shaped teeth to fuse to bone. The plate defines at least one upper and lower borehole that each receives a screw. Each screw attaches the plate to a vertebral body between which the intervertebral spacer body is inserted. The boreholes may include locking threads that are adapted to lock the screws into place by engaging complementary locking threads of head of the screw.

An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Disclosed is a cage which is inserted between vertebral bodies of a cervical vertebra or spine during an operation for treating a cervical disc disease, myelosis, or fracture of the cervical vertebra or spine, and more particularly, to a cage with spikes, including upper and lower spikes which are attached to a clip inserted into a main body of the cage, unfolded upward and downward from the main body, and locked to vertebral bodies of a cervical vertebra or spine positioned at the top and bottom of the cage such that the cage is fixed and locked between the vertebral bodies.