A modular anchor bone fusion cage is provided. The cage includes a spacer configured to fit into a space between the faces of two bones that are to be fused together. A fusion plate having at least a main body portion is coupled to the spacer by a connector. Fasteners extend through the fusion plate to engage the bone. At least some of the fasteners also extend through the spacer to engage the opposed faces of the bone. A cover plate is coupled to the fusion plate to inhibit the fasteners from backing out prior to fusion of the bones.

A total knee prosthesis to be implanted in a human patient includes a femoral element having a longitudinal axis, a tibial plateau having a longitudinal axis and a mobile plate. The mobile plate is interposed between the femoral element and the tibial plateau to form two joints with them wherein: a) the surfaces of mutual friction of the femoral element with the mobile plate and the surfaces of mutual friction of the tibial plateau with the mobile plate are entirely constituted by one and the same massive ceramic material; and b) the mobile plate includes two condylar bowls, and the femoral element includes two condyles, the condyles and the condylar bowls each having surfaces of mutual friction spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than 100 m when the longitudinal axes of the femoral element and the tibial plateau form an angle of 0 to 75.

A method of pressure forming a brown part from metal and/or ceramic particle feedstocks includes: introducing into a mold cavity or extruder a first feedstock and one or more additional feedstocks or a green or brown state insert made from a feedstock, wherein the different feedstocks correspond to the different portions of the part; pressurizing the mold cavity or extruder to produce a preform having a plurality of portions corresponding to the first and one or more additional feedstocks, and debinding the preform. Micro voids and interstitial paths from the interior of the preform part to the exterior allow the escape of decomposing or subliming backbone component substantially without creating macro voids due to internal pressure. The large brown preform may then be sintered and subsequently thermomechanically processed to produce a net wrought microstructure and properties that are substantially free the interstitial spaces.

This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.

A separate nub component between the plate and an intervertebral fusion cage, wherein the nub is attached to the plate. The nub lessens the undesired pivotal movement of the plate. It is believed that when the nub fits snugly between the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, it acts as a stop against the undesired pivotal movement of the plate.

An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing the surface of a biomedical implant. The biomedical implant may be a zirconia-toughened alumina implant surface functionalized with silicon nitride powder for promoting osteogenesis.

The present invention relates to a knee joint prosthesis having a tibial component and a femoral component. The tibial component includes a fixation portion fixed to an upper end of a prepared tibia and a ceramic bearing portion presenting articulation surface(s). The femoral component is fixed to a lower end of a prepared femur and comprises a ceramic body portion presenting articulation surface(s). The respective articulation surfaces of the tibial and femoral components are configured for essentially congruent engagement over a full range of movement of the prosthesis, and the bearing portion of the tibial component is adapted for movement relative to the fixation portion. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a method for finishing articulation surfaces of ceramic components of a knee joint prosthesis, including the steps of combining the ceramic bearing portion and the ceramic body portion, and imparting relative movement to the bearing portion and/or the body portion.

Devices and methods are provided for immobilizing facet joints of the vertebral column. Embodiments of the invention provide an implant that is inserted in a facet joint from which cartilage has been removed, and which retains the approximate original spacing of the facets in the joint. A retaining arrangement, such as an adhesive, a threaded fastener, or a screw is then used to secure the implant in the joint.

A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections.