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.

An expandable interbody device for placement between adjacent vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae, actuating the screw mechanism and delivering a material to a chamber of the expandable interbody device.

A spinal implant is provided including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a back surface, two side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the two side surfaces extending between the front surface and the back surface and an opening positioned closer to the back surface than the front surface. The opening is provided to contain graft material that spans between a cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the cortical rim of the lower vertebral body. The method includes packing the opening with graft material, wherein the graft material spans between the decorticated cortical rim of the upper vertebral body and the decorticated cortical rim of the lower vertebral body.

An apparatus and method is provided for interbody fusion including distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.

An artificial acetabulum having a multilayer shell-core composite structure includes a ceramic acetabular liner, a transition layer and an acetabular shell. The acetabular shell is made of a porous metal, a porous alloy or a porous toughened ceramic; the ceramic acetabular liner is made of a ceramic material; and the transition layer is made of a composite material comprising materials of the acetabular shell and the ceramic acetabular liner. The artificial acetabulum is manufactured through sintering a green body of successively stacked layers of the ceramic acetabular liner, the transition layer and the acetabular shell, and the green body of successively stacked layers is obtained through a powder co-injection molding process. The ceramic acetabular liner of the artificial acetabulum has a high rigidness, corrosion-proof and wear-proof performance. The acetabular shell of the artificial acetabulum has a high toughness and shock resistant performance.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

The present invention provides a uni-compartmental knee joint prosthesis (1) which includes a tibial component (2) and a femoral component (3). The tibial component (2) has a fixation portion (10) adapted to be fixed to an upper end of a prepared tibia (T) in a patient, and a bearing portion (30) presenting an articulation surface (32) formed from a ceramic material, wherein the bearing portion (30) is adapted for movement relative to the fixation portion (10). The femoral component (3) is adapted to be fixed to a lower end of a prepared femur (F) in a patient, and comprises a body portion (50) presenting an articulation surface (56) formed from a ceramic material for engagement with the articulation surface (32) of the tibial component (2). The articulation surfaces (32, 56) of the tibial and femoral components are adapted for essentially congruent engagement over a full range of movement of the prosthesis.

This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two motion surfaces and. wherein the radius of the upper articulation surface of the core member is greater than the radius of the lower articulation surface of the core member, and wherein the first articulation surface of the core member is spherical and the second articulation surface of the core member is curved and non-spherical.

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 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.