Devices and methods for in situ drawing, filtering and seeding cells from the marrow of surrounding bone into a fusion cage without any of the challenges mentioned above. Various implants and devices with aspiration ports that enable in-situ harvesting and mixing of stem cells. These devices may include spinal fusion cages, long bone spacers, lateral grafts and joint replacement devices. Each device utilizes at least one aspiration port for harvesting of stem cell-containing marrow via aspiration from adjacent bony elements.

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 inserter instrument for inserting an intervertebral fusion cage having curved sidewalls, comprising: a) a threaded securement rod that mates with the cage via screw threads; b) a cannulated cage holder to receive the rod and hold the cage in position as the sheath is retracted; and c) a bulleted cannulated sheath,
wherein the sheath is curved and comprises a superelastic shape memory material having a curved configuration and a straight configuration.

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 artificial femoral ball head having a multilayer shell-core composite structure includes a spherical shell layer, a transition layer and an inner core. The inner core is made of a toughened ceramic, the spherical shell layer is made of a ceramic material, and the transition layer is made of a composite material comprising materials of the inner core and the spherical shell layer. The artificial femoral ball head is manufactured through sintering a green body of successively stacked layers of the spherical shell layer, the transition layer and the inner core, and the green body of successively stacked layers is obtained through a powder co-injection molding process. The spherical shell layer of the artificial femoral head has a high rigidness, corrosion-proof and wear-proof performance. The inner core of the artificial femoral head has a high toughness and shockresistant performance.

An expandable device for expanding and supporting body tissue comprises an inferior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact one body tissue surface and a superior endplate having an outer surface configured to contact an opposing body tissue surface. The inferior endplate and the superior endplate are movable relative to each other in a direction of expansion. The device includes an elevator captively supported between the inferior endplate and the superior endplate for independent movement along the direction of expansion. In the first direction the elevator is moved toward said superior endplate to lift the superior endplate and expand the device. In the second direction the elevator moves away from said superior endplate toward said inferior endplate to create a space for insertion of an insert into the expanded device.

Present invention relates to an orthopedic implant having a bone anchoring part comprising a polymer composition comprising a biostable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and 15-70 mass % of inorganic particles comprising zirconia. It was found that this relatively rigid anchoring part allows inserting an implant into a pre-drilled bone hole to form a firm and durable connection to bone, which may be visualized with for example X-ray or MRI methods. The thermoplastic polyurethane composition shows favorable properties, and offers freedom in design and dimensioning of the implant, and in making the implant with common techniques like injection molding. Especially if the implant comprises a cartilage replacing part made from a resilient thermoplastic material compatible with the polyurethane-zirconia composition, like a more flexible TPU composition, the implant may be made with a 2-component injection molding technique. In other aspects, the invention relates to a method of making said orthopedic implant comprising a bone anchoring part with a multi-component injection molding process. The invention further relates to a surgical kit of parts comprising orthopedic implants of the invention, and to the use of an implant or a surgical kit of the invention in orthopedic surgery.

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 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.

Spacerless artificial disc replacements (ADR) are disclosed. One preferred embodiment includes two saddle-shaped components to facilitate more normal spinal flexion, extension, and lateral bending while limit axial rotation, thereby protecting the facet joints and the annulus fibrosus (AF). Either or both of the superior and inferior components are made of a hard material such as chrome cobalt, titanium, or a ceramic including alumina, zirconia, or calcium phosphate. The articulating surfaces of the ADR are also preferably highly polished to reduce friction between the components. Metals, alloys or other materials with shape-memory characteristics may also prove beneficial.