Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.

Disclosed is a medical device having a first implant portion having a proximal end, a second implant portion connected to the first implant portion, the second implant portion having a distal end, and a driver assembly removably connected to the distal end, the driver assembly comprising a drill connected to the distal end at a connection.

The invention relates to bioactive surface coatings deposited on selected substrates. Surface nanostructured film coatings deposited on most metal or nonmetal substrates to provide surfaces can be engineered to promote enhanced tissue/cell adhesion. Attached cells, including osteoblasts, fibroblasts and endothelial cells, retain viability and will readily differentiate and proliferate under appropriate conditions. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells exhibit good attachment and growth on most coated substrates, except on nano surfaced structured silicone.

Disclosed is a medical device having a first implant portion having a proximal end, a second implant portion connected to the first implant portion, the second implant portion having a distal end, and a driver assembly removably connected to the distal end, the driver assembly comprising a drill connected to the distal end at a connection.

The invention relates to a modular interim joint prosthesis that can be inserted into a long bone, for replacing an explanted joint endoprosthesis, wherein the interim joint prosthesis has a main body having a main-body coupling segment and has a shaft having a shaft coupling segment and the shaft coupling segment can be detachably coupled to the main-body coupling segment.

A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.

Disclosed is a medical device having a first implant portion having a proximal end, a second implant portion connected to the first implant portion, the second implant portion having a distal end, and a driver assembly removably connected to the distal end, the driver assembly comprising a drill connected to the distal end at a connection.

A method for manufacturing an implantable device is provided. The method includes laser nano-texturing a titanium surface. The method further includes applying an aqueous silver ion solution to form a silver ion complex on the nano-textured titanium surface. The method also includes reducing, using laser-assisted photocatalytic reduction, the silver ion complex to silver ion particles which are immobilized on the nano-textured titanium surface.

A metal implant for use in a surgical procedure is provided with a surface layer that is integral with the metal substrate, and which incorporates a biocidal material. The surface layer may be grown from the metal substrate, by anodising, and the biocidal material incorporated in it by ion exchange. Alternatively the layer may be deposited by electroplating, followed by diffusion bonding so as to become integral with the metal substrate. In either case, silver is a suitable biocidal material; and both the release rate and the quantity of biocidal material should be low to avoid toxic effects on body cells. Electropolishing the surface before formation of the surface layer is also beneficial, and this may be achieved by electropolishing.

The invention relates to bioactive surface coatings deposited on selected substrates. Surface nanostructured film coatings deposited on most metal or nonmetal substrates to provide surfaces can be engineered to promote enhanced tissue/cell adhesion. Attached cells, including osteoblasts, fibroblasts and endothelial cells, retain viability and will readily differentiate and proliferate under appropriate conditions. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells exhibit good attachment and growth on most coated substrates, except on nano surfaced structured silicone.