This invention provides, inter alia, a device having a cage having an opening or window in at least one of its walls that allows for the insertion of bone growth promoting materials therethrough, comprising one or more openings in one or more of the walls of the cage, designed to receive bone growth promoting materials, including coral-based materials, which facilitate in the fusion with the treated bone, and which optionally serves to reinforce the stability of the implanted structure. Methods of stabilizing two skeletal structures relative to one another, joining two skeletal structures which are discontinuous and repairing a ligament tear or replacing a ligament making use of a bone fusion device of the invention are described.

An implant for repairing a cartilage defect comprising a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises a membrane-like structure and the second layer comprises a sponge-like structure with directional and/or interconnected pores. The first layer is facing the synovial space and the second layer is located towards bone.

The invention relates to a device for producing a spacer having a stem mold (1) which has an inner space (2), wherein the inner space (2) is accessible via a proximal opening (3) and wherein the stem mold (1) has a proximal wall (4) which peripherally delimits the proximal opening (3) of the stem mold (1), a head mold (5) which has in the interior thereof a hollow space (6), wherein the hollow space (6) has a spherical surface-shaped inner surface (7) and is accessible via a distal opening (8), wherein the head mold (5) has a distal wall (9) which peripherally delimits the distal opening (8) of the head mold (5), a metal core (10) which has a stem part (12), a head part (14) and a flange (16), wherein the flange (16) projects out from the metal core (10), is arranged between the stem part (12) and the head part (14) and has a proximal surface (18) and a distal surface (20), wherein the stem mold (1) and the stem part (12) are shaped such that the stem part (12) is arranged in the inner space (2), when the proximal wall (4) is resting against the distal surface (20), and wherein the head mold (5) and the head part (14) are shaped such that the head part (14) is arranged in the hollow space (6), when the distal wall (9) is resting against the proximal surface (18).

The invention also relates to a set with such a device and to a method for producing spacers with such a device.

The invention is directed to producing a shaped cartilage matrix isolated from a human or animal where the cartilage has been crafted to facilitate disinfection, cleaning, devitalization, recellularization, and/or integration after implantation. The invention relates to a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implantation of a cartilage graft into a human or animal by crafting the cartilage matrix into individual grafts, disinfecting and cleaning the cartilage graft, applying a pretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, removing cellular debris using an extracting solution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft, implanting the cartilage graft into the cartilage defect with or without an insertion device, and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The devitalized cartilage graft is optionally recellularized in vitro, in vivo, or in situ with viable cells to render the tissue vital before or after the implantation. The devitalized cartilage graft is also optionally stored between the removing cellular debris and the recellularizing steps.

In a method and system for producing an implant, the latter is designed with one or more surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction of the implant. Two or three production stages can be used. In one stage, either a topography with a long wave pattern is produced by means of cutting work, or laser bombardment or further cutting work is used to produce a topography with an intermediate-length wave pattern. In addition, an oxidation process or shot-peening or etching is used to produce an outer layer. When using two of said production stages, said cutting work or said laser bombardment or further cutting work is followed by the oxidation process or the shot-peening or etching method. When using all three production stages, cutting work is followed by laser bombardment, or further cutting work, which in turn is followed for example by the oxidation process. The invention also relates to an implant which is produced using the method and is identified, ordered and produced using the system. The invention permits effective treatment of different implant situations.

Method for manufacturing a bone pin for connection to a bone, particularly for fixing an implant to a bone, the bone pin having an implant contacting part arranged to contact the implant in connected situation and a bone contacting part arranged to engage the bone in connected situation, wherein the method comprises the steps of:—providing bone information which is indicative for the bone which the bone contacting part is arranged to engage;—providing a bone contacting part which is customized on the basis of the bone information for engaging said bone;—providing an implant contacting part; and—assembling the bone contacting part and the implant contacting part for manufacturing the pin.

A novel implant for replacing a portion of an articulation surface of a joint is disclosed. The implant includes a bone-engaging surface, a hydrogel portion forming an articulation surface opposite from the first bone-engaging surface, and a bone plate portion configured for securing the implant to a bone that forms the joint.

A spinal bone graft includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a first unit. The first unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms at least one first undercut. The bone graft also includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a second unit. The second unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms either at least one second undercut, or at least one connector. In the former, at least one connector is received in each of the first and second undercuts to interconnect the first and second units. In the latter, the at least one connector of the second unit is received in the first undercut of the first unit to interconnect the first unit and second unit.

Devices and methods for bone fixation including a bone fixation system including a bone plate or intervertebral spacer including a plurality of apertures dimensioned to receive bone fasteners and at least one polymeric element capable of transitioning from a solid state to a flowable state. The polymeric element transitions to a flowable state as a result of exposure to ultrasonic vibration. The polymeric element is placed on the bone plate or intervertebral spacer adjacent a fastener in an aperture and acts to prevent rotational and/or translational movement of the fastener relative to the bone plate or intervertebral spacer.

The invention provides a method of making a biological disc graft. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating back or neck pain. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating any joint pain. The invention also provides a method of implanting said biological disc graft in a way that is minimally invasive and less dangerous.