A solid lubricant for use in a medical device for lubrication of a synovial joint, wherein said lubricant comprises at least one of: a high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid; a crosslinked high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid; and a hyaluronic acid of at least two different high-molecular weights being crosslinked to form a semisolid gel.

A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The medical device comprises a first and second piece and a releasing member adapted to, in a first state hold the first piece attached to the second piece, and in a second state release the first piece from the second piece. The releasing member is adapted to change from the first state to the second state when a pre-determined strain is placed on the releasing member.

A system for monitoring strain as an indicator of biological conditions, such as spinal fusion, glucose levels, spinal loading, and heart rate, includes an inter-digitated capacitor sensor, an RF transmitter, and an associated antenna, all of which are microminiature or microscopic in size and can be implanted in a biological host such as a human or animal. An inductively coupled power supply is also employed to avoid the need for implantation of chemical batteries. Power is provided to the sensor and transmitter, and data is transmitted from the sensor, when an external receiving device, such as a handheld RF ID type receiver, is placed proximate the location of the implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply. The implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply can be left in place permanently or removed when desired.

Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

Systems and methods to evaluate a joint implant device are provided. The joint implant device can include a socket that at least partially receives a first joint component. The joint implant device can include a socket housing coupled with the socket. The joint implant device can include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor each disposed between the socket and the socket housing. The joint implant device can include a socket extension coupled with the socket. The joint implant device can include a socket housing extension coupled with the socket housing. The joint implant device can include a fourth sensor disposed between the socket extension and the socket housing extension. At least three of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, or the fourth sensor can detect a force between the socket and the first joint component.

Device for displacing tissues inside the organism, e.g. bone tissues, comprising an index part (1), a transport part (2), a threaded rod, a nut (4) mounted on the threaded rod, a drive shaft and a drive connector (71, 72, 73) linking the drive shaft to the nut (4), the transport part (2) being slidably mounted with respect to the index part (1) and limited in rotation with respect to the index part (1) by a first stop (34) which cooperates with a first bracket (14, 15) of the index part, wherein the rotation of the threaded rod with respect to the index part (1) is blocked by the first stop (34), the nut (4) being free to rotate (34) with respect to the index part (1).

A percutaneous gateway is provided for permanently transmission between inside of a body and outside of the body, comprising an implant (10) adapted to be at least partly anchored in a bone (1). The implant (10) has a transmission means (30) that allows a long-term stable communication through a transmitting device (20) adapted to extend from an implantable component (90) through the bone (80) to a device (91) at the outer end (3) of the percutaneous gateway.

An implantable medical device for lubrication of a synovial joint having a joint cavity is provided. The implantable device comprises a solid lubricant and a feeding device, wherein said feeding device is adapted to feed said solid lubricant into the joint cavity for lubricating the synovial joint.

A prosthetic disc can take the form of a sensing artificial disc that includes a resilient core and at least one sensor configured to sense one or more conditions within and/or experienced by the disc. The sensing artificial disc can serve as a replacement to a failed or injured disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The sensing artificial disc can include at least one element configured to change a condition or property of the resilient core in response to a condition sensed by the at least one sensor. A prosthetic disc can include therapeutic system configured to deliver medication to the body, which can include a reservoir of medication.

The invention relates to a system for determining the quality of a bone structure, comprising: a body adapted for drilling through the bone structure; a first electrode arranged on the body so as to come into contact with the bone structure during drilling; a second electrode arranged on the body so as to come into contact with the bone structure at a distance from the first electrode during drilling; an electric generator adapted to apply an electric current between the first and second electrodes for a pre-determined period of time; a measuring device adapted (i) to measure the electric current, continuously and over the pre-determined period, an electrical magnitude representative of the aptitude of the bone structure for allowing electric current to pass therethrough and (ii) to deliver, continuously and over the pre-determined period, a signal representative of the quality of the bone structure between the contact surfaces of the first and second electrodes, using the determined electrical magnitude.