A prosthetic implant replaces hyaline cartilage in a synovial joint with a flexible polymer sliding surface, preferably of hydrogel, on a segmented support with an array of adjacent segments to which the hydrogel is molded. Adjacent segments are laterally and angularly displaceable permitting the implant to conform to rounded or irregular surfaces or to be rolled or folded for arthroscopic placement. Tension cables threaded through segments along a circuit can cinch segments together for stiffening the supporting layer and/or the cable can pull the implant against a bone surface. Adjacent segments can have inter-engaged structures. In some embodiments the segments are carried on a flexible foil or fibrous sheet.

A medical device for cooperating with a body surface of a patient includes an elastically deformable substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of pores extending from the first surface towards the second surface to define a plurality of spaced-apart projections. A lubricant is provided in the pores. Applying a compressive force to the substrate with the body surface elastically deforms the projections to displace the lubricant out of the pores and provide hydrodynamic lubrication between the medical device and the body surface.

Provided herein are biomimetic osteochondral implants that are generally useful for the at least partial resurfacing of damaged cartilage within a joint. The implants are constructed to have a modular, layered structure in which the physical properties (e.g., stiffness and lubricity) or dimensions of each layer can be adjusted (e.g., by using the appropriate material and controlling the thickness thereof) based on the anatomy to be replaced. For example, the material and or thicknesses of the layers can be selected to approximate the physical properties and/or dimensions of cartilage (and, optionally, chondral and subchondral bone). Also provided herein are methods of treatment involving the use of said biomimetic osteochondral implants to repair an osteochondral defect in a joint.

An implant stabilizes two adjacent bones of a joint, while enabling a natural kinematic relative movement of the bones. Support components are connected to each bone of the joint, and a flexible core is interposed between them. The core and at least one of the support components are provided with a smooth sliding surface upon which the core and support component may slide relative to each other, enabling a corresponding movement of the bones. The surfaces may have a mating curvature, to mimic a natural movement of the joint. The core is resilient, and may bend or compress, enabling the bones to move towards each other, and or to bend relative to each other.

An implantable medical device, for implantation in a mammal knee joint, comprising an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least one contacting surface of the knee joint and to be lubricated when implanted in said joint. The medical device further comprises a reservoir comprising a movable wall portion defining the volume of the reservoir, at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from the reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in said artificial contacting surface, wherein the channel is fluidly connected with said at least one inlet for distributing said lubricating fluid to the surface of said artificial contacting surface. The medical device further comprises an operation device adapted to non-invasively transport said lubricating fluid from said reservoir to said artificial contacting surface, and an implantable injection port for refilling said reservoir, wherein the movable wall portion is moved when the reservoir is refilled, such that the volume of the reservoir is increased.

This disclosure relates to intervertebral disc prostheses which may have an upper plate, a lower plate, and a mobile core, with the upper surface of the core being in contact with at least a part of the lower surface of the upper plate. In some configurations, limit stops reduce friction while limiting or preventing the movements of the core relative to the lower plate, in translation and in rotation, respectively, along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate. Instrumentation for insertion of the prostheses into intervertebral spaces is also described.

This disclosure relates to intervertebral disc prostheses which may have an upper plate, a lower plate, and a mobile core, with the upper surface of the core being in contact with at least a part of the lower surface of the upper plate. In some configurations, limit stops reduce friction while limiting or preventing the movements of the core relative to the lower plate, in translation and in rotation, respectively, along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate. Instrumentation for insertion of the prostheses into intervertebral spaces is also described.

A surgical instrument for operating hip joint osteoarthritis in a human patient is provided. The hip joint comprises an acetabulum, being a part of the pelvic bone, and a caput femur, being the proximal part of the femoral bone. The surgical instrument is adapted to assist in the operating of the hip joint osteoarthritis from the abdominal side of the pelvic bone of said human patient.

A medical device for delivering an action to an area of a hip joint or its surroundings, inside a human body, is provided. The hip joint of a patient comprises a collum femur and a ball shaped caput femur, being the proximal parts of the femoral bone, and an acetabulum, being a bowl shaped part of the pelvic bone. The medical device comprising; an elongated member, having a length axis along its elongated distribution, comprising a first portion, adapted to enter the body of the patient, and a mechanical element, adapted to be used during an operation in the hip joint or its surroundings, inside the body. The first portion of the elongated member comprises a holding member adapted to hold the mechanical element inside the body of the patient, wherein the first portion of the elongated member have a first portion cross-section area substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the elongated member. The first portion is adapted to pass through a hole, in a bone of the patient, the hole having a hole cross-section area. The first portion cross-section area, is adapted to be smaller than said hole cross-section area. The mechanical element have a functional status, ready to deliver said action inside said body, when held by the holding member inside the body of the patient. The mechanical element is adapted to have a mechanical element cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the elongated member, substantially larger than the first portion cross-sectional area and adapted to be unable to pass through the hole, when the mechanical element is in the functional status.

A method for fixating an artificial convex caput femur surface to the pelvic bone of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: exposing the acetabulum surface, creating a hole or recess in the pelvic bone from the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone, providing the artificial convex caput femur, comprising an elongated member to the hip joint, inserting said elongated member in said hole, and performing an action on the acetabulum side of the pelvic bone such that the elongated member is structurally changed on the abdominal side of the pelvic bone or inside the pelvic bone.