Systems and methods include a method to fuse two sections of bone. The method includes various operations such as accessing the chest cavity (e.g., by severing the sternum) and preparing the sternal edges of the two sections of bone. Sternal wires are implanted around the two sections of bone to create a cradle in a space between the two sections of bone. Cancellous bone tissue may be harvested from the patient and used to hydrate an implant before trimming the implant and/or placing the implant in the cradle. The sternal wires are tightened to compress the implant between the two sections of bone; and the ends of the sternal wires are tied together to create a sternal structure comprised of the implant tightly compressed between the two sections of bone. The sternal construct can act as a bone gasket to improve healing and fusing for the two sections of bone.

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

A temporary spacer device for a joint of the human body such as a knee joint includes a first component or femoral component, adapted to be constrained to a bone or to the femoral bone of a patient, at the joint of the human body; a second component or tibial component, adapted to be constrained to a bone or tibial bone of a patient, at the joint of the human body, and at least one stem having a proximal end, wherein the first component or femoral component and/or the second component or tibial component include at least one housing seat for the proximal end of the at least one stem, adapted to allow the inclination and/or rotation of the at least a stem with respect to an insertion axis of the proximal end into the at least one housing seat.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty, Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A drug delivery system is provided in the form of a controlled release, bioerodible pellet for subdermal implantation. The pellet is bioerodible, and provides for the sustained release of a pharmacologically active agent over an extended time period. As such, the drug delivery system finds significant utility in chronic drug administration. Bioerosion products are water soluble, bioresorbed, or both, obviating the need for surgical removal of the implant. Methods for manufacturing and using the drug delivery system are also provided.

Disclosed herein are elastic, bioresorbable encasements for medical implants, methods for making the same and uses thereof.

The invention relates to a device for producing a spacer having a casting mold lower part (1) with a cavity (2), a casting mold wall (3) which extends peripherally away from an edge of the cavity (2) and which is open on the opposite side, a casting mold upper part (5) with a shaping surface (6), wherein the casting mold upper part (5) can be inserted into an interior (4) of the casting mold lower part (1) and is displaceable in the direction of the cavity (2), such that a hollow space is formed which is delimited by the cavity (2), the shaping surface (6) and the casting mold wall (3) and in which the spacer is moldable, at least one container (7) for receiving excess bone cement paste, and at least one opening (8) in the shaping surface (6) and/or in the cavity (2), which opens into the at least one container (7) for receiving excess bone cement paste.

The invention also relates to a method for producing spacers using such a device.