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.

Intersomatic cage for vertebral stabilization, including a generally prismatic body consisting of surface receptacles containing slow prolonged release substances selected from the classes of anti-inflammatory, anti-infection and bone regrowth promoter drugs. The receptacles are in the form of gratings of grooves.

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.

An anatomy-specific implant for neuroplastic surgery. The implant includes a soft tissue implant component designed within and adapted to replace or restore missing soft tissue in a skull, joint or spine of the patient, wherein the soft tissue implant component is adapted to be coupled by an interdigitated connection to a rigid component. The rigid component can be a skull implant adapted to replace missing cranial or vertebral bone, or healthy cranial or vertebral bone, either of which can have downward extending catheters for medicinal brain or spinal cord infusion to help bypass the blood-brain barrier via multiphase flow. The soft tissue implant may include a functional component having neurotechnologies such as MRI-lucent pumps, Bluetooth connection systems, refillable diaphragms, remote imaging devices, wireless charging capabilities, and/or informative biosensors. The soft tissue implant component may be interchangeable with another soft tissue implant component in plug-and-play fashion.

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces 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.

The disclosure describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. A first electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The first current through the counter electrode is varied such that a first electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. In some embodiments, a second electrical current is passed through the counter electrode such that a second electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode.

Intervertebral devices and systems, and methods of their use, are disclosed having configurations suitable for placement between two adjacent vertebrae, replacing the functionality of the disc therebetween. Intervertebral devices and systems contemplated herein are implantable devices intended for replacement of a vertebral disc, which may have deteriorated due to disease for example. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured to allow for ample placement of therapeutic agents therein, including bone growth enhancement material, which may lead to better fusion between adjacent vertebral bones. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured for use in minimally invasive procedures, if desired.

An intervertebral implant includes: a body with an upper wall configured to engage a first vertebral end plate and a lower wall configured to engage a second vertebral end plate, and a load transmitting part configured to transmit load between the upper wall and the lower wall; and the load transmitting part is configured to assume a compressed condition in which a distance between the upper wall and the lower wall defines a first height of the implant and an expanded condition in which the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall defines a second height of the implant that is greater than the first height; and the load transmitting part is attached to the upper wall at at least two first connecting locations and is attached to the lower wall at at least two second connecting locations and has substantially an X-shape in a front view of the implant; and the implant is made of a material that exhibits shape memory properties that permit the implant to remain in the compressed condition without outside forces acting upon it and to change to the expanded condition in response to a temperature being directed to a recovery level.

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.