A lattice or solid structure for a medical device includes a first layer of first filaments discretely formed from at least one medical-grade silicone material. The first filaments are arranged in a predetermined pattern and may be directly adjacent to one another or spaced apart. Additional layers of filaments may be provided adjacent to the first layer, and chemically bonded thereto to form an integrated structure that is without interruption or with interstices therebetween.

A system for additive manufacturing a medical device, the system comprising a first dispensing system, a second dispensing system, a deposition apparatus, and a deposition substrate on a surface of which the deposition apparatus is configured to deposit at least one elastomeric material into a filament. The deposition apparatus receives the at least one elastomeric material from the first and second dispensing systems in proportions effecting a desired property in the medical device. The deposition apparatus may comprise heating and/or cooling elements, a sonic vibration module, and/or a pneumatic suck-back valve. The deposition substrate may have a configuration corresponding to a desired shape of the medical device and is configured to rotate and/or translate relative to the deposition apparatus. The system comprises a controller configured to control the deposition.

A flexible body comprises a polymer film having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The polymer film has a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface and a plurality of raised lips protruding from the first surface such that each of the plurality of apertures is surrounded by one of the plurality of raised lips. A method of producing a polymer film comprises placing a polymer solution into a one sided mold having a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom of the mold wherein the polymer solution is characterized by a viscosity that inhibits the unaided flow of the polymer throughout the mold; urging the polymer solution around each of the plurality of protrusions; and solidifying the polymer solution.

This disclosure includes apparatus and methods to attach an orthopedic device to a bone. The method can comprise locating a baseplate on a glenoid of a patient, the base plate including at least a first fastener bore, creating a first post hole in the glenoid for locating a first fixation post, the first fixation post including a quasi-spherical head and a porous metal sleeve, and driving the first fixation post through the first fastener bore and into the first post hole. The porous metal sleeve can engage the first post hole and the quasi-spherical head can contact at least the first wall of the first fastener bore to removeably lock the quasi-spherical head to the baseplate. Driving the first fixation post can create an initial compression between the baseplate and the glenoid. The porous metal sleeve can receive bone ingrowth to maintain the initial compression.

Disc degeneration and chronic back pain are caused by a transport hindrance of oxygen, nutrients and pH buffer from capillaries in endplates into mid-layer of the intervertebral disc. A fluid absorbing conduit is inserted into the intervertebral disc, drawing and delivering the oxygen, nutrients and pH buffer in fluid of body circulation from capillaries at endplates into the mid-layer of the disc. The disc undergoes thousands of relaxation and compression cycles each day from daily activity of the patient. During relaxation phase, the fluid of body circulation containing oxygen, nutrients, and pH buffer is infused into the fluid absorbing conduit. During compression phase, the oxygen, nutrients, and pH buffer in the fluid absorbing conduit is dispersed into the mid-layer of the disc. The pH buffer, bicarbonate, neutralizes the lactic acid to relieve the discogenic pain. Oxygen inhibits hypoxic inflammation and production of lactic acid to further reduce the discogenic pain. Nutrients nourish the disc cells to rebuild or regenerate the disc matrix. Therapeutic agents can be added into the fluid absorbing conduit or injected into the disc implanted with the fluid absorbing conduit to expedite pain relief and disc regeneration. The therapeutic agents can be pH buffering agent, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory drug, anesthetic, antacid, nutrient, sulfate, anti-depressant, calcium channel blocker, growth factor, cells or other.

An orthopedic system for delivery of a therapeutic agent to a bone includes an elongate stem adapted to be inserted into an intramedullary canal, an inlet configured to receive the therapeutic agent, and one or more outlets configured to deliver the therapeutic agent to the bone. The elongate stem may comprise one or more protrusions to engage the bone, and one or more channels extending longitudinally therein, fluidly coupled to the inlet. The therapeutic agent flows from the inlet through the one or more channels and exits into the intramedullary canal through the one or more outlets. The system may be configured to allow one or more dimensions of the system to be adjusted to accommodate the anatomy of a patient.

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

There is disclosed a bone fixation device that can include a cage having an optional mesh portion. The bone fixation device can be configured to couple a leg portion to a foot portion of a user's body. In at least one embodiment, the device includes at least one cage having a plurality of struts forming cells. There can be an optional mesh portion having a pre-set porosity that can be either constant or variable in density. In at least one embodiment there can be a cage portion which is substantially spherical shaped. Alternatively, the device can be substantially egg shaped. In at least one embodiment there can be a central post hole for receiving a post. In another embodiment at least one plate or shaft can connect to the cage.

An interbody spacer system for insertion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra according to the principles of the present disclosure includes and interbody spacer and a first curved blade. The interbody spacer includes an outer wall and a first surface for engaging an endplate of the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging an endplate of the second vertebra. A first entry aperture in the outer wall and a first exit aperture on the first surface communicate with a first curved path extending therebetween. The first curved blade enters the first entry aperture and exits through the first exit aperture to secure the spacer to the first vertebra.

The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.