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 lumbar interbody fusion device includes a first wing, a second wing, and a bridge. The bridge has an arcuate resting shape and include a first end connected to the first wing, a second end connected to the second wing, and at least one aperture extending through the bridge in a radial direction relative to the arcuate resting shape of the bridge. The bridge is elastically deformable such that a distance between the first wing and the second wing may vary according to elastic deformation of the bridge.

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.

Femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants, e.g., hip replacement implants, and methods of using femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants are provided. Prosthetic femoral heads, mobile inserts, and acetabular components are provided that can alleviate soft tissue impingement, reduce implant wear, and/or reduce frictional torque. Modular junctions are provided that can minimize the incidence of loosening and micromotion that can occur at modular junctions of orthopedic implants.

The present invention relates to an artificial hip joint replacement system. The system includes an acetabulum portion having a cup suitable to be received by a subject's acetabular bone. The cup includes a rigid portion and an elastic portion attached to the rigid portion. Also included in the system is a ball received within the cup and in contact with the elastic portion and a femoral stem attached to the ball. The elastic portion is positioned to cause expansion and allow contraction of a space between the ball and the rigid portion of the cup so they are further apart from one another during periods of low mechanical loads.

A prosthetic joint includes: (a) a first member comprising rigid material and having a perimeter flange defined by an undercut groove, the flange defining a wear-resistant first contact surface having a protruding rim; (b) a second member comprising rigid material and having a perimeter flange defined by an undercut groove, the flange defining a wear-resistant, second contact surface having a protruding rim; and (c) a third member comprising rigid material positioned between the first and second members, the third member defining opposed wear-resistant third and fourth contact surfaces; (d) wherein the first and second contact surfaces bear against the third and fourth contact surfaces, to transfer loads through the member, while allowing pivoting motion between the first and second members; (e) wherein the flanges can deform elastically such that the first and second contact surfaces conform to the third and fourth contact surfaces.

A joint implant assembly including a spherical shaped component adapted to securing to an end of a first joint defining bone and a recess shaped component adapted to securing to an end of a second joint defining bone. Each of the components establishes an opposing wear surface, at which microscopic sized particles build up over time resulting from prolonged use of the joint. At least one of the spherical and recess shaped components exhibits a plurality of interior entrapment chambers, each of which including a narrow-most entranceway location communicating with the wear surface. The entrapment chambers further exhibit outwardly widening capture profiles extending within the associated component for securing volumes of the microscopic particles away from a zone defined between the wear surfaces.