Minimally invasive compliant devices for spinal disc replacement are discussed herein. In various embodiments, the device comprises a contact-aided compliant mechanism comprising a first rigid component, a second rigid component, a third rigid component, a first flexible component, a second flexible component. Additionally, the first flexible component can be disposed between the first rigid component and the second rigid component while the second flexible components disposed between the second rigid component and the third rigid component. In many embodiments, the rigid components can include a bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface selectively engages another bearing surface of another rigid component.

The invention disclosed herein includes implant features that can be used, in some embodiments, on devices with a volumetric density of less than about 100 percent and devices with a surface roughness of some value. The implant features include one or more protrusions mounted on the forward edge of an implant that can ease the distraction of tissue during implantation and reduce the occurrence of damage during a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the protrusions have gaps in a non-axial direction with respect to the implant to allow axial compression with respect to the protrusions. In some embodiments, the protrusions have a circumferential gap between them and a body of a device to reduce any impact on the device's elastic modulus.

The present invention provides implants and a method of designing and manufacturing implants using an additive process that avoids damage when removing the implant from a build surface of an additive process machine. The inventive method involves designing an implant and build orientation with a portion of increased volumetric density in contact with the build surface. In some embodiments, the contact area between a device and a build surface is reduced to provide easier detachment after the additive process is complete.

A method and implant based on injection molding techniques. The method produces polymeric components suitable for implantation with a structure and mechanical properties close to those of natural bone tissue. In a variant, method for making an implant or component thereof includes forming a standard shape foamed blank, and over-molding a thin layer of non-foamed PEEK material onto the standard shaped foamed blank to obtain a final implant component geometry, whereby the blank is completely encapsulated by the over-molded layer.

An apparatus is designed to attach an implant to bone in a manner that permits rotational adjustment of the implant about multiple axes prior to securement via the apparatus. The apparatus includes separate rotational and translational fasteners that can be individually locked to independently restrict rotation and translation of the implant relative to the bone. The rotational fastener includes an interpositional member, an expandable engagement member, and a rotational locking member that urges the expandable engagement member to advance along the interpositional member. The resulting expansion of the engagement member causes it to engage the implant. The rotational fastener is slidable along a fixation member implanted in the bone until the translational fastener is applied to restrict relative translation between the rotational fastener and the bone.

A prosthetic total knee replacement system comprises a distal femoral implant component, a tibial tray implant component and a fixed bearing tibial tray insert. The fixed bearing tibial tray insert is fixed to the tibial tray and articulates with the distal femoral implant component. The fixed bearing tibial tray insert component has a medial-lateral centerline and a stabilizing post. The stabilizing post has a medial-lateral centerline offset laterally from the medial-lateral centerline of the fixed bearing tibial tray insert.

An orthopedic prosthetic joint comprising a joint couple having a first bearing surface made of a poly aryl ether ketone (PAEK) and a second joint component having a second bearing made of a polymer that is softer than the PAEK such as UHMWPE the first and second bearing surfaces in sliding engagement with one another.

This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.

An orthopedic prosthetic joint comprising a joint couple having a first bearing surface made of a poly aryl ether ketone (PAEK) and a second joint component having a second bearing made of a polymer that is softer than the PAEK such as UHMWPE the first and second bearing surfaces in sliding engagement with one another.

The invention relates to an articulating joint spacer for temporary replacement of a joint, whereby the joint spacer comprises two spacer parts which each comprise one sliding surface on which the spacer parts, in the patient-inserted state, touch against each other in mobile manner and roll off on each other, and the remaining spacer parts are made, at least in part, of a second bone cement that contains at least one water-soluble antibiotic. The invention also relates to a method for producing a two-part articulating joint spacer, in which a sliding surface is formed in both spacer parts from a low-abrasion first bone cement and at least the surfaces of the remaining spacer parts, at least 50% thereof, are formed with a second bone cement that contains at least one water-soluble antibiotic.