A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

The present invention generally relates to an interbody fusion implant. Specifically, the present invention relates to an implant that incorporates a purposefully designed three-dimensional matrix that optimizes bony ingrowth, with such matrix then being overmolded with a material that provides structural support.

Methods for altering the natural history of degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine are proposed. The methods focus on the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, subchondral defects such as bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine and thereby treat pain.

The present invention relates to an implant consisting of a surface layer consisting of fibres and a matrix, having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, and having a thickness that is at most 5% of the largest dimension of said surface layer; a porous biodegradable part having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, wherein its first surface is attached to the second surface of the surface layer and having a thickness of 1-8 mm; and a membrane layer made of collage having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, wherein its first surface is attached to the second surface of the porous part without covering the edges of the porous part; wherein its first surface is attached to the second surface of the porous part wherein the porous part comprises material selected from the group consisting of bioactive glass, bioactive ceramic, hydroxyapatite, tricalciumphosphate and mixtures thereof.

A composite material for use, for example, as an orthopedic implant, that includes a porous reinforced composite scaffold that includes a polymer, reinforcement particles distributed throughout the polymer, and a substantially continuously interconnected plurality of pores that are distributed throughout the polymer, each of the pores in the plurality of pores defined by voids interconnected by struts, each pore void having a size within a range from about 10 to 500 ?m. The porous reinforced composite scaffold has a scaffold volume that includes a material volume defined by the polymer and the reinforcement particles, and a pore volume defined by the plurality of pores. The reinforcement particles are both embedded within the polymer and exposed on the struts within the pore voids. The polymer may be a polyaryletherketone polymer and the reinforcement particles may be anisometric calcium phosphate particles.

The present invention is a spinal implant that can be inserted into a surgically created cavity of one or more regions of the mammalian spine. Among other things, the biocompatible implant and end cap or biocompatible implant, end cap and spacer combinations can assist with the restoration of the normal anatomic spinal alignment and spinal stability.

An anatomical shoulder fixation system having a stem having a plurality of holes configured to receive bone screws. The stem having compressible suture locking members protruding from the flared head portion configured to receive and lock an elongated member. The plurality of holes configured to have locking mechanisms abutting the holes. The locking mechanisms preventing the bone screw from backing out while also providing the screw the freedom necessary to realign itself during the healing process. In one locking mechanism embodiment, a locking member utilizing a frustoconical split ring configured lock within a retention groove of the bone screw. Another embodiment has a rotating member with a protrusion that locks into a retention groove of the bone screw. An alternative embodiment has a rotating member that rotates over the bone screw utilizing a complimentary angle between the screw head and the protrusion.

A reduced-pressure treatment system includes an isolation device for isolating a tissue site from surrounding tissue for reduced-pressure treatment that is formed from a first material having a first bio-absorption term and at least a second material having a second and different bio-absorption term. The different materials allow the isolation device initially to function well for reduced-pressure treatment and then to experience degradation at a quicker pace which facilitates healing. In addition, a reduced-pressure manifold for treating a tissue site is presented that includes a flexible barrier member formed from a first material, which has a first bio-absorption term and formed with a first plurality of apertures; a second material, which has a second bio-absorption term, disposed within the plurality of apertures; wherein the first bio-absorption term is greater than the second bio-absorption term; and a reduced-pressure delivery member coupled to the barrier member for delivering reduced pressure to the second surface of the barrier member during reduced-pressure treatment.

A tissue scaffold includes a first film having a plurality of cell openings and a second film adjacent the first film and having a plurality of cell openings larger than the cell openings of the first film. The cell openings of the first film interconnect with the cell openings of the second film to define pathways extending through the first and second films.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.