An implantable medical device for implantation in a mammal joint having at least two contacting surfaces is provided. The medical device comprises; an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the mammal's joint contacting surfaces, wherein the artificial contacting surface is adapted to be lubricated, when implanted in said joint. Furthermore the medical device comprises at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from a reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in the artificial contacting surface in connection with the at least one inlet for distributing the lubricating fluid to the surface of the artificial contacting surface. The medical device could be adapted to be operable by an operation device to receive the distributed lubricated fluid from a reservoir.

The present invention relates to a system and method for spinal disc replacement surgery via a lateral approach. The invention also relates to a spinal disc replacement device that is designed to be inserted via the lateral approach disc replacement surgery. The invention further relates to tools used for the spinal disc replacement surgery via the lateral approach.

Synthetic composite materials for use, for example, as orthopedic implants are described herein. In one example, a composite material for use as a scaffold includes a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuous porosity and a plurality of pores. The porosity and the size of the pores are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material. The example composite material also includes a plurality of a anisometric calcium phosphate particles integrally formed, embedded in, or exposed on a surface of the porous matrix. The calcium phosphate particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

A prosthetic disc can take the form of a sensing artificial disc that includes a resilient core and at least one sensor configured to sense one or more conditions within and/or experienced by the disc. The sensing artificial disc can serve as a replacement to a failed or injured disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The sensing artificial disc can include at least one element configured to change a condition or property of the resilient core in response to a condition sensed by the at least one sensor. A prosthetic disc can include therapeutic system configured to deliver medication to the body, which can include a reservoir of medication.

A proposed treatment of arthrosis/osteoarthritis in a joint of a mammal or human patient involves deposing a liquid material on at least one damaged surface of the joint. To accomplish this, a reservoir (110) is provided, which holds a volume of a biocompatible material in liquid form outside of a body containing the joint (J) to be treated. A proximal end (P) of a tub e-shaped instrument (120) is connected to the reservoir (110), and a distal end (D) of the instrument (120) is inserted into the joint (J). The liquid material is fed through the instrument (120) to the distal end (D) for deposition on the at least one damaged joint surface.

The material is configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions (e.g. when cooling off, or being exposed to a specific type of radiation). When the material has the solid form, it has a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface.

A system, device/implant, method and processes for manufacturing a filament and an implant having at least one or a plurality of areas in the implant comprised of selectively-place bone to facilitate osteoconductivity and, potentially, osteoinductivity after the implant is implanted into a patient.

A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.

Synthetic composite materials for use, for example, as orthopedic implants are described herein. In one example, a composite material for use as a scaffold includes a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuous porosity and a plurality of pores. The porosity and the size of the pores are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material. The example composite material also includes a plurality of a anisometric calcium phosphate particles integrally formed, embedded in, or exposed on a surface of the porous matrix. The calcium phosphate particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

A system for dynamically controlling a weld profile includes a generator, and end effector, a sensor, and a computer. The generator is configured to supply energy based on the weld profile. The end effector operatively connected to the generator and configured to apply vibratory energy and pressure to an object. The sensor configured to provide an output with respect to the object. The computer configured to monitor the output and change the weld profile of the generator based on the output.