A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.

A spinal distraction system, according to one aspect, includes an adjustable spinal distraction rod comprising first and second members, the adjustable spinal distraction rod configured for non-invasive elongation of the first and second members. The system includes an anchor rod configured for mounting to a bone of a subject, the anchor rod having one or more spring-biased tabs disposed at one end thereof, and a connector having first end and a second end, the first end having a receiving cup configured for detachable mounting on the anchor rod, wherein the one or more spring-biased tabs are configured to engage with an inner surface of the receiving cup, the connector having a second end operatively coupled to an end of a first member and wherein the second member is configured for mounting to a second bone of a subject.

The invention relates to a prosthesis for implantation into a living body in the form of a magnetic artificial joint, in particular an artificial shoulder joint, comprising: a) a first prosthesis member comprising a socket member, b) a second prosthesis member comprising a head member, c) one of the socket member and the head member is at least partially composed as a permanent magnet and the other one of the socket member and the head member is at least partially composed of a magnetic material, or the socket member and the head member are both at least partially composed as a permanent magnet, d) the socket member comprises a recess on a surface side to be coupled with the head member, the recess comprising a concavely contoured contact surface, e) the head member comprises a projection on a surface side to be coupled with the socket member, the projection comprising a convexly contoured contact surface, f) the convexly contoured contact surface is adapted to the concavely contoured contact surface, such that the head member can be coupled in a rotatably jointed manner to the socket member in the nature of a ball/ball-socket joint, g) wherein the convexly contoured contact surface can perform a generally slip-fee rolling motion or a combined slipping and rolling motion on the concavely contoured contact surface in reaction to a change of an angle between the first and the second prosthesis member, and the convexly contoured contact surface can be shifted across the concavely contoured contact surface within a shifting area.

The present disclosure includes prosthetic devices, including implants for joints and external prosthetics. The prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

Disclosed herein are joint implants and methods for tracking joint implant performance. A method for monitoring a joint implant performance may include coupling a first implant to a first bone of a joint, the first implant including at least one magnetic marker. Coupling a second implant to a second bone of the joint, the second implant including at least one magnetic sensor to detect a position of the magnetic marker. Performing a first joint stress test to measure a baseline joint stability value, the baseline joint stability value being generated by the at least one magnetic sensor. Performing a second joint stress test to measure a second joint stability value, the second joint stability value being generated by the at least one magnetic sensor. Determining joint stability of the joint by comparing the baseline joint stability value to the second joint stability value.

A medical implant for a human shoulder joint includes a first magnetic implant fixed to the non-articular surface of the greater tuberosity of the human shoulder joint, and a second magnetic implant fixed to an outer surface and underside of the acromion of the human shoulder joint. At least one of the first and second magnetic implants generates a magnetic field that urges the first and second magnetic implants away from each other and thereby distracts the humeral head of the human shoulder joint from the acromion.

A method of implanting a joint prosthesis assembly for joint arthroplasty using a coupling mechanism is disclosed. The method includes exposing a joint of a patient, resecting a portion of the joint, inserting a second prosthesis of the joint prosthesis assembly into a medullary canal, and inserting a first prosthesis of the joint prosthesis assembly from a lateral side of the joint, The joint prosthesis assembly includes a magnet. The magnet is configured to lock the first prosthesis of the joint prosthesis a.ssembly to the second prosthesis of the joint prosthesis assembly. The first prosthesis of the joint prosthesis assembly includes a recess. The second prosthesis of the joint prosthesis assembly includes a protrusion. The recess is configured to house the protrusion. Alternatively, the first prosthesis and the second prosthesis may be assembled in a direct line using the magnet for secure coupling of the components.

Method of installing a medical device in a hip joint of a human patient, said medical device comprising a first piece comprising a convex contacting surface and a second piece comprising a concave contacting surface for creating a prosthetic joint, said medical device further comprising a releasing member configured to in a first state hold said first piece attached to said second piece, and in a second state release said first piece from said second piece said method comprising the steps of exposing the hip joint through a surgical or arthroscopic procedure, fixating said first piece of said medical device to a pelvic bone, fixating said second piece of said medical device to a femoral bone, placing said first piece in connection with said second piece, and holding said first piece to said second piece using said releasing member.

Disclosed herein is a joint implant including a first implant coupled to a first bone of a joint, and a second implant coupled to a second bone of the joint and contacting the first implant. The second implant can include a plurality of sensors configured to measure data and a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and adapted to receive the data from the sensors. The first implant can be a femoral implant coupled to a femur. The second implant can be a patellar implant coupled to a patella. Sensor data from the patellar implant can indicate movement between the femoral implant and the patellar implant and identify patella condition such as a patellar rotation, patellar tilt and patellar tendonitis.

In one aspect, a system and method for aligning hip replacement prostheses comprises an acetabular liner having an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface. The acetabular liner includes at least two magnetic sensors arranged in a spatially distributed manner. The system and method also include a prosthetic femoral component comprising a femoral head component. The femoral head component and the acetabular liner component are shaped such that a ball and socket joint is formed when the femoral head component comes into contact with the inner concave surface of the acetabular liner. While the ball-and-socket joint is formed, and in at least some orientations of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular liner component, a contact point on an external surface of the femoral head component contacts the inner concave surface. The femoral head component includes at least one permanent magnet.