The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.

An intervertebral implant can include a core and a flexible end plate. The core can have a core body that is elongate along a first direction and defines first and second outer surfaces. The flexible end plate can define an inner surface and an opposed bone facing surface that is configured to abut a vertebral body. The flexible end plate can be coupled to the core such that at least a portion of the inner surface faces the first outer surface and is spaced from the first outer surface. The flexible end plate is configured to resiliently flex toward a compressed configuration such that as the flexible end plate flexes toward the compressed configuration, a first end moves relative to the core along the first direction and the portion of the inner surface moves toward the first outer surface.

A balloon, a medical device, and a medical procedure for discoplasty are disclosed. The balloon has a compressed, collapsed or folded balloon body containing a first chamber for, in use, receiving injected bone cement. With the bone cement filled and cured therein, the balloon acts as a support in tissue of an intervertebral disc while preventing the bone cement from leakage and dispersion. The deployed balloon body defines a second chamber running therethrough. The second chamber is configured to receive a material or cells that activate osteogenesis and/or osteo-induction, so that the material or cells injected into the second chamber through a second sprue form osteocytes or induce human spontaneous local cellular differentiation to in turn form osteocytes in the cavity of the intervertebral disc and connect vertebrae above and below the intervertebral disc, thereby securely anchoring the balloon within the intervertebral space.

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.

An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, in one embodiment, includes upper and lower prosthesis plates and a movable core. The prosthesis plates and optionally the core are formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) for improved imaging properties. A metallic insert is provided on each of the PAEK prosthesis plates providing a bone ongrowth surface.

A dynamic intervertebral spacer includes a ring which is split on an anterior portion. A posterior portion of the ring acts as a torsion spring. After implantation, the ring is able to act as a spring between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, thus allowing dynamic bone growth in fusion procedures.

A spacer separates bones of a joint using a driver tool having a threaded shaft. The spacer has a superior endplate with inferior facing ramps, and an inferior endplate with superior facing ramps. Two bearings are positioned between the endplates, each bearing has superior facing ramps which mate with the inferior facing ramps of the superior endplate, and inferior facing ramps which mate with the superior facing ramps of the inferior endplate. One bearing has a threaded aperture, and the other a thrust surface. A threaded shaft is threaded into the threaded aperture to push against the thrust surface to drive the bearings apart. As the bearings move apart, the mated ramps slide against each other to drive the superior and inferior endplates apart.

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.

The present application generally relates to orthopedic systems, and in particular, to systems including independent plates and spacers. A plating system can include a spacer and a plate that is independent from the spacer. A number of locking mechanisms can be provided to secure the plate to the spacer. In some cases, the spacer includes a pair of notches that extend on an outer surface of the spacer. The plate can include a pair of lateral extensions that can engage the notches to secure the plate to the spacer. In other cases, the spacer includes an opening including a pair of inlets. The plate can include an enclosed posterior extension that can be received in the pair of inlets to secure the plate to the spacer.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an orbital floor implant (10). One embodiment provides an implant with a first surface that is a fully porous, bone-side layer (16) and a second surface that is a non-porous, orbital content-side layer (18). The implant material itself may be polymeric material throughout, without the need for an embedded mesh or other support matrix. The implant is provided in a pre-shaped configuration and is of a material that allows it to be bent for shaping purposes. An extending tab (12) with eyelet portion/opening (14) can enhance securement options to a patient's bone.