A prosthetic implant includes a cavity that opens at an outer face of the prosthetic implant, the cavity forming a housing for receiving: a printed circuit including a radio tag; and a cover which closes the cavity at least partially when positioned on the implant in a so-called closed position, the radio tag and printed circuit being removably housed in the cavity.

The invention relates to a composite body, wherein at least one functional component is integrated into a shaped product, and to a method for producing the same. The shaped product can especially be an implant, a prosthesis, an industrial component or a multifunctionally useful sensor platform for the monitoring of materials, components and/or structural systems.

Discloses is a system for the wireless transmission of energy and/or signals between spatially-separated regions with no electrically-conductive connection, the conversion of energy and/or signals into other forms of energy and/or forms of signal, and the application and/or detection of same in at least one peripheral region of said system. The system allows a wireless transmission of energy between at least two spatially-separated regions without an electrically-conductive connection, energy being supplied to at least one of these regions, transmitted to at least one additional region in a wireless manner, converted on demand into other forms of energy, and applied in a peripheral region of said system. Signals can be transmitted at the same time as energy is being transmitted.

Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure, including a space truss, configured to interface with human bone tissue. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. Implants are coated with, or have struts formed from, a piezoelectric material to enhance bone growth around and through the implant.

An artificial cartilage was invented based on JOINT-ELECTRICITY THEORY that first in the world created in 2010, and verified in 2011, both by the present inventor, Sue-May Kang. The said artificial cartilage has sleek joint-surface and individualized appropriate shape, is made of proper piezoelectric material, and to be placed into the indication-joints, including at least the natural joints with lack or defect in cartilage and artificial joints, those suffering from impairment in generating Joint-Electricity. After surgical placement (yet, any surgery is not included in the present invention), it can be subjected to the dynamic force within the said joint in its effective range, and thus, continuously generate intra-articular electricity (is the so-called Joint-Electricity), and consequently supplements the wanted Joint-Electricity to the said joint and its related muscles. Using the said artificial cartilage can remarkably reduce the pains, increase muscular strength, and improve motor functions, when comparing to that without.

Improved methods and apparatuses for vertebral body distraction and fusion in accordance with various embodiments employ mechanisms for stabilizing a device so that the device can stay in the body and stably support the disc space during vertebral fusion following distraction of the adjacent vertebra by operation of the device. The device is inserted into the disc space and distracted from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration to distract the disc space. Mechanisms for stabilizing the device in the expanded configuration constrain the device to zero degrees of freedom of movement to allow the device to stably support the disc space. A bone growth stimulant for promoting vertebral fusion can be inserted into an open space defined by the device, which continues to stably support the disc space during vertebral fusion.

A spinal implant assembly, a kit for forming same and a method for forming same. The spinal implant assembly comprises: a first endplate having a first non-planar inner surface; a second endplate having a second non-planar inner surface facing toward the first non-planar inner surface; at least one fastener attaching the first endplate and the second endplate to one another; and a layer including a piezoelectric material (piezoelectric layer), the piezoelectric layer between the first non-planar inner surface and the second non-planar inner surface and having a non-planar upper surface facing toward the first non-planar inner surface and a non-planar lower surface facing toward the second non-planar inner surface, wherein, at a front region of the spinal implant assembly, the first non-planar inner surface and the second non-planar inner surface define a vertically biased interface.

A drill bit is provided that includes a connector, which includes a shank, configured to receive torque; a proximal electrically-conductive coupler, which is disposed at a distal end of the shank, rotationally fixed with respect to the shank; and a distal electrically-conductive coupler. The distal electrically-conductive coupler is rotationally fixed with respect to the proximal electrically-conductive coupler, electrically isolated from the proximal electrically-conductive coupler, and shaped so as to define a distal-electrically-conductive external contact surface. The drill bit further includes a drill shaft including an electrically-conductive outer electrode and an electrically-conductive inner electrode. Other embodiments are also described.

An implantable scaffold is provided including multiple piezoelectric films and at least one compressible intervening layer. A first of the piezoelectric films is on a first side of the compressible intervening layer and a second of the plurality of piezoelectric films is on a second side of the compressible intervening layer opposite the first piezoelectric film. Upon applying a mechanical force to the first piezoelectric film, the first piezoelectric film deforms towards the second piezoelectric film. Also provided is a method of treatment leveraging the implantable scaffold.

Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure, including a space truss, configured to interface with human bone tissue. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. Implants are coated with, or have struts formed from, a piezoelectric material to enhance bone growth around and through the implant.