The biocompatible lattice structures disclosed herein with an increased or optimized lucency are prepared according to multiple methods of design disclosed herein. The methods allow for the design of a metallic material with sufficient strength for use in an implant and that remains radiolucent for x-ray imaging.

An improved polymer orthopedic implant and a method for making the same, where a portion of the implant for engagement with a patient's bone has a rough texture for encouraging micro-ingrowth between the bone and the implant. Substantially all remaining non-bone engaging portions of the implant are smooth for discouraging tissue ingrowth with the implant. The non-bone engaging portions of the implant are polished smooth, and are preferably transparent or translucent. The implant may be comprised of a slow reacting polymethylmethacrylate acrylic.

The present invention relates to a partial joint replacement (1000), encompassing a shell-like segment (100) with a concave inner contour (3) for the arrangement on at the bone structure of a patient, wherein the segment (100) comprises a lateral section (5) and a medial section (7) along a longitudinal direction (x), and wherein the outer contour (1) of the segment (100) comprise in longitudinal direction (x) at least one inflection point (9).

A cranial plug includes a cranial plug housing having a window recess with an access hole. A window is shaped and dimensioned for positioning with the window recess of the cranial plug housing.

The biocompatible lattice structures and implants disclosed herein have an increased or optimized lucency, even when constructed from a metallic material. The lattice structures can also provide an increased or optimized lucency in a material that is not generally considered to be radiolucent. Lucency can include disparity, maximum variation in lucency properties across a structure, or dispersion, minimum variation in lucency properties across a structure. The implants and lattice structures disclosed herein may be optimized for disparity or dispersion in any desired direction. A desired direction with respect to lucency can include the anticipated x-ray viewing direction of an implant in the expected implantation orientation.

A medical grade thermoplastic or polymer implant with an osteoconductive coating is provided, specifically for corrections of the distal and proximal interphalangeal toe joints of the foot. The implant can be either straight or angled, and can be either solid or cannulated for insertion. The implant is sized and shaped depending on the specific anatomy and desired correction. End portions of the implant may be coated with an osteoconductive coating that promotes bone growth, but may reduce radiolucency. Thus, a central portion of the implant may remain uncoated to increase radiolucency of the implant at the region where two bones come together.

A method and system for repairing a defect area in a surface of a joint include providing a mold having a first surface and a second surface, positioning the mold within the joint such that at least part of the mold first surface overlies the defect area, and depositing a repair material under the mold first surface within the defect area to create a repaired site within the joint.

A medical system and method can used to treat a bone. The system and method can include the preparation of bone cement to be used in the treatment. A non-liquid component and a liquid component can be combined to form a bone cement. A vacuum system can be used to saturate the non-liquid component with the liquid component. The bone cement and/or components can be heated and/or cooled.

A system and method is provided for imaging and monitoring a tissue, such as a cerebral cortex, of a subject. Access to imaging a tissue, such as cerebral cortex, may be provided by removing a portion of a bone, such as a portion of a skull of the subject. A prosthesis, such as an optically transparent prosthesis, may be used to replace the portion of the skull removed and may be conformed to the same 3D contour of the bone that was removed. A data acquisition system, such as an imaging system, may then be affixed to the skull prosthesis and may be used to acquire image data of the tissue of the subject at high spatial and temporal resolution and without interference from intervening bone material.

A cranial plug includes a cranial plug housing having a window recess with an access hole. A window is shaped and dimensioned for positioning with the window recess of the cranial plug housing.