An expandable spinal implant includes a distal projection extending from only one side of the implant, ending in an anterior tip, the anterior portion and anterior tip defining an elongated distal end hook, which is wider than the proximal end. The distal end hook rotates around the spinal cord, aligning the implant with a desired pathway, then inserts into place in the disc space between the vertebrae. The elongated widened distal end hook provides a TLIF approach, distributes loads, provides anterior rim engagement, and creates lordosis.

Resorbable implants, coverings and receptacles comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing molding, pultrusion or other melt or solvent processing method. The implants, or the fibers preset therein, may be oriented. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings, receptacles and implants described herein, may be made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, foams, molded, pultruded, machined and 3D printed forms.

An acetabular cup assembly for use with liners is described. The acetabular cup assembly includes a cup and a liner. The cup has an outer surface, a generally concave inner surface and a top face. The inner surface includes a cylindrical band having a plurality of inward-facing recessed scallops, a tapered wall adjacent to the band, and an inner spherical surface adjacent the tapered wall. The inner spherical surface has a substantially uniform radius of curvature. A single groove interrupts the spherical surface. The liner has a substantially convex outer surface and includes a rim and a plurality of outward-projecting scallops adjacent the rim. The scallops of the liner are configured to engage the scallops of the cup when the liner is seated in the cup. Related methods of use are also provided.

An orthopedic fixation system includes an implant and an implant insertion device. The implant transitions between a natural shape and an insertion shape and includes a bridge and first and second anchoring members extending from the bridge. The first and second anchoring members each include a segment extending exterior to the bridge to provide an engagement point. The implant insertion device moves between loaded and unloaded positions. The implant insertion device in its loaded position by-passes the bridge and engages the segment of the first anchoring member at its engagement point and the segment of the second anchoring member at its engagement point such that the implant insertion device constrains the implant in its insertion shape. The implant insertion device in its unloaded position releases the implant.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

An expandable spinal implant includes a distal projection extending from only one side of the implant, ending in an anterior tip, the anterior portion and anterior tip defining an elongated distal end hook, which is wider than the proximal end. The distal end hook rotates around the spinal cord, aligning the implant with a desired pathway, then inserts into place in the disc space between the vertebrae. The elongated widened distal end hook provides a TLIF approach, distributes loads, provides anterior rim engagement, and creates lordosis.

Bone and joint stabilization devices or systems are described that include multiple-layer bodies. The approach offers dramatically improved fatigue life as compared to one-piece spring members that are otherwise similar or comparable. Coordinated improved-strength anchor embodiments, anchor loading tools and methods of use are also described.

Various implementations include an anchoring device including a tubular body and at least one anchor. The at least one anchor extends along an opening between a first axial end and a second axial end of the opening. The at least one anchor includes a shape memory material. The at least one anchor is movable from a retracted position to an extended position by either increasing the temperature of the anchor above an austenite finishing temperature or decreasing the temperature of the anchor below a martensite finishing temperature. The anchor has a smaller radius of curvature in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis in the extended position than in the retracted position. When used as a coupler for medical implants, the device can be easily removed and reimplanted during re-surgery without damaging the bone of a patient by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the shape memory material anchors.

A bone joint spacer has two endplates which have a bone engaging surface on one side, and ramps extending from an opposite side. A shaft has a threaded end, and another end which has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A collar slides over the threaded end of the shaft, and also has ramp followers which mate with the endplate ramps of both endplates. A nut threads onto the end of the shaft and pushes the collar towards the ramp followers of the shaft. This movement causes the ramp followers to slide the ramp followers of the collar and the shaft against the endplate ramps, pushing the endplates apart. Two of these spacers can be combined by a link plate so that the spacers can be aligned or curved into a U-shape to be inserted into the body and positioned between bony surfaces, respectively.

A method of preparing an interpositional implant suitable for a knee. The method includes determining a three-dimensional shape of a tibial surface of the knee. An implant is produced having a superior surface and an inferior surface, with the superior surface adapted to be positioned against a femoral condyle of the knee, and the inferior surface adapted to be positioned upon the tibial surface of the knee. The inferior surface conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the tibial surface. The implant may be inserted into the knee without making surgical cuts on the tibial surface. The tibial surface may include cartilage, or cartilage and bone.