In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a plate configured for implantation in a body of a patient. The plate can include a plurality of pores and be configured for placement between a cancellous bone of a spinal vertebra and a corresponding cartilaginous endplate as a replacement for a bony endplate of the spinal vertebra.

Intervertebral spacer implants with dynamic load spreading features responsive to external loads and having attachment mechanisms. The dynamic load spreading features having a native state and a loaded state, which complements vertebral end plate geometry and disperses load to the epiphyseal rim.

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.

The invention relates to an augmentation device comprising an annular cone surrounding a channel which extends axially along a longitudinal axis of the augmentation device from a proximal cone end to a distal cone end, wherein an outer diameter of the cone decreases from the proximal cone end in the direction of the distal cone end.

Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smooths the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

The invention relates to an implant with a shank which is insertible into a bone cavity, which shank is made of a plastic, in particular of a bioincompatible plastic, and defines at least one bone contact face, wherein the bone contact face is provided or coated with a first biocompatible bone contact layer or bears a biocompatible bone contact layer, wherein the shank of the implant is intended to be anchored in the bone cavity without bone cement and wherein the first bone contact layer is formed entirely closed.

A metatarsal hemi-arthroplasty implant may include a convex outer surface overlaying a concave inner surface wherein the convex outer surface is shaped to replace an articular surface of a distal end of a metatarsus. The implant may further include a stem that is configured to be inserted into an intramedullary canal of the metatarsus. The stem may extend from the concave inner surface along a longitudinal axis of the implant, and may have an outward-facing surface disposed at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, at least one flute extending along the length, and at least one radial groove formed in the outward-facing surface. The implant may further include a plurality of rib members distributed about the stem member to connect the stem to the inner concave surface. Each of the rib members may have a distally-facing surface disposed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.

Hard-tissue implants are provided that include a bulk implant, a face, pillars, slots, and at least one support member. The pillars are for contacting a hard tissue. The slots are to be occupied by the hard tissue. The at least one support member is for contacting the hard tissue. The hard-tissue implant has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1. Methods of making and using hard-tissue implants are also provided.

Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.