An implantable medical device, for implantation in a mammal knee joint, comprising an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least one contacting surface of the knee joint and to be lubricated when implanted in said joint. The medical device further comprises a reservoir comprising a movable wall portion defining the volume of the reservoir, at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from the reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in said artificial contacting surface, wherein the channel is fluidly connected with said at least one inlet for distributing said lubricating fluid to the surface of said artificial contacting surface. The medical device further comprises an operation device adapted to non-invasively transport said lubricating fluid from said reservoir to said artificial contacting surface, and an implantable injection port for refilling said reservoir, wherein the movable wall portion is moved when the reservoir is refilled, such that the volume of the reservoir is increased.

Prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamina, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae.

A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones. In one embodiment, there is provided a system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint, the members collectively defining a path of motion and having a cartilage having an energy absorption component configured therebetween.

A bodiless bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bodiless bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates, one or more extending blocks in communication with the extendable plates, one or more positioning elements for adjusting the extendable plates by manipulating the extending blocks, and one or more support panels for holding the positioning elements and guiding the extendable plates. The plates are able to be advantageously positioned in the confined space between the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

A surgical instrument for operating hip joint osteoarthritis in a human patient is provided. The hip joint comprises an acetabulum, being a part of the pelvic bone, and a caput femur, being the proximal part of the femoral bone. The surgical instrument is adapted to assist in the operating of the hip joint osteoarthritis from the abdominal side of the pelvic bone of said human patient.

A medical device for delivering an action to an area of a hip joint or its surroundings, inside a human body, is provided. The hip joint of a patient comprises a collum femur and a ball shaped caput femur, being the proximal parts of the femoral bone, and an acetabulum, being a bowl shaped part of the pelvic bone. The medical device comprising; an elongated member, having a length axis along its elongated distribution, comprising a first portion, adapted to enter the body of the patient, and a mechanical element, adapted to be used during an operation in the hip joint or its surroundings, inside the body. The first portion of the elongated member comprises a holding member adapted to hold the mechanical element inside the body of the patient, wherein the first portion of the elongated member have a first portion cross-section area substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the elongated member. The first portion is adapted to pass through a hole, in a bone of the patient, the hole having a hole cross-section area. The first portion cross-section area, is adapted to be smaller than said hole cross-section area. The mechanical element have a functional status, ready to deliver said action inside said body, when held by the holding member inside the body of the patient. The mechanical element is adapted to have a mechanical element cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the elongated member, substantially larger than the first portion cross-sectional area and adapted to be unable to pass through the hole, when the mechanical element is in the functional status.

A tibial implant includes one or more stiffness-modifying features to reduce the stiffness of one or more sections of the tibial implant. The stiffness-modifying features may include slots, recesses, or passageways defined in various locations of the tibial implant to selectively reduce the stiffness of a tibial insert and/or tibial base of the tibial implant.

Various implementations include intervertebral discs and associated methods of use and imaging. One implementation includes an intervertebral disc capable of imaging under MRI, the disc including: an upper plate including a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) portion having a lower bearing surface and an upper vertebra contacting surface, the upper surface formed at least in part from a metal for improved bone attachment; a lower plate including a PAEK portion having an upper bearing surface and a lower vertebra contacting surface, the lower surface formed at least in part from a metal for improved bone attachment; and a ceramic core to mate and articulate with respect to the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates, wherein upon imaging under X-ray the PAEK portion of the upper and lower plates are substantially completely invisible and the upper and lower vertebral contacting surfaces of the upper and lower plates are substantially completely visible.

Expandable implant devices including first and second endplates, wherein a first side of the first endplate is moveably attached to a first side of the second endplate; and an expansion mechanism is disposed between the first and second endplates adjacent the second side of the endplates opposite the first side, wherein actuating the expansion mechanism changes an angle between the first endplate and the second endplate.