Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

An intervertebral disc implant for use in the spine including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and second part are configured as a joint prosthesis for the spine. The first part includes one of a concave or convex articulating surface and the second part includes one of the other concave or convex articulating surface. One of the concave or convex articulating surfaces is preferably elliptically shaped in at least one direction and does not match and is different than one of the other concave or convex articulating surfaces.

A subtalar joint implant (20) is disclosed for replacing a natural subtalar joint existing between the talus (102) and calcaneum (104) bones of a patient. In an embodiment the implant comprises talar (22) and calcaneal (24) portions that are configured to slide over each other in the implanted state. The implant is shaped so that the sliding is constrained to trajectories that involve pivoting of the talar portion relative to the calcaneal portion about a pivot point (36) or a line (38) of pivot points.

Universal joint implant includes an artificial glenohumeral component having articulating surfaces. The artificial glenohumeral component can include a first portion for articulation against an artificial glenoid surface or natural glenoid of the patient, and second portion(s) for articulation against an artificial humeral surface or resected, natural humerus; and a universal joint connection. The connection includes a yoke to provide for a center of movement generally within or adjacent a volume defined by an upper head of a normal humerus, which otherwise would be resected; and a substantially spheroidal body, at least in part, dissected, yet connected to provide the yoke; a body pivotable with respect to the yoke for providing motion in a first direction; a rotatable glenoid fixing member, rotatably fixable about the artificial glenoid surface or natural or resected glenoid; and a rotatable humeral fixing member, rotatably fixable about the artificial humeral surface or resected humerus.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

The bionic dislocation-proof artificial lumbar vertebrae and disc complex comprises vertebral body components, intervertebral disc components and screws; the vertebral body components comprise an oval column; the intervertebral disc components comprise L-shaped arc plates and composite pads, the L-shaped arc plates comprise bottom plates, lateral plate and the raised column; end of the raised column is the ball shell with two raised arc; the composite pad is connected to the groove on the oval column; the ball shell and the composite ball form the ball and socket joint. The present invention replaces the removed vertebrae and adjacent discs and maintains the rotation, flexion and extension and buffer function, which ensures the stability and mobility of the lumbar spine after surgery. The present invention better resembles the normal physiology.

The present invention provides artificial disc prostheses, methods and instrumentation for implantation and revision thereof. Each prosthesis may comprise superior and inferior end plates and a nucleus positioned between articular surfaces of the end plates. The end plates may have planar bone engagement surfaces with a plurality of self-cutting teeth. The articular surfaces of the end plates may be planar or include a flattened portion. The nucleus includes superior and inferior articular surfaces which may comprise flattened portions such that when the articular surfaces of the nucleus and the end plates are placed in cooperation in a preferred orientation, the flattened and/or planar portions are aligned. Each prosthesis may provide flexion/extension, anterior/posterior translation, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation degrees of freedom. One embodiment comprises a prosthesis with a first joint providing flexion/extension and anterior/posterior translation, and a second joint providing lateral bending and axial rotation.

The present invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis preferably comprising at least three pieces including an upper plate (1), a lower plate (2) and a mobile core (3) at least in relation to the lower plate (2), co-operation means (23, 33) allowing to limit or eliminate the movements of the core (3) in relation to the lower plate (2), in translation and in rotation, respectively, about an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate (2) and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate (2), at least one part of the surface of at least one plate being concave and complementary with a convex surface (30) of the core (3), with which it is in contact, wherein the tip (31) of the convex surface (30) of the core (3) is off centre, in at least one direction, in relation to the centre (32) of this convex surface (30).

An articulation component (1, 100) is for a bone joint hemiarthroplasty implant having an intramedullary stem (50) with a socket (53). The articulation component has a proximal saddle (2, 110) for non-engaging abutment with a proximal bone and a ball (4, 104) for engaging in the stem socket (53). The saddle has a distally facing recessed surface (10, 110) for engagement with the stem proximally facing surface (55) to define limits of articulation, in one case a cone of motion of about 60 with minimal risk of socket dislocation. Also, the saddle has an enlarged lateral-most edge portion (11, 111, 211) on two diametrically opposed sides of the neck, for conformity with a patients' anatomy.