A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

A reverse hip prosthesis include an acetabular cup arrangement configured for insertion into an acetabulum of a patient and fixation therein, an acetabular ball configured for threaded attachment to the acetabular cup arrangement, a femoral stem configured for insertion into an intramedullary femoral canal of the patient, and a femoral cup arrangement configured for attachment to the femoral stem and to operatively receive the acetabular ball therein. The acetabular cup arrangement includes an anchor portion which becomes fixed to the patient's acetabulum and is the largest size suitable for the patient, and an insert which comes in different sizes and are connectable to the anchor portion, so that the most appropriate insert for the patient may be used. The acetabular cup arrangement and ball are interconnected with a threaded stem that also functions as an artificial Ligamentum Teres.

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 therebetween. 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.

A total artificial expansile disc and a method for posterior insertion between a pair of vertebral endplates are disclosed. The total artificial expansile disc includes at least one pair of substantially parallel plates that move apart along a first axis, in order to occupy a space defined by the vertebral endplates. In another embodiment, each of substantially parallel plates includes a first plate and a second sliding plate. An expansion device or tool is used to move the substantially parallel pair of plates apart along the first axis. A core is disposed between the pair of plates, and the core permits the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another. A ball limiter or ball extender prevents the core from being extruded from between the substantially parallel plates.

A prosthesis system comprises plates that can be positioned against vertebrae and a selected resilient core that can be positioned between the plates to allow the plates to articulate. The selected resilient core can be chosen from a plurality of cores in response to patient characteristics, such as age and/or intervertebral mobility, such that the prosthesis implanted in the patient is tailored to the needs of the patient. The plurality of cores may comprise cores with different resiliencies, and one of the cores can be selected such that the upper and lower plates articulate with the desired shock absorbing resiliency and/or maximum angle of inclination when the one selected core is positioned between the plates.

A prosthesis for a vertebral column has an upper part (10) for attachment to an upper vertebrae, a lower part (12) for attachment to a lower vertebrae and a middle part (11) located between the upper and the lower parts, wherein the upper part has a lower surface portion with a first radius of curvature, the middle part has an upper surface portion with a second radius of curvature and a lower surface with a third radius of curvature and the lower part has an upper surface with a fourth radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature for at least two surfaces is offset rearwardly with respect to a central vertical axis (13) through the upper and lower vertebrae and/or the upper and lower parts. Also defined is device for linking bones, in the form of a band with attachment portions having a number of filaments that provide zones conducive to cellular growth as well as a method of modelling a prosthesis and a process for analyzing performance of a prosthesis.

A system includes a constrained acetabular insert, a dual mobility liner, and a femoral head. The constrained acetabular insert has its perimeter extending beyond hemisphere and the dual mobility liner has its perimeter extending beyond hemisphere and configured to tilt and rotate within the constrained acetabular insert. The femoral head is configured to tilt and rotate within the dual mobility liner. The constrained acetabular insert may include a plurality of tabs and the dual mobility liner may include screw threads for receiving the plurality of tabs.

A reverse shoulder joint prosthesis (1) for location between a humerus and a scapula comprised a ball (5) to be fixed to the scapula and a humeral stem 6 to be fixed to the humerus. The prosthesis comprises a first cup (2), a second cup (3) and a plate (4) retained between said cups. The first cup is free to move about the ball. The plate has a trunion (16) adapted to connect to the humeral stem through an aperture in the second cup. The plate is free to move between the cups. The prosthesis has a first phase of movement in which the plate moves between the cups and a distinct second phase of movement in which the first cup moves on the ball. The shoulder joint prosthesis provides an extended range of movement through the provision of two motion phases while minimising wear, scapula infringement and instability.

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.