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 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 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.

Various implementations include anchoring nails, fixation apparatuses, spinal fixation systems, and related methods described in this disclosure. Certain implementations include a fixation nail for an interbody fusion procedure, the fixation nail including: a body having an arcuate primary axis extending from a distal end to a proximal end thereof, the body having an outer surface that enables complete insertion and removal of the fixation nail into an interbody without threaded engagement, and the body further including an elongated recess spanning a majority of a length of the body, the elongated recess sized to at least partially encompass at least one of tissue or bone during insertion into a patient.

A orthopaedic implant comprises an acetabular cup and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is coupled to a rim surface of the acetabular cup. In one embodiment, a recess is defined in the rim surface and the wireless communication device is positioned therein. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device is positioned in an annular ring formed of a biocompatible material. The annular ring is coupled to the rim surface of the acetabular cup. The wireless communication device may be, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or device.

An implant for performing interbody fusion within a human spine, inserters for such an implant, and associated methodology. The implant is preferably formed in situ from at least two separate but lockable members (a base member and a closure member). The base member may be implanted into an interbody space first, after which the end plates may be finally prepared and the base member packed with fusion promoting substances before engaging and locking the closure member. The closure member provides structural support for the adjacent vertebral bodies (along with the base member) and may be selected after implantation of the base member having a specific length, width, height, taper, etc. . . . to ensure an optimal sizing of the implant for desired restoration of disc height, coronal taper, sagittal taper, etc. . . .

The present invention concerns an intersomatic implant (2) comprising a body (4) suitable for being inserted between two vertebrae (1) to space them a predetermined distance apart, the body (4) being provided on either side, respectively, with a contact surface (5, 5) with the corresponding vertebrae (1). The body (4) is formed from an oblong part of predetermined thickness provided at a first so-called proximal end with a gripping cam (9) mounted movable in rotation relative to the part about an axis perpendicular to the two surfaces (5, 5), between two predetermined angular positions. The contact surfaces (5, 5) are either parallel or substantially parallel to one another, and each contact surface (5, 5) of the body (4) with a corresponding vertebra (1) comprises a set of curved longitudinal protrusions (7, 7, 7) which decrease in height towards the distal ends thereof.

An implant for spinal fusion includes a base member, a closure member, pins, and recesses. The base member includes a U-shaped configuration with an open end defined by first and second free ends of first and second side walls extending away from an end wall. The closure member is configured to form an enclosed interior when coupled with the base member. The closure member includes first and second overlapping portions configured to engage the first and second free ends. First and second pins are embedded in a respective one of the first and second free ends. First and second recesses are formed in a respective one of the first and second overlapping portions. The pins cooperate with the recesses to align and frictionally couple the base member with the closure member.

A spinal implant adapted to be positioned within a disc space between adjacent vertebrae includes a first intradiscal element, a second intradiscal element, and a coupling mechanism. The first and second intradiscal elements include respective first and second outer surfaces adapted to be positioned adjacent an endplate of respective first and second adjacent vertebrae. The first and second intradiscal elements further include respective first and second medial surfaces that are opposite the respective first and second outer surfaces, where the second medial surface is adapted to generally face the first medial surface upon assembly of the first intradiscal element with the second intradiscal element. The coupling mechanism is associated with the first and second medial surfaces and is adapted to provide relative rotational movement between the first and second intradiscal elements in a plane generally parallel with the first and second medial surfaces.

A orthopedic implant comprises an acetabular cup and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is coupled to a rim surface of the acetabular cup. In one embodiment, a recess is defined in the rim surface and the wireless communication device is positioned therein. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device is positioned in an annular ring formed of a biocompatible material. The annular ring is coupled to the rim surface of the acetabular cup. The wireless communication device may be, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or device.