An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

A method of performing a computer-assisted surgical procedure on the spine of a patient comprising the steps of: planning, on a computer, a surgical procedure based on at least one of two- and three-dimensional images of the patient's spine; affixing a robotic assembly over an operative region of the patient; determining, with a computer in communication with the robotic assembly, a desired trajectory of a surgical tool along at least one of an access path and an implant path towards the surgical target site; and placing at least a portion of the surgical tool through the aperture along said desired trajectory along at least one of said access path and said implant path towards the surgical target site.

A method for locating a material having thermoplastic properties in pores of bone tissue includes providing a pin having the material having thermoplastic properties and a core, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the circumferential surface of the core constituting an outer region of the pin. An opening is provided in the bone tissue, and the pin is positioned at least partly in the opening. The outer region of the pin is then impinged with mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, and, in a liquefied state, pressing it into the pores of the bone tissue surrounding the opening. The vibration energy is stopped for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material, and then the core is removed.

An orthopaedic hip prosthesis system is disclosed. The orthopaedic hip prosthesis system comprises a femoral head component configured to articulate with a natural or prosthetic acetabulum of a patient, the femoral head component having a tapered bore formed therein, a femoral stem component having a tapered trunnion configured to be received in the tapered bore of the femoral head component, and a shell positioned over the tapered trunnion of the femoral stem component. The shell includes a frame extending over the tapered trunnion, and a protective coating applied to the frame and the tapered trunnion. A method of performing an orthopaedic surgery is also disclosed.

A system and method for improving assembly, preparation, and installation of a prosthesis. Devices include prosthesis installation tools, prosthesis assembly tools, site preparation systems, and improved power tools used in implant site preparation.

A system and method for improving installation of a prosthesis. Devices include prosthesis installation tools, prosthesis assembly tools, site preparation systems, and improved power tools used in implant site preparation.

A system and method for improving installation of a prosthesis. Devices include prosthesis installation tools, prosthesis assembly tools, site preparation systems, and improved power tools used in implant site preparation.

A system and method for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure. Force sensing is included to aid in quantifying installation of an implant, particularly a cup into a pelvic bone.

According to various embodiments, a trial system (100) and instruments can be used to assist in confirming that a planned procedure is achieved. In various embodiments, the trial or provisional portions can include markings (110) on a trial or provisional portion to compare to one or more implanted members to ensure an planned position is achieved.

The invention relates to a joint prosthesis having a shaft made from a titanium alloy, in which at least the shaft is investment cast and has a body-centered cubic crystal structure. A titanium alloy having this crystal structure (known as -titanium alloy) has an advantageously low modulus of elasticity which is well matched to the physiological demands of joint prostheses. Furthermore, implementation as a shaped casting allows a complex shape to be achieved. It is particularly embodied as a femoral prosthesis for an artificial hip joint, which has an elongate shaft with grooves and sawtooth-like projections for bone anchoring.