The methods disclosed herein of generating three-dimensional lattice structures and reducing stress shielding have applications including use in medical implants. One method of generating a three-dimensional lattice structure can be used to generate a structure lattice and/or a lattice scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. One method of reducing stress shielding includes generating a structural lattice to provide sole mechanical spacing across an area for desired bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. Some methods are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

The present invention includes a fluid interface system for use in medical implants. The fluid interface system of the present invention can include one or more fluid interface channels disposed within an implant. The fluid interface systems can optionally include fluid redirection channels, fluid interface ports and a corresponding instrument to transfer fluid in or out of the fluid interface ports.

A spinal bone graft includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a first unit. The first unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms at least one first undercut. The bone graft also includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a second unit. The second unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms either at least one second undercut, or at least one connector. In the former, at least one connector is received in each of the first and second undercuts to interconnect the first and second units. In the latter, the at least one connector of the second unit is received in the first undercut of the first unit to interconnect the first unit and second unit.

A modular reverse shoulder prosthesis according to embodiments of the present invention includes a stem having a proximal taper and a primary stem axis, the proximal taper extending from the stem about a metaphyseal axis, the metaphyseal axis at an angle with respect to the primary stem axis, a metaphysis having a proximal end, a distal end, a first aperture in the distal end configured to be placed over the proximal taper, and a second aperture in the proximal end having an insert axis that is eccentrically offset from the metaphyseal axis, the metaphysis configured for attachment to the stem at any rotational position of the metaphysis about the metaphyseal axis, and a reverse insert, the reverse insert having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a concave cup formed about a cup axis and configured to receive a glenosphere, and wherein the distal end comprises a locking protrusion, wherein the locking protrusion has an outer surface with a cross-sectional shape that is rotationally symmetrical about the insert axis with respect to a corresponding inner surface of the second aperture, wherein the rotational symmetry has an order of six, seven, eight, nine, or ten.

The biocompatible lattice structures and implants disclosed herein have an increased or optimized lucency, even when constructed from a metallic material. The lattice structures can also provide an increased or optimized lucency in a material that is not generally considered to be radiolucent. Lucency can include disparity, maximum variation in lucency properties across a structure, or dispersion, minimum variation in lucency properties across a structure. The implants and lattice structures disclosed herein may be optimized for disparity or dispersion in any desired direction. A desired direction with respect to lucency can include the anticipated x-ray viewing direction of an implant in the expected implantation orientation.

A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.

A spinal bone graft includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a first unit. The first unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms at least one first undercut. The bone graft also includes one or more cortical bone portions forming a second unit. The second unit includes an engagement surface for contacting bone, and a mating surface. The mating surface forms either at least one second undercut, or at least one connector. In the former, at least one connector is received in each of the first and second undercuts to interconnect the first and second units. In the latter, the at least one connector of the second unit is received in the first undercut of the first unit to interconnect the first unit and second unit.

The biocompatible lattice structures and implants disclosed herein have an increased or optimized lucency, even when constructed from a metallic material. The lattice structures can also provide an increased or optimized lucency in a material that is not generally considered to be radiolucent. Lucency can include disparity, maximum variation in lucency properties across a structure, or dispersion, minimum variation in lucency properties across a structure. The implants and lattice structures disclosed herein may be optimized for disparity or dispersion in any desired direction. A desired direction with respect to lucency can include the anticipated x-ray viewing direction of an implant in the expected implantation orientation.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for intervertebral body fusion that provide more robust support within the disc space. Intervertebral body fusion devices can have a unitary monolithic body including a plurality of body segments interconnected with each other by flexure members. Devices be configured to be inserted through an opening in a compressed configuration and then expanded within the disc space to an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, devices can have a greater mediolateral or transverse to the disc space footprint. This wider footprint provides greater support for the vertebrae relative to the size of the opening through which the device is inserted.

The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.