The present invention includes markers for use in implants that have a variable lucency or radiolucency. The use of a variably lucent marker can provide a surgeon a quick indication of the implant's alignment during implantation. A variably lucent marker can also provide a doctor or technician a quick indicator of an implant's position during post-operation imaging.

The variably lucent markers can be used in any implant that has some level of lucency when viewed through an imaging device. The variably lucent markers can be used in the lattice with increased or optimized lucency disclosed herein or in other structure known in the art.

The biocompatible lattice structures 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.

The biocompatible lattice structures disclosed herein with an increased or optimized lucency are prepared according to multiple methods of design disclosed herein. The methods allow for the design of a metallic material with sufficient strength for use in an implant and that remains radiolucent for x-ray imaging.

In some aspects, the present invention is a medical implant with an independent endplate structure that can stimulate bone or tissue growth in or around the implant. When used as a scaffold for bone growth, the inventive structure can increase the strength of new bone growth. The independent endplate structures generally include implants with endplates positioned on opposite sides of the implant and capable of at least some movement relative to one another. In most examples, the endplates have a higher elastic modulus than that of the bulk of the implant to allow the use of an implant with a low elastic modulus, without risk of damage from the patient's bone.

A method of designing independent endplate implants is also disclosed, including ranges of elastic moduli for the endplates and bulk of the implant for given implant parameters. Implants with elastic moduli within the ranges disclosed herein can optimize the loading of new bone growth to provide increased bone strength.

The biocompatible lattice structures disclosed herein with an increased or optimized lucency are prepared according to multiple methods of design disclosed herein. The methods allow for the design of a metallic material with sufficient strength for use in an implant and that remains radiolucent for x-ray imaging.

The present invention relates generally to medical devices, systems, and methods for use in surgery. In particular, the disclosed system and methods relate to an intervertebral spinal implant sized and dimensioned for the lumbar spine implantable via a posterior approach. The system includes an implant, instruments for delivering the implant.

A spinal fusion implant including a body and a jacket is disclosed. The jacket includes at least two radiopaque markers extending therefrom for use in determining the position of the implant after placement between intervertebral bodies. Methods of implanting and evaluating positioning of the implant are also disclosed.

Sacro-iliac joint stabilizing implants adapted for implanting across a SI joint from a dorsal approach. Methods of, and delivery tools adapted for implanting sacro-iliac joint stabilizing implants across a SI joint from a dorsal approach.

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.

An orthopaedic prosthetic component is provided. The orthopaedic prosthetic component comprises a porous three-dimensional structure shaped to be implanted in a patient's body. The porous three-dimensional structure comprises a plurality of unit cells. At least one unit cell comprises a first geometric structure having a first geometry and comprising a plurality of first struts, and a second geometric structure having a second geometry and comprising a plurality of second struts connected to a number of the plurality of first struts to form the second geometric structure.