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.

Systems and methods for distracting an intervertebral disc space are provided. The systems use an expandable trial with telescopic stabilizers. The systems and methods of distracting an intervertebral space are provided in a manner that addresses the problem of subsidence. The method includes inserting the trial into the intervertebral space in a collapsed state and, once inserted, the trial is then used for distracting the intervertebral space using an expansion that includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes expanding the trial laterally toward the peripheral zones of the top vertebral plate and the bottom vertebral plate, and the second stage includes expanding the trial vertically to distract the intervertebral space.

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.

A two piece humeral component for use in joint arthroplasty which is adapted to be implanted into a joint and engaged by a socket component of the joint. The joint component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface is adapted to be engaged by the socket and the second medial surface is adapted to be secured to mounting portion. The mounting portion has a first surface and a second medial surface. The first surface is adapted to be fixably engaged to the second mounting portion of the humeral component. The second medial surface is adapted to be secured to the humerus. A peg which has a first end adapted to engage a cavity found in the humerus is disposed on the mounting portion's second medial surface.

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.

Compositions comprising a cartilage sheet comprising a plurality of interconnected cartilage tiles and a biocompatible carrier are provided. Methods of manufacturing cartilage compositions comprising a cartilage sheet comprising a plurality of interconnected cartilage tiles are also provided.

The intervertebral fusion device (200) comprises a superior component (220), an inferior component (240) and a core component (260). The superior and inferior components (220, 240) are received in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae whereby the superior component top side abuts against the first vertebra, the inferior component bottom side abuts against the second vertebra, and the superior component bottom side and the inferior component top side oppose each other. A height of the intervertebral fusion device is determined upon insertion of the core component (260) between the superior and inferior components (220, 240). Each of the superior component top side and the inferior component bottom side is one of: oblong having a major axis; and square, being bounded by four edges. During insertion of the core component (260) a first core profile of the core component cooperates with a superior component profile at the superior component bottom side and a second core profile of the core component cooperates with an inferior component profile at the inferior component top side whereby the core component moves in a direction oblique to the major axis where the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side is oblong or to an edge of the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side where the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side is square.

A tissue scaffold includes a first film having a plurality of cell openings and a second film adjacent the first film and having a plurality of cell openings larger than the cell openings of the first film. The cell openings of the first film interconnect with the cell openings of the second film to define pathways extending through the first and second films.