Medical implant, in particular an augment for a joint endoprosthesis, comprising a sleeve-shaped hollow body having a wall surrounding a channel in a circumferential direction. The channel extends in a longitudinal direction from a bottom to a top of the hollow body. The wall comprises at least one living hinge oriented in the longitudinal direction. The living hinge is configured for compressing the channel. The living hinge being formed by a bent slit that extends as a slit at least in a vertical and in a horizontal direction. As opposed to an ordinary linear slit, the bent, i.e., non-linear slit extends thus as a slit in two dimensions, horizontal and vertical. Thereby an increased elasticity can be realized, achieving a medical implant which has a better adjustable elasticity.

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may have integrated ratchet assemblies that allow the cage to change size and angle as needed, with little effort. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. The cages may be inserted in a first, reduced size and then expanded to a second, larger size once implanted. In their second configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. Additionally, the intervertebral cages are configured to be able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lordotic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may have integrated ratchet assemblies that allow the cage to change size and angle as needed, with little effort. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. The cages may be inserted in a first, reduced size and then expanded to a second, larger size once implanted. In their second configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. Additionally, the intervertebral cages are configured to be able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lordotic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.