A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

Provided herein are devices and methods for treating inflammation and pain of articular joints (e.g., the knee). An implantable device includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a flange disposed at the proximal end, a bore extending from an opening at the proximal end into the elongate body, one or more fixation members disposed on an outer surface of the elongate body, and a payload (e.g., a drug-polymer core) having a therapeutic agent disposed within the bore. The payload has a substantially constant surface area on an exposed portion throughout elution of the therapeutic agent after the implantable device is implanted in a body. The therapeutic agent is configured to elute using zero-order kinetics, constantly and continuously at an amount that is above a predetermined lower threshold and does not exceed a predetermined upper threshold unlike a pulse-dose injection.

This invention provides optimized solid substrates for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, which solid substrate comprises aragonite and is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75%, or a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees when in contact with a fluid and which is further characterized by tapered sides and tools for implantation of optimized solid substrates.

In some aspects, a device comprising an implant configured for insertion into a portion of human anatomy, and at least one covering coupled to the implant is provided. According to some aspects, the implant comprises one or more protrusions configured to prevent leakage of material and/or to resist displacement of the implant. According to some aspects, the covering is configured to facilitate improved leakage and/or implant displacement prevention.

An implant system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion includes a hydrogel. The second portion includes a porous material and the hydrogel in pores of the porous material. The third portion includes the porous material. The first portion is free of the porous material. The third portion is free of the hydrogel. Methods of making and using the implant system.

An expandable fusion device is capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. The fusion device may include a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

A method for securing a stemless humeral includes positioning the stemless humeral anchoring component to the humerus such that a lateral anchoring wing extends in a direction of a lateral side of the humerus into a lateral region and two medial anchoring wings face a medial side of the humerus in a medial region. The lateral region has a lower bone density relative to the medial region. The stemless humeral anchoring component is positioned eccentrically such that the anchoring stud and the two medial anchoring wings are anchored in the medial region. The stemless humeral anchoring component is secured in resected proximal epiphyseal and metaphyseal portions of the humerus without reaching a diaphyseal portion of the humerus.

A distal femoral joint replacement system includes a femoral component having condylar articular surfaces, a stem extending from the femoral component, and a void filler for filling a bone void within a femur. The void filler includes a body and a plurality of legs extending from the body. The body has a sidewall defining an opening for receipt of the stem which extends along a length of the body and extends through the sidewall so as to form a side-slot in the sidewall that extends along an entire length of the sidewall. The plurality of legs each have a first end connected to the body and a second end remote from the body. The legs each have an outer surface that tapers between the first and second ends and is configured to register with a corresponding inner surface of a bone void when implanted in an end of the femur.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.