An artificial disc replacement device is disclosed. The device includes an upper endplate and a lower endplate, as well as a core assembly disposed between the endplates. The core assembly includes a core member with a curved engaging surface and a matrix member. The matrix member is more compressible than the core member. The curved engaging surface of the core member engages a recess in the upper endplate so that the upper endplate can translate along the curved engaging surface. The curved engaging surface has a greater curvature at its posterior end than at its anterior end to facilitate different ranges of motion during extension and flexion.

The present invention provides a next generation, closed profile, total disc replacement device with mechanical features designed to sustain, restrain and guide the larger motions required to preserve normal mechanical motion, while at the same time, providing a flexion component to guide and restrain the finer motions reached at the extremes of the mechanical motion preservation components.

The improved glenoid fossa prosthesis for repair of a scapular deficient patient includes a base with a fixed flange, and a separable flange. A conical taper on the base and a complimentary locator edge positively orient the separable flange when joined with the base for affixation by screw. A plurality of flange fixation screws penetrates the scapular tissue between the flanges for affixation of the flanges thereto. The flange thickness is variable to approximate the topography of the scapular tissue in the affixation area to minimize tissue trimming during fitment. A cutting mask attaches to the deficient scapula in the glenoid fossa area to guide the physician in trimming scapular tissue for fitment. A cortical screw further fixates the base to the scapular tissue. A second conical taper on the base serves as a mount for a glenoid sphere (reverse shoulder) or socket (standard shoulder) repair configuration.

An intervertebral implant includes a body with a first face, a second face connected to the first face, and an axis of rotation. The body defines a hollow space for connecting to an insertion device, the hollow space being accessible through an opening formed between the first and second faces. The opening is elongate and extends around the axis of rotation to facilitate pivoting of the implant relative to the insertion device about the axis of rotation to a first angular position and a second angular position. The implant further includes a first abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the first angular position, and a second abutment surface that engages the insertion device in a form-fit manner at the second angular position. The opening can also engage the insertion device to hold the implant at at least one additional angular position.

Provided is an artificial spinal disc including an upper disc formed in a plate shape with top coupled to an upper vertebra, a protruding joint portion protruding from a lower surface of the upper disc, and a lower disc formed in a plate shape with bottom coupled to a lower vertebra wherein the protruding joint portion is seated on an upper surface of the lower disc. According to the foregoing description, the artificial disc is implanted through the lateral or anterolateral approach to the spine, rather than the anterior approach, and such lateral implantation is straightforward.

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.

An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component having a condyle surface. The condyle surface is defined by one or more radii of curvatures, which are controlled to reduce or delay the onset of anterior translation of the femoral component relative to a tibial bearing.

An orthopaedic fixation assembly for prosthetic biologic attachment. The orthopaedic fixation assembly may include a main body with a longitudinally-extending stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity body. An anchor plug may be configured to be received within the stem cavity, and securable thereto via complementary mating surfaces. A spindle structure may be fixedly attached to the proximal end of the longitudinally-extending stem and protrude outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the structure extends externally beyond the resected cavity of the bone that may prevent rotational motion of the spindle. The spindle structure may have at least one compliant biasing member configured to apply a compressive force to the surrounding bone. A porous coating may be at the juncture between stem and spindle structure, on the spindle, and the splines and anti-rotation chocks, improving the initial stability of the implant and facilitating long-term bone ingrowth.

A joint replacement system for repairing an articular surface of a first bone of a joint includes an anchor portion and an implant portion. The anchor portion includes an anchor to be secured to the bone, and an anchor fixation head including a bone-facing surface (BFS) extending radially outward from the anchor and an implant facing surface (IFS) extending from a periphery of the BFS. The implant portion is formed from a material (e.g., CoCr) more dense than the material of the anchor portion (e.g., Ti) and includes a fixation cavity to receive at least a portion of the anchor fixation head (AFH), the fixation cavity includes an anchor facing surface (AFS) configured to form a frictional connection with the IFS, and a load bearing surface having a contour for articulating against a cooperating articulating surface of a second bone of the joint.

Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.