A minimally invasive intervertebral implant includes a circuitous body defining a luminal axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The circuitous body includes proximal and distal ends oppositely disposed along a lateral axis of the circuitous body. Each of the proximal and distal ends includes an aperture disposed therethrough such that the circuitous body includes a first configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are at a maximum separation and a second configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are closer together than in the first configuration.

This invention corresponds to a prosthesis for total or hip resurfacing replacement, which comprises a prosthetic femoral head made of highly cross-linked polyethylene, with a diameter ranging from 38 mm to 64 mm, to articulate with a cup or acetabular component made of metal. When the invention applies to total hip replacement, the polyethylene head includes a metal core, which contains inside the female counterpart (14) to mate with the male counterpart (13) of a Morse taper, located at the upper end of the femoral component. The use of this type of head for total hip replacement, articulated with an ultra-polished acetabular cup, reduces the risk of dislocation, transmits less angular and torque forces to the Morse taper than large metal heads, and avoids the problems related to the metal-metal bearing or with the use of large metal heads with thin polyethylene. When the invention relates to hip resurfacing replacement, the highly cross-linked polyethylene femoral head has a lower polyethylene extension or stem with or without internal metal reinforcement (151) or a metal stem integrated into a metal-back (152). Using these types of heads for hip resurfacing replacement heads eliminates the problems associated with metal-on-metal resurfacing replacements.

A two part annulus repair rivet for repairing a defect in the annulus of an intervertebral disc includes a first part delivered through a port and adapted to be positioned at an internal surface of an annulus adjacent a defect and a second part adapted to be positioned on an external surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. The first and second parts are secured together, repairing the defect.

A prosthetic or orthotic device can include at least one device portion and a joint portion for providing for the at least one device portion to pivot between flexion and extension movements relative to another adjacent device portion or an adjacent limb segment of a user. In some embodiments, a prosthetic or orthotic device can include a compliant transmission assembly in operational communication with the joint portion. The compliant transmission assembly can include a compliant member and a pivot. The pivot can be interposed between the compliant member and the joint portion. In some embodiments, the compliant member absorbs energy when a torque is applied.

A two part annulus repair rivet for repairing a defect in the annulus of an intervertebral disc includes a first part delivered through a port and adapted to be positioned at an internal surface of an annulus adjacent a defect and a second part adapted to be positioned on an external surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. The first and second parts are secured together, repairing the defect.

Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes.

An intervertebral cage and intervertebral cage apparatus and a method for using the intervertebral cage and/or the intervertebral cage apparatus. The intervertebral cage can be any desired material including a memory material. The intervertebral cage apparatus can include the intervertebral cage and one or both of a variable volume pouch and a deployment cable. The variable volume pouch can be inserted into an internal volume of the intervertebral cage and affixed to the intervertebral cage. The variable volume pouch can be filled with material to achieve an expanded state. The variable volume pouch can assist in the deployment of the intervertebral cage. The deployment cable can be attached to the intervertebral cage and can include features to facilitate that attachment. The deployment cable can apply a force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage, and can include features to lock the intervertebral cage in the deployed configuration. An implantation tool can be used to apply force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage.

Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes.

This invention corresponds to a prosthesis for total or hip resurfacing replacement, which comprises a prosthetic femoral head made of highly cross-linked polyethylene, with a diameter ranging from 38 mm to 64 mm, to articulate with a cup or acetabular component made of metal. When the invention applies to total hip replacement, the polyethylene head includes a metal core, which contains inside the female counterpart (14) to mate with the male counterpart (13) of a Morse taper, located at the upper end of the femoral component. The use of this type of head for total hip replacement, articulated with an ultra-polished acetabular cup, reduces the risk of dislocation, transmits less angular and torque forces to the Morse taper than large metal heads, and avoids the problems related to the metal-metal bearing or with the use of large metal heads with thin polyethylene. When the invention relates to hip resurfacing replacement, the highly cross-linked polyethylene femoral head has a lower polyethylene extension or stem with or without internal metal reinforcement (151) or a metal stem integrated into a metal-back (152). Using these types of heads for hip resurfacing replacement heads eliminates the problems associated with metal-on-metal resurfacing replacements.

A temporary spacer device for a joint of the human body such as a knee joint includes a first component or femoral component, adapted to be constrained to a bone or to the femoral bone of a patient, at the joint of the human body; a second component or tibial component, adapted to be constrained to a bone or tibial bone of a patient, at the joint of the human body, and at least one stem having a proximal end, wherein the first component or femoral component and/or the second component or tibial component include at least one housing seat for the proximal end of the at least one stem, adapted to allow the inclination and/or rotation of the at least a stem with respect to an insertion axis of the proximal end into the at least one housing seat.