An implantable medical device, for implantation in a mammal knee joint, comprising an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least one contacting surface of the knee joint and to be lubricated when implanted in said joint. The medical device further comprises a reservoir comprising a movable wall portion defining the volume of the reservoir, at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from the reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in said artificial contacting surface, wherein the channel is fluidly connected with said at least one inlet for distributing said lubricating fluid to the surface of said artificial contacting surface. The medical device further comprises an operation device adapted to non-invasively transport said lubricating fluid from said reservoir to said artificial contacting surface, and an implantable injection port for refilling said reservoir, wherein the movable wall portion is moved when the reservoir is refilled, such that the volume of the reservoir is increased.

Methods and systems for treating a spinal joint with a facet joint replacement. The prosthesis can include a first component having a first articulating surface and a second component having a second articulating surface. The first component is attached to a superior articulating facet and the second component is attached to an inferior articulating facet. The first articulating surface and the second articulating surface articulate with each other and allow for multiple degrees of movement of the facet joint without fusing the joint.

A four-component artificial intervertebral disc may provide six degrees of movement: flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation, axial deflection, and anterior/posterior translation. The disc may include a superior endplate, a superior core, an inferior core, and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate may include a concave mating surface, and the inferior endplate may include a spherical mating surface. The superior endplate may roll across the superior core to provide flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The superior endplate may twist or rotate atop the superior core to provide axial rotation, and the superior endplate may slide over the superior core to provide anterior/posterior translation. The superior core may be connected to the inferior core, and the inferior core may be connected to the inferior endplate. The inferior core may be made from a flexible material that may enable the artificial disc to expand or compress vertically.

Methods and systems for treating a spinal joint with a facet joint replacement. The prosthesis can include a first component having a first articulating surface and a second component having a second articulating surface. The first component is attached to a superior articulating facet and the second component is attached to an inferior articulating facet. The first articulating surface and the second articulating surface articulate with each other and allow for multiple degrees of movement of the facet joint without fusing the joint.

A method for implanting a medical device for lubricating a joint in a human body, said method comprising the steps of creating an opening reaching from outside of the human body into the joint, providing an artificial contacting surface to said joint, fixating the artificial contacting surface to the joint, implanting a reservoir in the human body, and lubricating said artificial contacting surface by pressurizing a lubricating fluid contained in said reservoir.

The invention describes an implant for wear couples in endoprosthetics, the implant having an outer side, with an outer face, and an inner side, and a hemispherical wear region for accommodating a spherical wear partner being formed on the inner side. The aim of the invention is to reduce the height of the implant as much as possible and to ensure that, e.g., the pelvic bone does not have to be milled down as much. According to the invention, the implant is therefore designed in the form of a ring or annular structure and the outer face permits direct implantation in the body. In order to reduce friction between the spherical wear partner and the implant to a minimum, the implant has a specially designed inner geometry.

The invention describes an implant for wear couples in endoprosthetics, comprising at least one shell, into which an insert, preferably a ceramic insert, is introduced. The insert has an outer side, with an outer face, and an inner side, and a hemispherical wear region for accommodating a spherical wear partner being formed on the inner side. The aim of the invention is to reduce the height of the implant as much as possible and to ensure that, e.g., the pelvic bone does not have to be milled down as much. According to the invention, the insert is therefore designed in the form of a ring or annular structure. In order to reduce friction between the spherical wear partner and the implant to a minimum, the implant has a specially designed inner geometry.

A disc replacement device including a first body member with a convex articulation surface and a second body member with a concave articulation surface is disclosed. When operably positioned, the convex articulation surface engages the concave articulation surface to provide for movement therebetween. The disc replacement device also includes a first opening in the first body member and a second opening in the second body member, wherein the openings are angled and extends from the front aspects of the body members through the external surfaces. The disc replacement device further includes at least two bone fasteners for insertion into the first and second openings to secure the disc replacement device to a first and second vertebra. An interbody motion device and fusion implant, as well as a surgical method for implantation are also disclosed.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a mammal joint having at least two contacting surfaces is provided. The medical device comprises; an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the mammal's joint contacting surfaces, wherein the artificial contacting surface is adapted to be lubricated, when implanted in said joint. Furthermore the medical device comprises at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from a reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in the artificial contacting surface in connection with the at least one inlet for distributing the lubricating fluid to the surface of the artificial contacting surface. The medical device could be adapted to be operable by an operation device to receive the distributed lubricated fluid from a reservoir.

The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.