The aim of the invention is to restore the mobility of an articular end (2) of a bone (3) of a patient by means of a reconstruction implant. This implant (1), which permits reconstruction both of bone and of cartilage, comprises a grated framework (10) and a sheet (20) made of a biological tissue material, this sheet firmly covering one face (11) of the framework, while the opposite face (12) is designed to be pressed rigidly against, and firmly joined to, the end of the bone.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

A two piece humeral component for use in joint arthroplasty which is adapted to be implanted into a joint and engaged by a socket component of the joint. The joint component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface is adapted to be engaged by the socket and the second medial surface is adapted to be secured to mounting portion. The mounting portion has a first surface and a second medial surface. The first surface is adapted to be fixably engaged to the second mounting portion of the humeral component. The second medial surface is adapted to be secured to the humerus. A peg which has a first end adapted to engage a cavity found in the humerus is disposed on the mounting portion's second medial surface.

Provided is an implant for restoring the mobility of an articular end of a bone. The implant includes a framework having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the framework is defined by a plurality of free volumes formed by a grating, where the grating includes a first series of bars extending through the framework from the first face to the second face, and a second series of bars extending through the framework from the first face to the second face, wherein the second series of bars are parallel to one another, and spaced apart in pairs, where the bars have ends along the second face that are bevelled.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a core. The core is retained between the upper and lower plates by a retention feature in the form of central projections on the plates and a corresponding opening in the core. The retention feature is designed to allow the plates to slide over the upper and lower surfaces of the core in the anterior/posterior direction and in the lateral direction and to allow the plates to rotate with respect to each other and the core. The retention feature is also designed to prevent contact between the first and second plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core. Each central projection has a diameter that is smaller than a smallest diameter of a central opening of the core.

An intervertebral disc prosthesis is described including two endplates and a revisable elastic core. The existing core is removed while leaving the two endplates intact in the spine. A new core is installed between the endplates. The new core can have mechanical properties similar to or different than the originally implanted core. The new design enables the intervertebral disc prosthesis to be revised in situ using minimally invasive surgery.