An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

An improved method of treating an osteochondral defect is provided, which is a composite tissue for treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with an osteochondral defect, comprising a three-dimensional synthetic tissue and an artificial bone, wherein the three-dimensional synthetic tissue is substantially made of a cell and an extracellular matrix derived from the cell, the extracellular matrix contains fibronectin, collagen I, collagen III, and vitronectin, and the extracellular matrix is diffusedly distributed in the tissue.

The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

Porous biocompatible structures suitable for use as medical implants and methods for fabricating such structures are disclosed. The disclosed structures may be fabricated using rapid manufacturing techniques. The disclosed porous structures have a plurality of struts and nodes where no more than two struts intersect one another to form a node. Further, the nodes can be straight, curved, portions that are curved and/or portions that are straight. The struts and nodes can form cells which can be fused or sintered to at least one other cell to form a continuous reticulated structure for improved strength while providing the porosity needed for tissue and cell in-growth.

A prosthesis has a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the tubular body and open at each of the proximal end and the distal end. The tubular body defines a longitudinal axis and has a first width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis also includes a first flange at one of the proximal end and the distal end with the lumen extending through the first flange. The first flange has a second width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first width. The tubular body and the first flange form a structurally self-supporting, body compatible, and body absorbable device. The device is formed of a composite structure and is adapted for insertion into an opening through a tympanic membrane.

The present invention relates to an implant comprising at least one three-dimensional porous structural element of at least one synthetic polymer, wherein the at least one porous structural element is irreversibly attached to an implant element by means of at least one adhesive polymer, methods for preparing the same, and uses thereof.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The present invention is directed generally to (1) an articulating junction, and articulation method thereof, wherein articulation is facilitated by a plurality of magnetic particles; (2) an articulating junction, and articulation method thereof, wherein the stability and fluidity of the junction is based, at least in part, on the magnetic field(s) of the plurality of magnetic particles; and (3) reducing the resistance to articulation and/or increasing the structural integrity and support, of the articulating junction, via electro-magnetism. Further, the present invention is directed generally to the synergistic combination of magnetic particles and preferred bio-implant-materials and additive-manufacturing methods along with Baker correlation codes. Further, the present invention is directed to an artificial joint for implantation into a living body and methods for constructing such an artificial joint.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.