An interbody fusion device having an accordion-like structure, wherein the device in inserted into the disc space in its collapsed configuration and then expanded into its expanded configuration by compressing the accordion-like portion of the device. In some embodiments, a pre-formed tube with an accordion-like structure over a portion of its length is inserted in a relaxed (collapsed) configuration, giving the tube a minimum possible diameter. This tube has a cable running through it that is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube and extends past the proximal end portion of the tube to the outside of the patient. Once the tube is positioned on the rim of the endplate, the proximal end of the cable is pulled, thereby tensioning the cable and causing the accordion portion of the tube to become shorter in length but larger in diameter.

For a membrane encapsulated joint implant sealed under vacuum, a joint implant includes an outer cup, an inner cup, a joint head, a joint membrane, a lubricant, and an implant stem. The outer cup attached at a proximal bone. The nests within the outer cup and receives a joint head, the inner cup comprising an inner cup rim. The joint head is disposed within the inner cup and forms a bearing that rotates within the inner cup. The joint membrane sealed to the inner cup rim and vacuum seals the joint head within the inner cup to form a capsular space. The lubricant is disposed within the capsular space. The implant stem that is attached to a distal bone and that attaches through the joint head through the joint membrane.

A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.

A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration. Bone engaging anchors also may be provided to ensure secure positioning.

Disclosed are a method for limiting diffusion of wear debris of an in vivo implant and an in vivo implant apparatus with a function of limiting wear debris. An elastomer seal is arranged at a wearing part between implant components that can move relatively and generate wear, such that an outlet for wear debris of the implant is always sealed within a sealing area formed by the seal and the implant components, thereby preventing the wear debris from diffusing outwards. The elastomer seal includes at least one flexible buffer part for reducing or completely offsetting relative motion between the implant components, thereby further reducing wear of a sealing part of the elastomer seal due to the relative motion between the parts. The seal is tightly attached to in vivo implant components, and the in vivo implant is smaller than a force for driving the components to generate relative motion.

Various spinal implants and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal implant is provided having an expandable container with an interior volume that is selectively expandable between a compressed condition and an expanded condition. The expandable container is coupled to a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with a superior surface of the expandable container, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with an inferior surface of the expandable container. In addition, at least one inlet port is formed in the expandable container and is effective to communicate a fluid to at least one cavity disposed within the interior volume of the expandable container.

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for using two or more flexible bands to constrain shoulder and/or hip replacement components to reduce dislocation and/or instability (e.g., constrain the glenosphere against a glenosphere recess, or constrain a femoral head against an acetabular component). In certain embodiments, one end of the flexible bands are attached to, or are held by, a first ring (e.g., expandable ring, such as a snap ring) that is configured to be operably connected (e.g., via a humeral baseplate) to a humeral stem, while another end of the flexible bands are attached to, or are held by, a second ring (e.g., flat ring, washer, annular, hoop, or orbital) that is configured to be operably connected (e.g., via a scapular baseplate) to a scapular bone. In some embodiments, an outer sleeve (e.g., cylindrical silicone sleeve) is employed that is sized to generally enclose the flexible bands, the glenosphere, and glenosphere recess, or conversely, for the hip joint, the femoral head and acetabular component liner.

An adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis may include a pedicle fixation element; a laminar fixation element; and a facet joint bearing surface having a location adaptable with respect at least one of the pedicle fixation element and the laminar fixation element. Methods of implanting an adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis may include determining a desired position for a facet joint bearing surface; and attaching a prosthesis comprising a facet joint bearing surface to a pedicle portion of a vertebra and a lamina portion of a vertebra to place the facet joint bearing surface in the desired position. A facet joint prosthesis implant tool may include a tool guide adapted to guide a vertebra cutting tool; and first and second fixation hole alignment elements extending from the saw guide. Systems for treating spinal pathologies may include intervertebral discs in combination with spinal and facet joint prostheses.

Methods and tools capable of treating diffuse or localized pain attributable to fluid accumulation within a bone. Such methods may utilize an instrument that includes a pilot adapted to penetrate soft tissue between the bone and the skin of a living being. The pilot is used in combination with a penetration tool to penetrate the bone, penetrate into the cortex of the bone, and form a seal against the surface of the bone, and after which fluid is removed from within the bone. Alternatively, the method may utilized a penetration tool equipped with a stopper bar to limit penetration to the periosteum of the bone, and/or may be implanted and connected to an implanted pump.

Implants for positioning between vertebral members. The implant may include a superior surface to contact against a first vertebral member, and an inferior surface to contact against a second vertebral member. The implant may include a central web that extends between first and second flanges. The flanges may be shaped to form gaps that extend the height of the implant. Spaces in communication with the gaps may be formed in an interior of the implant to hold bone growth material.