The invention is generally related to an intervertebral implant for replacing an intervertebral disc of the human spine. The intervertebral implant includes a first conformable endplate, the first conformable endplate being conformable to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load, a second endplate and a core between the endplates, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the boney vertebral endplate. The invention is also directed to a method of replacing an intervertebral disc. The method includes removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc to form an intervertebral disc space, implanting a first conformable endplate, into the intervertebral disc space and in contact with a first boney vertebral endplate, the first conformable endplate being conformable to the first boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load; implanting a second endplate into the intervertebral disc space and in contact with a second boney vertebral endplate; and implanting a core between the first conformable endplate and the second endplate, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the first boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the first boney vertebral endplate.

To replace costal cartilage that has been surgically removed, a surgeon can implant a flexible element to connect a rib to the sternum. In some examples, the flexible element can be formed from a material having a selected durometer (e.g., a measure of material stiffness or hardness), and can be shaped to have a selected geometry (e.g., cross-sectional size and shape), to match the flexibility (e.g. resistance to bending) of the natural costal cartilage. The flexible element can connect to the rib via a rib bracket, which can be rigid, and can attach to a sternal end of the rib via one or more fasteners. The flexible element can connect to the sternum via a sternum bracket, which can also be rigid, and can also attach to the sternum via one or more fasteners. The fasteners can be screws, nails, staples, or others.

An embodiment includes an orthopedic fusion system comprising: a cage; a curved first channel coupling a lateral wall of the cage to a superior surface of the cage; a curved second channel coupling the lateral wall of the cage to an inferior surface of the cage; a third channel coupling the superior surface of the cage to the inferior surface of the cage; a curved first anchor configured to slide within the first channel; a curved second anchor configured to slide within the second channel; and a resilient member comprising a resilient first arm that projects across a portion of the first channel and a resilient second arm that projects across a portion of the second channel. Other embodiments are described herein.

A central inflatable distractor and a perimeter balloon are inserted into the disc space in uninflated configurations. The central inflatable distractor is then expanded, thereby distracting the vertebral endplates to the controlled height of the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon is then inflated with a curable substance. The perimeter balloon expands as it is filled with the curable substance and conforms to the void remaining in the disc space around the central inflatable distractor, thereby creating a horseshoe shape. Once the flowable material in the perimeter balloon has cured, the central inflated distractor can be deflated and removed. The remaining void (or inner space) is then packed with graft for fusion.

A composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition including a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further including a ceramic layer. Also provided are orthopedic implants made from the composition, methods of making the composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants from the composition.

A composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition including a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further including a ceramic layer. Also provided are orthopedic implants made from the composition, methods of making the composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants from the composition.

The disclosure provides an articular gasket prosthesis and an articular prosthesis with the articular gasket prosthesis. The articular gasket prosthesis includes an elastic gasket disposed between a first skeleton and second skeleton forming a joint, the elastic gasket including: an elastic matrix, having a first contact surface facing the first skeleton and a second contact surface facing the second skeleton; and multiple synovial fluid passages, distributed in the elastic matrix and communicating the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the multiple synovial fluid passages being disposed according to a predetermined manner to gradually increase hardness of the elastic matrix from a center to an edge and gradually decrease elasticity of the elastic matrix from the center to the edge.

The disclosure provides an articular gasket prosthesis and an articular prosthesis with the articular gasket prosthesis. The articular gasket prosthesis includes an elastic gasket disposed between a first skeleton and second skeleton forming a joint, the elastic gasket including: an elastic matrix, having a first contact surface facing the first skeleton and a second contact surface facing the second skeleton; and multiple synovial fluid passages, distributed in the elastic matrix and communicating the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the multiple synovial fluid passages being disposed according to a predetermined manner to gradually increase hardness of the elastic matrix from a center to an edge and gradually decrease elasticity of the elastic matrix from the center to the edge.

An apparatus and method for joining members together using a self-drilling screw apparatus or stapling apparatus are disclosed. The screw apparatus includes a worm drive screw, a spur gear and superior and inferior screws which turn simultaneously in a bi-directional manner. A rotating mechanism drives the first and second screw members in opposite directions and causes the screw members to embed themselves in the members to be joined. The screw apparatus can be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. A device employing two screws (two-in-one) can be combined with a capping horizontal mini-plate. A device employing three screws can be combined in enclosures (three-in-one). The stapling apparatus includes grip handles, transmission linkages, a drive rod a fulcrum and a cylinder. The staple has superior and inferior segments with serrated interfaces, a teethed unidirectional locking mechanism and four facet piercing elements. The staples can be also be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads. A method for treating osteoarthritis by inserting a disk-shaped member into a joint of a patient is also disclosed.