A porous biocomposite material including a polymer matrix having pores defined by several surfaces and collagen on the surface of the pores and the outer surfaces of the polymer matrix, the ratio, by weight, collagen to polymer matrix is from 20:80 to 40:60. The polymer matrix of the porous biocomposite material includes a copolymer which is prepared from a poly(ε-caprolactone) diol, a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) diol and a lysine diisocyanate (LDI). Also included are an implant which is a biodegradable, porous foam and with similar biomechanics to the normal meniscus, with tensile, compressive and tear strength, and preventing the pores from collapsing under condyle-tibia pressure. It serves as a scaffold for damaged meniscus repair or replacement, indicated for grade 3 or 4 terminal knee arthrosis, for the prevention of treatment, by cartilage regeneration, of advanced knee arthrosis, to avoid knee prostheses in young patients.

A moldable medical membrane is provided, which includes a compact layer and a porous layer. The compact layer is formed from a first material. The porous layer is disposed on the compact layer, and the porous layer is formed from a second material. The moldable medical membrane has a moldable temperature range. A melting point of the compact layer is within the moldable temperature range, and a melting point of the porous layer is higher than the moldable temperature range.

A method for implanting an intrafacet implant includes making an incision, advancing an instrument assembly through the incision and to a facet joint. The instrument assembly includes a guide having a lumen extending therethrough. The method includes anchoring the guide at the facet joint, advancing an intrafacet implant to the facet joint through the guide using an inserter, and countersinking the intrafacet implant within the facet joint using the inserter.

The fusion device for fusing a synovial joint of a human or animal patient, in particular a human facet joint, finger joint or toe joint, includes two pin-shaped anchorage portions and arranged therebetween a stabilization portion. The anchorage portions include a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration. The stabilization portion preferably has a surface which is equipped for enhancing osseointegration. The anchorage portions have a greater thickness and a greater depth than the stabilization portion. Then the fusion device is pushed between the articular surfaces and mechanical vibration, in particular ultrasonic vibration, is applied to the proximal face of the fusion device. Thereby the liquefiable material is liquefied where in contact with the bone tissue and penetrates into the bone tissue, where after re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the fusion device and the bone tissue.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Disclosed is directed to a method for restoring bone in an animal comprising: accessing a site to be restored; loading a syringe body with a flowable bone graft material; mating the syringe body with a delivery tube; positioning the delivery tube at the site to be restored; using a syringe piston to advance the said material into the delivery tube; using the syringe piston or a plunger that mates with the delivery tube after removal of the syringe body to deliver the bone graft to the site at a force of less than 50 lbs. extrusion force; wherein said material is at least 75% porous with a mineral to polymer ratio of 80:20.

The present invention describes methods, devices and instruments for resurfacing or replacing facet joints, uncovertebral joints and costovertebral joints. The joints can be prepared by smoothing the articular surface on one side, by distracting the joint and by implant insertion. Implants can be stabilized against a first articular surface by creating a high level of conformance with said first articular surface, while smoothing the second articular surface with a surgical instrument with a smooth mating implant surface.

A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers for stabilizing a respective pair of uncinate joints. Each uncinate joint stabilizer is elongated along a lengthwise dimension and is configured for placement in the respective uncinate joint with the lengthwise dimension substantially oriented along an anterior-to-posterior direction of the cervical spine segment. Each uncinate joint stabilizer has height configured to define spacing of the respective uncinate joint. Each uncinate joint stabilizer includes a generally cylindrical portion with cylinder axis in the lengthwise dimension. The generally cylindrical portion has threads for threading the uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint along the anterior-to-posterior direction. The threads are interrupted by one or more fenestrations configured to accommodate bone graft material, bone growth, and/or tissue displaced from the respective uncinate joint by the uncinate joint stabilizer.

Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

A vertebral body system and method having a polyaxial fastener receiving member, adjustable width plates and a pedicle screw having a pedicle threaded portion and a threaded portion for fastening to the vertebral body.