The application is directed to devices and methods where one or more magnetic or magnetizable implants provides therapeutic benefits to a patient. The implant may be useful for expanding the range of motion of joints or dynamically providing different responses to changing conditions in the body where the implant is placed. An electromagnet is placed on or in a bone on one side of a joint, and another electromagnet or magnetically active material is placed on or in a bone on the opposing side of the joint. The electromagnet may be continuously energized to relieve pressure in the joint space, or may be energized in response to forces applied to the joint.

A system and method for facilitating the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease. The method comprising making an incision posterolaterally along an annulus fibrosus of a specimen, removing nucleus pulposus from the specimen with tissue removing tools, and pushing magnetic spherical beads into a nuclear area within the specimen. The system comprises the specimen with the nuclear area, a plurality of magnetic spherical beads, tissue removal tools, a hollow cannula and a non-magnetic rod. The hollow cannula and non-magnetic rod configured for pushing the magnetic spherical beads within the nuclear area after incision.

A magnetic screw device that includes a fastening stem, a housing, a magnet assembly, and one or more magnets. The housing is configured to receive the fastening stem, such that the housing can rotate and angulate relative to the fastening stem. The housing is also configured to secure the magnet assembly. The magnet assembly contains two magnet holders that are each configured to receive one of the two magnets. The magnetic screw device can be used in a method of treating a spine with an abnormal curvature.

A prosthetic disc can take the form of a sensing artificial disc that includes a resilient core and at least one sensor configured to sense one or more conditions within and/or experienced by the disc. The sensing artificial disc can serve as a replacement to a failed or injured disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The sensing artificial disc can include at least one element configured to change a condition or property of the resilient core in response to a condition sensed by the at least one sensor. A prosthetic disc can include therapeutic system configured to deliver medication to the body, which can include a reservoir of medication.

A force sensor provided with a base and a table with legs mounted on the base. The table is movable with respect to the base by a force applied to the table, and the sensor is further provided with a measuring instrument or instruments for measuring a deflection of one or more of the legs, which deflection represents said force applied to the table.

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

A magnetic screw device that includes a fastening stem, a housing, a magnet assembly, and one or more magnets. The housing is configured to receive the fastening stem, such that the housing can rotate and angulate relative to the fastening stem. The housing is also configured to secure the magnet assembly. The magnet assembly contains two magnet holders that are each configured to receive one of the two magnets. The magnetic screw device can be used in a method of treating a spine with an abnormal curvature.

A prosthetic disc can take the form of a sensing artificial disc that includes a resilient core and at least one sensor configured to sense one or more conditions within and/or experienced by the disc. The sensing artificial disc can serve as a replacement to a failed or injured disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The sensing artificial disc can include at least one element configured to change a condition or property of the resilient core in response to a condition sensed by the at least one sensor. A prosthetic disc can include therapeutic system configured to deliver medication to the body, which can include a reservoir of medication.

An intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate and an inferior plate, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets. The one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnet in the inferior plate are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnet in the inferior plate. In addition, an intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate and an inferior plate, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets, and the plates are designed to form an articulating surface. Further, an intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate, an inferior plate, and a spacer, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets, and the superior and inferior plates are designed to form articulating surfaces with the spacer.