Disclosed are a self-switching transmission assembly, a balloon, and a prosthesis for use in a shoulder joint. The self-switching transmission assembly comprises: a communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) comprising an input end (111, 111′, 111″) and an output end (112, 112′, 112″); an external connection tube (12, 12′, 12″), an end portion thereof being insertable into the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) from the input end (111, 111′, 111″) and removable from the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) from the input end (111, 111′, 111″); and a sealing tube (13, 13′, 13″), which can be placed in a tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) and moved axially relative to the tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″). The sealing tube (13, 13′, 13″) comprises a connection end (131, 131′, 131″) and a sealing end (132, 132′, 132″), the connection end (131, 131′, 131″) being detachably connected to the end portion of the external connection tube (12, 12′, 12″) by means of a connection driving mechanism, and the sealing end (132, 132′, 132″) being provided with a pass-through region, wherein, when the pass-through region is exposed outside of the output end (112, 112′, 112″), the self-switching transmission assembly is in a pass-through state, and when the pass-through region is placed inside the tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″), the self-switching transmission assembly is in a sealed and blocked state.

Disclosed is an expandable interbody fusion implant that is configured to have an initial configuration having a first footprint width suitable for being inserted into an intervertebral space and an expanded configuration having a second footprint width that is greater than the first footprint width. The implant may include a first body member and a second body member that is pivotally coupled to the first body member. The implant may be expanded using an inflatable balloon. The implant may be expanded bilaterally such that both body members rotate relative to the other or the implant may be expanded unilaterally such that one of the body members rotates relative to the other.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for relieving upper airway obstructive breathing in a patient are disclosed. In some implementations, the apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices anchored to a mastoid bone and a mandible bone, respectively; an implant positioned between the first and second pivot device, the implant comprising a first end coupled to the first pivot device and a second end coupled to the second pivot device; an inactive position, the inactive position enabling a posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end; an active position, the active position preventing posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end, and anteriorly positioning the second end relative to the first end; and an activation mechanism enabling transition between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.

Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.

An artificial intervertebral disc (IVD) is provided for replacement of a degenerated intervertebral disc. The artificial IVD includes two endplates having oppositely-facing outward surfaces configured to engage respective intervertebral surfaces of the spinal column, and a chamber, which is disposed between oppositely-facing inner surfaces of the two endplates, and which includes a lateral wall including an electroosmotic membrane. A plurality of exposed electrode surface includes (i) one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located within the chamber; and (ii) one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located outside the chamber, in a vicinity of the chamber. Control circuitry is configured to drive at least one of the one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces and at least one of the one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive liquid from outside the chamber to inside the chamber. Other embodiments are also described.

A load dissipating arthroplasty prosthesis comprising a shell, an articular device extending into the shell through a collar defined in the sell, a head and neck portion of the articular device extending from the collar, a shaft portion of the articular device extending into the shell, and a plurality of shock absorbing arcuate linkers spacing and allowing limited movement between the shell and the articular device.

An artificial intervertebral disc (IVD) is provided for replacement of a degenerated intervertebral disc. The artificial IVD includes two endplates having oppositely-facing outward surfaces configured to engage respective intervertebral surfaces of the spinal column, and a chamber, which is disposed between oppositely-facing inner surfaces of the two endplates, and which includes a lateral wall including an electroosmotic membrane. A plurality of exposed electrode surface includes (i) one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located within the chamber; and (ii) one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located outside the chamber, in a vicinity of the chamber. Control circuitry is configured to drive at least one of the one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces and at least one of the one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive liquid from outside the chamber to inside the chamber. Other embodiments are also described.

An orthopedic implant with an inferior portion having a tibia contact surface configured to extend over a tibia; a superior portion opposite to the inferior portion having a tendon contact surface configured to change a position of a patellar tendon by lifting or tilting the patellar tendon when the curved surface of the first portion is engaged with the tibia; and a fixation mechanism adapted to attach the orthopedic implant to the tibia, the orthopedic implant being further configured to change shape from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to a load applied between the tendon contact surface and the tibia contact surface. The invention also addresses corresponding methods.

An intervertebral cage and intervertebral cage apparatus and a method for using the intervertebral cage and/or the intervertebral cage apparatus. The intervertebral cage can be any desired material including a memory material. The intervertebral cage apparatus can include the intervertebral cage and one or both of a variable volume pouch and a deployment cable. The variable volume pouch can be inserted into an internal volume of the intervertebral cage and affixed to the intervertebral cage. The variable volume pouch can be filled with material to achieve an expanded state. The variable volume pouch can assist in the deployment of the intervertebral cage. The deployment cable can be attached to the intervertebral cage and can include features to facilitate that attachment. The deployment cable can apply a force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage, and can include features to lock the intervertebral cage in the deployed configuration. An implantation tool can be used to apply force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage.