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 stem (100) for use in a joint prosthesis, such as a femoral stem for a hip joint prosthesis, the stem comprising: a solid central core (102); a proximal outer layer (127) disposed over a proximal portion (101a) of the central core, wherein the proximal outer layer comprises a set of longitudinal ribs (120), defining slots (130) there between; and a distal outer layer made of a deformable porous material disposed over a distal portion (101b) of the central core. The arrangement is such that the stem (100) can be made with a relatively large diameter yet without being excessively stiff, for cementless fixation in osteoporotic patients. The deformability of the distal outer layer also mitigates against the risk of intraoperative bone fractures.

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 multi-layered prosthetic element comprises a central body (1; 1′) of a substantially truncated conical shape and having a through axial cavity (2; 2′) open at both ends which gives the central body (1; 1′) a ring-shaped cross-section. The central body (1, 1′) comprises an outer portion (110; 110′), made of trabecular metal material, an inner portion (130; 130′), made of trabecular metal material, and an intermediate portion (120; 120′) made of metal material without significant porosity. The outer portion (110; 110′) and the inner portion (130; 130′) are integrally connected to the intermediate portion (120; 120′). The intermediate portion (120; 120′) is configured to mechanically resist to stresses transmitted to the inner portion (130; 130′) on one side and to the outer portion (110; 110′) on the other side.

Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.

An alloprosthetic composite implant comprising includes a structural porous scaffold having a pore density profile corresponding to a density profile of bone to be replaced. A plurality of cells are seeded within pores of the porous scaffold and grown by incubation. The cells may include osteoblasts and/or stem cells to form the structure of the implant, and one or more cartilage layers may be grown on top of the scaffold. The pore density profile of the scaffold may be formed based on one or both of the bone density profile of the bone to be removed, and the bone density profile of the native bone that will be in contact with the alloprosthetic implant. A robot may be employed reo resect the native bone and also to shape the alloprosthetic implant to fit into place in the native bone.

An osteotomy implant includes a first surface extending generally in a first plane and a second surface extending generally in a second plane, oblique to the first plane. The first surface has a perimeter having a first linear edge, a first curve edge connected to the first linear edge, a second linear edge connected to the first curved edge, and a second curved edge connected to the second liner edge.

A revision-implant receiver (18) is provided for supporting an implant (20) of a revision joint replacement (10). The revision-implant receiver (18) comprises a first receiver element (22) and a second receiver element (24). The first receiver element (22) and the second receiver element (24) are engaged with each other via a hinge element (26).

A tibial implant includes one or more stiffness-modifying features to reduce the stiffness of one or more sections of the tibial implant. The stiffness-modifying features may include slots, recesses, or passageways defined in various locations of the tibial implant to selectively reduce the stiffness of a tibial insert and/or tibial base of the tibial implant.

Disclosed is an intervertebral cage for arthrodesis, where at least part of an upper and/or lower contact zone is made of a porous titanium material with a thickness of at least 1 mm and with a porosity of between 50% and 90%, where the diameter of the pores (DP) is between 200 μm and 1 mm, and where the pores have an aperiodic distribution.