An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human or animal spine. The intervertebral implant has an implant top side, which defines a first vertebral body abutment face for abutting against a first vertebral body, and an implant bottom side, which defines a second vertebral body abutment face for abutting against a second vertebral body. The intervertebral implant comprises a frame structure with at least two support elements. The at least two support elements extend from the implant top side to the implant bottom side. The at least two support elements define support element longitudinal axes, which run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the first and/or second vertebral body abutment face.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) comprising a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and collagen.

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.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

An expandable implant may include a superior endplate and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate may have at least one track extending in a proximal-to-distal direction and an inferior endplate may have at least one track extending in the proximal-to-distal direction. An adjusting shim may be disposed within the at least one track to adjust a spacing and angle of inclination of the implant. Some embodiments may include a plurality of tracks for adjusting a spacing and an angle of inclination between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate. Some embodiments may be configured to adjust an orientation of the implant relative to a disc space in both the sagittal plane and the coronal plane. Various embodiments disclosed herein may be used in an Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), or a lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) procedure, for example.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

The present invention provides expandable devices and insertion tools for deploying the expandable devices. The expandable devices are capable of increasing in height and width when expanded from a closed configuration to an open configuration to occupy a larger volume and to present a larger surface area. The expandable devices are lockable and are capable of rigidly occupying a space after expansion. In some embodiments, the expandable devices are useful as interbody devices for spinal fusions.

Disclosed are engineered vertebral disc implants comprising an engineered vertebral disc, wherein the engineered vertebral disc comprises a nucleus pulposus region and an annulus fibrosus region; and two endplates, wherein the endplates comprise a porous polymer foam, and wherein the endplates comprise channels. Disclosed are methods of treating disc degeneration comprising implanting one or more of the disclosed engineered vertebral disc implants to a subject in need thereof, wherein the endplates of the engineered vertebral disc implant are attached to the vertebra of the subject.

The present invention provides expandable devices and insertion tools for deploying the expandable devices. The expandable devices are capable of increasing in height and width when expanded from a closed configuration to an open configuration to occupy a larger volume and to present a larger surface area. The expandable devices are lockable and are capable of rigidly occupying a space after expansion. In some embodiments, the expandable devices are useful as interbody devices for spinal fusions.