Abstract: An extraction tool for removing an installed artificial disc from a spine is provided. The extraction tool is impacted between the artificial disc and the vertebrae and engages the artificial disc to allow a surgeon to remove the artificial disc from the spine.

Abstract: An extraction tool for removing an installed artificial disc from a spine is provided. The extraction tool is impacted between the artificial disc and the vertebrae and engages the artificial disc to allow a surgeon to remove the artificial disc from the spine.

Abstract: An extraction tool for removing an installed artificial disc from a spine is provided. The extraction tool is impacted between the artificial disc and the vertebrae and engages the artificial disc to allow a surgeon to remove the artificial disc from the spine.

Abstract: An extraction tool for removing an installed artificial disc from a spine is provided. The extraction tool is impacted between the artificial disc and the vertebrae and engages the artificial disc to allow a surgeon to remove the artificial disc from the spine.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond compacts for use in artificial joints achieve reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility through the use of solvent metal formulations containing tin and through the control of solvent metal pore size, particularly in inner layers of the compact. Solvent metal formulations containing tin have been discovered which provide sintering ability, part strength, and grind resistance comparable to levels achieved by using CoCrMo solvent metals. It has been discovered that limiting the solvent metal pore size in the diamond layers minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of micro cracks in the solvent metal and significantly reduces the corrosion of the compact as manifested by the release of heavy metal ions from the compact. Polycrystalline diamond compacts which utilize both the solvent metal formulations containing tin and the control of pore sizes achieve significantly reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility compared to prior art polycrystalline diamond compacts.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: An improved composition of titanium sintered titanium carbide is provided. The composition provides an improved degree of strength and toughness and improved compatibility with medical imaging. The composition provides good compatibility with sintered polycrystalline diamond, achieving a good mechanical fit in terms of the combined compressibility and thermal expansion during the sintering process to minimize stress or cracking between the substrate and the diamond layer.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond compacts for use in artificial joints achieve reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility through the use of solvent metal formulations containing tin and through the control of solvent metal pore size, particularly in inner layers of the compact. Solvent metal formulations containing tin have been discovered which provide sintering ability, part strength, and grind resistance comparable to levels achieved by using CoCrMo solvent metals. It has been discovered that limiting the solvent metal pore size in the diamond layers minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of micro cracks in the solvent metal and significantly reduces the corrosion of the compact as manifested by the release of heavy metal ions from the compact. Polycrystalline diamond compacts which utilize both the solvent metal formulations containing tin and the control of pore sizes achieve significantly reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility compared to prior art polycrystalline diamond compacts.