Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: A method of performing a computer-assisted surgical procedure on the spine of a patient comprising the steps of: planning, on a computer, a surgical procedure based on at least one of two- and three-dimensional images of the patient's spine; affixing a robotic assembly over an operative region of the patient; determining, with a computer in communication with the robotic assembly, a desired trajectory of a surgical tool along at least one of an access path and an implant path towards the surgical target site; and placing at least a portion of the surgical tool through the aperture along said desired trajectory along at least one of said access path and said implant path towards the surgical target site.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery includes a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient includes securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system includes a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: A method of performing a computer-assisted surgical procedure on the spine of a patient comprising the steps of: planning, on a computer, a surgical procedure based on at least one of two- and three-dimensional images of the patient's spine; affixing a robotic assembly over an operative region of the patient; determining, with a computer in communication with the robotic assembly, a desired trajectory of a surgical tool along at least one of an access path and an implant path towards the surgical target site; and placing at least a portion of the surgical tool through the aperture along said desired trajectory along at least one of said access path and said implant path towards the surgical target site.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: An acetabular implant for use in a hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The implant includes a body portion comprising a polycarbonate polyurethane. The body portion includes a substantially semispherical inner articulating surface defining a socket sized to receive a head portion of a femoral component of the hip joint prosthesis and an outer engagement surface having an annular protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The annular protrusion is configured for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding recess in the acetabulum. The implant also includes a deformation control element having an increased durometer hardness relative to the polycarbonate polyurethane and positioned within the body portion between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: Knee prostheses are provided. In some embodiments, the knee prostheses include a body formed of a resilient polyurethane having contact surface area that changes during use according to physical loading factors. In some embodiments, the knee prostheses include a femoral component configured for secure engagement with a lower portion of a femur without penetrating the femur and a tibial component configured for secure engagement with an upper portion of a tibia without penetrating the tibia. In that regard, the tibial component is also configured for moving engagement with the femoral component in some instances.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic acetabular cup into a patient is disclosed. The method comprises gaining access to an acetabulum of the patient, where the acetabulum includes an inner portion formed of bone and an outer portion formed of articular cartilage. The method also comprises creating a recess within the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum without removing any portion of bone from the inner portion of the acetabulum. The recess is shaped to mate with a snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup. Finally, the method comprises securely engaging the prosthetic acetabular cup with the acetabulum by snap-fitting the snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup with the recess in the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum.

Abstract: An acetabular implant for use in a hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The implant includes a body portion comprising a polycarbonate polyurethane. The body portion includes a substantially semispherical inner articulating surface defining a socket sized to receive a head portion of a femoral component of the hip joint prosthesis and an outer engagement surface having an annular protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The annular protrusion is configured for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding recess in the acetabulum. The implant also includes a deformation control element having an increased durometer hardness relative to the polycarbonate polyurethane and positioned within the body portion between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis including at least one element defining a bone-engaging surface, the bone-engaging surface including an anchoring mechanism operative for enhancing anchoring and adhesion of the joint defining element to the bone and thus improving the stability and longevity of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, and systems for replacing at least some of the functionality of the natural hip joint and associated methods of implantation are disclosed. In one aspect a prosthetic acetabular cup system is provided. The system includes a metal shell comprising an outer surface for securely engaging a prepared portion of an acetabulum, an opposing inner surface, and at least one snap-fit engagement feature associated with the inner surface. The metal shell has a thickness less than about 1.0 mm between the outer surface and the inner surface. The system also includes a pliable articulating component having an outer surface including at least one snap-fit engagement feature sized and shaped to snap-fittingly engage the at least one snap-fit engagement feature of the metal shell. The pliable articulating component also includes an inner surface for articulatingly receiving a femoral head. The second component has a thickness less than about 3.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide improved joint implants and methods relating to joint implantation. An embodiment is described wherein an implant is constructed of a resilient material which may be deformed to facilitate implantation and final fixation at the joint.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide improved joint implants and methods relating to joint implantation.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an implant element adapted to be attached to at least one bone, the implant element including at least one throughgoing bone growth region adapted to be located in bone growth communication with the at least one bone and configured such that bone growth therein creates a grown bone suture binding the implant element to the at least one bone.

Abstract: An acetabular implant for use in a hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The implant includes a body portion comprising a polycarbonate polyurethane. The body portion includes a substantially semispherical inner articulating surface defining a socket sized to receive a head portion of a femoral component of the hip joint prosthesis and an outer engagement surface having an annular protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The annular protrusion is configured for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding recess in the acetabulum. The implant also includes a deformation control element comprising a polyethylene having an increased durometer hardness relative to the polycarbonate polyurethane and positioned entirely within the body portion between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing signal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.