Abstract: An intervertebral implant for mounting between superior and inferior vertebrae includes first and second endplates and an inlay. The first endplate has a first vertebra engagement surface and a first inner surface. The first vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the superior vertebra in an implant positions. The second endplate has a second vertebra engagement surface and a second inner surface. The second vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the inferior vertebra in the implanted position. The inlay is mounted to and between the first and second inner surfaces in an assembled configuration. The inlay includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, a first W-shaped spring and a second W-shaped spring. The first and second W-shaped springs are mounted between the first and second mounting plates. The first and second W-shaped springs have longitudinal axes that are generally parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing damaged meniscal tissue includes a meniscus implant including a porous body having a plurality of interconnected open micro-pores and one or more open cavities for receiving meniscal tissue. The interconnected micro-pores are arranged to allow fluid to flow into the porous body and are in fluid communication with the one or more open cavities.

Abstract: A flexible element that may be configured, among various uses, as an intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The flexible element includes one or more struts extending from superior and inferior endplates and bending towards one another for connection with one or more internal beams.

Abstract: A surgical implant for fixing a soft tissue to a bone comprising a staple and a plate. The staple and the plate are positionable on an instrument in such a way that the plate may be manipulated with the instrument to hold the soft tissue against the bone and in such a way that the staple is fixable to the bone with the plate positioned between a bridge of the staple and the soft tissue when legs of the staple are driven through the plate and into the bone.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra having a central axis. The implant may have a first member with a top surface for contacting at least a portion of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface as well as a second member with a top surface and a bottom surface for contacting at least a portion of the lower vertebra. An elastic spacer may be disposed between the first member and the second member. The bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may have a first constraint means and the other of the bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may be provided with a second constraint means, to limit the amount of lateral movement between the first and second members. Additionally, the constraint means may be sized and configured such that a gap with a width greater than zero is provided at least transversely to the central axis between the first and second constraint means in an unloaded state.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The three-dimensional body includes a front surface and a rear surface. The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes for accommodating fixation elements. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate disposed at the front surface of the three-dimensional body and having a plurality of boreholes. A securing plate can be fastened to the front plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra having a central axis. The implant may have a first member with a top surface for contacting at least a portion of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface as well as a second member with a top surface and a bottom surface for contacting at least a portion of the lower vertebra. An elastic spacer may be disposed between the first member and the second member. Contraints may be employed to to limit the amount of lateral movement between the first and second members.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The three-dimensional body includes a front surface and a rear surface. The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes for accommodating fixation elements. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate disposed at the front surface of the three-dimensional body and having a plurality of boreholes. A securing plate can be fastened to the front plate.

Abstract: A method for fixation of an intervertebral implant includes the steps of: a) applying a spreading force to a first and second adjacent vertebral bodies; b) removing the intervertebral disc between the adjacent first and second vertebral bodies; c) inserting a shaft of the bone anchors into the vertebral bodies, and fixing a head of the bone anchors to an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant with a central axis, a top part, a bottom part, a joint comprising a joint part and a joint shell, and a joining means. The top part has a top apposed surface that is suitable for placing it on a vertebra situated above it; The bottom part has a bottom apposed surface, that is suitable for placing it on a vertebra situated below it. One of the two parts is operatively associated with a convex joint part and the other part to a matching joint shell. The joint part and the joint shell are mounted against one another in a sliding manner such that the top part and the bottom part can rotate relative to one another at least about one axis of rotation. The joining means holds the top part and the bottom part together without impairing the capability of the joint to pivot while allowing a clearance between the joint part and the joint shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: An anterior transpedicular bone fixation device (100) includes a first plate (105) having at least one fastener hole (120a) configured to receive at least a portion of a first bone fastener and a first rotatable eccentric member (112). The first eccentric member has a first aperture (106) for receiving at least a portion of a central fastener (108). A second plate (110) has at least one fastener hole (120c) configured to receive at least a portion of a second bone fastener and a second rotatable eccentric member (114) with a second aperture (107) for receiving at least a portion of the central fastener, wherein the first and second rotatable eccentric members enable the first plate and second plate to translation with respect to one another. The orientation of the first plate with respect to the second plate can be fixed by advancing the central fastener through the apertures.

Abstract: An implant for an intervertebral space with a shaped body. The implant makes possible rotation of the implant about the longitudinal axis of the body in one direction and prevents such rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A dynamic cable system (11) for spanning two or more adjacent vertebrae V includes a longitudinal cable (12) having an inner cavity (12a) and at least one damping material (13) disposed within the inner cavity. Each of the vertebrae includes at least one bone fixation element (10) attached thereto. The bone fixation elements include a channel formed therein. The longitudinal cable is positionable within the channel and the longitudinal cable is a plait cable, a woven cable, a braided cable, a knitted cable, a twisted cable or a tube. The dynamic fixation system can include a first bone fixation element mounted to the first vertebra, a second bone fixation element mounted to the second vertebra, a first clamping sleeve (19) including a first bore (33), a second clamping sleeve including a second bore, the longitudinal cable having a first end, a second end, and an inner cavity, and the damping material disposed at least within the inner cavity.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant comprises a caudal fixator including a caudal fixator body and a socket extending longitudinally upward from the caudal fixator body, a cranial fixator including a cranial fixator body and a core extending longitudinally downward from the cranial fixator body, and a circlip configured to fix the longitudinal position of the caudal fixator relative to the cranial fixator. The core can include outwardly-extending cranial ratchet ridges and can be configured to fit into the socket. The circlip can include inwardly-extending circlip ratchet ridges and can be configured to fit inside the socket. The implant can be configured to be installed into an intervertebral space between vertebrae of the spinal motion segment by attaching the implant to laminae of the vertebrae. The implant can be configured to be expanded after installation into the spinal motion segment, such that the implant extends between spinous processes of the vertebrae.

Abstract: An implant for an intervertebral space with a shaped body. The implant has a top contact surface to be placed on a base plate of a body of the vertebra adjoining the implant from above, a bottom contact surface to be placed on a cover plate of a body of the vertebra adjoining the implant from below, two lateral surfaces, a front lateral and a rear lateral surface as well as a central axis that intersects the two contact surfaces, a longitudinal axis that intersects the front and rear lateral surfaces and a transverse axis that intersects the lateral surfaces. The implant also has a central plane situated between the contact surfaces and at right angles to the central axis of the body. The contact surfaces have a plurality of macroscopic teeth with central axes, where the central axes of the plurality of teeth are inclined relative to the central plane in such a manner, that a rotation of the body of 90° about the longitudinal axis is facilitated in one direction and impeded in the other direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for mounting between superior and inferior vertebrae includes first and second endplates and an inlay. The first endplate has a first vertebra engagement surface and a first inner surface. The first vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the superior vertebra in an implant positions. The second endplate has a second vertebra engagement surface and a second inner surface. The second vertebra engagement surface is mounted to the inferior vertebra in the implanted position. The inlay is mounted to and between the first and second inner surfaces in an assembled configuration. The inlay includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, a first W-shaped spring and a second W-shaped spring. The first and second W-shaped springs are mounted between the first and second mounting plates. The first and second W-shaped springs have longitudinal axes that are generally parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for fabricating multimaterial bodies in a layer-wise fashion, which bodies may be used bone-stabilizing implants. The multimaterial bodies include rigid and flexible portions that are integrally formed with one another. The multimaterial bodies may be softened or stiffened in specific areas to match the biological or anatomical features of a bone.

Abstract: A dynamic stabilization system for mounting to a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spine. The dynamic stabilization system preferably includes a first fixation element and a second fixation element mounted to the first and second vertebrae respectively. An elongated fixation element includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is mounted to the first fixation element and the second portion is mounted to the second fixation element. A dampening element is mounted between the first and second portions. The dampening element includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of bridging elements connecting the plurality of segments to permit movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.