Abstract: The invention relates to a rod-shaped body comprising a central section and a peripheral section, wherein the central section is arranged in the center of the rod-shaped body and is enclosed by the peripheral section. Both the central section and the peripheral section substantially extend along the entire length of the rod-shaped body. The central section comprises at least one non-metallic fiber bundle that is embedded in a non-ferromagnetic matrix material. The matrix material is doped with marker particles. The peripheral section comprises at least one undoped, non-ferromagnetic matrix material. The diameter of the central section is less than or equal to 0.2 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.15 mm, and even more preferably, less than or equal to 0.1 mm, and in particular less than or equal to 0.08 mm.

Abstract: A digital control laser automatic tooth preparation method and device and a tooth positioner are provided. The device includes an intra-oral three-dimensional scanner, a dental laser, an oral working end of a digital control laser tooth preparation control system, an oral and maxillofacial cone beam CT scanner, a computer, a tooth positioner, a negative-pressure suction device and a real-time monitoring device. The computer is connected respectively with the intra-oral three-dimensional scanner, the dental laser, the oral working end of the digital control laser tooth preparation control system, the oral and maxillofacial cone beam CT scanner, the negative-pressure suction device, and the real-time monitoring device. The dental laser is connected with the oral working end of the digital control laser tooth preparation control system through a light guiding arm (1).

Abstract: Provided are an electric motor that enables to achieve downsizing while securing performance, and a dental device that includes the electric motor. A brushless slotless electric motor 10 includes: a stator 3 that includes a stator core 301 and a plurality of coils 31 to 33, the plurality of coils 31 to 33 being disposed at an inside of the stator core 301; and a rotor 2 that includes a shaft 21 and a magnet 22, the rotor 2 being rotated around the shaft 21 with respect to the stator 3. The plurality of coils 31 to 33 are adjacent to each other in a rotation direction of the rotor 2 so as not to lap mutually. Lf<Lc is satisfied where Lf is a length of the stator core 301 in an axial direction and Lc is a length of the coil in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical dental tool for assisting with the implantation of a dental implant. The tool is designed to create an opening in a patient's jaw into which the dental implant will be inserted. In one embodiment, the tool includes a handle, a blade carrier, a pick and a blade stabilizing channel formed in at least a portion of the blade carrier and extends through at least a portion of the pick. The blade stabilizing channel receives and stabilizes a cutting blade. The blade carrier may include an adjustable clamping plate for removably securing the cutting blade in the blade stabilizing channel. The pick may include a sheath that receives and protects the tip of the cutting blade from breakage when the blade is in the blade stabilizing channel and is being used to cut a dental implant opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mouthpiece (100) for illumination of teeth, e.g. for teeth whitening. The mouthpiece is configured with at least two lenses (102a, 102b) shaped to cast asymmetrical light onto the teeth (110). The lenses are arranged one-to-one with associated light sources (101a, 101b). The first and second lenses are arranged to project the received light onto a buccal side (111) of the teeth (110), and each of the first and second lenses has an asymmetrically shaped refraction surface (301) shaped to change an intensity distribution of the received light asymmetrically on opposite sides of an optical axis (121) of the respective light source along the dental arch (201) of the teeth.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for virtually representing an orthodontic treatment outcome using automated detection of facial and dental reference objects is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method may involve modeling initial positions of an orthodontic patient's teeth in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual model and determining the effect of application of various force systems applied through an orthodontic treatment plan on the patient's teeth. Images of the patient's face may be used to identify facial reference objects. Dental reference objects of the patient's dentition may be identified from the 3D virtual model. A relationship between the facial reference objects and the dental reference objects may form the basis of modifications to the orthodontic treatment plan and/or modeling final orthodontic positions of the orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: Improved orthodontic appliances, along with related systems and methods, are provided. In one aspect, an appliance includes a shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive teeth, and a discontinuity formed in the shell. The appliance also includes an elastic member having a first portion directly coupled to the shell at a first attachment point and a second portion directly coupled to the shell at a second attachment point. The elastic member can be positioned to interact with the discontinuity.

Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth. The bracket includes a bracket body, a bracket door, and a spring mechanism retained by the bracket door. The bracket body has a base on the bottom side of the bracket body that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a bracket slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the bracket slot. The spring mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to contact the bracket door and the bracket body. The bracket door can thus be retained by and slidably engage the bracket body between an open position and a closed position. One or more additional active spring members may also be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fixture for a dental implant and an implant system comprising the same. The implant system of the present invention comprises: a first fixture having a first body part and a first continuous screw part which is formed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the first body part and is formed continuously without a break; and a second fixture having a second body part that is identical to the first body part, and a second continuous screw part which is formed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the second body part and which has an outer diameter that differs from that of the first continuous screw part. The present invention allows implant operations to be carried out in a more straightforward fashion than hitherto since, even if initial fixture placement fails, a subsequent fixture can be placed straight away without any further drilling work.

Abstract: A zirconia sintered body is provided in which the strength between layers of powders is improved. A flexural strength of a test sample of the zirconia sintered body, measured pursuant to JISR1601, is not less than 1100 MPa. The test sample is formed by preparing a plurality of zirconia powders, each containing zirconia and a stabilizer that suppresses phase transition of zirconia, the zirconia powders differing in a composition, layering the zirconia powders to form a zirconia composition, and sintering the zirconia composition to form a zirconia sintered body. The flexural strength is measured such that a load point is positioned at a boundary of the zirconia powders, the boundary traversing the test sample of the sintered body along a direction of load application.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a grip portion, a brush portion, and a joint arrangement for connecting the two portions. The joint arrangement has an upper cylinder portion and a lower cylinder portion, with an axis of the upper cylinder portion being inclined a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the lower cylinder portion. The grip portion is connected to the lower cylinder portion and the brush portion is connected to the upper cylinder portion, so that the grip portion and the brush portion are inclined by the predetermined angle.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a toothbrush, in particular an electric or otherwise driven toothbrush having a rotatable head, wherein the head incorporates arrays of bristle tufts, at least some of which extend substantially radially of the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A transmucosal delivery device includes a mouthpiece configured for receipt on a user's teeth, a permeable member coupled to the mouthpiece, a measurement module coupled to the mouthpiece for monitoring hydration of the user, and an excitation module coupled to the mouthpiece for inducing release of a hydrating substance from the permeable member based on the monitored hydration. The hydrating substance is delivered to the user through the user's oral mucosal tissue. Alternatively, a permeable member of a transmucosal delivery device houses an insulin solution to be delivered to the user through the user's oral mucosal tissue, and a measurement module coupled to the mouthpiece for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mouthpiece (100) for illumination of teeth, e.g. for teeth whitening. The mouthpiece comprises a slab shaped light guide (203), at least one light source arranged for injecting light into the light guide and an optically transparent element (101) arranged to contact the light guide. The optically transparent element has a lower refractive index than the light guide to enable total internal refection of the injected light. Light is coupled out of the light guide by an out-coupling structure (210) and through a part of the optically transparent part located between the light guide and the buccal side of the teeth to illuminated the teeth with uniform light.

Abstract: Provided is a rotatable surgical apparatus and accompanying method for processing a specimen via the rotatable surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus may include a base member and a platform member where the platform member and base member abut. Each of the base member and platform member may define one or more channel. The one or more base channels may be in fluid communication with the one or more platform channels. A nozzle may be disposed on the top surface of the platform member, in fluid communication with the at least one platform channel and may administer anesthetic to a specimen.

Abstract: A prosthetic repair system includes a prosthesis for repairing a defect in a tissue or muscle wall. A material delivery device is provided for delivering a material, such as an adhesive material, to a surface of the prosthesis and/or to particular locations between the prosthesis and the tissue or muscle wall to attach the prosthesis to the wall. The delivery device may be coupled to the prosthesis and configured to distribute the material from one side of the prosthesis to an opposite side that is to face the defect. The delivery device may include a manifold and conduits for delivering the material from the manifold to one or more desired locations. The conduits may penetrate into and/or through the thickness of the prosthesis. After delivery and distribution of the material, the delivery device may be removed from the prosthesis and withdrawn from) a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region. An exemplary flow control device is configured to block fluid flow in the inspiratory direction and the expiratory direction at normal breathing pressures and allow fluid flow in the expiratory direction at coughing pressures.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating a patient is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: cutting the patient's skin and abdominal wall; dissecting an area of the patient's intestine; and dissecting a portion of the dissected intestinal area such that intestinal mesentery connected thereto is opened in such a way that supply of blood through the mesentery to the dissected intestinal area is maintained as much as possible on both sides of the dissected portion. The method further comprises the steps of dividing the patient's intestine in the dissected portion so as to create an upstream part of the intestine with a first intestinal opening and a downstream part of the intestine with a second intestinal opening with the mesentery still maintaining a tissue connection between the upstream and downstream intestine parts.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods for creation of autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body are disclosed. One example of a device for creating a valve flap from a vessel wall includes an elongate tubular structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first lumen having a first exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a second lumen having a second exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a recessed distal surface on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure, wherein the recessed distal surface is located distally to the first exit port; and an open trough on the recessed distal surface extending longitudinally from the first exit port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are muscle implants and methods of making muscle implants comprising one or more decellularized muscle matrices. The muscle matrices can, optionally, be joined to one or more decellularized dermal matrices. The muscle implants can be used to enhance muscle volume or to treat muscle damage, defects, and/or disorders. The decellularized muscle matrices in the implants retain at least some of the myofibers found in a muscle tissue prior to processing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring a ligament or tendon to bone. In general, various inserter tools are provided for simultaneously delivering an expandable sheath and an expander into bone. With both components of the implant mounted on the same tool, the sheath and a ligament can be advanced into a bone hole and the expander, which trails behind the sheath during delivery of the sheath, can be advanced into the sheath to expand the sheath and anchor the sheath and ligament within the bone hole.

Abstract: A soft anchor assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sheath and a flexible strand at least partially surrounded by the sheath.

Abstract: An intraocular lens assembly configured to effectively transfer movement of a zonule of Zinn to improve performance of an intraocular lens. The intraocular lens assembly is inserted into the eyeball, and includes: an intraocular lens support body (10) configured in a shape of a ring inserted into the capsular sac of the eyeball, and provided with an outer circumferential surface (11) including a first front contact portion (11a) and a first rear contact portion (11b), and an inner circumferential surface (12) facing the outer circumferential surface (11) and including a second front contact portion (12a) and a second rear contact portion (12b); a connection means (50) including a deformation facilitating groove (52c) provided between a third front contact portion (52a) and a third rear contact portion (52b) and forming a space spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface (12); and an intraocular lens (30) connected to the connection means.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL), system, and method having a base lens and a complementary lens selected to form a curved image surface matching a retina surface when placed in an eye's line of sight.

Abstract: A system is in various embodiments configured to treat a native heart valve, such as to secure a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve. Embodiments of the system include a docking device with different coil portions, such as an upper coil and a lower coil, where the device is configured to assume an axially expanded state and an axially compressed state. In the axially expanded state, the entire upper coil can be positioned on a first side of the lower coil relative to the central axis and/or the entire upper coil and the entire lower coil have a positive pitch relative to each other. In the axially compressed state, at least a portion of the upper coil can be positioned on a second side of at least a portion of the lower coil opposite to the first side relative to the central axis and/or at least a portion of the upper coil has a negative pitch relative to at least a portion of the lower coil.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve can include an outer frame, an inner frame, a valve structure, and a sealing member. The outer frame comprises a plurality of first struts arranged in a lattice pattern and defining a first lumen. The outer frame is self-expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state. The inner frame comprises a plurality of second struts arranged in a lattice pattern and defining a second lumen. The inner frame is disposed within the first lumen of the outer frame, is self-expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state. The valve structure comprises three leaflets made from pericardium and is mounted within the second lumen of the inner frame. The sealing member is coupled to and extends radially outwardly from an atrial end of the outer frame and is configured to engage native tissue of the heart on an atrial side of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to prosthetic valves and methods of use thereof. In one implementation, a prosthetic valve may include an annular outer frame formed at least partially of struts intersecting at outer frame junctions and an inner frame situated within the outer frame. The inner frame may be formed at least partially of struts intersecting at inner frame junctions. The valve may include at least one inner frame tissue anchor extending from an inner frame junction. Outer frame junctions along a ventricular end of the outer frame may be angularly offset from inner frame junctions along a ventricular end of the inner frame.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis includes an expandable frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. A plurality of tips extend from the proximal end of the frame for attachment to a delivery catheter. A plurality of anchors are disposed along the distal end of the frame and extend toward the proximal end for engaging tissue. An outer circumferential portion extends around the middle portion of the frame and is positioned radially outwardly of the frame. The outer circumferential portion preferably increases in diameter along a distal direction. A distal end of the outer circumferential portion is located distal of free ends of the anchors when the expandable frame is deployed. A valve body is positioned within an interior of the expandable frame and includes leaflets adapted to allow flow in a first direction and prevent flow in a second direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an A2 clip for a side-delivered prosthetic mitral valve where the A2 clip is extended using a guide wire to capture native mitral leaflet and/or chordae tissue and withdrawing the guide wire contracts the A2 clip and pins the native tissue against the subannular sidewall of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: Described is a delivery system for percutaneous delivery and implantation of a heart valve. The delivery system includes a handle with a sheath extending therefrom. A splay shaft extends from the handle through the sheath. At least two arms extend from the handle through the splay shaft. The at least two arms are operable for holding a heart valve. A sheath controller is housed within the handle and is operable for selectively advancing or retracting the sheath to constrain or expose a heart valve as attached with the at least two arms. A splay shaft controller is housed within the handle for allowing the user to selectively advance or retract the splay shaft to constrain or expose the at least two arms. Finally, a valve release is attached with the handle to allow a user to selectively release a heart valve as attached with the at least two arms.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. In one method, ventricular anchors of the replacement mitral valve are released and allowed to reverse orientation while positioned in the left atrium of a human heart. After reversing orientation, the ventricular anchors extend in a generally proximal direction. The ventricular anchors can then be advanced through the mitral annulus into the left ventricle and then moved back toward the left atrium to capture native mitral valve leaflets between the main body and the ventricular anchors of the replacement mitral valve. In one modification, the ventricular anchors are allowed to reverse orientation at a level adjacent the mitral annulus. The implantation methods described herein are preferably performed via a transseptal delivery approach or a transapical delivery approach.

Abstract: A delivery device for percutaneously delivering a stented prosthetic heart includes a sheath, a handle, and adjustment device including a fine adjustment mechanism, and an outer stability shaft. The sheath defines a lumen and is configured to compressively constrain the stented prosthetic heart valve. The handle is coupled to the proximal portion of the sheath and includes an actuator mechanism coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath that is configured to selectively move the sheath relative to the housing to release the stented prosthetic heat valve. The adjustment device is coupled to the handle and includes an adjustment lumen through which the sheath and the handle slidably extend. The outer stability shaft is coupled to the adjustment device. The fine adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively move the handle and the sheath relative to the adjustment device and the outer stability shaft.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a covering feature associated with the spindle for selectively covering at least a portion of a stented prosthetic heart valve tethered to the spindle in a delivery state. In some embodiments, the covering feature includes a tip mounted to the spindle. The tip can include an overhang region for selectively covering a portion of the stented prosthetic heart valve. In other embodiments, the tip can include a tip body and a compressible foam bumper. In yet other embodiments, the covering feature includes an outer sheath arranged to selectively cover the stented prosthetic heart valve. The outer sheath can be elastic and stretchable for recapturing a partially expanded prosthesis, for example by including one or more windows covered by a stretchable covering layer.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle may include a housing defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, and a coupling assembly rotationally fixed to the deployment actuator. The catheter assembly may include a first shaft around which a compartment is defined and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly. Movement of the carriage assembly in the longitudinal direction in the movement space may move the distal sheath between the closed condition and the open condition. The coupling assembly may have an engaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator moves the carriage assembly, and a disengaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator does not move the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment adapted to receive the valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the valve.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for accurately positioning a prosthetic valve such as a prosthetic heart valve at a desired position for deployment. The invention includes extendable positioning elements which provide tactile feedback to a user to confirm proper positioning of the catheter with respect to the native valve annulus. During delivery, the extendable positioning elements may lie against or near the catheter, over the prosthetic valve and expandable balloon, providing a low profile for advancing the catheter to the desired treatment location via small passages such as body lumens. Prior to valve deployment, the positioning elements are extended and brought into contact with tissue of the native annulus to confirm the proper positioning of the delivery system and prosthetic valve.

Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty device comprising a tube having a basically annular shape or adopted to be brought into an annular shape. At least one portion, preferably three portions, of an outer wall or the whole outer wall of the tube is more rigid than opposite portion(s) of an inner wall or the whole inner wall. The inner wall is arranged nearer to an inside area defined by the annular shape than the outer wall. The inner wall is adapted to be displaced inwardly at least along less rigid portion(s) of the circumference upon actuation by at least one actuation element while the outer wall remains basically constant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for providing improved surgical implants. Embodiments of the implants may include a thin porous sheet formed on a mandrel. The porous sheet that is formed has an interconnected pore structure that may be compressed by a heat compression mold without losing porosity. Additional membrane materials or other layer materials may be applied to one of the face surfaces of the porous sheet or to one of the edges of the porous sheet. For example, a solid membrane surface may be compressed, bonded, welded, or secured a surface face or an edge of the porous sheet. The solid membrane may be compressed or laminated to the upper surface, lower surface, or both. The solid membrane may be welded to at least one edge of the porous sheet (by, for example, being butt welded, thermally bonded, or heat compressed to the at least one edge).

Abstract: The proximally fitting femoral component with adjunctive fixation screws replaces a natural femoral head and proximal femur of a patient during a partial or total hip replacement. The femoral component includes an intramedullary stem having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a neck extending from the proximal portion, and a ball removably attached to a tip end of the neck, the ball forming a ball and socket joint with the acetabular cup of a hip prosthesis. Fixation screws may be installed in the proximal portion of the stem for added rotational and axial stability when necessary. An alignment device is removably attachable to the femoral component for aligning screw holes in cortical bone of the femur with holes or bores in the proximal portion of the stem. The fixation screws may extend in an anterior posterior or medial-lateral plane.

Abstract: A joint spacer, in particular a knee spacer and a hip spacer is provided which is long-lasting and is sufficiently cushioned and abrasion-resistant and which can also support locally very high loads.

Abstract: Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for use as a partial unicompartmental artificial knee replacement system. In one form, an artificial femoral bearing component is implanted along with a floating meniscus component that is configured to cooperate with the femoral bearing component to move through a plurality of translational and rotational positions as the knee rotates through a variety of angles. In another form, an artificial tibial bearing component is implanted along with a floating meniscus component that is configured to cooperate with the tibial bearing component to move through a plurality of translational and rotational positions as the knee rotates through a variety of angles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for providing a tibial implant including an anatomic stem that provides a close interface between the implant and surrounding bone. The stem varies in size, cross-sectional shape, or orientation from a proximal portion of the stem to the tip of the stem. The variation of the stem accommodates the variation of tibial anatomy into which the implant component is implanted. The stem provides resistance against rotation of the implant and reduces stress shielding effects by transmitting forces into surrounding bone. In certain implementations, the interface between the stem and bone is supplemented by fin extensions that extend outward from the stem and increase the contact between the implant and the surrounding bone structure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the facet joint. An implant for treating the facet joint is provided comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer configured to be inserted into the facet joint, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. A method for treating a facet joint comprising a superior articular process and an inferior articular process is provided comprising the steps of implanting a spacer between the superior articular process and the inferior articular process, positioning a fixation plate over the facet joint, and securing the fixation plate to at least one of the superior articular process and the inferior articular process. Another method comprises the steps of providing an implant comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate.

Abstract: A motion preserving spinal implant is presented for use in placement between intervertebral space for total replacement of a degenerated spinal disc The motion preserving spinal implant has a pair of end plates sandwiched around an inner core and an outer core, with the inner core being concentrically positioned within the outer core. The outer core encapsulates the inner core and provides adequate sealing of the inner core while maintaining flexibility and elasticity to advantageously support physiological movements. The inner core is constructed of an elastomeric material and acts as a solid diaphragm in order to resist and withstand localized compression and other forces. The end plates provide anchoring and fusion with adjoining vertebra and hold the inner and outer cores in place. The motion preserving spinal implant restores the normal height and natural function of the degenerated spinal disc and preserves the natural motion of the spine.

Abstract: This disclosure presents various embodiments of a transforaminal intersomatic cage for an intervertebral fusion graft, and an instrument and method for implanting the cage, an embodiment of the cage having a body in the shape of a circular arc and comprising a lateral concave surface, a lateral convex surface, a straight upper surface, a straight lower surface and an end wall having at least one hole, called the end hole, designed to receive a rod of an instrument for implanting the cage between the vertebrae, wherein: the end hole has an orientation that is more or less tangential to the circular arc described by the body; the extremity opposite to the end wall of the body includes a return part extending the body toward the center of the circle on which the circular arc described by the body lies.

Abstract: A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed there between. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.

Abstract: A spinal implant for placement between first and second vertebrae includes a housing having first and second axial end surfaces and a bore extending along an axis through the housing and between the end surfaces. A first projection extends at least partially about the axis and including a channel. A lift is slidably received in the bore and includes threads along its length. A collar is threadably engaged with the lift and extends into the channel on the housing such that the projection prevents axial movement of the collar relative to the housing. Rotation of the collar about the axis causes the lift to move axially relative to the collar and the housing for adjusting the height of the implant.