Abstract: A joint endoprosthesis system has first and second prosthetic components. The second prosthetic component has a bearing surface. The interface of the bearing surface and the first prosthetic component defines the joint articulation. A signal source and sensor are affixed on opposite sides of the joint articulation. The signal source generates a first signal that is received by the sensor. The sensor generates a second signal that has a characteristic that varies depending on the distance between the sensor and the signal source. A transmitter transmits a signal. The signal has a characteristic that varies depending on the characteristic of the second signal. This system can be used to measure a dimension of the joint space and to determine whether a dimension of the joint space has changed over time. The system may alternatively use magnets and magnetic sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing and or maintaining adjacent bone portions in predetermined desired relationships and for constraining one, two or three-dimensional motion and/or rotation of the adjacent bone portions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic apparatus with at least two magnetic arrays, each of which may include any number of magnets arranged in a predetermined manner and each magnetic array generating a magnetic field therearound. Once implanted and secured to the adjacent bone portions, the apparatus provides interacting magnetic fields in the area of the bone portions and transduces magnetic energy into mechanical energy and mechanical energy into potential magnetic energy, thereby reproducing functionally anatomic and/or anatomically advantageous arrangement of the bone portions.

Abstract: A method and instrumentation is disclosed for gaining access to areas in and around joints for treatment and to provide new implants and instrumentation adapted for the new method. In a transosseous core approach, the joint is entered through a pathway provided in a portion of a joint bone. Such pathway is preferably made by removing a bone core from the bone in or adjacent to the joint, wherever possible without substantially compromising physical integrity and physiological viability of the joint. A route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. Implant modules are provided which can be inserted into the joint through the transosseous pathway and assembled in situ inside the joint to form an implant assembly.

Abstract: A surgical distraction device is provided for applying extending or tensioning force non-invasively to a patient's skeleton or to an implant which comprises anchoring means for attaching first and second components of the device to a bone or to adjoining bones, said components being connected by a linkage of an extendible length, a magnet connected to the linkage via a reduction gearbox and actuating means located externally of the patient for generating a moving or varying electro-magnetic field, thereby causing the magnet to rotate and the linkage to be extended.

Abstract: A modular, prosthetic, implant assembly for replacing a shoulder or hip joint is implanted through a transosseous core approach. Typically, the main route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone of the joint in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. A modular implant assembly is provided which can be passed through a relatively small bone hole and then assembled in situ partly in the bone hole and finished in the joint or wholly in the joint.

Abstract: Permanent magnets are implanted in bone to unload compressive forces at joints using the repulsive force therebetween. A porous metal container is implanted first and becomes fixed in place by bone growth. The permanent magnet is then inserted in the container and retained in place. A magnet prescription system includes a display and input device which enables a user to alter parameters such as magnet size, strength and placement and calculate and display the repulsive force that will result.

Abstract: A surgical distraction device is provided for applying extending or tensioning force non-invasively to a patient's skeleton or to an implant which comprises anchoring means for attaching first and second components of the device to a bone or to adjoining bones, said components being connected by a linkage of an extendible length, a magnet connected to the linkage via a reduction gearbox and actuating means located externally of the patient for generating a moving or varying electro-magnetic field, thereby causing the magnet to rotate and the linkage to be extended.

Abstract: Magnetic force fields are used to control the instability of joint-replacement situations. Prosthetic components according to the invention are fabricated with opposite-polarity magnets on either side of the joint surface, so that an inherent stability is conferred to the joint. The magnets are of sufficient strength so that dislocation or uncoupling of the components would be very difficult, but not impossible. The forces do, however, allow motion between the bearing surfaces, without increasing friction between the joint surfaces. The approach is applicable to various artificial joint situations, including the hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, knee, and smaller joints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing and or maintaining adjacent bone portions in predetermined desired relationships and for constraining one, two or three-dimensional motion and/or rotation of the adjacent bone portions. Prostheses according to the present invention include cooperating magnetic arrays, preferably with plural magnets generating composite magnetic fields with predetermined field characteristics. The predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that the magnetic arrays on opposing prosthetic components cooperate to urge the bone portions into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between the adjacent bone portions in various dimensions, e.g., rotation, flexion and/or extension thereof. Such magnetic constraint permits absorption and/or release of stress generated by externally applied forces.

Abstract: A prosthesis includes at least a first component and a second component. The components being disposed with a variety of magnetic material. The magnetic material being either hard magnetic material or soft magnetic material. The magnetic material is arranged and configured to magnetically interact and controllably constrain movement between the components. The magnetic material is also organized to generate a gradient against movement of the components. The magnetic material also forms opposing grid patterns that interlock magnetically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing and or maintaining adjacent bone portions in predetermined desired relationships and for constraining one, two or three-dimensional motion and/or rotation of the adjacent bone portions. Prostheses according to the present invention include cooperating magnetic arrays, preferably with plural magnets generating composite magnetic fields with predetermined field characteristics. The predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that the magnetic arrays on opposing prosthetic components cooperate to urge the bone portions into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between the adjacent bone portions in various dimensions, e.g., rotation, flexion and/or extension thereof. Such magnetic constraint permits absorption and/or release of stress generated by externally applied forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for moving a two bodies 1, 2 relative to each other. The device of the invention is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises two parts 11, 12, a projecting portion 14 mounted to co-operate with one of the two parts, a cavity 13 formed in the other part and complementary in shape to the projecting portion 14, the two parts 11, 12 being mounted to move relative to each other in such a manner that the projecting portion 14 penetrates into the cavity 13, the projecting portion 14 forming a closed loop made of an electrically conductive material which completely surrounds a magnetic core 101 which is not completely surrounded by the means 100 for interconnecting the projecting portion 14 and the first part 11. The invention is applicable in particular to a bone prosthesis, a medullary nail for lengthening bones, a rod for correcting and supporting the spinal column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and instrumentation for gaining access to areas in and around joints for treatment and to provide new implants and instrumentation adapted for the new method. In a transosseous core approach of the present invention, the joint is entered through a pathway provided in a portion of a joint bone. Such pathway is preferably made by taking out a bone core from the bone in or adjacent to the joint, wherever possible without substantially compromising physical integrity and physiological viability of the joint. Typically the main route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone of the joint in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. The transosseous pathway into the joint is preferably provided by novel surgical instruments such as a core cutter, cartilage punch, hemostatic device, and retractable axial/transaxial cutting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular prosthetic joints in general and in particular to a finger or toe joint assembly and method for implanting this assembly using a transosseous core approach. An exemplary modular finger joint implant and method are provided wherein individual modules can be passed through a relatively small bone hole and implanted without cutting the collateral ligaments connecting two adjacent finger bones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular, prosthetic, implant assembly for replacing a shoulder or hip joint using a transosseous core approach. Typically, the main route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone of the joint in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. A modular implant assembly is provided which can be passed through a relatively small bone hole and then assembled in situ partly in the bone hole and finished in the joint or wholly in the joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and instrumentation for gaining access to areas in and around joints for treatment and to provide new implants and instrumentation adapted for the new method. In a transosseous core approach of the present invention, the joint is entered through a pathway provided in a portion of a joint bone. Such pathway is preferably made by taking out a bone core from the bone in or adjacent to the joint, wherever possible without substantially compromising physical integrity and physiological viability of the joint. Typically the main route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone of the joint in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. The transosseous pathway into the joint is preferably provided by novel surgical instruments such as a core cutter, cartilage punch, hemostatic device, and retractable axial/transaxial cutting device.

Abstract: Magnetic force fields are used to control the instability of joint-replacement situations. Prosthetic components according to the invention are fabricated with opposite-polarity magnets on either side of the joint surface, so that an inherent stability is conferred to the joint. The magnets are of sufficient strength so that dislocation or uncoupling of the components would be very difficult, but not impossible. The forces do, however, allow motion between the bearing surfaces, without increasing friction between the joint surfaces. The approach is applicable to various artificial joint situations, including the hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, knee, and smaller joints. As opposed to pairs of magnets which attract one another, in certain applications the magnets may be arranged so as to repel one another such that the components actually touch little or not at all, but function as they do now.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for stabilizing and or maintaining adjacent bone portions in predetermined desired relationships and for constraining one, two or three-dimensional motion and/or rotation of the adjacent bone portions. Prostheses according to the present invention include cooperating magnetic arrays, preferably with plural magnets generating composite magnetic fields with predetermined field characteristics. The predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that the magnetic arrays on opposing prosthetic components cooperate to urge the bone portions into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between the adjacent bone portions in various dimensions, e.g., rotation, flexion and/or extension thereof. Such magnetic constraint permits absorption and/or release of stress generated by externally applied forces.

Abstract: An artificial joint system is provided herein. The system includes an artificial joint implantable within an individual, the artificial joint including artificial joint members each having an articulating surface and a bone attachment surface, wherein the articulating surfaces are in articulative engagement therebetween. The system further includes a detection system implanted within, or attached to, the artificial joint members and/or the bones to which the members are attached. The detection system serves for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, the information signal indicative of a parameter associated with displacement between an artificial joint member and a bone to which it is attached and/or to wear or relative displacement of the articulating surfaces.