Magnetic array implant and prosthesis insert

An orthopedic prosthesis for treating adjacent bone portions of a joint, comprising:

• a first component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a first adjacent bone portion of said joint and including at least one first magnetic array providing a first magnetic field having first predetermined field characteristics;
• a second component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a second adjacent bone portion of said joint and including at least one second magnetic array providing a second magnetic field having second predetermined field characteristics;
• a third component configured and dimensioned to be disposed between said first and second components and including at least one third magnetic array providing a third magnetic field having third predetermined field characteristics;
• and
• a fourth component configured and dimensioned to be movably disposed between said third and second components and including at least one fourth magnetic array providing a fourth magnetic field having fourth predetermined field characteristics,
• wherein said first, second, third, and fourth predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that said first, second, third, and fourth magnetic arrays cooperate to urge said adjacent bone portions of said joint into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between said adjacent bone portions in at least two dimensions.

An orthopedic prosthesis for treating adjacent bone portions of a joint, comprising:

• a first component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a first adjacent bone portion of said joint and including at least one first magnetic array providing a first magnetic field having first predetermined field characteristics;
• a second component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a second adjacent bone portion of said joint;
• and
• at least one third component configured and dimensioned to be movably disposed between said first and second components and including at least one third magnetic array providing a third magnetic field having third predetermined field characteristics,
• wherein said first and third predetermined field characteristics are selected to interact such that said first and third magnetic arrays cooperate to urge said adjacent bone portions of said joint into predetermined desired relationship and to constrain relative motion between said adjacent bone portions in at least two dimensions.

An orthopedic prosthesis for treating a joint, comprising:

• a first component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a first bone of the joint;
• a second component configured and dimensioned to be secured to a second bone of the joint;
• and
• an insert member disposed between the first and second components, said member being secured to one said component and bearing against the opposite component, wherein
• said insert member comprises separate first and second portions with cooperating magnetic arrays, and
• said magnetic arrays constrain relative motion between said first and second portions.