Abstract: A packaging system is disclosed having a number of packages, a storage tray for containing the number of packages, and an instrument having functional extensions designed to engage, grasp, or mate with an opening formed on the package. Each package is formed of sterilizable packaging material, encloses a sterile item, and has an opening formed on the packaging material for receiving the instrument. An operator carrying out a surgical procedure, using a conventional aseptic surgical technique, uses the instrument to pick up, manipulate, and open the package to deliver the sterile item for use during the procedure.

Abstract: An implant for providing an anchor in bone tissue. A retention portion for implanting into the bone tissue includes at least one retention member for retaining the implant in a preprepared hole in the bone tissue and includes an insertion end. An abutment portion extends from the retention portion opposite the insertion end and has a larger diameter than the retention portion. The abutment portion is for passing through soft tissue one the bone tissue. A stop portion extends from the abutment portion for contacting a member attached to the implant. An attachment groove includes an attachment surface for attaching at least one member connected to another structure. A top portion has a diameter greater than the attachment groove.

Abstract: A threaded dental implant assembly is provided for insertion into a pre-drilled bore in the jawbone is disclosed. The threaded dental implant assembly includes a threaded implant body to which is attached a healing cap for covering the central socket in the implant body during the healing period. The healing cap is mechanically coupled to the implant body before the insertion procedure by a coupling screw extending through bore in the healing cap into the central socket of the implant body. A recess in the bottom of the healing cap mates with a protrusion on the top of the implant body such that the healing cap is prevented from rotating relative to the implant body. A tool engages the top of the healing cap for easy manipulation of the implant body/healing cap during the insertion procedure. The tool is disengaged from the healing cap after the insertion procedure thereby leaving the implant body and healing cap in the jawbone.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to make available implant elements or other medical products made of biological material with optimum mechanical and biological properties for a wide group of materials by introduction of a specially designed surface layer onto a strong core, where the surface layer is densified by means of hot isostatic pressing and dimensioned according to the basic fracture mechanics equation so that the thickness of the surface layer is less than c in the equation KIC=Y&sgr; c½, where Klc is the fracture toughness, Y a position and shape factor, c the critical defect size, and &sgr; the permitted stress for the actual material and the chosen design stress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of interchangeable impression coping for use with osseointegrated implant systems. The coping system will allow an accurate registration of the fixture head, abutement, healing abutment, or other prefabricated components to which the implant may be connected. The coping system also permits the direct substitution of each of the various impression copings within an index or impression, so as to transfer, translate or transform the relations and/or the type of component to a model adapted from an index or poured from an impression registered using the coping system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in the jawbone of a patient. The method has as a characteristic feature that by means of at least one camera arranged at the opened mouth of the patient; images of the implants already fixed to the jaw of the patient are recorded from at least two different positions; these images are converted into electrical signals by at least one camera; by means of a photogrammetric method the electrical signals are processed using at least one calculating unit for obtaining positions and orientation information of the implants; and the positions and orientation information is used for the highly accurate manufacture of at least a part of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A universal impression coping system and impression coping assembly is provided for taking dental impressions of a dental restoration site and which me be used efficaciously for both open- and closed-tray impression techniques. An inexpensive transfer impression pin and coping assembly is further provided having registration means providing unique orientation of the transfer coping and visual and tactile feedback for assuring accurate dental impressions using the closed tray impression technique.

Abstract: In an arrangement for anchoring a threaded implant (1) in jawbone (2) by means of a screwing instrument (6), use is made of an implant which, at its upper part, is provided with an anchoring hole (1c) for a screw (5) intended to secure an element or fixture holder (4) that can be attached to the implant. The centre axis of the anchoring hole is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis (1b) of the implant. The element is provided with means (4d) for cooperation with the instrument (6). The element and its means of cooperation permit application of the instrument in a way which ensures that the axis of rotation (6d) of the instrument essentially coincides with a continuation of the longitudinal axis (1b) of the implant.

Abstract: A distance member is designed so as to make possible a cemented superstructure in the jaw and can be fastened to the implant in the jaw by means of a screw member. The distance member has a prefabricated external shape which is individually adapted to the respective dental situation in question for the purpose of rendering unnecessary substantial shape modification work in connection with construction of the superstructure in the jaw. The prefabricated shape has a shelf-shaped projecting part located between the upper and lower parts of the distance member and the distance member is designed with an internal counterholder which prevents torque being transmitted from the tool to the implant.

Abstract: In an arrangement for recreating a model, use is made of an original model (1) of implant and/or tooth remnants (2-5) in a system for producing a dental construction (32). The system includes a reading apparatus (10, 13) and a first levelling function (6). A reproduction of all or part of the original model is created in CAD equipment. The said dental construction is created in the CAD equipment, and the reproduction and the construction are divided up into parts whose axes of inclination and contact surfaces are identified in terms of position and direction. Replicas of the implant and/or tooth remnant parts and the construction parts are produced and mounted on a mounting member (23) after bore holes for the replicas of the tooth remnant parts have been established using boring equipment.

Abstract: A bone implant for implantation into a bone tissue and for the connection of a prosthetic structure thereto, the bone implant including a screw-threaded portion for insertion into the bone tissue, a neck portion extending along an axis from the screw-threaded portion, the neck portion terminating in an end surface, the end surface being provided with a threaded blind hole for attachment of the prosthetic structure to the bone implant, a cover element, and an attachment mechanism for attaching the cover element to the neck portion of the bone implant, the cover element including a cupola-shaped outer surface and the cover element having a thickness extending inward from the cupola-shaped outer surface for a substantial distance along the axis of the neck portion when the cover element is attached to the neck portion by the attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A carrier for a dental implant package to reliably and releasably hold a dental implant and to cap a packaging vial. The carrier includes a plurality of vial-engaging flexible fingers and a plurality of screw-engaging flexible fingers. The vial-engaging fingers engage a groove of the packaging vial to form a releasable mechanical lock. For cylindrical implants, the screw-engaging fingers grip a healing screw coupled to the cylindrical implant. The cylindrical implant carrier also includes a protrusion in the center to stabilize the cylindrical implant during transportation. For threaded implants, the screw-engaging fingers releasably engage a groove of an insertion tool screw coupled to the threaded implant. Advantageously, the carrier of the present invention provides a reliable long-term hold on a dental implant and a simple but effective removable cap for a packaging vial for the implant.

Abstract: A device for compressing information sensed from a model of a product is provided. The compressed quantity of information is a subset of the control information that can be transferred, by way of a data link, to machining equipment used to make the product from a blank. The device senses the model in a first coordinate system and converts the sensed first coordinates into corresponding second coordinates, describing the shape in a second coordinate system. These second coordinates form the basis for the control information. Compressing the information substantially reduces the amount of data transmitted over a public telecommunication network of the data link.

Abstract: An anchoring element to be screwed into a hole made in a jaw bone comprises a threaded part with a conical portion and one or more recesses in order to form a cutting edge in each recess. Thread-turn parts starting from each cutting edge are lowered vertically at the rear where they merge with a relief arranged at a distance from each cutting edge. The relief surface is arranged on the conical portion where it extends essentially parallel to a plane tangential to the conical portion.

Abstract: An arrangement for an implant system. A fixture includes an internal thread, a contact plane, a spanner attachment part, and a recess arranged in the spanner attachment part. A spacer screw includes an external thread and a cylindrical portion arranged above the external thread. The external thread of the spacer screw can be screwed securely to the internal thread of the fixture. The cylindrical portion engages the recess of the fixture when the spacer screw is tightened in the fixture. A spacer element contacts the contact plane of the fixture. A unit can be screwed securely to the spacer screw.

Abstract: A device including an injection molding tool for use once or a few times for producing a sinterable ceramic and/or metallic product. The device includes at least one first tool part. At least one second tool part is combinable with the at least one first tool part to form a molding space for the product. The second tool part is produced using a wet composition and is made of a readily worked and form-stable material containing pores and admixed heat-conducting particles. A wet composition-enclosing member can engage the first tool part during the production of the second tool part. A unit can be connected to the at least one second tool part and can be arranged with the at least one first tool part for absorbing internal lateral displacement forces arising during squeezing or injection of an injection molding composition.

Abstract: A holder of a biocompatible material for implantation in bone tissue for controlled receipt and positional fixation of equipment for electrical transfer of information. A cylindrical mounting part is for lying outside of the bone tissue and includes a mounting end and a smooth outer surface. A conical insertion part is for insertion into the bone tissue. The insertion part is narrower than the mounting part and includes an insertion end opposite the mounting end and tapers toward the insertion end at an angle of 0.degree. to 10.degree.. A conical intermediate part is between the mounting part and the insertion part. A plurality of retention elements are at least on the insertion part for providing good initial anchoring and stability to the holder and for permitting the holder to be mounted in a preprepared hole in the bone tissue without screwing the holder. A channel extends through the holder for receiving the equipment and connections to the equipment and including an exit opening in the insertion part.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a product such as a dental product or product intended for use in the human body and comprising a substructure of titanium or equivalent tissue-compatible material and intended for coating with a ceramic onlay material, comprises (a) transferring information (i.sub.5), preferably via the tele-communications network from a client, concerning the construction of the product, and manufacture of the substructure at the production site, and also information concerning the transfer or return, of the product to the coating site for the ceramic onlay material or to the client, (b) including in the information transfer implementation of data that the substructure or the product is to be coated with one or more plasma layers compatible with the material of the substructure/product, and (c) providing the production site with a station in which the plasma layers are applied by a plasma application installation which is activated as a function of the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product for use in the human body using a model having different parts are provided. The method comprises the steps of determining the position of the parts with an apparatus which generates first information related to the position of the parts. The contours of the parts are then scanned with a scanning members, which is functionally separate from the apparatus, and which represents the contour with electrical signals. The electrical signals are supplied to a computer unit which transforms the electrical signals into second information which is arranged in files. The first information and second information is processed concurrently with a computer program run on the computer unit, whereby the positions of the parts in a construction are represented on a computer screen. The processing information representing a construction is then provided from the computer unit to manufacturing equipment which is used to make the product.

Abstract: Holding device for use with a tool for mechanical tightening of a screw connection in a bone-anchored dental implant without the tissue which surrounds the implant being stressed, the holding device having a first part which rotationally locks to the implant, an arm rigidly connected to the first part, and extending at essentially right angles from the first part, and an additional part engaging a stationary part of a tightening tool so that undesirable rotation movements are prevented during tightening of the screw connection. The additional part which engages the stationary part of the tightening tool during tightening of a screw connection is mounted pivotably on arm and additional part is pivoted relative to arm to allow release of the tightening tool from the holding device after tightening the screw connection.