Abstract: Bone replacement material to be used by being packed into a bone defective part, wherein the bone replacement material consists essentially of a calcium phosphate based compound and is formed into a pellet and satisfies both of the following conditions (I) and (II): (I) porosity is equal to or less than 75%; and (II) collapsing strength is equal to or more than 15 Mpa. The pellet has a roughly polyhedral shape and is defined by a plurality of surfaces including a pair of opposite, non-parallel surfaces and a surface adjoining to the pair of opposite, non-parallel surfaces, one of the opposite, non-parallel surfaces being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the other of the opposite, non-parallel surfaces. The one of the opposite, non-parallel surfaces is non-adjoined with the other of the opposite, non-parallel surfaces in the pellet. The other of the opposite, non-parallel surfaces is perpendicular to the surface adjoining to the pair of opposite, non-parallel surfaces.

Abstract: A bone replacement material that can be introduced or packed into a bone defective part smoothly, reliably and safely is provided. The bone replacement material is formed into a pellet and a plurality of the pellets are packed into the bone defective part Each pellet defined by a plurality of surfaces has a pair of opposite surfaces, in which one of the opposite surfaces is inclined with respect to the other surface at a predetermined angle. The angle is preferably in the range of 10 to 60°. Further, the bone replacement material preferably satisfies at least one of the conditions including the porosity of equal to or less than 75% and the collapsing strength of equal to or more than 15 Mpa, and more preferably satisfies both of them. Furthermore, the volume of each pellet of the bone replacement material is in the range of 13 to 239 mm3. Moreover, the bone replacement material is formed of calcium phosphate based compound having the Ca/P ratio of 1.0 to 2.0.

Abstract: A bone replacement material for use in a treatment for repairing a vertebral body compression fracture is formed into a pellet having a roughly polyhedral shape. Each pellet having the roughly polyhedral shape has a pair of opposite surfaces, in which one of the opposite surfaces is inclined with respect to the other surface for a predetermined angle. The angle is preferably in the range of 10 to 60°. Further, the volume of each pellet of the bone replacement material 1 is in the range of 13 to 239 mm3. Furthermore, the bone replacement material is formed of calcium phosphate based compound having the Ca/P ratio of 1.0 to 2.0. By using such a bone replacement material, it is possible to carry out packing operation of the bone replacement material into a collapsed vertebral body smoothly, reliably and safely.

Abstract: Various surgical instruments for use in the treatment of vertebral body compression fractures, used respectively for: widening a working path; reducing deformity; inserting a filler; and impacting a filler are provided. A set of surgical instruments including these instruments makes it possible to treat collapsed vertebral bodies easily and reliably are provided. The set includes a guide rod 1 (an instrument for widening a working path), a vertical elevator 2 (an instrument for reducing deformity), a horizontal elevator 3 (an instrument for reducing deformity), an inserter 4 (an instrument for inserting a filler), and an impactor 5 (an instrument for impacting a filler). The guide rod 1 is used for widening a path 93 formed in a collapsed vertebral body 91. The vertical elevator 2 is used for returning the upper anterior portion of the collapsed vertebral body 91 to a substantially original shape.

Abstract: A bone replacement material for use in a treatment for repairing a vertebral body compression fracture is formed into a pellet having a roughly polyhedral shape. Each pellet having the roughly polyhedral shape has a pair of opposite surfaces, in which one of the opposite surfaces is inclined with respect to the other surface for a predetermined angle. The angle is preferably in the range of 10 to 60°. Further, the volume of each pellet of the bone replacement material 1 is in the range of 13 to 239 mm3. Furthermore, the bone replacement material is formed of calcium phosphate based compound having the Ca/P ratio of 1.0 to 2.0. By using such a bone replacement material, it is possible to carry out packing operation of the bone replacement material into a collapsed vertebral body smoothly, reliably and safely.

Abstract: Various surgical instruments for use in the treatment of vertebral body compression fractures, used respectively for: widening a working path; reducing deformity; inserting a filler; and impacting a filler are provided. A set of surgical instruments including these instruments makes it possible to treat collapsed vertebral bodies easily and reliably are provided. The set includes a guide rod 1 (an instrument for widening a working path), a vertical elevator 2 (an instrument for reducing deformity), a horizontal elevator 3 (an instrument for reducing deformity), an inserter 4 (an instrument for inserting a filler), and an impactor 5 (an instrument for impacting a filler). The guide rod 1 is used for widening a path 93 formed in a collapsed vertebral body 91. The vertical elevator 2 is used for returning the upper anterior portion of the collapsed vertebral body 91 to a substantially original shape.

Abstract: An artificial vertebra spacer is embedded in and bridges a space between two adjacent vertebrae which are positioned superiorly and inferiorly of a removed intervertebral disk, respectively. The artificial vertebra spacer includes a hollow cylindrical member, and a helical screw thread disposed integrally on and extending helically around the hollow cylindrical member. A substantially rectangular flange portion is provided at one end of the hollow cylindrical member. The flange portion is provided with at least one hole through which at least one screw passes to fix the spacer.

Abstract: An artificial vertebra spacer is embedded in and bridges a space between two adjacent vertebrae which are positioned superiorly and inferiorly of a removed intervertebral disk, respectively. The artificial vertebra spacer includes a hollow cylindrical member, and a helical screw thread disposed integrally on and extending helically around the hollow cylindrical member. An annular plate has a tubular member fitted in an axial end of the artificial vertebra spacer and a circular flange extending radially outwardly from the tubular member. The circular flange is fastened to the helical screw thread by screws when the artificial vertebra spacer is embedded in the vertebrae. Each of the artificial vertebra spacer, the annular plate, and the at least one screw is made of a titanium alloy.

Abstract: A vertebral connecting plate assembly includes a vertebral connecting plate which is provided, on its opposite ends, with vertebra connecting portions to be connected to associated vertebral members or bodies. The vertebra connecting portions have threaded holes, and the set screws of the present invention have engaging screw portion, which are engaged in the associated threaded holes of the vertebral connecting plate. Thrusting screw portions of the set screws, which are thrust in the vertebral members or bodies, have a pitch (P1) larger than the pitch (P2) of the engaging screw portions.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc comprises a pair of end bodies which are provided, on their outer surfaces, with apatite layers. The disc includes a medical synthetic polymeric intermediate which is held between the end bodies through connecting members.