Abstract: A spinal implant, e.g., to replace an excised disc, comprises a rigid generally horseshoe shape of biocompatible material, such as carbon-fibre reinforced plastics, having upper and lower planar faces (10, 11) converging towards the ends (12) of the horseshoe, and at least one hole (13, 14) from each planar face (10, 11) emerging in the outer curved face (15) of the horseshoe, to enable the horseshoe to be fixed by screws inserted through one or more selected holes in each plurality (13, 14) from the ends in the outer curved face (15) into respective adjacent vertebrae, with the screw heads bearing against shoulders (18), and with the space bounded by the inner curved face (17) of the horseshoe available for the insertion of bone graft or a bone graft substitute.

Abstract: A device for fixation of the skull (15) to adjacent bones (18A . . . 18E) of the spine (19) comprises a loop (11) of substantially circular form connecting a pair of legs (12) generally perpendicular to the loop, outward kinks (14) being provided adjacent the junction of the loop and legs, whereby, with the loop secured to the skull by wires (16) and the legs secured to the spine by sublaminae wires (20), wires (20', 20") at both sides of the kinks (14) effect fixation of the skull in relation to the adjacent bones of the spine.

Abstract: A device (10B) for fixation of a skull (20) to adjacent bones (21) of the spine has one generally circular bight (13B) in a curved plane starting generally perpendicular to the plane of two straight spaced complanar portions (11B) and curving away therefrom, and another bight (12B) of generally V-shape with its apex (14B) extending towards the substantially circular bight (13B) so that the apex (14B) of the V-shaped bight can be accommodated between the adjacent spinous processes (16D, 16E) closest to the skull (20) against which the generally circular bight (13B) lies.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device (FIG. 1) of the type consisting of rod of biocompatible material (e.g. stainless steel) formed into a rigid rectangle has its shorter sides (11) bent in the same direction from the plane of the longer sides (12) to fit more closely upon the spine than the known flat rectangle, each shorter side (11) having two straight portions (13) at an angle to each other of between 90.degree. and 110.degree., with a small radius curve (14) between them and small radius curves (15) at the corners formed with the longer sides (12).A fixation device (FIG. 8) for use on the spine of an infant or juvenile consists of similar rod formed into a rigid U-shape with a base portion (21) similar to the shorter sides (11) of the rectangle, i.e. bent from the plane of the sides (22) of the U, so that when the sides (22) are wired to the spine the wires can slide along the sides (22), to allow for growth of the spine while maintaining support therefor.

Abstract: A surgical element (1), such as a suture or a replacement for a ligament, comprises a core (2) consisting of a multiplicity of flexible filaments, such as fine carbon fibres, and partial sheathing (3) formed of standard implantable grade polymer, such as a polyester, in at least two groups (3X, 3Y) totalling less in width than the circumference of the core and interwoven in contra-rotation so that areas (4) of the core are exposed at frequent intervals, to encourage penetration and ingrowth of fresh tissue between the core filaments.