Abstract: A surgical retractor system includes a substantially tubular retractor having several segments which can be irreversibly severed from one another to carry out a length adaptation of the retractor. A segment is subdivided into an expanding section and a plate section of differing radial flexibility and connected to each other in a one-piece material bond to allow plastic radial expansion of the retractor. An extractor can be operated to bring about plastic radial constriction of the retractor contrary to the radial expansion of the retractor. The extractor is prepared to cooperate with the plate section to bring about radial constriction of the retractor. A surgical instrument for removing a distractor or retractor from an opening includes at least one handle section defining a handle's longitudinal axis and at least one operating section defining a longitudinal effective axis, which are coupled to each other by a connecting section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device with a machine element mounted so as to be linearly movable and at least one linear guide, comprising at least one ball bearing and defining a longitudinal axis, for guiding a linear movement of the machine element parallel to the longitudinal axis, said at least one ball bearing comprising a plurality of balls which are movably held in corresponding ball holders and which guide the machine element, wherein the plurality of ball holders are constructed in the form of elongated holes.

Abstract: A spinal interbody device, system and method can include use of an interbody cage and plate. The interbody cage can include at least one of a key and a keyway configured to mate with at least one of a mating keyway and key located on the plate. The key and keyway can be configured such that the cage and plate are quickly and easily attached and detached from each other, and such that positional relationship between the cage and plate can be arrived at quickly, accurately, and with tactile and/or audile notice to the practitioner.

Abstract: A coil former for an electric motor, in particular a high-speed surgical motor, in which a rotor is surrounded concentrically by the substantially hollow-cylindrical coil former, carries at least one stator winding. To ensure that as narrow an air gap as possible is permanently maintained between the coil former, which is preferably produced using an injection-molding method often with complex shaping, and a rotor, which runs in the coil former, the coil former is formed either by a non-conductive fully ceramic body, or is in the form of a composite body in which at least one dimension-stabilizing frame element is embedded by injection-molding with plastic in a plastic body which is preferably produced by injection molding.

Abstract: A medical device, and a ratchet for a medical device, include a torque-guiding element and a torque discharging element, between which a switchable toothed unit is arranged so that, in accordance with a switching position of the toothed unit, torque from the torque-guiding element is transferred to the torque discharging element, said toothed unit includes two torque transfer sleeves arranged in a nested manner and which are arranged and produced such that both can be brought into torque-transmitting contact with an intermediate sleeve.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for temporarily coupling to at least two instruments, comprising a first coupling device for temporarily coupling to a first shank- or sleeve-shaped instrument and a second coupling device for coupling to a second shank- or sleeve-shaped instrument, wherein the first coupling device and the second coupling device are arranged or formed so as to be pivotable relative to each other, which medical instrument comprises a main body on which the first coupling device is guided and held so as to be pivotable about a point of rotation that in particular is spatially remote from the main body, which medical instrument comprises a first guide device for guiding a movement of the first coupling device along a circular path, wherein the first guide device is arranged or formed at least partially on the main body.

Abstract: A medical handle for pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical instruments or motor units includes a clutch member for mechanical and pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective pressurization of a medical instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, the valve mechanism being provided with a safety device for preventing pressurization in the case of an uncoupled medical instrument or the motor unit thereof. The clutch member present on the side of the handle is provided to interact with the valve mechanism such that during or by the mechanical coupling operation the latter is automatically opened and/or enabled for manual opening, whereas in the uncoupled state the valve mechanism is closed and/or enabling is cancelled.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes mutually movable instrument legs each comprising one or more electrode faces between which tissue can be clamped and treated in electrothermal manner. The movement of the instrument legs relative to each other can be delimited by at least two spacers which are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the instrument legs and act on the instrument legs. At least one electrode face portion subjected to deflection in a closed position of the instrument legs is formed to be bow-shaped, in particular concave, the curvature being contrary to the bending direction to be expected.

Abstract: A security seal includes a base with a locking projection and a head connected to the base with at least one blocking tab. Each blocking tab is connected to the head via a hinge element, together with a safety closure with a first closure part and a second closure part, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the first closure part. The first closure part has a seating on which the base of a security seal can be engaged so that, when the second closure part is in the closed position, a blocking tab of the security seal overlaps the second closure part on the side opposite the first closure part. A security container includes a container tub, lid and safety closure, wherein either the first or second closure part is arranged on either the container tub or lid.

Abstract: A jaw member for a tubular shafted surgical instrument includes a first branch having a first active region and a second branch having a second active region. The first branch and/or the second branch has a respective link member, and the branches are held in the axial direction. A cam support member is slideable relative to the at least one link member in the axial direction. The at least one link member and the cam support member are formed substantially planar and are arranged substantially layerlike one above the other. A corresponding jaw member can be assembled onto a tubular shaft.

Abstract: A surgical clip includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, the two clamping legs, when in use, being movable towards each other such that they squeeze a blood vessel shut and are linked to each other via a connecting piece which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping jaws towards each other, with two additional springs being provided in addition to the connecting piece which functions as the main spring and amplifying the closing force, the additional springs being arranged in parallel to the main spring and acting in opposite directions.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw includes a screwed shaft section for anchoring the pedicle screw in a vertebra, on one axial end of which a shaft head is configured which is coupled in a rotating and/or pivoting manner as well as in a tensile-force transmitting manner to a receiving sleeve for a longitudinal support. The receiving sleeve has a fastening means for selective positional fastening of the receiving sleeve with respect to the shaft section, the fastening means at least consisting of an inlay/pin mounted in the receiving sleeve and acting on the shaft head, and a locking element acting on the inlay/pin. The inlay/pin is configured with attachment points or engagement elements, which are not covered or overlapped by the locking element, for the provisional introduction of a compressive force on the inlay/pin parallel to the locking element.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tubular shaft for use with a surgical instrument grip for formation of an electrosurgical tubular shaft instrument is provided. The tubular shaft comprises a tube, an electrosurgical tool arranged at the distal end on the tubular shaft, at least one electric connection line electrically connected to the tool and extending in the tube, and at least one coupling element arranged at the proximal end on the tubular shaft for interacting with at least one corresponding coupling element of the instrument grip for releasably coupling the instrument grip to the tubular shaft. The tube comprises an outlet opening which is arranged distally of the at least one coupling element and through which the at least one connection line issues from the tube. The tubular shaft comprises an electric connection element for an electric energy supply. A surgical instrument grip and an electrosurgical tubular shaft instrument are also provided.

Abstract: A device for counting sterilization cycles during the sterilization of medical instruments and devices includes a counter for recording and reproducing a number of sterilization cycles, an actuation unit for sterilization parameter-dependent actuation of the counter, and a locking unit for sterilization parameter-dependent locking the counter. The actuation unit actuates the counter upon exceeding a first threshold sterilization parameter. The locking unit locks the counter after an actuation has been carried out and/or after exceeding a second threshold sterilization parameter, and unlocks the counter after not meeting a third threshold sterilization parameter.

Abstract: A telescoping retractor holder includes a length-adjustable support, the one end section of which can be supported on an operating table, and including a retractor lever, the one, distal end of which includes a retractor receptacle adapted to releasably grip a retractor, and the other, proximal end section of which can be operatively connected in a supporting manner to the other free end section of the telescoping support, preferably by way of a detachable connecting means, for the application of a lever force.

Abstract: A medical shaft-type instrument includes an instrument head for applying clamps, the instrument head connectable via an instrument shaft to an instrument handle for actuating the instrument head. The instrument also includes a clip magazine having a housing, in which magazine a plurality of clamps are bunkered at a predetermined storage position spacing to each other according to the storage principle. All of the clamps can be moved forward by one storage position by a reciprocating transport and entraining rail within the scope of a single delivery stroke. The transport and entraining rail has one clamp entraining element per clamp. The relative distance of the individual clamp entraining elements differs from the respective storage position distances of the clamps in such a way that the entrainment of the bunkered clamps is carried out within the scope of one single delivery stroke in a clocked way.

Abstract: A spinal interbody device, system and method can include an interbody device configured to stabilize or otherwise support adjacent vertebrae. The interbody device can include a central opening and can be shaped as a trapezoid as viewed from a position on the central axis located above a superior or upper surface of the interbody device. In addition, the upper surface of the interbody device can include at least one keel or spike to facilitate locking of the interbody device with adjacent vertebrae. The at least one spike can be removable and can be adjustable relative to the superior or inferior surface(s) when installed.