Abstract: A method of increasing the chondrogenic potential mediated by TGF? of a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) or a population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), comprising the step of increasing the amount of TGF?R1, and/or decreasing the amount of TGF?R2, and/or decreasing the amount of and/or ACVRL1 of the MSC or a population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Abstract: A joint of an external retaining device for fragments of a bone (external fixator) with circular ribs and grooves having a V-shaped cross-section, the flanks of which form frustum-shaped friction surfaces, which enable a high friction force to prevent rotation of the joint, and thereby prevent inadvertent displacement of the retaining device, and enable adjustment of the retaining device using an adjustable friction force for aligning the fragments of the bone.

Abstract: Bone plate (1) with a lower surface (2), an upper surface (3), a maximum thickness measured between the lower and upper surfaces a left lateral surface (4), a right lateral surface (5), a longitudinal axis (6) and a plurality of plate holes (7) miming from the lower surface to the upper surface, the bone plate further having a slot (8) in the lower surface extending from the left lateral surface to the right lateral surface having a width measured in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and a central plane (16) between the lateral surfaces, wherein (i) the hollow space defined by the slot extends in the form of a straight cylinder from the left lateral surface to the right lateral surface and (ii) the slot comprises an undercut feature (9) limiting the opening of the slot when the bone plate is bent longitudinally in a direction aimed at widening the slot.

Abstract: A spinal bone fastener assembly (1) to be engaged to a posterior spinal bone fastener system comprises a bone fastener (10), a rod receiving head (30), configured to receive a spinal rod (2), a tightening means (60, 70) configured to exert a retaining and/or clamping force between the spinal rod and the rod receiving head, a tether (80) connecting or coupling the rod receiving head (30) with the bone fastener (10). When the bone fastener (10) is introduced into the spine, a spinal rod (2) is positioned in a central pocket (41) of the rod receiving head (30) and a rod tightening means (60; 70) tightens against the spinal rod (2) in the central pocket (41) blocking the position of the tether (80) in the tether retaining means (36) of the rod receiving head (30) at a predetermined distance (X2).

Abstract: Reference device (1) for real-time tracking of bone and/or surgical objects in computer-assisted surgery, the device (1) comprising: A) an upper member (2) having at least one circular cylindrical hole (3) penetrating through the upper member (2) from the upper surface (5) to the lower surface (6), wherein the hole (3) defines a circular cylindrical reference element (15) having a diameter d and a height h, the ratio between the diameter d and the height h of the reference element (15) is minimum ?, and B) a lower member (4) configured to cover the lower orifices (8) of the holes (3); and wherein C) the upper member (2) is configured as a plate shaped body.

Abstract: A process for the production of a three-dimensional particulate structure embedded in a body formed of a hydrogel matrix, comprising the steps of forming a layer of a hydrogel matrix having a particulate substructure embedded therein by subjecting a suspension of particulates in a layer of a hydrogel matrix precursor to standing acoustic waves (SAWs) to spatially partition the particulates within the layer of hydrogel precursor into a particulate substructure and allowing the hydrogel precursor to solidify such as to form the layer of a hydrogel matrix having a particulate substructure embedded therein, and repeating the process until the three-dimensional particulate structure embedded in a body formed of a hydrogel matrix is formed.

Abstract: A method of producing a pharmaceutical gel emulsion, wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water gel emulsion, comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water emulsion comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable oil, at least one aqueous phase, at least one osmotic agent, at least one emulsifying agent, mixing a gelling polysaccharide with the oil-in-water emulsion and allowing the resulting mixture to form the pharmaceutical gel emulsion, optionally mixing an bioactive agent into the pharmaceutical gel emulsion.

Abstract: A method of increasing the chondrogenic potential mediated by TGF? of a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) or a population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), comprising the step of increasing the amount of TGF?R1, and/or decreasing the amount of TGF?R2, and/or decreasing the amount of and/or ACVRL1 of the MSC or a population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Abstract: An assembly for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity including: (a) an implant formed of wire having (i) a longitudinal central section (2), (ii) a first end (3) configured as a first loop (4) in a form of a first helical coil (9) having a central axis (5) that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central section, and (iii) a second end (6) configured as a second loop (7) having a central axis (8) that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the central section; (b) a first bone screw having a shaft section that is insertable through the first loop; and (c) a second bone screw having a shaft section that is insertable through the second loop. A kit for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity and to a method for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a three-dimensional particulate structure embedded in a body formed of a hydrogel matrix, comprising the steps of forming a layer of a hydrogel matrix having a particulate substructure embedded therein by subjecting a suspension of particulates in a layer of a hydrogel matrix precursor to standing acoustic waves (SAWs) to spatially partition the particulates within the layer of hydrogel precursor into a particulate substructure and allowing the hydrogel precursor to solidify such as to form the layer of a hydrogel matrix having a particulate substructure embedded therein, and repeating the process until the three-dimensional particulate structure embedded in a body formed of a hydrogel matrix is formed.

Abstract: Kit for assembling an implantable medical device (30) provided with a data acquisition device (1), the kit comprising: a medical implant (100); a data acquisition device (1) which includes: one or more sensors (5); an electronic data processing device (2) electrically connectable or connected to the one or more sensors (5); a data memory (16); a data transmission device (4); and a biocompatible sterilisable housing (9) encapsulating at least the data processing device (2), the data memory (16) and the data transmission device (4); wherein the housing (9) comprises means (10) for releasably affixing the housing (9) to the implant (100), the data processing device (2) is programmed to calculate statistical data based on measurement data received from the one or more sensors (5) and to store the statistical data in the data memory (16); and wherein the one or more sensors (5) are either arranged in the housing (9); or the one or more sensors (5) are separately fixable to the implant (100) in a selected position.

Abstract: The bone plate (1) has a lower surface (2), an upper surface (3), a thickness T measured between the lower and upper surfaces (2;3), a longitudinal axis (4) and a plurality of plate holes (5) running from the lower surface (2) to the upper surface (3). The bone plate (1) further has a slot (6) extending from the lower surface (2) towards the upper surface (3) and having a width W measured at the lower surface (2) and parallel to the longitudinal axis (4). The slot (6) extends to a maximum distance D measured from the lower surface (2) towards the upper surface (3) of 0.4-0.9 times the thickness T of the bone plate (1). The slot (6) has a width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (4) which at its maximum extension E is at least 0.8 mm, preferably of at least 3 mm. The slot (6) allows the plate (1) to bend longitudinally—additionally to the intrinsic bendability of the unslotted plate (1)—at most to the amount of 20°, preferably at most to the amount of 10°.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an auxiliary device suitable for the manufacture of a patient customized implant comprising the steps of: 1) obtaining 3D image data, preferably a CT of a defect site of a patient's anatomy (1); 2) generating a computer model of the defect site based on the 3D image data and 3D generic reference data by using image processing techniques; 3) virtually reconstructing the defect site; 4) generating a computer template (30) which represents an auxiliary device (40) that is suitable for sizing, shaping and positioning of alloplastic implants; and 5) manufacturing an auxiliary device (40) using 3D printing. Furthermore, there is provided a method for manufacturing a patient customized implant using the auxiliary device and a method for the reconstruction of a particular anatomy by using the manufactured patient customized implant.

Abstract: A device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes including: a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); an electronic signal processing device (2) electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) for processing measured signals received from the at least one sensor; a data memory (16) electrically connected to said signal processing device for storing data received from said signal processing device; and a data transmission device (4) electrically connected to said data memory for transmitting data received from said data memory to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8). The signal processing device calculates statistically relevant data obtained from the measured signals, reducing the volume of stored data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes comprising: A) a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); B) an electronic signal processing device (2) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) allowing to process measured signals received from said at least one sensor (5); C) a data memory (16) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said signal processing device (2) allowing to store data received from said signal processing device (2); and D) a data transmission device (4) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said data memory (16) for transmitting data received from said data memory (16) to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8), wherein E) said signal processing device (2) is pro

Abstract: A device (25) for drilling holes in bone and configured to determine bone screw length, the device (25) including a surgical power drill (2) comprising: a) a housing (12) and; b) a measuring device (1) releasably attached or fixed to the housing (12), wherein the measuring device (1) is configured to measure the distance (x) covered by the housing (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) and relative to a surface of an implant (26) or a bone during a drilling process, wherein the measuring device (1) comprises a processing unit (14) to record the distance (x) covered with respect to time; the processing unit (14) comprises one or more differentiators to determine at least the first and second derivatives of the distance (x) covered with respect to time; and the processing unit (14) further comprises a peak detector to analyze one or more peaks occurring in the graph of the highest derivative with respect to time, and wherein the measuring device (1) comprises a laser device or an ultrasound position

Abstract: A method for designing and/or optimizing an implant that has one or more through holes with a central axis for receiving a bone fixation element. The method includes: providing a general collection of three-dimensional bone quality data obtained from a patient population; identifying in the patient population N>2 categories of patients with significantly different N>2 homologous sub-collections of bone quality data; and designing an implant or optimizing an existing implant for each of the N>2 sub-collections such that the at least one through hole is located at an optimal place and with an optimal direction of the central axis relative to the implant. The optimal position and direction is chosen based on each of the N>2 sub-collections of data so as to obtain an optimal anchorage of the bone fixation element in the bone when introduced through the through hole.

Abstract: Surgical instrument (1) comprising a longitudinal shaft (2) with a tip portion (3), a rear portion (4) and a longitudinal axis (5) and rotatable in the clock-wise and in the counter-clockwise direction around the longitudinal axis (5), said surgical instrument (1) further comprising: A) first means (6) for drilling a hole in a bone by rotation of the shaft (2) in one of the two directions; B) second means (7) for crushing bone tissue when the shaft (2) rotates in the other of the two directions; and C) a torque sensor (10) coupled to the shaft (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a sleeve for a transfixation device for an external skeletal fixator having a longitudinal axis, a right portion, a left portion, an outer wall, an interior wall and a lumen. The sleeve is implantable across the opposed cortices of a long bone. The lumen is adapted to receive a pin that is connectable to an external supporting structure of the external skeletal fixator. The lumen includes at least one contraction in the right portion and at least one contraction in the left portion. The at least two contractions serve as supports for the pin for avoiding contact between the pin and the interior wall, except at the contractions. Also disclosed is a transfixation device for an external skeletal fixator including a sleeve such as described and one or more pins.

Abstract: A cannula with a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen penetrating from the proximal end to the distal end. The cannula includes a shaft portion including a rear end and a front end, a tip portion coaxially extending from the front end of the shaft portion to the distal end of the cannula, and a cutting edge. A coupling portion, which is suitable for being connected to a surgical tool or instrument, is terminally arranged towards the proximal end of the cannula and extends to the rear end of the shaft portion. A removable obturator is insertable in the lumen. The obturator seals the lumen at the distal end of the cannula. A method for improved fracture fixation using the cannula, a method for intraoperative surgical decision making using the cannula and a method for irrigation of bone tissue and subsequent injection of bone cement using the cannula.