Abstract: A medical implant which, on at least part of its surface, has a coating with an osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive top layer based on calcium phosphate and/or calcium carbonate, wherein an antibiotic active substance, which is soluble in aqueous medium, is coated over the osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive top layer in patches, leaving gaps on the osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive top layer.

Abstract: A pair of surgical forceps which can be taken apart and which includes a handle, a pivot joint with a rotational axis and a jaw. It further includes two releasably coupled forceps parts, each of which has a pin-less pivot joint element. The first pivot joint element has a first guide rail and a first guide recess. The second pivot joint element has a second guide rail and a second guide recess. The guide rails, which engage in an undercut of the guide recesses on the pivot joint elements, form a sliding guide for the pivot joint. The first pivot joint element has a first thickening element and the second pivot joint element has a second surface element. In a safety position the first thickening element interacts with the second surface element by means of clamping.

Abstract: Equipment for inserting a joint prosthesis, in particular a femur component of a knee prosthesis, comprises a base frame having a guiding plate and a laterally protruding primary gage, a fastening device on the bone, and a curved milling gage having a main body and a guiding piece, which can be moved along a curved guiding path relative to the main body and has a receptacle for an abrasive tool. Furthermore, the equipment comprises an aligning device, which places the curved milling gage in a clearly defined relative position when the curved milling gage is inserted into the base frame. Due to the precise positioning in conjunction with the curved guiding path, the mounting seat can be prepared easily without damaging surrounding tissue. Thus, even large and complexly shaped prostheses, such as knee joint prosthesis, can be reproducibly inserted in an easy and safe manner.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis has a bending hinge, which is formed by a hinge fork and an axle pin, which comprises two axle stubs, which are arranged in an installation position for insertion, in which installation position the axle stubs are retracted in a coupling piece, and in an expanded position after implantation by movement in the axial direction into aligned hinge holes of the hinge fork, wherein the axle pin has two bearing areas at the ends of the axle pin and a joining area lying therebetween, and the axle pin is separated in the joining area along a plane extending in the axial direction, which plane intersects with the jacket of the axle pin at two points.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant with a coating (23) which releases silver ions in the human body and as a result has antimicrobial action. According to the invention, a first surface component of the coating (23) is formed by an anode material (25). A second surface component of the coating (23) is formed by a cathode material (26). The cathode material is higher in the electrochemical voltage series than the anode material (25). The cathode material (26) and the anode material (25) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. Together with the body electrolyte in the environment of the implant, the anode material (25) and the cathode material (26) form a multitude of local galvanic elements. The antimicrobial action of the coating (23) is improved as a result.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis, particularly for the at least partial replacement of a long bone, comprising a plug-in connection for connecting a shaft (2) to another part (1) of the prosthesis, wherein the plug-in connection (3) comprises an axial projection (33) and a socket (34). According to the invention, provision is made that a radial transverse channel (53) is provided on one part of the plug-in connection (3), said radial transverse channel (53) engaging behind the plug-in connection and having a center axis (55) that is offset (d) relative to the axis (56) of a transverse bore (52) arranged on the other part of the plug-in connection, and a clamping element (6) which is to be inserted into the transverse channel (53) and whose point (62), in the inserted state, engages in the transverse bore (52). In this way, it is possible to achieve an effective securing action even in the event of an unfavorable tolerance pairing, without adversely affecting the sensitive projection itself.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis component is formed from a ceramic material and in which the ceramic material is partially coated with a titanium alloy. An uncoated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to interact as slide surface with another endoprosthesis component. A coated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to establish a connection to a bone. The part of the ceramic material forming an interface to the coating has a roughness Ra of between 2.5 ?M and 7 ?M, creating a firm connection between the coating and the ceramic material. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an endoprosthesis component. To achieve the desired roughness of the surface, the ceramic component is presintered at a temperature of between 880° C. and 980° C. and is then treated with a blasting material.

Abstract: The invention involves a fusion implant for a facet joint, comprising a bearing module (1) and a fusion module (2), in which the fusion model (2) is arranged on the bearing module (1) and has a holder for transfacetal fastening means (65), whereby the bearing module (1) includes an expansion element and jaw elements (4, 4?), which have contact surfaces (43) for the lamina (93) on their outer sides moving away from each other and which are arranged to move longitudinally on a guide, so that the distance of the fusion module (6) is changeable using the expansion element. The bearing module forms a secure and safe anchoring for the fusion module, which can be repositioned. In addition, the bearing module has the effect of an augmentation, and as a result treatment is possible even on vertebrae that are weakened by defects.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fixation apparatus comprising a holder (2?) and a tension sleeve (4?) receiving a bone screw (1?), wherein the bone screw (1?) has a shaft (10?) with a front thread (11?) and a head (12?) at the rear end, and the holder (3?) has a through borehole (30?) with a receiving seat (32?), in which the tension sleeve (4?) is mounted and able to swivel, while the shaft (10?) has a thickening (15?) in a rear region, to the front of the head (12?), whose width increases toward the head (12?), and the width of the tension sleeve (4?) is larger than the width of the shaft (10?) immediately before the thickening (15?) and smaller than the greatest width of the thickening (15?). When screwed in, the thickening (15) widens the tension sleeve (4?) so that it is pressed by its envelope against the wall of the receiving seat (32?). In this way, an angle-stable pressing is achieved for any given orientation of the bone screw (1?).

Abstract: In a prosthesis component of a joint endoprosthesis, the prosthesis component comprises a sliding surface that is designed to form a sliding joint with a counter sliding surface of another prosthesis component. The sliding surface may be formed by a sliding surface coating deposited on the body of the prosthesis component, wherein the sliding surface coating has an antimicrobial effect. The sliding surface coating is active against microorganisms in the area of the sliding joint.

Abstract: In a coated implant that releases silver ions in the human body and thereby has an antimicrobial effect, a first surface component of the coating is formed by an anode material. A second surface component of the coating is formed by a cathode material. The cathode material is higher in the electrochemical voltage sequence than the anode material. The cathode and the anode are connected with one another in an electrically conducting manner. Together with the body electrolyte in the vicinity of the implant the anode and the cathode material form a plurality of local galvanic elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis, particularly for the at least partial replacement of a long bone, comprising a plug-in connection for connecting a shaft (2) to another part (1) of the prosthesis, wherein the plug-in connection (3) comprises an axial projection (33) and a socket (34). According to the invention, provision is made that a radial transverse channel (53) is provided on one part of the plug-in connection (3), said radial transverse channel (53) engaging behind the plug-in connection and having a center axis (55) that is offset (d) relative to the axis (56) of a transverse bore (52) arranged on the other part of the plug-in connection, and a clamping element (6) which is to be inserted into the transverse channel (53) and whose point (62), in the inserted state, engages in the transverse bore (52). In this way, it is possible to achieve an effective securing action even in the event of an unfavorable tolerance pairing, without adversely affecting the sensitive projection itself.

Abstract: A surgical guide instrument for use on the articular processes of vertebral bodies. At the distal end of the guide instrument, there are two plier heads, which are designed for a plier movement relative to each other. A guide rail is provided, which defines a guide axis for a reamer. The guide rail is pivotable about a first pivot axis, such that the guide axis, with the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis, spans a work sector, and such that the work sector intersects an imaginary connecting line between the plier heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a ceramic component. With the method, a ceramic base material in powdered form and a mold having the shape of the ceramic component are provided. The ceramic base material is introduced into the mold. The ceramic component is presintered at a temperature between 880° C. and 980° C. and is then removed from the mold. The surface of the ceramic component is treated with a blasting material and the ceramic component is sintered at a temperature that is higher than the presintering temperature. With the method according to the invention, ceramic components having higher surface roughness can be produced. Due to the higher surface roughness it is easier to apply a firmly adhering coating to the ceramic component.

Abstract: A prosthesis for facet joints of the spinal column includes a bearing piece and a guide rod. The bearing piece includes a pressure plate that is configured for resting on an articular surface of the vertebra and, on the opposite side, a bearing insert which has an articular surface configured for interacting with an articular surface of an adjacent vertebra. The guide rod is secured on the bearing piece by means of a pivot joint. The bearing forces are transmitted to the vertebra via the pressure plate. In this way, the guide rod can have a narrow configuration, such that a slit excavated in the vertebra for receiving the guide rod can also be made narrow to permit a simple and reliable implantation technique which at the same time is gentle on the bone substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis component which is formed from a ceramic material and in which the ceramic material is partially coated with a titanium alloy. An uncoated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to interact as slide surface with another endoprosthesis component. A coated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to establish a connection to a bone. According to the invention, the part of the ceramic material forming an interface to the coating has a roughness Ra of between 2.5 ?m and 7 ?m. This creates a firm connection between the coating and the ceramic material. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an endoprosthesis component. The invention relates finally to a method for producing a ceramic component that can serve as a basis for an endoprosthesis component according to the invention. To achieve the desired roughness of the surface, the ceramic component is presintered at a temperature of between 880° C. and 980° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis for facet joints (12) of the spinal column, with a bearing piece (23) and a guide rod (21). The bearing piece (23) comprises a pressure plate (24) for resting on an articular surface (13, 14) of the vertebra (1) and, on the opposite side, a bearing insert (27) which has an articular surface for interacting with an articular surface (13, 14) of an adjacent vertebra (1?). The guide rod (21) is secured on the bearing piece (23) by means of a pivot joint. The bearing forces are transmitted to the vertebra (1) via the pressure plate (24). In this way, the guide rod (21) can have a narrow configuration, such that the slit (18) for receiving the guide rod on the vertebra (1) can also be made narrow. This permits a simple and reliable implantation technique which at the same time is gentle on bone substance.