Abstract: A surgical implant for spinal fixation formed by a rigid bent titanium frame having wire receiving means. Spinal fixation implants are used to correct abnormal curvature of, and/or impart stability to, the spine by immobilising a plurality of vertebrae with respect to each other. A rigid bullet shaped frame which fits neatly onto the posterior surface of the spine to embrace at least two bones is fixed in place by means of fixation wires passed around or looped through the frame and passing through holes in the bones to immobilise the embraced bones with respect to each other. The frame has a substantially rectangular cross-section. An improved surgical implant results from the provision of wire receiving means which prevent the fixation wires moving relative to the frame and the bullet shaped frame of rectangular cross-section which improves the stability of a fixed implant by close conformity of the implant to the shape of the spine.

Abstract: A device for applying an aneurysm clip includes a novel lockable steerable endoscope (12), having steering mechanism (14), and a novel surgical device for applying the clip including an applicator (22) for the clip (24) comprising a remote actuator in the form of a flexible shaft (44) inside a flexible conduit (42), both running inside the endoscope, and jaws for holding the clip at the distal end of the shaft. The endoscope is steered to the site of the aneurysm and locked in position. The applicator is introduced into the endoscope, and moved to the site of the aneurysm by driving both the shaft and the conduit by drive mechanisms in the housing (20). The clip, when in position around the aneurysm, is actuated by movement of the shaft out of the conduit to open the jaws and release the clip which closes around the aneurysm.