Abstract: An intervertebral implant (1), specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis (2), an upper section (10), suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top and a lower section (20), suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body lying below, wherein A) the upper section (10) is provided with a ventral side area (11), a dorsal side area (12), two lateral side areas (13,14), a top apposition surface (15) and a bottom surface (16); B) the lower section (20) is provided with a ventral side area (21), a dorsal side area (22), two lateral side areas (23,24), a bottom apposition surface (25) and a top surface (26); C) the two sections (10,20) are moveable in relation to each other by means of one joint (30) arranged between the two sections (10;20), wherein D) the joint (30) is a universal joint with two swivel axles (3;4) standing perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint prosthesis, especially a knee joint prosthesis, for establishing an articulated connection between a first bone and at least one second bone. The inventive prosthesis comprises a first component (1) that is at least indirectly linked with the first bone, at least one second component (2) on which the second bone at least indirectly supports itself and which is movably mounted on at least one bearing surface (22) of the first component (1), and a connecting element (4) that interlinks the first component (1) with the second component (2). The connecting element (4) comprises an elastically deformable element (5) that facilitates a deflection of the first component (1) relative to the second component (2) from an initial position. When the first component (1) is deflected, the elastically deformable element (5) generates a restoring force that acts upon the first component (1) and restores the first component (1) to the initial position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning instrument (1) for inserting an extension shell (2) into a human or animal bone, especially a pelvic bone. Said instrument comprises a fixing device (18) for fixing the extension shell (2) to the positioning instrument (1), and a displacement device (55) for displacing a disc element (15) of the positioning instrument (1) at least essentially axially in relation to the extension shell (2) fixed to the fixing device (18). Said disc element (15) co-operates with beveled surfaces (25a to 25e) of the extension shell (2) during the displacement, in order to tighten the extension shell (2). Furthermore, the disc element (15)-viewed in the direction of insertion (13)-does not project beyond the radially furthest projecting elements (32a, 32b) of the tightened extension shell (2).

Abstract: A device for treating fractures of the femur and includes an intra-medullary pin (1) with a central longitudinal axis (2), a front piece (3), which is introduced into the medullary channel of the femur, a rear piece (4) and a hole (5) going through the rear piece (4) at an angle to the longitudinal axis (2) with a non-circular cross-section (6). A sliding sleeve (10) that is introduced through the hole (5) with non-circular cross-section, has a front end (11), a rear end (12), a central longitudinal drilling (13), an outer sleeve surface (14), an inner sleeve surface (15) and a longitudinal axis (16). A longitudinal bone fixation element (20) with a longitudinal axis (21), a head piece (22) with fixation element (23), which is brought into engagement with the femur head on use and a shaft (24), which is introduced co-axially into the sliding sleeve (10), whereby the outer sleeve surface (14) of the sliding sleeve (10) has a non-circular cross-section (17), at least in a partial region.

Abstract: An implant for use in bone fixation, includes combination of the two materials: metal and plastic. The implant defines several passages with axles (3) running through the implant, which are suitable for receiving a bone fixation device, such as a bone screw. The passages are provided with a peripheral perimeter, which is made of a different material than the material of the implant surrounding the perimeter. The implant is, on the one hand, not too rigid and, on the other hand, does not present problems as regards the screw-implant interface.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a central axis (1) substantially parallel to or coaxial with the spinal column's longitudinal axis and including: an upper and a lower terminal part (2; 3) and a convex joint element. Each of the upper and lower terminal parts have an outermost surface (5; 6) configured transversely to the central axis (1,). Each of the terminal parts come to rest against the end surfaces of two adjacent vertebras and opposite first and second concave inner surface (7;8), respectively. The convex joint element (4) is situated between the terminal parts (2; 3) and rests in a sliding manner against the first and second concave inner surfaces (7; 8) of the two terminal parts (2; 3). The, first concave surface (7) is a partial surface of a first rotationally symmetrical external surface (11) about the axis of rotation (12) transverse to the central axis (1).

Abstract: A device for storing surgical instruments and/or implants, the device including at least one dish-shaped instrument tray (4) and a sealable lid (1) that is located on the top (6) of the tray. Each instrument tray (4) has a base (9) with a preferably rectangular outline and lateral walls (16) that are attached and extend vertically relative to the base (9) from the base underside (7). The instrument trays (4) can be stacked. The lid (1) includes two displaceable closure mechanisms (3) having lower locking elements (12) that are directed towards the underside of the lid (13). In addition, each instrument tray (4) has displaceable locking device (10), with which an instrument tray (4) can be detachably fixed to an instrument tray (4) lying immediately below. The locking device (10) includes upper locking elements (11) that are directed towards the top (6) and lower locking elements (12) that are directed towards the underside (7).

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (1), specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis (2), and an upper plate-shaped section (10), suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top, a lower plate-shaped section (30), suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body lying below, wherein a central, plate-shaped section (20) is arranged between the upper and the lower section (10;30), a first circular-cylindrical rod (40) with a longitudinal axle (41) is arranged between the upper section (10) and the central section (20), and a second circular-cylindrical rod (50) with a longitudinal axle (51) is arranged between the lower section (30) and the central section (20).

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intervertebral implant, comprising (A) two articulating parts (4; 5) having each a central axis (1; 26), each a curved slide surface (6; 7) intersecting the central axes (1; 26), and each an axially outermost end (14; 15) that can be connected to a bone, where (B) the slide surfaces (6; 7) are curved and displaceable one on the other, where (D) the second articulating part (5) is rotatable about two mutually skewed axes of rotation (10; 11) relative to the first articulating part (4).

Abstract: A kneadable and moldable bone-replacement material includes a mixture of calcium-containing ceramic particles and a hydrogel or a substance which can be swelled into a hydrogel. The ceramic particles are of fully synthetic origin and the individual ceramic particles have a structure which is at least partially cohesive and porous. In addition, the majority of the ceramic particles have a non-spheric shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable socket (1) for a hip joint endoprosthesis able to be cementlessly anchored in place which is at least approximately hemispherical and which is provided with a plurality of slots (3) extending in a meridional direction, thus forming intervening tongues (4), on which are formed projections (5) that form a plurality of rows (6; 6a, 6b) extending from an equator (2) of the expandable socket (1). The projections (5) are arranged on the tongues (4) in such a manner that a row (6a) of projections (5) arranged in the center of the tongue (4) extends on a meridian (14) of the hemispherical socket (1) while at least one adjoining row (6b) of projections (5) extends in a line that extends at all points in parallel to the meridian (14) of the row (6a) of projections (5) arranged in the center and not through a pole (10) of the hemispherical expandable socket (1).

Abstract: A damping element (1) includes: (a) two spring elements (2, 4) which are coaxial with or parallel to a longitudinal axis (3) and two axially end-side connectors (5, 6), where (b) the first spring element (2) exhibits a spring rate F, (c) the second spring element (4) exhibits a spring rate f, and (d) the spring rates F and f are different. A device stabilizing adjacent vertebras, comprising (a) N pedicle screws of hooks (12), where N?3 and where (b) each pedicle screw or pedicle hook (12) includes a receiving device (13) receiving a longitudinal affixation device (7) and where (c) an element (14) acting as a spring is inserted between two adjacent pedicle screws (12) or pedicle hooks.

Abstract: A femur component of a hip joint endoprosthesis which has a shaft (1) for anchoring in the medullary cavity of the femur. The shaft (1) has a distal section (9) and a proximal section (8), to which is connected a collar section (2) with a peg (3) for receiving an articular head, or with an articular head which is firmly attached to the collar section (2). The shaft (1) has a front surface (4), a rear surface (5), a lateral side (6), a mesial side (7) and a plane of symmetry (11), whereby longitudinal ribs (10) which stretch from proximal to distal are fitted on the front surface (4) and the rear surface (5) in the proximal section (8) of the shaft (1). The crests (12) of the longitudinal ribs (10) form an angle &dgr;/2 of at least 1° to the plane of symmetry (11), and the envelope of the crests (123) of the longitudinal ribs (10) forms a double wedge-like or ellipsoid body, which tapers both toward the lateral side (6) and the mesial side (7).

Abstract: An instrument for performing a correctional osteotomy of a lower extremity of a patient has a securing frame (1), fixation elements (7, 8) for attaching the frame to the skeleton of the lower extremity of the patient, and securing components (6, 9) adjustably holding the fixation elements on the frame. A saw guide (25) is mounted on said frame so as to be angularly adjustable relative to the frame. An angle-indicating scale plate (10) is adjustably attached to one of the securing components. A rotation axis pin (12) penetrates the scale plate and points toward a location on the skeleton for intersection of bone cuts to be made. An angle determining component (23) is pivotable about the rotation axis pin and carries the saw guide and two pointers (26, 27) aligned with each other and alignable with a projection of a mechanical loading axis of the extremity of the patient, whereby adjustment of the pointers directly causes adjustment of the saw guide.