Abstract: The body (4) of the hook (1) has a passage (6) for receiving a transverse bar, which passage terminates in an aperture (7) and extends throughout the length of the body. The hook (1) includes a curved strip portion (5) for retaining an osteosynthesis rod which is connected to the body (4) in a region of said aperture (7). The height of the aperture (7) exceeds the thickness of the bar. The strip portion (5) has a width substantially equal to the width of the body (4) and edge portions (9) of the passage (6) are so shaped as to define sliding ramps for the rod which are inclined toward the interior of the strip portion (5). The arrangement of the hook ensures a trapping of the rod which improves the safety of the device in use and reduces the overall size of the hook.

Abstract: Spinal osteosynthesis device comprising, for one and the same vertebra, a hook (12), two vertebral bearing means associated with the said hook, the latter being adapted so as to be able to bear on the median portion of the vertebral posterior arch between two longitudinal rods (7) of the said device, this hook being provided with transverse means of connection (28) between the hook and the longitudinal rods, with the possibility of adjustment, in a sagittal plane from front to back and from top to bottom, and in a frontal plane from left to right, between the rods and the said hook. The hook (12) and the two anchoring screws or hooks afford three bearing points on the same vertebra, and this avoids having to equip the stage above. Moreover, this hook can be put in place, at the end of a surgical intervention, at the desired stage and at any level chosen by the surgeon, while at the same time permitting an appreciable saving in the time taken for it to be put into place compared with the earlier systems.

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises at least two blocks (1) adapted to transversely interconnect two rigid rods (2, 3) axially slidable in these blocks which are provided with bone anchorage screws (7, 8) suitable oriented and slides (4, 5) which are slidable in longitudinal recesses (6, 7) receiving the respective rods (2, 3) which may be in this way clamped by the slides after the latter have been completely closed. Each block (1) has in the transverse direction from the anterior part to the posterior part a curved general shape corresponding to the antero-lateral anatomy of the vertebral bodies, the interior surface being consequently concave while the exterior surface is convex. The instrumentation obtained by the assembly of two blocks (1), anchorage screws and stiffening rods (2, 3) forms a very stable rectangular structure restoring the axial continuity of the vertebral column, avoiding correction losses and facilitating the consolidation of the bone graft.

Abstract: The clamp (1) comprises a pair of hooks (2, 3) adapted to bear on at least two cervical vertebrae (for example C1, C2) and each having a tubular portion (6, 7). The diameters of the latter are such as to permit the fitting and the sliding of one portion in the other and consequently the adjustment of the relative position of the two hooks. They are fixed in this position by a permanent deformation of the walls of the tubular portions (6, 7) by a suitable ancillary tool. The clamp provides better stability than known devices, since the two hooks (2, 3) of the clamp cannot move apart owing to their interconnection by deformation of material which clamps them in position relative to each other and avoids the use of components such as nuts and screws. Further, this clamp is small in size and is placed in position by the surgeon in a particularly simply manner.

Abstract: The device comprises a slide (3) so profiled as to be insertable in a support (2) in a slidable and coaxial manner with respect to an elongate element (1) and in intimate contact with the latter. This slide has two lateral lips (5) adapted to cooperate with ramps for clamping the slide and formed in the support (2), the lips and the ramps being inclined to the axis of the elongate element (1). The lips (5) are advantageously rounded and define an intermediate constricted part thereby achieving a self-clamping of each lip (5) of the slide (3) in the associated ramp of the support (2). The device supports an extremely high assembly prestressing without deforming or breaking, even when the prestressing is increased in an exaggerated manner, this being achieved with an overall size which is smaller than a screwed assembly of elements of a cross-shaped structure. Various applications in particular in the connection of a spinal osteosynthesis rod with a pedicular anchorage element.

Abstract: The body (4) of the hook (1) has a passage (6) for receiving a transverse bar, which passage terminates in an aperture (7) and extends throughout the length of the body. The hook (1) includes a curved strip portion (5) for retaining an osteosynthesis rod which is connected to the body (4) in a region of said aperture (7). The height of the aperture (7) exceeds the thickness of the bar. The strip portion (5) has a width substantially equal to the width of the body (4) and edge portions (9) of the passage (6) are so shaped as to define sliding ramps for the rod which are inclined toward the interior of the strip portion (5). The arrangement of the hook ensures a trapping of the rod which improves the safety of the device in use and reduces the overall size of the hook.

Abstract: This rod is made up of a first cylindrical part, being a lumbosacral part (6), which is rigid in all directions, a second part, being a dorsal part (7), which is rigid in a frontal plane, in order to prevent scoliosis, and flexible in a sagittal plane, and a dorsolumbar transition zone (8) connecting the lumbar and dorsal parts and profiled in a progressive manner so that its thickness in the sagittal plane diminishes progressively and its width in the frontal plane increases progressively: this profile is such that the second moment of area of the transition zone reins substantially constant over its entire length. The profile, thus defined, of the transition zone has the aim of avoiding, to a great extent, the risks of breaking due to the fatigue in this zone, resulting from the various movements of the patient in a chair, in particular the flexion/extension movements in a sagittal plane, promoted by the rectangular profile of the dorsal part of the rod.

Abstract: This device comprises an connection element (4) between a rod (1), or other longitudinal implant, and a bone anchorage screw (3) in the degenerative vertebra. This connection element (4) includes a ring (8) so dimensioned that the rod (1) is capable of extending therethrough. The ring is provided with screws (14) for clamping to the rod (1) and is radially extended by a cylindrical arm (9) adapted to be secured to the bone anchorage screw (3) and to be clamped on the screw. The arm (9) and the ring (8) constitute a unit in one piece. The invention enables the surgeon to avoid having to produce additional deformations of the rod (1) when it is in presence of non-aligned pedicles by leaving to the surgeon complete liberty as to the position of the two axes of the bone anchorage screw (3) and of the rod (1).

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises a pair of vertebral implants (1) provided with screws (4) for anchorage to two corresponding vertebrae located on each side of a damaged vertebra, and a plate (3) having two end portions (3a) for connection to the two implants, and equipped with serrations (6, 15) for fixing it to the implants. The end portions (3a) of the plate have a rounded periphery and the instrumentation comprises fixing screws (50) having heads (51) which are rounded so that their surface is flush with the surface of the plate when they are anchored in the apertures of the implant and the apertures of the end portion (3a) of the plate. This arrangement ensures that the ends of the plate (3) do not come into contact with the vertebral discs when the angular position of the plate (3) relative to the implants varies, and reduces the overall size of the instrumentation.

Abstract: The hook (32) comprises a body (33) and a laminar portion (37) which is suitably profiled and adapted to penetrate a foramen opening at the base of the occiput against which it bears. The body is arranged to receive an osteosynthesis rod or plate and has a plane of symmetry (P). The laminar portion (37) has a curvature adapted to the thickness of the occipito-cervical shell and is inclined relative to one side or the other of the plane of symmetry (P) so as to be adaptable to the anatomy of the edge of the occiput in the region of the foramen. This inclination may be for example substantially 45.degree.. This asymmetry of the laminar portion (37) relative to the body (33) of the hook (32) enables the surgeon to avoid having to previously remove a piece of the edge of the occiput of the patient and consequently damage the occiput.

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises two separate similar parts, namely a right part (1) and a left part (2), each formed by a cervical rod (3) having asperities and an elongate occipital plate (5) forming one piece with the rod and extending it toward the occiput (6) in the position of use, and adjustable means for anchoring the rod to the vertebrae and the plate to the occiput. Each part is so preangulated and shaped as to be adapted to the anatomy of the occipito-cervical connection. Each rod (3) has two rectilinear sections making therebetween an angle of between about 70.degree. and 90.degree., one of the sections being connected to the occipital plate (5), which is bent so as to correspond to the curvature of the occipital shell. The invention permits conveniently adapting the distance between the rods (3) to the anatomy of the patient and reduces the overall size of the instrumentation, which enables projections under the skin of the occiput to be considerably reduced.

Abstract: Forceps with two pin-connected branches are provided with gripping noses on one end for manipulating surgical implants. The branches are spring biased apart but include a cap at the end remote from the gripping nose which is adapted to tilt and releasably retain the ends of the branches together beneath the cap. One of the branches is fixed within the cap while the other is insertable beneath the cap and has rounded edges to facilitate its insertion and removal. The tilting motion of the cap allows for temporary access of the inserted branch when it is desired to lock the branches together during manipulation of a gripped implant or the like.