Abstract: The present invention is directed to an allograft intervertebral implant sized and configured for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies in a spinal fusion surgery. The implant is preferably manufactured from two or more pieces of allograft bone joined together by a joint, more preferably a dovetail joint. The dovetail joint being sized and configured to substantially follow the exterior shape or surface of the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing. The inner housing includes a magnet assembly including a magnet having a first pole and a second pole and a gear reduction mechanism coupled to the magnet. A first rod is secured to the inner housing and a second rod is secured to the outer housing. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation of the magnet to rotate a driver that operates to move the inner housing along a longitudinal axis with respect to the outer housing.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra having a central axis. The implant may have a first member with a top surface for contacting at least a portion of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface as well as a second member with a top surface and a bottom surface for contacting at least a portion of the lower vertebra. An elastic spacer may be disposed between the first member and the second member. The bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may have a first constraint means and the other of the bottom surface of the first member and the top surface of the second member may be provided with a second constraint means, to limit the amount of lateral movement between the first and second members. Additionally, the constraint means may be sized and configured such that a gap with a width greater than zero is provided at least transversely to the central axis between the first and second constraint means in an unloaded state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for coupling an elongate guide substantially at a first end to at least one vertebral body of a spinal column of a patient; and extending a second end of the guide to a structure of the patient spaced in an anterior direction away from the at least one vertebral body towards an entry incision.

Abstract: An external midface distractor is disclosed for attachment to the bones of a patient's cranium and midface region for performing an osteogenesis procedure to gradually lengthen a portion of the craniofacial skeleton. The midface distractor generally includes an external halo assembly for engaging the patient's cranium, a central adjustment assembly, a vertical central rod, at least one horizontal cross piece assembly including at least one distraction screw, and at least one bone engaging portion which is mounted to the targeted facial bone to be distracted. The midface distractor may also include various individual adjustment mechanisms that provide surgeons greater and more precise control over the distraction vector than is available with current devices. That is, the midface distractor may provide surgeons with additional anterior-posterior and medial-lateral adjustments, thus permitting surgeons to more precisely and accurately control the direction of distraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a bone-regeneration material. According to the method, a bio-compatible, open-pored body is exposed to a vacuum and osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances are absorbed into the pores of the body, for example by means of a vacuum generated therein. It is thus possible to produce a bone-regeneration material, which contains osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances in the pores of the bio-compatible body, said substances acting as a network structure for new somatic cells that are to grow into the porous body.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra having a central axis. The implant may have a first member with a top surface for contacting at least a portion of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface as well as a second member with a top surface and a bottom surface for contacting at least a portion of the lower vertebra. An elastic spacer may be disposed between the first member and the second member. Contraints may be employed to to limit the amount of lateral movement between the first and second members.

Abstract: The connecting element (1) has the shape of a rod with longitudinal axis (2), a rear end (6), and a front end (7), and serves to span a number of bone anchoring elements (12) implanted in the bone. The connecting element (1) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (5). This provides it with a greater elasticity during implantation so that it can be reversibly deformed. The connecting element can then be stiffened once it has been fixed in the bone anchoring elements (e.g. pedicle screws).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: coupling an elongate guide substantially at a first end to at least one vertebral body of a spinal column of a patient; and extending a second end of the guide to a structure of the patient spaced in an anterior direction away from the at least one vertebral body towards an entry incision.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone screw having a distal end and a proximal end, which has the distinguishing features a shaft with a core diameter “k” and having an external thread with an external diameter “d”. The external diameter “d” of the thread or the core diameter “k” of the shaft tapers in a middle region of the shaft from a larger dimension “d2” or “k2” respectively towards the proximal end to a smaller dimension “d1” or “k1”, respectively, where “d1” and “k1” do not equal zero. Further, the shaft is provided with a concentrically disposed, radially expandable sleeve, and the sleeve being positioned on the part of the shaft which has the smaller external diameter “d1”. The bone screw may be introduced into a transverse borehole of a medullary pin. The medullary pin is provided with a continuous cannulation, which extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the medullary pin and has an external diameter DN and a wall thickness WN.

Abstract: A catheter device that includes a double-threaded guidance wire that allows multiple use of a compliant cavity creation device (i.e., treatment of more than one level). The double-threaded guidance wire may be connected with the luer part of the device and a distal part of the balloon using a threaded engagement to avoid lengthening of the inner tube, avoid lengthening of the balloon, and to limit the plastic deformation of the system in axial direction. In other implementations, the double-threaded guidance wire may be reconnected to the distal part of the balloon with a distal thread of the double-threaded guidance wire in order to restore the nominal length.

Abstract: A method for fixation of an intervertebral implant includes the steps of: a) applying a spreading force to a first and second adjacent vertebral bodies; b) removing the intervertebral disc between the adjacent first and second vertebral bodies; c) inserting a shaft of the bone anchors into the vertebral bodies, and fixing a head of the bone anchors to an intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a surface in an area of a ball of a ball-and-socket joint includes a spherical shell section having an outer surface that is configured to lie in an articular fossa and is for attachment to a surface. The shell section having a cavity for receiving a bone end. The prosthesis also includes a crown that partitions the cavity of the shell section into a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein a shape of the shell section is at least a section of a hemisphere and a free edge of the crown lies in the same plane as a free edge of the shell section.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of treating a collapsed vertebra may include inserting cannulae into the damaged vertebral body and one or more adjacent vertebral bodies and repositioning the one or more adjacent vertebral bodies by manipulating one or more of the cannulae. Before or after repositioning the vertebral bodies, the method may further include passing through the cannula and into the damaged vertebra a disruption tool for fracturing the damaged vertebral body. Once the cortical bone is broken or otherwise disrupted, the height of the damaged vertebral body may be restored, for example by removing the disruption tool and inserting through the cannula another tool, implant, device and/or material to restore the height of the vertebral body and to restore normal spinal curvature in the affected area. Bone cement, bone chips, demineralized bone or other grafting material or filler may be added with or without an implanted device to augment the damaged vertebral body.

Abstract: A pair of forceps including first and second elongated members pivotally connected together. A handle and a head are defined at opposing ends of the first and second elongated members. In one preferred embodiment, a threaded cannula receiving chamber is disposed in the head, and the elongated members are separable via manipulation of the first and second elongated members with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trochanter stabilizing device (40), especially for fixing bone fragments in the region of the hip joint (11) or for fixing the greater trochanter (12), including A) bone stabilizing means (1) consisting of a central plate (2) with at least one fixing perforation (13) for receiving a bone fixing means (20); B) a longitude bone plate (30) with a bushing (31) arranged at an angle for receiving a fixing element (50) which can be introduced into the region of the hip joint (11) fixed thereto, whereby C) at least three peripheral arms (4) originate from the central plate (2), whereby D) each peripheral arm (4) is provided with at least one hole (5) for receiving a bone fixing means (20).

Abstract: A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for use with an outrigger and at least one fastening pin to reposition first and second portions of a bone of a mammalian body. The apparatus includes a framework and a first fastening assembly for coupling the framework to the outrigger and thus the at least one fastening pin and the first end portion of the bone. The first end portion of an elongate pin is provided with a sharpened tip for penetrating the second portion of the bone. A second fastening assembly couples the second end portion of the elongate pin to the framework. At least one adjustment assembly is carried by at least one of the framework and the first and second fastening assemblies for moving the first end portion of the elongate pin relative to the outrigger so as to reposition the second portion of the bone relative to the first portion of the bone. A method for using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant with a central axis, a top part, a bottom part, a joint comprising a joint part and a joint shell, and a joining means. The top part has a top apposed surface that is suitable for placing it on a vertebra situated above it; The bottom part has a bottom apposed surface, that is suitable for placing it on a vertebra situated below it. One of the two parts is operatively associated with a convex joint part and the other part to a matching joint shell. The joint part and the joint shell are mounted against one another in a sliding manner such that the top part and the bottom part can rotate relative to one another at least about one axis of rotation. The joining means holds the top part and the bottom part together without impairing the capability of the joint to pivot while allowing a clearance between the joint part and the joint shell.

Abstract: An intermediate element for a detachable, lockable, ball joint-like connection in a device for the dynamic fixation of bones has a longitudinal axis, an outer wall concentric with the longitudinal axis, and an inner wall forming a coaxial cavity. Either the outer wall or the inner wall comprises one of two contact zones that form the ball joint-like connection. The intermediate element is at least partly made of a super-elastic or visco-elastic material.