Abstract: An endoprosthesis for a joint, in particular a an intervertebral implant with a central axis, a top part, a bottom part and a joint provided between them, wherein the joint comprises at least two articular surfaces A and B that can slide on one another; the top part has a top apposed surface that intersects the central axis and lateral surfaces; the bottom part has a bottom apposed surface that intersects the central axis and lateral surfaces; and wherein the endoprosthesis comprises at least one channel suitable to convey body fluid, said channel terminating in one of the two articular surfaces A and B and connecting it with the exterior of the endoprosthesis for the joint.

Abstract: A fixation assembly is described comprising at least two plates, one of which may be a contoured plate and one of which may be a securing plate. The contoured plate may have a plurality of teeth, and the securing plate may have a resilient securing element. The teeth may be arranged so that the resilient securing element encounters progressive resistance as the plates are compressed.

Abstract: A device for bone fixation includes an intramedullary pin and a bone plate. The intramedullary pin has a longitudinal axis with a distal tip configured for insertion into the medullary canal. The intramedullary pin also has at least one transverse borehole passing through it for accommodating a hip screw. The bone plate is disposed at the proximal rear end of the intramedullary pin and lies in contact with the greater trochanter.

Abstract: A damping element for the dynamic stabilization of two bones, particularly of two adjacent bodies of the vertebra, includes a flexible spring element having a hollow space. The hollow space is open on a first end and closed on a second end by a wall extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the damping element. A clamping sleeve is inserted at least partially into the hollow space. The sleeve has a front end directed towards the wall of the flexible spring element. The distance between the front end and the wall affects the damping characteristics of the damping element. A coaxial connecting element is attached to each end of the flexible spring element. Each connecting element is configured to be connected within an osteosynthetic stabilizing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable compositions, and method for preparing same, containing a calcium salt-containing component, optionally demineralized bone, a plurality of discrete fibers, optionally a flow additive, and optionally continuous reinforcing fibers or an array of organized fibers in the form of mesh. Advantageously, the discrete fibers have a specific aspect ratio (length/diameter) from about 50:1 to about 1000:1. The addition of a small amount of discrete fibers and/or the continuous reinforcing fibers or fiber mesh can cause drastic increases in certain mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural toughness, and/or screw pullout strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchor piece for fixing an intervertebral implant (15) to the end plate of a vertebra body (19;20), comprising A) an anchor piece (1), with a central axis (6) and two end faces (4, 5) transverse to the central axis (6), B) at least two spikes (7) extending from one of the end faces (4;5), parallel to the central axis (6) and which may be pushed into an end plate of a vertebral body (19;20), whereby B) the anchor piece (1) has a cavity (3) extending through the anchor piece (1) in the direction of the central axis (6) and C) the anchor piece (1) comprises fixing means (9), by means of which the anchor piece may be detachably locked to an intervertebral implant (15).

Abstract: Intervertebral disc prosthesis including an upper apposition plate appropriate to rest against the base plate of an upper vertebra, a lower apposition plate spaced apart from the upper apposition plate and suitable to rest against the base plate of a lower vertebra, a plurality of elastic devices mounted between the two apposition plates and in their peripheral zones in a manner that the two apposition plates shall be displaceable in mutually resilient manner, and a central axis which runs essentially perpendicularly to the two apposition plates, the elastic devices being designed/configured in a manner that the intervertebral disc prosthesis as a whole exhibits asymmetrical stiffness.

Abstract: A device pivotally connects two stabilizing parts to a bone. The device comprises at least one bone fixing element with a central axis, an anchor part designed to be fixed in or onto the bone, and a head part that can be attached to both stabilizing parts. The two stabilizing parts are located axially one below the other. Each stabilizing part has a cavity there through running coaxially to the central axis. A clamping element, which can be elastically deformed transversely to the central axis, is rotatably mounted in each cavity. The clamping element has a central bore running coaxially to the central axis for receiving the head part. The device comprises at least one wedge or cone that can be axially clamped in the central bores, enabling the head part of the bone fixing element to be removably fixed in at least one of the stabilizing parts.

Abstract: The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure (10) comprising (a) a top side (1) and an underside (2) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face (3) and a right side face (4), (c) a front face (5) and a rear face (6), (d) a horizontal center plane situated between the top side (1) and the underside (2), (e) a vertical center plane (8) situated between the left side face (3) and the right side face (8) and (f) a plurality of boreholes (9) passing through the implant structure (10) that are designed to receive longitudinal affixation elements (20), the axes (19) of said elements intersecting the horizontal center plane (7). At least one of the boreholes (9) is designed in a manner that the affixation element (10) received in it can be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. Said connection is implemented using a thread or by matching conical surfaces.

Abstract: A Craniofacial Fracture Reduction Assembly may include a reduction platform, a threaded fragment manipulator, and an adjustable support assembly. The reduction platform has at least one receiving hole configured to accept a fragment manipulator. The fragment manipulator may comprise an elongated member having a bone engaging portion for engaging a targeted fractured bone piece and a center threaded portion. In use, the bone engaging end of the fragment manipulator is inserted through the receiving hole in the reduction platform and then into the fracture region where it engages the targeted fractured bone piece. Thereafter a reduction nut is threaded onto the non-engaged end of the fragment manipulator until the nose of the nut contacts the reduction platform. Continued rotation of the nut causes the fragment manipulator to be drawn up through the reduction nut, pulling the bone fragment toward the reduction platform, thereby reducing the fracture.

Abstract: Selectively demineralized bone-derived implants are provided. In one embodiment, a bone sheet for implantation includes a demineralized field surrounding mineralized regions. In another embodiment, a bone defect filler includes a demineralized cancellous bone section in a first geometry. The first geometry is compressible and dryable to a second geometry smaller than the first geometry, and the second geometry is expandable and rehydratable to a third geometry larger than the second geometry.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for use in forming holes in bone and for driving a cannulated fastener into the formed hole. The tool may having a cutting tip for drilling a hole into bone, and may have a shaft and sleeve for accepting the cannulated fastener and for driving it into the drilled hole. The tool may be adjustable to allow fasteners of different lengths to be accepted, while ensuring that a portion of the cutting tip protrudes beyond the end of the fastener. A multiple-screw tool is also disclosed that allows more than one cannulated fastener at a time to be stacked on the tool, thus speeding the installation process.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mandibular prostheses. More particularly, the invention relates to a condylar-head replacement for reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint after resection of the condyloid process. The present invention provides a condylar-head replacement comprising a condylar-head attachment that may be adjustably positioned on a reconstruction plate to achieve various condylar-head heights. The condylar-head height adjustment allows the condylar-head replacement to be fit to a particular patient. The condylar-head replacement of the present invention obviates the need for custom fabrication of a condylar-head replacement for a patient.

Abstract: An allogenic implant for use in intervertebral fusion is formed from two parts. The first part, composed of cortical bone, provides mechanical strength to the implant, allowing the proper distance between the vertebrae being treated to be maintained. The second part, composed of cancellous bone, is ductile and promotes the growth of new bone between the vertebrae being treated and the implant, thus fusing the vertebrae to the implant and to each other. The implant is sized and shaped to conform to the space between the vertebrae. Teeth formed on the superior and inferior surfaces of the implant prevent short-term slippage of the implant.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant including: a central axis, upper and lower terminal parts and a convex joint element. Each of the terminal parts come to rest against the end surfaces of two adjacent vertebras and opposite first and second concave inner surfaces, respectively. The convex joint element is situated between the terminal parts and rests in a sliding manner against the first and second concave inner surfaces of the two terminal parts. The, first concave surface is a partial surface of a first rotationally symmetrical external surface about the axis of rotation transverse to the central axis. The second concave inner surface of a second rotationally symmetrical conical external surface about the axis of rotation transverse to the central axis.

Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.

Abstract: A distraction device used to widen an upper jaw after cortical osteotomy and fixation of an adjustable bridging onto the bone of the palate with the goal to increase the distance between two mutually opposite halves of the jaw by means of gradual expansion. An orthopedic system that may be used intra-orally in a patient for the modification of the distance between the contralateral maxillary segments or halves in relation to each other. Two metal bone-plates may be fixed on the bony palatal shelves, the plate may include slotted extensions forming a receiving space into which disk-shaped wings of interchangeable distraction modules fit. The palatal plane concave female indent and the convex male wing pervert distraction module dislocation in case of oblique placement in the axial plane. In the frontal plane, the male wings are straight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for connecting a longitudinal member to a bone, the device including a lower part for fixation to the bone and an upper part having a transverse channel for receiving the longitudinal member and a slit defining a pair of elastically displaceable sidewalls. The device further includes a locking ring. The locking ring is moveable from a first position, wherein the sidewalls are elastically displaceable so that the longitudinal member can be moved into the channel, to a second position, wherein the sidewalls are substantially fixed with respect to each other so that the longitudinal member placed within the channel is fixed with respect thereto. The device further including a first groove sized and configured to receive the locking ring when in the first position and a second groove sized and configured to receive the locking ring when in the second position.

Abstract: The bone repair material comprises the following components: A) a first granular component with a diameter larger than 20 ?m chosen from the group of: calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, or calcium sulfate dihydrate; B) a second component chosen from the group of apatite powder with a particle diameter smaller than 1 ?m, (preferably smaller than 100 nm); and B) a third component comprising water or an aqueous solution, whereby C) the volume fraction of the second and third component represents at least 35 volume-% of the total bone repair material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable self drilling tap assembly and method for drilling and tapping bores in bone for use in orthopedic procedures to treat bone. The adjustable length tap assembly includes a shaft having cutting threads for drilling holes in bone, a stop collar configured and dimensioned to be translatable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a locking collar comprising a member configured and dimensioned to be received over at least a portion of the stop collar. The locking collar preferably is configured and dimensioned to engage with the stop collar to adjustably set the effective length for the cutting threads and to prevent movement of the stop collar along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.