Abstract: A spacer for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes having a first and second end support, a connecting member, and a central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together, the central member expands into the expanded configuration to contact and support adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which enables nozzles to be changed without changing the pressure conditions in the container or device associated therewith. According to the invention a connector piece support (2) is fixed to a pressurised container (1) wherein a medium (20) is guided into said container through a nozzle (8) by means of a lance (7). Said connector piece is connected to a sealing housing (5) by means of a locking device (3) in order to receive the lance (7). Sealing rings (13a, 13b, 13c) are arranged in the sealing housing (5) thereby ensuring pressure-tightness in relation to the container (1) and the surrounding area when the lance (7) is inserted into the sealing housing (5).

Abstract: Insertion of a spinal stabilization element into a patient generally includes positioning a cord within a sheath and inserting the sheath and cord through the patient's body along a path generally toward an anchor member. An advancement member may be mounted on the leading end of the cord to further facilitate this insertion. The sheath is then retracted to expose a first portion of the cord within the patient's body, and the first portion of the cord is moved into a desired position relative to the anchor member. After advancing a spacer over the sheath and cord, the sheath is retracted to expose a second portion of the cord. The second portion of the cord is then moved into a desired position relative to another anchor member such that the spacer is positioned between the two anchor members.

Abstract: An insert (11) of a joint ball receptacle of a prosthetic shoulder joint according to the invention has a first side (I) with a depression (15) for receiving a joint ball, and a second side (II) which is provided and formed for being received in a shell (13) of the joint ball receptacle.

Abstract: The specified implant for use as a femur component in a hip joint prosthesis comprises a shaft, being intended for the implantation in a cavity of a proximal femur, a head section, for fastening a femoral head prosthesis and a femoral neck section, being arranged between the shaft and the head section. The femoral neck section comprises a femoral head axis and a contour in a cross-section perpendicular to the femoral neck axis, tapering in a V-shape or wedge-shape to medial and at least an anterior straight section and at least a posterior straight section, wherein the straight sections define the tapering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section (11), having a flat base surface (13) and a polar axis (15) which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface (13). According to the invention, a cavity (17) is arranged in ball section (11) which protrudes from the base surface (13), said cavity (17) is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis (19) which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis (15).

Abstract: A bond pad structure (300) for an integrated circuit (IC) device uses carbon nanotubes to increase the strength and resilience of wire bonds (360). In an example embodiment there is, a bond pad structure (300) on an IC substrate, the bond pad structure comprises, a first conductive layer (310) having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface attached to the IC substrate. A dielectric layer (320) is deposited on the top surface of the first conductive layer (310), the dielectric layer having an array of vias (325), the array of vias filled with a carbon nanotube material (325), the carbon nanotube material (325) is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer (310). There is a second conductive layer (330) having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the second conductive layer is electrically coupled to the carbon nanotube material (325).

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the forked levers (13, 15). The forked levers are interconnected at a fulcrum (93). The inventive instrument features a manipulating end and a working end. The tactile jaws are located at the working end of the instrument. A guiding element (28) is provided which encompasses a centering pin (21) and is mounted and/or guided at least at two points (105, 107) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the centering pin (21) in such a way that the centering pin (21) always lies on a central plane (12) of the tactile forceps (91) regardless of an opening angle of the tactile forceps (91), said central plane (12) containing the fulcrum (93).

Abstract: An orthopedic implant for the partial replacement of joint surfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic implant includes an articular portion having a concave articular surface and a base body. The orthopedic implant may be sized to replace a small portion of the patient's natural acetabulum. In this manner, the orthopedic implant allows for the repair and/or replacement of a small portion of the articular cartilage of the acetabulum. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of different sized orthopedic implants may be connected together to replace a larger portion articular cartilage.

Abstract: A spinal device and associated method are provided for spreading of first and second vertebral elements, each of the first and second vertebral elements having a circumferential surface defining a vertebral body and a pedicle having a pedicle root portion adjacent the circumferential surface. The device includes a first end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the first vertebral element, and a second end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the second vertebral element. The device further includes a resilient member extending between the first and second end members and being adapted to exert a force against the first and second vertebral elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operation system comprising at least one implant and means for the fastening of the implant to a bone, wherein the fastening means include at least one solid spacer, which can be formed of hardened bone cement and is arranged between the implant and the bone in the implanted state, and hardenable liquid bone cement which can be introduced into hollow spaces or intermediate spaces present between the spacer and the implant and/or between the spacer and the bone and wherein the spacer, on the one hand, and the liquid bone cement, on the other hand, are provided with contrast agents chosen in dependence on an imaging observation process or inspection process, in particular an X-ray process, to be used in or after the operation such that the spacer and the liquid cement can be distinguished from the surroundings and from one another on the observation or inspection of their position, in particular in an X-ray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distance measuring instrument for pedicle screws which detects the spacing between two pedicle screws (3, 3?) with the ends (26, 27) of two crossing limbs (11, 12) and displays it on a crossbar (25) fixedly connected to one of the limbs at a scale (22). Since the second limb (12) is divided into a pointer (16a) and into a flexural spring extending parallel to it at which a pronounced thumb grip (21a) is fastened, and since the thumb grip is connected to a scale (24) via which a pre-determined pre-tension can be read off relative to the pointer (16a), a spacing measurement can take place under a controlled pre-tension.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a vacuum and for separating condensable components present in vapor which accumulates during the production of a polymer by melt-phase polycondensation under vacuum. Vapor produced during the production of polymers by melt-phase polycondensation in at least one reaction step under vacuum is drawn of by at least one steam jet vacuum pump with a down stream injection condenser. The steam jet vacuum pump is driven with alkylene carbonate in vapor form and liquid alkylene carbonate is then supplied to the injection condenser as coolant.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyesters are made by a method in which precondensation is carried in a column whose sections are formed with structured packings and operated at subatmospheric, pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distance measuring instrument for pedicle screws which detects the spacing between two pedicle screws (3, 3?) with the ends (26, 27) of two crossing limbs (11, 12) and displays it on a cross-bar (25) fixedly connected to one of the limbs at a scale (22). Since the second limb (12) is divided into a pointer (16a) and into a flexural spring extending parallel to it at which a pronounced thumb grip (21a) is fastened, and since the thumb grip is connected to a scale (24) via which a pre-determined pre-tension can be read off relative to the pointer (16a), a spacing measurement can take place under a controlled pre-tension.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of crystallized polyesters with or without subsequent solid state polycondensation for the manufacture of bottles, foils, films and technical high-performance fibres, or with or without subsequent dealdehydization for the manufacture of bottles, foils, films and technical high-performance fibres.

Abstract: An imageless robotized device for guiding surgical tools to improve the performance of surgical tasks is provided. The method of using the robotized device may include the steps of: collecting anatomical landmarks with a robot arm; combining landmarks data with geometric planning parameters to generate a position data; and automatically positioning a guiding tool mounted to the robot arm. Particular embodiments for a limb fixation device are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of a femoral condyle for the insertion of monocondylar knee implants. In one embodiment, at least one combined cutting and drilling jig can be fixed to the femoral condyle, when the knee is in flexion, at a desired spacing from a tibia plateau dependent on the thickness of a tibia implant to be inserted. The jig can include a concave side facing the femoral condyle and curved in accordance with a femur implant to be inserted. The jig can further include at least one fixing passage in a drilling section of the jig for a drill and for a fixing element, with the fixing passage being positioned and orientated with respect to a curved side in accordance with the femur implant to be inserted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw-driving tool for implant screws having an elongate handle (2) and having a bar-shaped tool which is anchored in the elongate handle (2). An elastic, hollow spiral (10) is provided for the transmission of a predetermined torque, with a bar (3) being guided through the spiral (10) and being fixedly connected to the rotatable side of the spiral and indicating a rotational angle or a torque respectively at the opposite side.