Abstract: The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking.

Abstract: A bone anchor system anchors a support member to a bone. The bone anchor system comprises a body having a shank adapted for insertion into a hole in the bone. A head is formed on the shank. The head has a support engagement portion adapted to secure the support member to the body. A passage extends from an entry point to an exit point formed in the body. An expandable member has a flexible wall at least partially enclosing an anchoring chamber. The expandable member has an expanded state configured to conform to a cavity in the bone. The anchoring chamber is in fluid communication with the exit point. The expandable member is adapted to expand when a filler material is provided into the anchoring chamber. A portion of the expandable member conforms to the cavity and the body and the support member are substantially anchored to the bone.

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: A process for the discontinuous production of granules from polycondensation polymers by precondensation of an oligomer at 5 to 400 mbar and subsequent polycondensation in a stirring reactor and subsequent granulation. In the vicinity of the outlet port, the density of the entraining surfaces lies between 1 and 8 m2 per m3 reactor space and constantly increases with increasing distance from the discharge region. Inside the reactor, there is a viscosity gradient between the region most remote from the discharge port and the zone of the discharge port. The thermal decomposition of the polymer melt flowing out of the reactor is compensated during granulation. The stirring reactor with horizontal longitudinal axis approximately has the shape of a single or double truncated cone. The reactor has rotatable, vertical product entraining surfaces and stationary scrapers between the same.

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, having a flat base surface and a polar axis which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface. According to the invention, a cavity is arranged in ball section which protrudes from the base surface, said cavity is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be incorporated into a variety of implants, and in particular, into endoprosthetic joint replacements.

Abstract: The pedicle screw (1) for intervertebral support elements (3) consists of a shaft (10) and a head (2) comprising at least two parts (20, 22). The head is formed as a securing means for at least one support element (3). Each support element consists of a piece of a cable-like band (31) and a cylindrical support body (30) with an axial lumen (31?containing the band. The band is securable outside end surfaces (32) of the support body in the head. The head is formed with a contact surface (23) via which a pressure stress can be exerted on the support body in the band direction, and indeed using the band and in cooperation with a further pedicle screw.

Abstract: A process for continuous or discontinuous synthesis of elastomeric copolyesters from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyoxytetramethylene glycol is described in which the tetrahydrofuran (THF) obtained as a byproduct in synthesis of polybutylene terephthalate from 1,4-butanediol is rectified and then reacted by ring-opening polymerization to form polyoxytetramethylene glycol which condenses with the free or esterified carboxyl groups of PBT to form the copolyester, whereby chain termination and catalyst deactivation are accomplished by adding 1,4-butanediol without separating the catalyst.

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 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 bone anchor system anchors a support member to a bone. The bone anchor system comprises a body having a shank adapted for insertion into a hole in the bone. A head is formed on the shank. The head has a support engagement portion adapted to secure the support member to the body. A passage extends from an entry point to an exit point formed in the body. An expandable member has a flexible wall at least partially enclosing an anchoring chamber. The expandable member has an expanded state configured to conform to a cavity in the bone. The anchoring chamber is in fluid communication with the exit point. The expandable member is adapted to expand when a filler material is provided into the anchoring chamber. A portion of the expandable member conforms to the cavity and the body and the support member are substantially anchored to the bone.

Abstract: The pedicle screw (1) for intervertebral support elements (3) consists of a shaft (10) and a head (2) comprising at least two parts (20, 22). The head is formed as a securing means for at least one support element (3). Each support element consists of a piece of a cable-like band (31) and a cylindrical support body (30) with an axial lumen (31? containing the band. The band is securable outside end surfaces (32) of the support body in the head. The head is formed with a contact surface (23) via which a pressure stress can be exerted on the support body in the band direction, and indeed using the band and in cooperation with a further pedicle screw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone anchoring device (10; 11) for the operative repair of fractures, comprising a fracture fixation plate (20; 21; 56) which has at least one opening (22) and at least one anchoring element for the fastening of the fracture fixation plate on the bone, wherein the anchoring element has a shaft and a head (26, 27; 60), and wherein at least one part of the shaft can be guided through the opening while the head can be fixed in the opening, and wherein the shaft is produced in at least two parts with a first part (12, 13, 40, 44, 48; 52) on which the head is arranged and with a second part provided for the anchoring in the bone (14; 54), wherein the first part and the second part of the shaft are guided such that they move toward each other along an axis when the bone anchoring device is in the state of being fixed to the bone.

Abstract: A tool and method for implanting an acetabular cup having screw retention features.

Abstract: The pedicle screw (1) for intervertebral support elements (3) consists of a shaft (10) and a head (2) comprising at least two parts (20, 22). The head is formed as a securing means for at least one support element (3). Each support element consists of a piece of a cable-like band (31) and a cylindrical support body (30) with an axial lumen (31? containing the band. The band is securable outside end surfaces (32) of the support body in the head. The head is formed with a contact surface (23) via which a pressure stress can be exerted on the support body in the band direction, and indeed using the band and in cooperation with a further pedicle screw.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant assembly is disclosed for the treatment of fracture or other trauma to a long bone. The implant assembly includes an intramedullary nail and a lag screw that extends through a transverse bore of the intramedullary nail). The intramedullary nail includes an elongated body and one or more enlarged portions positioned adjacent to the transverse bore to reinforce the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: An implant is described for fracture treatment, comprising an elongate and in particular substantially rotationally symmetrical base body (20), in particular an implant shaft, and an anchoring section (10), wherein the anchorage section has an outer surface of a porous biocompatible material at least in part, and wherein the anchorage section is arranged in an axial end region of the implant and is releasably connectable to the base body

Abstract: The present invention provides an intramedullary nail having a body with a transverse bore extending through the body and having an area of enhanced stress distribution on at least the lateral side of the transverse bore. In one exemplary embodiment, the intramedullary nail includes a cutout adjacent to the transverse bore, such as an oblique cutout, that enhances the stress distribution of the intramedullary nail in the region around the lateral opening of the transverse bore. In one exemplary embodiment, the cutout includes a ramp portion or area that defines the lateral opening of the transverse bore. In other exemplary embodiments, the cutout includes a runout or a substantially flat portion that defines the lateral opening of the transverse bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the treatment of bone fractures, in particular of proximal humerus fractures, having a main plate which can be fixed to the bone and at least one outrigger which can be connected to the main plate via at least one flexible connection element such that the outrigger can be fixed to the bone spatially offset with respect to the main plate.

Abstract: A dynamic stabilization system for stabilizing a vertebral segment of a spine. The system includes a first vertebral anchor, a second vertebral anchor and a cord. The system may also include a spacer positioned between the first and second vertebral anchor through which the cord extends. The first vertebral anchor is configured to be secured to a first vertebra and the second vertebral anchor is configured to be secured to a second vertebra. The cord is extendable from the first vertebral anchor to the second vertebral anchor. The cord has a variable stiffness through a range of displacement, wherein the stiffness of the cord increases as an applied tensile force on the cord is increased.