Abstract: A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. A coupling mechanism allows the spinal rod system to be assembled with rod portions having the desired characteristics while minimizing the footprint of the coupling arrangement between the first and second rods.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral prosthesis includes at least one cover plate that is configured to be connected to one of its two adjacent vertebral bodies and a securing plate which secures this cover plate and is configured to be fastened to the ventral surface of the vertebral body. The securing plate may be a separate part that is unconnected to the cover plate and can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A pedicle screw for at least partial insertion into a bone and/or cartilage. The pedicle screw includes a head and a lower portion connected to the head. The lower portion includes at least one interface that designed to at least partially discharge an electrical current, and/or a medical substance to or adjacent to the bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of flanges extending along opposite sides of the body portion such that a slot is formed between the flanges and the body portion. The cutting instrument is positionable over the body portion and into the slots of the distractor so that the flanges are positioned between the cutting instrument and the adjacent tissue.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprising a spacer for engaging between two spinous processes of two vertebrae of the spine. The spacer has two elements each presenting a first part suitable for being connected to a spinous process and bearing second parts opposite from the first part, the bearing second parts being situated facing each other. An elastically-compressible member is disposed between the bearing second parts. Links are provided which are distinct from the elastically-compressible member for linking together the two elements, the link member being suitable for blocking translation movement of the two elements relative to each other when the two elements are driven apart from each other.

Abstract: A device and method for use in a human spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies and into the vertebral end plates to receive an implantable insert. The device includes a handle, a shaft, and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. An abrading element is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is operable to move the abrading element in at least one degree of freedom to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plates of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A posterior vertebral joint prosthesis is provided so that the left or right posterior vertebral joint prosthesis (1, 2) presents a smooth bearing surface (11, 11a, 11b, 17, 17a, 17b) and and which surface presents antero-posterior curvature.

Abstract: A compression bone screw device for fixating a fractured bone. The device includes a constant compression lag screw, a side plate having a moveable rollerball for receipt of the lag screw and a compression member engageable with the lag screw and rollerball to impart a constant compressive force across the bone fracture.

Abstract: A femoral neck fixation prosthesis and method of using same which reduces bone loss and the avoids the other shortcomings of the prior art by allowing the fixation of a stable femoral head replacement while reducing the amount of the femur which must be reamed for the insertion of the prosthesis. The preferred embodiment provides that the femoral head is attached to a fixation prosthesis, which extends coaxially through the canal of the femoral neck, into the femur, and is then attached to the opposite lateral wall of the femur. In this manner, the prosthesis serves to imitate the original structure of the femoral neck. No other support members, either crosspins or arms extending into the length of the femur, are required.

Abstract: A new method for locking Intramedullary Nails (IM Nails) with Threaded Guidewire. The present invention is practiced in conjunction with specifically designed tapered screws with segmented threads. This new design uses the screws to begin locking the IM Nail, followed by a threaded guidewire that is placed between screws of the IM Nail. Whenever a more proximal screw is placed with the threaded guidewire, it causes the guidewire to push/lock onto or around the distal screw eliminating the play and causing a more stable form of fixation.

Abstract: A vertebral column support device is assembled by means of clamping. The device includes bone screw- or hook-type vertebrae anchoring elements, the elements consisting of a threaded cylindrical part (5) and a stop collar (7). A fixing nut (8) can be screwed on the threaded cylindrical part (5) in order to fix a connecting sliding piece (4) which is mounted on a securing rod (3) having a circular section. In order to insure that the rod (3) and the connecting sliding piece (4) are secure, the securing rod (3) is clamped in a transverse groove (17) in the connecting sliding piece (4) using a clamp screw (21) and a little clamp (22) which is mounted in the corner of the groove. In this way, the inventive device is more rigid and can better support the vertebrae and, moreover, the device can be positioned and adjusted much more easily.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant having an external member and an internal member. The implant includes a locking arrangement having a first interlocking teeth structure formed on the external member and a second interlocking teeth structure formed on the internal member. The interlocking teeth structures of the external and internal members have engagement surfaces arranged in a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the direction of implant expansion. The locking arrangement is configured such that walls of the internal member are pulled or flexed toward the walls of the external member when compressive forces are applied to the implant.

Abstract: A medical screwdriver for inserting a medical screw connected to a suture into a bone. The screwdriver includes a shaft adapted to hold a medical screw at its distal end, a motor adapted to rotate the shaft, and a suture-receiving channel leading from the distal end of the shaft to a point distanced from the distal end of the shaft by at least 50% of the length of the shaft.

Abstract: A distraction device for moving a one-part or two-part or separated bone apart in order to extend or bridge a bone gap. The device is optionally provided in the form of an intramedullary pin, which can be inserted into a medullary space of a bone and which has at least two elements that can be axially moved in relation to one another. The first element is joined to the second element via at least one detent device for securing a distraction movement, and a pushing module for distracting the first element is assigned to the second element and is joined to the second element in a manner that enables it to be locked.

Abstract: A disk prosthesis includes first and second plates (2, 3) to be fixed on neighboring cervical vertebrae and an articulation arrangement (7) inserted between the two plates in a superposed position. The articulation arrangement allows for flexion-tension movements in a sagittal plane (S) according to a limited clearance, lateral inflexion movements in a plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane (S) according to limited angular clearance, and relative rotation movements between the first and second plates according to a limited angular clearance. The first and second plates are assembled to form a prosthesis of a single piece.

Abstract: An acetabular cup assembly includes a shell component, a liner component, and means for retaining the liner in the shell including a spherical profile thread spiraling around a portion of each of the shell and liner.

Abstract: A compression bone screw is described, with a shank having two opposite shank sections along its axial extent, a first thread being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shank in the region of the first shank section. The shank has at least one latching element for rotatably coupling a threaded component bearing a second thread to the second shank section. The invention furthermore relates to a screwdriver blade for the compression bone screw.

Abstract: An improved acetabular impactor, especially suitable for use in minimally invasive hip surgeries, is disclosed. The impactor is simple in design and operation and spatially optimized. In particular, the impactor is designed to remotely detach the acetabular shell from the impactor via different potential mechanical connections.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, a bearing and a control arm. The bearing is in articular bearing engagement with the femoral component and in sliding and rotational bearing engagement with the tibial component. Movement of the bearing relative to the tibial component is controlled by a control arm. The anterior extreme of the control arm includes a removable stop for limiting anterior movement of the bearing relative to the tibial component.