Abstract: This guidance device (100) comprises two vertebral units (110, 120) respectively designed to be fixed to the posterior side of two adjacent vertebrae (1, 2) of the spine. In order to guide these vertebrae stably and effectively in order to reproduce an intervertebral articulated joint between them, these teo vertebral units respectively define substantially spherical complementary articulation surfaces (111P, 121A) which, when the units are fixed to the vertebrae, extend overall on the posterior side of the vertebrae and slide against one another, being centered at one and the same geometric point (C) located in the intervertebral space that separates the vertebrae, while mechanical means (130) limit the amplitude of the relative sliding of the articulation surfaces.

Abstract: The aim of this method is to improve the efficiency and ease of implanting a means for suturing a soft tissue to a bone, while allowing it to be carried out by arthroscopy in particular.

Abstract: The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a handle for manipulating an acetabulum provided, in its distal part, with a head for gripping the acetabulum and, in its proximal part, with a surface for application of a force of impaction. The tool further comprises at least one added endpiece adapted to be removably connected to the distal end of the handle. This endpiece defines both a face for wedging the acetabulum and an opposite face for interaction of the endpiece with the head of the handle, these faces both being borne by a radially deformable supple ring. The invention is particularly applicable to the positioning of an acetabular prosthesis in an anatomical or prosthetic cavity of a patient's hip.

Abstract: An ancillary tool and method for manipulating and implanting a prosthetic acetabulum including a tool provided, adjacent a distal part, with a head for interacting with an endpiece that is used for gripping the acetabulum and, in its proximal part, with a surface for application of a force along the handle. The endpiece is preferably removably connected to the distal end of the handle. The endpiece includes an elastically deformable ring having an outer face for expanding radially outwardly to initially grip the acetabulum and an opposite face for interaction with the head of the handle, such that upon a force being applied to drive the head into a cavity of the endpiece, the ring is radially expanded to expand the acetabulum in place after which the ring elastically returns to its original shape as the head is removed from the cavity.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant made of polyethylene is packaged in a sterile manner by being placed in a flexible, gas-impermeable sachet after which a vacuum is created in the sachet and it is hermetically closed. The sachet is subsequently placed in a gas-impermeable envelope and an inert gaseous atmosphere is established in the envelope and the envelope is closed hermetically. The assembly formed by the implant, the sachet and the envelope is then exposed to radiation.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis plate designed for osteosynthesis of displaced fracture of the upper end of the arm bone includes a T-shaped main body (2) whereof the longitudinal branch (3) and the transverse branch (4) are respectively perforated with holes (5, 6, 8) for passing through screws for anchoring and fixing the plate against the outer profile of a bone, and fixing lugs (9) which extend from each side of the transverse branch (4) of the main body (2), the lugs being less thick than the main body and perforated with holes (10) which co-operate with other anchoring screws for completely fixing bone fragments when urged in contact with the bone external profile.

Abstract: A set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, wherein each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation in the form of a portion of a sphere. The offset between an axis of symmetry of this surface and a central axis of the metaphyseal part varies between the different components of the set. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during a movement of adduction.

Abstract: This surgical apparatus comprises, on the one hand, means for spatial marking-out of the patella and femur of a patient to be operated on, and, on the other hand, means for simultaneous and relative representation of this patella provided virtually with a patellar implant of the prosthesis, and of this femur provided virtually with a femoral implant of the prosthesis, in a transverse plane passing both through the patella and through the trochlea of the aforementioned femoral implant. Using this apparatus, the surgeon can easily and quickly check the congruent position of the patellar implant with respect to the prosthetic femoral trochlea in order to reduce the risks of subsequent dislocations of the patella fitted with the prosthesis.

Abstract: The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a plate which defines a convex surface intended to bear against the glenoid cavity of a patient's scapula and which forms a directional guide for a drilling, fashioning or like member. To allow the surgeon to apply this member in a chosen direction, the tool comprises means for adjusting the position of the guide with respect to the plate.

Abstract: The device (4) comprises two vertebral elements (10, 20) each adapted to be fixed to the same lateral side of the body of at least two adjacent vertebrae (1, 2). In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and stably in order to reproduce an articulating intervertebral joint, the elements delimit respective surfaces (14A, 26A) for the relative guiding of the two elements, which surfaces are so adapted that, when the elements are implanted on the corresponding vertebrae, they cooperate with one another by complementarity of forms, in such a manner that they define an axis of rotation (X-X) about which the two elements are able to tilt one relative to the other and which extends both according to a direction substantially mediolateral to the spine and in the intervertebral disk space (7) separating the two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: The device (9) comprises vertebral elements (10, 20, 10?, 20?) adapted to be fixed to the same lateral side of the bodies of at least two adjacent vertebrae (1, 2), the elements being associated in pairs that are provided to be associated with the left and right sides of the vertebrae. In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and stably, in order, in use, to reproduce an articulating intervertebral joint, the two elements of each pair delimit respective surfaces (15, 25, 15?, 25?) for the relative guiding of those elements, which surfaces are adapted, when the elements are implanted on their corresponding vertebra, to extend generally along the same lateral side of the body of the vertebrae and to rest and slide one against the other in such a manner that the surfaces define a centre of rotation (C) about which the two elements are able to turn one relative to the other.

Abstract: A method of implanting in a fibula a malleolar implant including a head and a shank. The method comprises the steps of creating a bore in the fibula extending from an inner face to an outer face and applying a traction force to the malleolar implant so that the shank is pulled into the bore.

Abstract: This device comprises two vertebral assemblies designed to be fixed respectively to the bone of two different vertebrae. In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and in a stable manner for reproducing an intervertebral articular connection, rigid means connect the two vertebral assemblies to one another and are designed such that, when the device is in implantation configuration, they can be connected to each assembly so as to slide along a relative guide trajectory which, projected in the sagittal plane of the spine, is curved along the spine, having a concavity directed toward the spine and being centered at a zone contained in the interosseous space delimited between the two vertebrae.

Abstract: A set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, wherein each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation in the form of a portion of a sphere. The offset between an axis of symmetry of this surface and a central axis of the metaphyseal part varies between the different components of the set. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during a movement of adduction.

Abstract: This surgical apparatus comprises, on the one hand, means for spatial marking-out of the kneecap and femur of a patient to be operated on, and, on the other hand, means for simultaneous and relative representation of this kneecap provided virtually with a patellar implant of the prosthesis, and of this femur provided virtually with a femoral implant of the prosthesis, in a sagittal plane passing both through the kneecap and through the trochlea of the aforementioned femoral implant. Using this apparatus, the surgeon can easily and quickly check the antero-posterior size of the prosthesis in order to reduce the risks of subsequent dislocations of the kneecap fitted with the prosthesis.

Abstract: This nail (2) comprises a body (4) that can be inserted into the medullary canal (108) of the humerus (100), this body (4) comprising a proximal part with housing orifices into which interlocking devices (22) such as screws will be inserted to interlock initially split humeral fragments (1061-1063), and a locking device (6) capable of locking the said interlocking means (22), this locking device (6) being free to move relative to the body (4). The locking device (6) comprises several openings (61), each of which comprises a free passage part (611) extending in front of a corresponding orifice (44) in the free passage position, and a locking part (612), the walls of which can stop in contact with a corresponding interlocking device (22), in the locking position.

Abstract: The prosthesis of this invention comprises a humeral or femoral component presenting a concave articulation surface, and an intermediate component presenting first and second convex articulation surfaces intended to cooperate respectively with said concave articulation surface of the humeral or femoral component and with a concave glenoid or cotyloid articulation surface. The locus of the instantaneous centers of rotation of the first convex articulation surface, with respect to the concave humeral or femoral articulation surface, and the locus of the instantaneous centers of rotation of the second convex articulation surface on the glenoid or cotyloid surface, are located on either side of the first surface.

Abstract: The prosthesis according to the invention comprises a first component, humeral or femoral, presenting a concave surface of articulation and a second, intermediate component presenting first and second convex surfaces of articulation intended to cooperate respectively with the concave surface of articulation of the first component and with a glenoidal or acetabular concave surface of articulation. The second component is hollow and defines a volume for receiving a part of a member belonging to the first component, this part being connected to a metaphyseal part of the first component by a stem traversing an opening made in a ring of the second component mounted on a cup of which the outer surface forms the second convex surface of articulation of the second component, The first convex surface of articulation of the second component is formed on the outer surface of the ring, around the aforementioned opening.

Abstract: In this set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation globally in the form of a portion of sphere. The offset between the axis of symmetry of this surface and the central axis of the metaphyseal part of the different components is variable. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during the movement of adduction.

Abstract: This total shoulder prosthesis comprises a glenoidal component, defining a substantially hemispherical convex articular surface and of which the centre of curvature is located in the glenoid cavity or in the immediate vicinity thereof, and a humeral component defining a concave articular surface adapted to cooperate with the convex articular surface of the glenoidal component. The concave humeral articular surface is defined by a metallic part of the humeral component, this avoiding having to resort to a part made of plastics material which would increase the space requirement of the prosthesis.