Abstract: A device for preparing an opening in tissue for implantation of an implant. The device includes a tool adapted to be coupled to an energy source, an augmentation element of a thermoplastic material, and a counter element. A tool contact surface and a first augmentation element contact surface together form a first interface, and a second augmentation element contact surface and a counter element contact surface together form a second interface. The device is configured to be being inserted into an opening in the tissue and configured for the augmentation element to be compressed between the tool and the counter element while at the same time energy is coupled into the tool.

Abstract: An implant for stabilizing two separated bone portions relative to each other an implant includes a peg, a bridge assembly and a securing element. The peg and bridge assembly include at least two peg portions and a bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion is arranged between the peg portions and wherein the peg and bridge portions are rigidly connected. The peg and bridge assembly is positioned relative to the bone portions such that one peg portion extends into the bone tissue of each one of the bone portions and the bridge portion extends across the gap separating the bone portions. The securing element is anchored in the bone tissue of one of the bone portions, its proximal end extending through an opening in an assembly portion extending parallel to a bone surface or across a notch in a proximal edge of an assembly portion.

Abstract: A device for fixing a first and a second tissue part or a tissue part and an implant part to each other is provided, providing a fastener including a thermoplastic material and a fastening instrument. The fastening instrument includes a first instrument component with a first contact surface facing toward a distal side and a second instrument component has a foot with a second contact surface distally of the first contact surface and facing toward a proximal side. The first instrument component and the second instrument component are displaceable with respect to each other, so that the fastener is compressible between the first and second contact surfaces by application of a relative force between the components. The instrument also includes an energy source for coupling mechanical energy into one of the instrument components to soften and/or melt an end portion of the fastener.

Abstract: An implant for stabilizing two separated bone portions relative to each other an implant includes a peg, a bridge assembly and a securing element. The peg and bridge assembly include at least two peg portions and a bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion is arranged between the peg portions and wherein the peg and bridge portions are rigidly connected. The peg and bridge assembly is positioned relative to the bone portions such that one peg portion extends into the bone tissue of each one of the bone portions and the bridge portion extends across the gap separating the bone portions. The securing element is anchored in the bone tissue of one of the bone portions, its proximal end extending through an opening in an assembly portion extending parallel to a bone surface or across a notch in a proximal edge of an assembly portion.

Abstract: A method for automated implantation of an implant or for an automated augmentation process of hard tissue and/or hard tissue replacement material using a sheath element is provided. The implantation apparatus includes a casing, a converter operable to generate mechanical vibrations the converter inside the casing and displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the casing, and a sonotrode coupled to an output location of the converter. A shaft portion with a retention structure is rotationally coupled to the casing and is equipped for cooperating with a rotationally asymmetric element of the sheath element to rotationally couple the casing to the sheath element. An axial coupling is equipped for locking the casing to the sheath element. The shaft portion, the axial coupling and the sonotrode are mutually arranged so that the distal end of the sonotrode may be introduced into a longitudinal opening of the sheath element.

Abstract: A device for fixing a first and a second tissue part or a tissue part and an implant part to each other is provided, providing a fastener including a thermoplastic material and a fastening instrument. The fastening instrument includes a first instrument component with a first contact surface facing toward a distal side and a second instrument component has a foot with a second contact surface distally of the first contact surface and facing toward a proximal side. The first instrument component and the second instrument component are displaceable with respect to each other, so that the fastener is compressible between the first and second contact surfaces by application of a relative force between the components. The instrument also includes an energy source for coupling mechanical energy into one of the instrument components to soften and/or melt an end portion of the fastener.

Abstract: An anterior cervical includes a plate portion for stabilizing a human or animal spine by being placed ventrally of the spinal column and affixed to two or more different vertebral bodies, and a plurality of fastening portions adapted to be anchored in the different vertebral bodies. At least one of the fastening portions is rigidly connected to the plate portion and includes a sheath element with a longitudinal opening that is accessible from a proximal side and at least one hole that reaches from the longitudinal opening to an outside. The anterior cervical plate further includes a thermoplastic element that may be inserted in the sheath element and that is capable of being liquefied by, for example, mechanical energy acting on the thermoplastic element.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.

Abstract: A human or animal joint is treated by introduction of a device between the suitably prepared articulating surfaces of the joint, and the device is anchored in both these articular surfaces with a material having thermoplastic properties. For allowing at least limited articulation of the joint after implantation, the device includes two articulating portions, wherein one of the articulating portions is anchored in each articulating surfaces of the joint. On implantation a proximal face of the device is contacted with a vibrating tool and the vibration is transmitted through parts of the device to locations in which the material having thermoplastic properties is near the bone tissue of the articulating surfaces of the joint and in which liquefaction is desired.

Abstract: A pedicle anchor device is equipped for being used like a pedicle screw, i.e. for being implanted in the vertebra from dorsal direction (but generally at an angle to the sagittal plane, slightly inward towards the sagittal plane) through the pedicle so that a distal portion of the device protrudes into the vertebral body. The pedicle anchor device includes a pedicle anchor device body with a head portion, a shaft portion and a longitudinal bore that extends from a proximal end of the pedicle anchor device body and has a hole or a plurality of holes from the longitudinal bore outward, for example radially outward.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.

Abstract: A suture anchor suitable for being fixed in a hard tissue opening with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties and energy transmitted to the suture anchor for in situ liquefaction of at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties. The suture anchor includes an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve, and the anchor foot includes a system of channels and/or grooves with a mouth in a proximal face of the anchor foot. The thermoplastic sleeve is arranged coaxially to the mouth. The anchor foot also includes a locking element for securing the suture in a non-slideable manner relative to the hard tissue or a securing sleeve for securing the suture. The locking element or the securing element may be secured relative to the anchor foot when the anchor foot is in a fixed state.

Abstract: A human or animal joint is treated by introduction of a device between the suitably prepared articulating surfaces of the joint, and the device is anchored in both these articular surfaces with a material having thermoplastic properties. For allowing at least limited articulation of the joint after implantation, the device includes two articulating portions, wherein one of the articulating portions is anchored in each articulating surfaces of the joint. On implantation a proximal face of the device is contacted with a vibrating tool and the vibration is transmitted through parts of the device to locations in which the material having thermoplastic properties is near the bone tissue of the articulating surfaces of the joint and in which liquefaction is desired. The liquefied material penetrates the bone tissue and, on re-solidification forms a positive fit connection between the device and the bone tissue.

Abstract: A device for preparing an opening in tissue for implantation of an implant. The device includes a tool adapted to be coupled to an energy source, an augmentation element of a thermoplastic material, and a counter element. A tool contact surface and a first augmentation element contact surface together form a first interface, and a second augmentation element contact surface and a counter element contact surface together form a second interface. The device is configured to be being inserted into an opening in the tissue and configured for the augmentation element to be compressed between the tool and the counter element while at the same time energy is coupled into the tool.

Abstract: A pedicle anchor device is equipped for being used like a pedicle screw, i.e. for being implanted in the vertebra from dorsal direction (but generally at an angle to the sagittal plane, slightly inward towards the sagittal plane) through the pedicle so that a distal portion of the device protrudes into the vertebral body. The pedicle anchor device includes a pedicle anchor device body with a head portion, a shaft portion and a longitudinal bore that extends from a proximal end of the pedicle anchor device body and has a hole or a plurality of holes from the longitudinal bore outward, for example radially outward.

Abstract: A tool for fixating a suture anchor in a hard tissue opening with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties and energy transmitted to the suture anchor for in situ liquefaction of at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, includes a distal face, an axial channel and a substantially tube-shaped interface piece fitting into the axial channel of the tool, wherein the axial channel and a proximal end of the interface piece are equipped with catch elements cooperating for catching the interface piece in the axial channel when the interface piece is moved in a proximal direction in the axial channel.

Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.

Abstract: A method of connecting parts relative to one another includes the steps of providing a first part, the first part having an opening; providing a second part, the second part having thermoplastic material in a solid state; arranging the first part and the second part relative to one another, so that the second part reaches into the opening, while a volume with an undercut is defined in the opening; causing a mechanical pressure and mechanical energy to act on the second part until at least a part of the thermoplastic material is caused to liquefy and to fill the volume; and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify, thereby anchoring the second part in the first part.

Abstract: An anterior cervical includes a plate portion for stabilizing a human or animal spine by being placed ventrally of the spinal column and affixed to two or more different vertebral bodies, and a plurality of fastening portions adapted to be anchored in the different vertebral bodies. At least one of the fastening portions is rigidly connected to the plate portion and includes a sheath element with a longitudinal opening that is accessible from a proximal side and at least one hole that reaches from the longitudinal opening to an outside. The anterior cervical plate further includes a thermoplastic element that may be inserted in the sheath element and that is capable of being liquefied by, for example, mechanical energy acting on the thermoplastic element.

Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.