Abstract: A spinal implant includes two connection plates dimensioned for connection to adjacent vertebral bodies and a hinge core. The hinge core together with one connection plate forms a hinge between a generally spherical hinge extending from the one connection plate into an opening of a generally spherical depression in the hinge core. The opening is dimensioned to be elastically deformed to allow passage of the generally spherical hinge into the generally spherical depression. The hinge core bears on a slide surface which extends substantially parallel to the direction of the other connection plate and permits relative translatory movement of the hinge core. The walled receiving area limits this relative translatory movement of the hinge core. The stability of the spinal implant with respect to laterally incident forces is increased.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis has two cover plates, at least one of which is provided with a wedge-shaped connection surface for connection to a vertebral body and which is wider than it is deep. The dorsal edge of the connection surface may be set back from the dorsolateral edge of the cover plate having the connection surface and be connected to the dorsal edge protruding above it via a rounding or bevel.

Abstract: A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. The bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method of recovering carbon dioxide (CO2) in a high-pressure liquid state from a high-pressure gas stream. The method includes cooling, condensing, and/or separating CO2 from a high-pressure gas stream in two or more separation zones and further purifying the resulting sub-critical pressure liquid CO2 streams in a third purification zone to thereby provide purified CO2. The purified liquid CO2 may be pumped to above the critical pressure for further utilization and/or sequestration for industrial or environmental purposes.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral prosthesis includes two connection plates adapted for connection to adjacent vertebral bodies and a hinge core. The hinge core and one connection plate together form a hinge with a concave hinge surface on the hinge core and with a complementary convex hinge surface on the connection plate. The hinge core bears on the other connection plate via a slide surface which extends substantially parallel to the direction of the connection plate and which permits a relative movement in this direction and is surrounded by an edge limiting this relative movement. The concave hinge surface encloses the convex hinge surface within a solid angle of at least 90°. The part of the concave hinge surface lying within this solid angle lies inside the recess surrounded by the edge. The stability of the prosthesis with respect to laterally incident forces is thereby increased.

Abstract: A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. This bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, includes a first cover plate to be connected to a first vertebral body, second cover plate to be connected to the second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The prosthesis core is held by seat of the first cover plate which is designed as a guide device. The core can be pushed into the guide device from the ventral side in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction relative to the first cover plate. A limit-stop plate is provided on the ventral edge of the first cover plate. This limit-stop plate is displaceable in a slide guide between a locking position and a nonlocking position.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis has two cover plates, at least one of which is provided with a wedge-shaped connection surface for connection to a vertebral body and which is wider than it is deep. The dorsal edge of the connection surface may be set back from the dorsolateral edge of the cover plate having the connection surface and be connected to the dorsal edge, protruding above it, via a rounding or bevel.

Abstract: A bone spreader includes two tubular pin holders which are connected to one another by a parallel guide system, and two pins that are configured to be connected to the bone parts that are to be spread apart. In order to give the bone parts that are to be spread apart a more secure position in relation to one another, at least one of the pin holders is provided with a locking device for a pin located in the pin holder. This locking device includes a locking finger which is movable tangentially with respect to the pin holder and which, in the locking position, engages in a transverse groove of the associated pin and can be formed by a pivotably mounted hook.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis, comprising two prosthesis holders which are connected by a parellel guide and can be spread apart from one another and are intended to receive a pair of prosthesis plates. The first prosthesis holder is arranged fixedly on an elongate instrument body. The second prosthesis holder is held from the instrument body by means of a parallel guide. The parts connecting the second prosthesis holder to the instrument body or to the first prosthesis holder delimit on both sides a central through-opening which extends like a channel in the longitudinal direction of the instrument body and whose width corresponds at least to the transverse dimensions of a prosthesis core, to be inserted between the prosthesis plates, and of the prosthesis core holder provided for this.

Abstract: A bone spreader includes two tubular pin holders which are connected to one another by a parallel guide system, and two pins that are configured to be connected to the bone parts that are to be spread apart. In order to give the bone parts that are to be spread apart a more secure position in relation to one another, at least one of the pin holders is provided with a locking device for a pin located in the pin holder. This locking device includes a locking finger which is movable tangentially with respect to the pin holder and which, in the locking position, engages in a transverse groove of the associated pin and can be formed by a pivotably mounted hook.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis includes a straight shaft which is to be inserted into the femur, the straight shaft including a proximal part that is configured to be inserted in the metaphyseal region of the femur. The proximal part has, on each of its front and rear faces, at least one projecting fin with a steep medial flank that deviates at least over part of its length away from the longitudinal direction of the shaft. At its top the proximal part is inclined toward the femoral neck. In this way, when the shaft is driven into the bone, the bone substance surrounding the fin is compacted and is able to absorb greater forces. The height of the fin decreases from its medial flank toward its lateral edge.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis system, in particular for the cervical spine, includes at least two types of prostheses. The type of prosthesis includes a first cover plate that is configured to be connected to a first vertebral body, a second cover plate that is configured to be connected to a second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which is held by a seat on the first cover plate and forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The core of the first type of prosthesis is movable in the anterior-posterior direction relative to the first cover plate. Mobility can also be provided in the lateral direction and rotational direction. The second type of prosthesis of the system may be the same as the first type of prosthesis or may be different, but in all examples of the second type of prosthesis the core is not movable relative to either cover plate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for grinding the cotyloid cavity includes an instrument head and a drive shaft. In order to offer easier access during a minimally invasive operation, the drive shaft, which can include an optionally provided shank, is located at an angle with respect to the rotation axis of the instrument head. In order to facilitate the alignment of the instrument head and the exertion of the advancing force, a handle can be provided that is located in the direction of the rotational axis of the instrument head but is connected to the instrument head or to the shank at a location outside of the rotational axis.

Abstract: A process for producing a medical implant from a titanium alloy, by investment-casting a ?-titanium alloy in a casting mold which corresponds to the implant that is to be produced, hot isostatic pressing, solution annealing, and then quenching. The corresponding medical implant is produced from the titanium alloy using the investment casting process, thus allowing economical production of objects from ?-titanium alloys. The ?-titanium alloy and has a mean grain size of at least 0.3 mm. It is possible to combine the advantageous properties of ?-titanium alloys, in particular their excellent mechanical properties, with the advantages of producing objects by the precision casting process, thus enabling even implants of complex shapes, such as femur parts of hip joint prostheses, which have heretofore been impossible (economically) to produce by conventional forging processes, to be produced from a ?-titanium alloy.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis has two cover plates and a prosthesis core which is connected to one of the cover plates by connection profiles on one of the cover plates which are undercut in a complementary manner and include at least one pair of profile sections which are symmetrical with respect to the AP (anteroposterior) direction of the prosthesis in its implanted position and are arranged at an angle to one another.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for a pair of sliding prostheses has, on a support plate, two clamps which are arranged at a predetermined spacing from one another and receive the sliding prostheses. The clamps are connected to the support plate via a releasable coupling and may be provided in any position in the lateromedial (LM) direction, i.e. the clamps can adopt different positions in the LM direction. They are clamped securely in the respectively chosen position by a fixing device.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for replacement of a joint includes two slide surfaces having different contours and correspondingly determining movement planes for a bearing formed by an intermediate part. The endoprosthesis includes a clamping bracket to enclose the slide surfaces of the intermediate part that is arranged thereon such that it is free from the movement planes defined by the slide surfaces having different contours. It is thus possible to strengthen endoprostheses which have complex biomechanics having a plurality of degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for replacing the ankle joint includes a lower component which is configured to be connected to the ankle bone, an upper component which is configured to be connected to the shin bone, and an intermediate part which forms a slide joint both with the lower and upper components. The intermediate part, which is wedge-shaped in sagittal section, is provided in order to compensate for anatomical or surgical irregularities. The upper component can also be wedge-shaped in frontal or sagittal section.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.