Abstract: A modular intervertebral implant including a first and second component connectable in a ball-joint like manner. The first component having a first surface configured to abut an end plate of a first adjoining vertebral body and a concave spherical articulation surface with a radius R. The second component having a second surface configured to abut an end plate of a second adjoining vertebral body and a convex spherical articulation surface with substantially the same radius R as the concave spherical articulation surface.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The three-dimensional body includes a front surface and a rear surface. The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes for accommodating fixation elements. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate disposed at the front surface of the three-dimensional body and having a plurality of boreholes. A securing plate can be fastened to the front plate.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The three-dimensional body includes a front surface and a rear surface. The three-dimensional body further includes a plurality of boreholes for accommodating fixation elements. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate disposed at the front surface of the three-dimensional body and having a plurality of boreholes. A securing plate can be fastened to the front plate.

Abstract: The inventive intervertebral implant (1), in particular an artificial intervertebral disc comprises a central axis (2), a top part (3) and a lower part (4), wherein A) the top part (3) is provided with a top apposition surface (5) which rests on a base plate of a superimposed vertebral body, B) the lower part (4) is provided with a lower apposition surface (6) for resting on the covering plate of an underneath vertebral body, C) one part (3, 4) comprises a convex joint element (12) provided with a convex sliding surface (11) and the other part (3, 4) comprises a joint shell (13) provided with a complementary concave surface, D) the convex joint element (12) and the convex joint shell (13) form a joint (9) by means of which the two parts (3, 4) are rotatable with respect to each other around at least one axis of rotation and E) the intervertebral implant (1) is permeable to x-rays.

Abstract: A facet interference screw (10) for insertion between the facet joints of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae includes an externally threaded shaft portion and a head. The facet interference screw is preferably split into first (20) and second (30) components, each including an outer, semicircular externally threaded surface (22, 32) so that when coupled together the semicircular externally threaded surfaces form the externally threaded shaft portion. The inner surfaces (24, 34) of the first and second components may include curved contacting surfaces so that when inserted, the first component is movable with respect to the second component. Alternatively, the screw may include a damping component (60a?) between the inner surfaces of the first and second components to facilitate damping of the first and second components with respect to one another. The damping component preferably also facilitates articulated motion of the first and second components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.

Abstract: The total disc replacement device (1) comprising a central axis (2), a first and a second apposition plate (3; 5), a first and a second joint component (4; 6) being mutually arranged in a ball joint like manner and being located between said first and second apposition plates (3; 5) and intermediate means (7) being disposed at least between the first apposition plate (3) and the first joint component (4) in such manner that, the first joint component (4) is not freely moveable transversely to the central axis (2) with respect to the first apposition plate (3) under load-free conditions, but a limited movement of the first joint component (4) relative to the first apposition plate (3) transversal to the central axis (2) is allowed under load.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.

Abstract: An implant for an intervertebral space with a shaped body. The implant makes possible rotation of the implant about the longitudinal axis of the body in one direction and prevents such rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.

Abstract: A graft anchor has first and second arms each having a leading end, a trailing end, an inner surface, and an outer bone contactable surface. The graft anchor also has a resilient bridge extending between the inner surface of the first arm and the inner surface of the second arm to space apart the first arm and the second arm. The resilient bridge defines a graft receiving pathway between the inner surfaces of the first and second arms. The resilient bridge also defines a deflection point about which a force acting upon the resilient bridge in a direction from the leading end to the trailing end causes the leading ends of the first and second arms to move toward one another and the trailing ends of the first and second arms to move away from one another.

Abstract: A fastening element comprising (a) a non-load bearing core, the non-load bearing core comprising a first biocompatible polymer; (b) a load bearing sheath, the load bearing sheath comprising a second biocompatible polymer, wherein the load bearing sheath surrounds the non-load bearing core. The fastening element can be used as a suture, shoe lace or rope. The non-load bearing core has a Durometer Hardness Type A value ranging from 15 to 30. The load bearing sheath is formed from a plurality of yarns, each yarn comprising a plurality of filaments in form of mono or multifilament of the second biocompatible polymer. Each yarn may have a tenacity at break value ranging from 30 cN/dtex to 45 cN/dtex.

Abstract: A suture anchor system and method including a suture anchor and a suture anchor drive. The suture anchor is positionable on a rod of the suture anchor drive. The rod defines an awl for forming a hole in a bone. The suture anchor drive further has an impactor for moving the suture anchor along the rod between a retracted position and an advanced position so as to implant the suture anchor in the bone with the awl positioned in the bone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dynamic fixation system for engaging, via bone fixation elements, one or more parts of a patient's body. Preferably, the dynamic fixation system is used to engage one or more vertebrae for stabilizing the attached vertebrae with respect to one another while still permitting the vertebrae to move with respect to one another. The dynamic fixation system may include a first rod having first and second ends, a second rod having first and second ends, and a damping component and/or a damping mechanism for interconnecting the first and second rods. In one embodiment, the damping component is injection molded in-between the one of the ends of the first rod and one of the ends of the second rod so that the first and second rods are prevented from separating with respect to one another but are still permitted to move with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method for augmenting a facet joint. The method includes exposing the posterior aspects of a spinal motion segment in a first incision, preparing an access path through a separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision using a drilling instrument that traverses through at least a portion of the lamina and an inferior facet articulation surface, and terminates within the facet joint gap, and injecting augmentation filler into the facet joint gap.

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (1) including an upper section (10) provided with a ventral side area (11), a dorsal side area (12), two lateral side areas (13, 14), a top apposition surface (15) and a bottom surface (16), a lower section (20) provided with a ventral side area (21), a dorsal side area (22), two lateral side areas (23,24), a bottom apposition surface (25) and a top surface (26). The two sections (10,20) are moveable in relation to each other by means of two joints (38;39) arranged between the two sections (10;20), wherein each of the joints (38;39) has a swivel axis (3;4) and the two swivel axes (3;4) are arranged perpendicular to each other, and each joint (38;39) comprises a first joint section (31;32;33) with an elevation (49;50) provided with an edge (51;53) for the bearing of a second joint section (31;32;33) in a way that allows titling around the swivel axis (3;4).

Abstract: A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4).