Abstract: An instrument assembly includes a downtube having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. In one embodiment, the proximal end forms an opening for receiving a surgical tool, and the distal end forms at least two attachment members for attaching to a bone anchor. The tubular body forms a hollow passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The assembly includes a key for insertion into the proximal end of the downtube to attach the downtube to a bone anchor. The key includes an engagement end configured to engage the at least two attachment members when the key is inserted into the downtube. The key is rotatable within the tubular body between a clamping orientation and a releasing orientation.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for parallel alignment of at least two medical instruments for holding and manipulating a surgical fastening element is described. The fastening element includes a fastening part and a holding part for a connection element, the holding part being movably mounted relative to the fastening part in a mounting position. The medical instruments have a distal end couplable to the fastening element. The apparatus includes at least two coupling devices, each defining a coupling longitudinal axis, for temporary coupling with proximal ends of the at least two medical instruments, wherein the apparatus comprises a frame, wherein the coupling longitudinal axes of the at least two coupling devices are alignable parallel to one another. Improved sets of medical instruments and improved spine stabilization systems are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus for the implantation of a spinal column stabilization system generally, and more specifically to a surgical apparatus for the implantation of a spinal column stabilization system, which spinal column stabilization system comprises at least two bone screws which are respectively anchorable in a vertebra of a spinal column and which respectively comprise at least one first connecting element seating, and at least one connecting element which corresponds to the first connecting element seating and is insertable and fixable therein, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one multi-function sleeve having a proximal and a distal end, which multi-function sleeve defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a connecting element coupling device, a spreading-device coupling device and a holding instrument coupling device.

Abstract: A fixing element for an implant system includes at least two fixing elements that are fixable to bone parts or the like and at least one connecting element that is fixable to the at least two fixing elements. The fixing element includes a distal end fixing part having a fixing section and a seating part which is connected to the fixing part. The seating part includes a connecting element seating for accommodating the connecting element and a fixing element for fixing the fixing element in the connecting element seating. The seating part is formed from a seating part material. The seating part includes at least one reinforcement element which is formed from a reinforcement element material that has at least one of a greater stiffness and strength than the seating part material.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for parallel alignment of at least two medical instruments for holding and manipulating a surgical fastening element is described. The fastening element includes a fastening part and a holding part for a connection element, the holding part being movably mounted relative to the fastening part in a mounting position. The medical instruments have a distal end couplable to the fastening element. The apparatus includes at least two coupling devices, each defining a coupling longitudinal axis, for temporary coupling with proximal ends of the at least two medical instruments, wherein the apparatus comprises a frame, wherein the coupling longitudinal axes of the at least two coupling devices are alignable parallel to one another. Improved sets of medical instruments and improved spine stabilisation systems are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical instrument which comprises a tool portion with a first tool element for engagement with a corresponding second tool element on an implant, and which further comprises a bone cement container arranged or formed on or in the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical device is used for temporarily stiffening an at least partially flexible intermediate section of a connecting element for a spinal column stabilization system. The connecting element includes a first attachment section for fixing to a first bone fixation device and a second attachment section for fixing to a second bone fixation device. The at least partially flexible intermediate section is arranged between the first and second attachment sections. The intermediate section defines at least one recess configured to enable deformation of the intermediate section. The surgical device includes at least one blocking element which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the intermediate section at least partially with a positively locking connection for temporarily preventing deformation of the flexible intermediate section. An improved spinal column stabilization system includes at least one first bone fixation device, at least one second bone fixation device and a connecting element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical sterile packaging, which defines a receiving space for at least one implant, which is formed for temporary or permanent insertion in a human or animal body, which receiving space is closed in a sterile and germ-proof manner in a storage disposition of the sterile packaging for the sterile packaging of the at least one implant, wherein the sterile packaging is produced from one or more cleanable and sterilisable materials.

Abstract: A connecting element for a spinal column stabilization system includes a first attachment section for fixing to a first bone attachment device, a second attachment section for fixing to a second bone attachment device and an at least partially flexible intermediate section. The intermediate section is arranged between the first and the second attachment section and is in the form of a strip-like, winding leaf spring element having at least one recess. A desired spring stiffness is maintained as precisely as possible, especially in the intermediate section independently of possible manufacturing tolerances arising from the manufacturing process. At least one of the two leaf spring element surfaces of the leaf spring element includes at least one stiffness-modifying element. The connecting element may be part of an improved spinal column fixation system and made by an improved method of manufacturing a connecting element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus for the implantation of a spinal column stabilization system generally, and more specifically to a surgical apparatus for the implantation of a spinal column stabilization system, which spinal column stabilization system comprises at least two bone screws which are respectively anchorable in a vertebra of a spinal column and which respectively comprise at least one first connecting element seating, and at least one connecting element which corresponds to the first connecting element seating and is insertable and fixable therein, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one multi-function sleeve having a proximal and a distal end, which multi-function sleeve defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a connecting element coupling device, a spreading-device coupling device and a holding instrument coupling device.

Abstract: A surgical device is used for temporarily stiffening an at least partially flexible intermediate section of a connecting element for a spinal column stabilization system. The connecting element includes a first attachment section for fixing to a first bone fixation device and a second attachment section for fixing to a second bone fixation device. The at least partially flexible intermediate section is arranged between the first and second attachment sections. The intermediate section defines at least one recess configured to enable deformation of the intermediate section. The surgical device includes at least one blocking element which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the intermediate section at least partially with a positively locking connection for temporarily preventing deformation of the flexible intermediate section. An improved spinal column stabilization system includes at least one first bone fixation device, at least one second bone fixation device and a connecting element.

Abstract: An instrument assembly includes a downtube having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. In one embodiment, the proximal end forms an opening for receiving a surgical tool, and the distal end forms at least two attachment members for attaching to a bone anchor. The tubular body forms a hollow passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The assembly includes a key for insertion into the proximal end of the downtube to attach the downtube to a bone anchor. The key includes an engagement end configured to engage the at least two attachment members when the key is inserted into the downtube. The key is rotatable within the tubular body between a clamping orientation and a releasing orientation.

Abstract: A connecting element for a spinal column stabilization system includes a first attachment section for fixing to a first bone attachment device, a second attachment section for fixing to a second bone attachment device and an at least partially flexible intermediate section. The intermediate section is arranged between the first and the second attachment section and is in the form of a strip-like, winding leaf spring element having at least one recess. A desired spring stiffness is maintained as precisely as possible, especially in the intermediate section independently of possible manufacturing tolerances arising from the manufacturing process. At least one of the two leaf spring element surfaces of the leaf spring element includes at least one stiffness-modifying element. The connecting element may be part of an improved spinal column fixation system and made by an improved method of manufacturing a connecting element.