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: A hip-joint prosthesis includes a shaft which is configured to be inserted into the femur and whose surface has an osteoinductive finish. This finish is provided exclusively in the metaphyseal portion of the shaft and laterally from the line delineating the maximum antero-posterior dimension of the shaft cross section. This ensures a better involvement of the metaphyseal spongiosa in the flow of forces, without compromising the ability to perform follow-up surgery on the prosthesis.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion implant for the fusion of two vertebrae comprises an upper bearing body for placing on a lower end-plate of a vertebra, a lower bearing body for placing on an upper end-plate of a vertebra, and a central piece arranged between the bearing bodies. The central piece comprises a claw coupling which, in a coupling position, couples the two bearing bodies in a rotationally fixed manner to each other. In an open position of the claw coupling, the bearing bodies are freely movable in relation to each other. The claw coupling is actuated automatically via a plastic blocking body which, in its initial position, holds the claw coupling open and, under a load transferred from one vertebra to the other vertebra, is slowly deformable until it reaches a final coupling position in which the claw coupling is closed. This results in the slow fusion of the vertebrae.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis having two cover plates and a prosthesis core that extends to the circumferential edge of the cover plates. The prosthesis core is mounted to the lower cover plate and forms a spherical sliding surface with the upper cover plate. The connection surface of the cover plates may be set back from the circumferential perimeter of the cover plates to provide an optimum size of the spherical sliding surface despite the set-back nature of the connection surface. The set-back is configured as an inclined transition surface that adjoins the connection surface to the circumferential edge. The set-back allows the intervertebral disc prosthesis to be fully inserted into the prepared disc space into the spared dorsolateral corners without protruding ventrally.

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: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis, particularly for the at least partial replacement of a long bone, comprising a plug-in connection for connecting a shaft (2) to another part (1) of the prosthesis, wherein the plug-in connection (3) comprises an axial projection (33) and a socket (34). According to the invention, provision is made that a radial transverse channel (53) is provided on one part of the plug-in connection (3), said radial transverse channel (53) engaging behind the plug-in connection and having a center axis (55) that is offset (d) relative to the axis (56) of a transverse bore (52) arranged on the other part of the plug-in connection, and a clamping element (6) which is to be inserted into the transverse channel (53) and whose point (62), in the inserted state, engages in the transverse bore (52). In this way, it is possible to achieve an effective securing action even in the event of an unfavorable tolerance pairing, without adversely affecting the sensitive projection itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis for at least partial replacement of a tubular bone and of an adjacent joint, comprising an elongate shaft (1) with a first end and a second end, and a joint mechanism (2) arranged at the second end of the shaft (1), wherein a length-adjusting mechanism (3) is provided which actuates the shaft (1) along the axis (10) thereof in the manner of a telescope. The shaft (1) and the joint mechanism (2) are coupled via a plug connection with matching cone connectors (18, 29), wherein the length- adjusting mechanism (3) is of a modular design and, at the proximal and distal ends thereof, is provided with the matching cone plug connectors (18, 19), and it is further provided with an anti-rotation means (35, 37) that acts with a form fit.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis component is formed from a ceramic material and in which the ceramic material is partially coated with a titanium alloy. An uncoated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to interact as slide surface with another endoprosthesis component. A coated surface portion of the endoprosthesis component is designed to establish a connection to a bone. The part of the ceramic material forming an interface to the coating has a roughness Ra of between 2.5 ?M and 7 ?M, creating a firm connection between the coating and the ceramic material. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an endoprosthesis component. To achieve the desired roughness of the surface, the ceramic component is presintered at a temperature of between 880° C. and 980° C. and is then treated with a blasting material.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis having two cover plates and a prosthesis core that extends to the circumferential edge of the cover plates. The prosthesis core is mounted to the lower cover plate and forms a spherical sliding surface with the upper cover plate. The connection surface of the cover plates may be set back from the circumferential perimeter of the cover plates to provide an optimum size of the spherical sliding surface despite the set-back nature of the connection surface. The set-back is configured as an inclined transition surface that adjoins the connection surface to the circumferential edge. The set-back allows the intervertebral disc prosthesis to be fully inserted into the prepared disc space into the spared dorsolateral corners without protruding ventrally.

Abstract: The invention involves a fusion implant for a facet joint, comprising a bearing module (1) and a fusion module (2), in which the fusion model (2) is arranged on the bearing module (1) and has a holder for transfacetal fastening means (65), whereby the bearing module (1) includes an expansion element and jaw elements (4, 4?), which have contact surfaces (43) for the lamina (93) on their outer sides moving away from each other and which are arranged to move longitudinally on a guide, so that the distance of the fusion module (6) is changeable using the expansion element. The bearing module forms a secure and safe anchoring for the fusion module, which can be repositioned. In addition, the bearing module has the effect of an augmentation, and as a result treatment is possible even on vertebrae that are weakened by defects.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fixation apparatus comprising a holder (2?) and a tension sleeve (4?) receiving a bone screw (1?), wherein the bone screw (1?) has a shaft (10?) with a front thread (11?) and a head (12?) at the rear end, and the holder (3?) has a through borehole (30?) with a receiving seat (32?), in which the tension sleeve (4?) is mounted and able to swivel, while the shaft (10?) has a thickening (15?) in a rear region, to the front of the head (12?), whose width increases toward the head (12?), and the width of the tension sleeve (4?) is larger than the width of the shaft (10?) immediately before the thickening (15?) and smaller than the greatest width of the thickening (15?). When screwed in, the thickening (15) widens the tension sleeve (4?) so that it is pressed by its envelope against the wall of the receiving seat (32?). In this way, an angle-stable pressing is achieved for any given orientation of the bone screw (1?).

Abstract: An implant set for insertion into the lamina of a vertebra includes several reinforcing implants, each of which includes a main body with bearing surfaces on the vertebra and a fastening device. The main body has a front surface, a rear surface, and lateral and medial side surfaces, the medial side surface being offset rearwardly in relation to the lateral side surface. The side surfaces bear on sectioned surfaces of the lamina, and a rearwardly protruding extension with a lateral bearing surface on a spinous process of the vertebra is arranged on the rear surface. In this way, the resection opening can be easily and safely closed. Sleeves can be provided for the fastening by means of screws that are oriented such that the screws are guided through the adjoining facets and fuse the latter.

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 reinforcing implant for the lamina of a vertebra includes a transverse support, one anchoring device for the right-hand side and one anchoring device for the left-hand side of the lamina of the vertebra. An expansion element with a guide device and cheek elements is provided, the cheek elements being mounted to be longitudinally movable along the guide device. Bearing surfaces for the lamina are formed on outer faces of the cheek elements directed away from each other, and a return stop for the cheek elements is provided. At least one of the cheek elements is provided with an aligning device for modifying the orientation of its bearing surface relative to the guide device. In this way, a secure anchoring of the reinforcing implant on the resected surfaces produced during a laminectomy can be achieved, with precise adaptation of the reinforcing implant to the actual anatomical conditions following the laminectomy.

Abstract: A cervical intervertebral prosthesis system includes prostheses which each have a hinge with a predefined center of hinge movement. To permit better adaptation to the different hinge radii of the cervical intervertebral disks, the cervical intervertebral prostheses of the system include at least two different prostheses with different hinge radii.

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 hip-joint prosthesis includes a shaft which is configured to be inserted into the femur and whose surface has an osteoinductive finish. This finish is provided exclusively in the metaphyseal portion of the shaft and laterally from the line delineating the maximum antero-posterior dimension of the shaft cross section. This ensures a better involvement of the metaphyseal spongiosa in the flow of forces, without compromising the ability to perform follow-up surgery on the prosthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis, particularly for the at least partial replacement of a long bone, comprising a plug-in connection for connecting a shaft (2) to another part (1) of the prosthesis, wherein the plug-in connection (3) comprises an axial projection (33) and a socket (34). According to the invention, provision is made that a radial transverse channel (53) is provided on one part of the plug-in connection (3), said radial transverse channel (53) engaging behind the plug-in connection and having a center axis (55) that is offset (d) relative to the axis (56) of a transverse bore (52) arranged on the other part of the plug-in connection, and a clamping element (6) which is to be inserted into the transverse channel (53) and whose point (62), in the inserted state, engages in the transverse bore (52). In this way, it is possible to achieve an effective securing action even in the event of an unfavorable tolerance pairing, without adversely affecting the sensitive projection itself.

Abstract: A surgical guide instrument for use on the articular processes of vertebral bodies. At the distal end of the guide instrument, there are two plier heads, which are designed for a plier movement relative to each other. A guide rail is provided, which defines a guide axis for a reamer. The guide rail is pivotable about a first pivot axis, such that the guide axis, with the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis, spans a work sector, and such that the work sector intersects an imaginary connecting line between the plier heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a ceramic component. With the method, a ceramic base material in powdered form and a mold having the shape of the ceramic component are provided. The ceramic base material is introduced into the mold. The ceramic component is presintered at a temperature between 880° C. and 980° C. and is then removed from the mold. The surface of the ceramic component is treated with a blasting material and the ceramic component is sintered at a temperature that is higher than the presintering temperature. With the method according to the invention, ceramic components having higher surface roughness can be produced. Due to the higher surface roughness it is easier to apply a firmly adhering coating to the ceramic component.