Abstract: A device for mechanically connecting and assisting vertebrae with respect to one another which includes at least one securing device cooperating with a ball joint adapted to be connect to a vertebra and a compressible body maintained along an axis of the securing device. The securing device includes two end bodies which retain a ball joint and the compressible element therebetween. At least one of the two end bodies is formed as a cup which is adapted to cover a portion of the ball joint and the end bodies are connected together by a connecting element disposed around the compressible member and over the cup of at least one of the two end bodies such that the connecting element is adapted to move over an outer surface of the cup.

Abstract: An extra-discal intervertebral prosthesis comprising at least a partially closed, elongated body including a compression chamber having an elastic block at one end. The block has a free face abutted by a ball joint associated with a first of two fixation means engagable in spaced vertebrae of a patient.

Abstract: A surgical implant for connecting two flexible ligaments to vertebrae having an intervertebral stabilizer including an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebrae. The intervertebral stabilizer also includes an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebrae. The extra-osseous head has two stepped portions, each with a peripheral surface, defining two ligament retaining zones. Each of the two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder, forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of the ligament retaining zones closest to the first end. The extra-osseous head retains two flexible ligaments spaced from the vertebrae and each other by the shoulders.

Abstract: A device for measuring angles of freedom of adjacent vertebrae which includes two reference elements associated with each vertebra respectively. Indicators are associated with the two reference elements for measuring the angle of freedom of movement of the vertebrae in torsion in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertebrae and for measuring the angle of freedom of the vertebrae in lateral inflexion in a plane perpendicular to that of the spinous processes as a function of a given position of flexion-extension of the vertebrae in the plane containing the spinous processes.

Abstract: A device for measuring angles of freedom of adjacent vertebrae which includes two reference elements associated with each vertebra respectively. Indicators are associated with the two reference elements for measuring the angle of freedom of movement of the vertebrae in torsion in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertebrae and for measuring the angle of freedom of the vertebrae in lateral inflexion in a plane perpendicular to that of the spinous processes as a function of a given position of flexion-extension of the vertebrae in the plane containing the spinous processes.

Abstract: A dynamic orthosis device for the tridimentional reduction of scoliosis wherein two elastically deformable plastic hands joined at the anterior laterally enclose the thorax of the patient. The hands assembly is connected to a pelvic girdle by at least two lateral supports made of elastically deformable semirigid material. As the rear of the hand, which are not attached, are expanded outward due to the movement of the thorax patient the lateral supports provide a torsional return stress which forces the hands to create a pressure on the body of the patient. This pressure is beneficial in reeducating the spine of the patient and thereby reducing scoliosis.