Abstract: A spacer for insertion between two vertebrae includes a variable axial length and comprises a first member having a hollow interior and a tubular wall and a second member having a hollow interior and a tubular wall the second member being slidable within the first member in an axial direction for adjusting an overall length. At least the first member or the second member comprises an access opening in its wall, the opening having a size which is adapted for inserting bone grafts through the opening into the interior. The spacer further comprises a length adjustment structure being engageable with an expansion tool for telescoping the second member relative to the first member and a locking structure for fixing the axial length. The access opening, the length adjustment structure and the locking structure are arranged so as to be accessible from the same side of the spacer. The spacer allows in situ filling of bone grafts into its interior and an improved handling.

Abstract: A bone anchoring assembly for use in spinal surgery or trauma surgery includes an anchoring element having a shaft and a receiving part having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with a base connected to said shaft and two free legs forming a channel for receiving a rod having an at least partially structured surface. The bone anchoring assembly further includes a locking member cooperating with the receiving part for locking said rod in the channel. At least on the locking member or in the receiving part an engagement portion for engaging said structured surface of the rod is provided. The locking member, the rod and the receiving part cooperate in such a manner that as soon as the engagement portion comes into engagement with the structured surface the rod is held in the receiving part in a form-locking manner preventing movement of the rod.

Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two rods or screws used for bone or vertebra stabilization is provided. The connecting element comprises a connecting portion, a first portion which can be connected to one of the rods and a second portion which can be connected to the other rod. In order that not only rods parallel to each other, but also those inclined at an angle to each other or oblique can be fixed to each other, the first portion is connected to the connecting portion by a device allowing polyaxial orientation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a flexible connecting device for implantation into the human or animal body and especially for stabilizing the spine with a first rod, which has at least one flexible middle section and at least two connecting sections. At least one part of the flexible middle section includes an adjustment element, such as a flexible element or a stabilization element, which is arranged outside the cross-section of the first rod and connected to the first rod at a first location.

Abstract: Implant for temporary or permanent introduction into a human or animal body of at least one biocompatible material with a shape that is oriented to fulfill one or more first functions. The shape has one or more areas in which, as second function, elasticity or mobility is provided, with the implant having material recesses in the area or areas which serve to locally reduce rigidity and are provided in addition to the shape caused by the first functions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a space holder, especially for vertebrae or intervertebral discs for implantation into human or animal organisms, having a cylinder-like body (1) and, at the ends of the cylinder-like body, means (2) provided for connecting to adjacent body parts, said cylinder-like body (1) essentially being formed as a solid cylinder from at least one material that is elastically deformable under the conditions of use, such that the space holder is compressible and extensible in the axial direction and, with reference to means (2) provided at the ends for connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts, can bend about a radial axis of rotation (13).

Abstract: A pelvis fixing device with a screw for the latter is provided. The screw comprises a screw element with a threaded shank and a head. Also provided is a holder which receives the head and which comprises a lower portion facing towards the shank side and an upper portion facing away from the shank side. The two portions encompass a rod. Also provided is a screw element for connecting the two portions and simultaneously fixing the rod. The pelvis fixing device comprises at least two such screws and at least one rod connecting them.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for securing a rod in a receiving part, in particular a polyaxial bone screw. The locking device has a sleeve-type element with a cylindrical outer face and is dimensioned such that the element is displaceable between the legs of the receiving part. The element has an inner thread for receiving an inner screw. An outer nut can be screwed on to an outer thread of the legs to fix the element. The element acts on a pressure element provided in the receiving part to fix the position of the head of the polyaxial bone screw and the inner screw acts on the rod to fix it. The element is preferably provided with slits. During screwing in of the inner screw, the element splays out against the outer nut and thus effectively prevents loosening or detaching.

Abstract: An implant for permanent or temporary introduction into the human or animal body includes a base body for connecting spaced body parts and/or other implant components, said implant having a load axis, along which primarily tensile and/or compressive forces are transmissible, with at least one rotary axis formed at right angle to the load axis, said rotary axis facilitating at least limited bending of the base body about the rotary axis, especially of the ends of the base body arranged along the load axis, with the at least one rotary axis being defined by a swivel joint, which is formed in one-piece at the base body.

Abstract: An element with a thread is created, in which both partial flanks enclose a negative angle with a plane extending perpendicular to the screw axis. Further, a screw or a hook for connecting to a rod, as used in particular in spinal column surgery, is created, wherein the inner thread of a holder, to which the rod is connected, and the associated thread of a nut comprise the thread according to the invention.

Abstract: A rod-shaped implant element is provided for connecting at least two bone anchoring elements. Each bone anchoring element includes an anchoring section to be anchored in the bone and a receiver member to be connected to the rod-shaped implant element. The rod-shaped implant element includes, a longitudinal axis, at least one first length of a rigid section that is configured to cooperate with and be received in the receiver member, a second length of a flexible section adjacent to the rigid section, a bore coaxial to the longitudinal axis and extending through the rigid section and the flexible section, and a core accommodated in the bore, the core having two opposite ends. At least one end of the core is freely movable in the bore when said flexible section is extended or compressed in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: PVC tube having a friction-reducing layer applied to the inside. This friction-reducing layer includes a material that can be applied with co-extrusion such that it bonds directly to the PVC material that is likewise extruded. Such a friction-reducing layer preferably includes an ethylene acrylate copolymer. It is also possible to use a plastic that in itself does not bond to PVC for such a friction-reducing layer. The desired bonding characteristics can, however, be obtained by mixing such a plastic before extrusion with a plastic that bonds to PVC. Preferably, a friction-reducing lubricant, such as silicone oil, is incorporated in the plastic. The invention relates in particular to an electrical conduit.

Abstract: A pelvis fixing device with a screw for the latter is provided. The screw comprises a screw element with a threaded shank and a head. Also provided is a holder which receives the head and which comprises a lower portion facing towards the shank side and an upper portion facing away from the shank side. The two portions encompass a rod. Also provided is a screw element for connecting the two portions and simultaneously fixing the rod. The pelvis fixing device comprises at least two such screws and at least one rod connecting them.

Abstract: A tubular spacer and a method for the manufacture of the spacer is described. The tubular spacer has a first rim on a first end, a second rim on its opposite second end, and a jacket extending between said first and said second rims. The jacket has a tapered section adjacent to at least one end. The spacer is suitable for use in tubular bone surgery where it is necessary that the spacer adapts to different bone cross-sections. To make this tubular spacer, a cylinder having a tubular jacket body is expanded and/or narrowed at one or both of its ends. Methods for using the spacer as well as kits for making the spacers are described.

Abstract: A flexible element is provided for use in a stabilization device for bones or vertebrae. The flexible element comprises a flexible section arranged between a first end and a second end. The flexible section has curved sections that alternatingly extend away from opposite sides of a connecting axis that extends from the first end through the flexible section and the second end.

Abstract: A stabilization device for bones or vertebrae comprises a substantially cylindrical elastic element. The elastic element has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. An elastic section extends between the first end and the second end. The elastic section includes at least first and second helical coils. The first and second helical coils are arranged coaxially so that the first helical coil extends at least in a portion between the second helical coil. The elastic element may form, for example, a portion of a rod, bone anchoring element, or plate.

Abstract: A bone screw having a screw member possessing a threaded section and a head and a receiving part at the head end for receiving a rod to be connected to the bone screw is provided. The receiving part has on open first bore and a substantially U-shaped cross-section having two free legs provided with a thread. Furthermore, the receiving part has a second bore on the end opposite to the first bore whose diameter is greater than that of the threaded section and smaller than that of the head. On the bottom of the first bore a seat for the head is provided. In order that the screw member can be pivoted to at least one side by an enlarged angle, the edge bounding the free end of the second bore viewed relative to the axis of the first bore is of asymmetric construction.

Abstract: A bone screw having a screw member possessing a threaded section and a head and a receiving part at the head end for receiving a rod to be connected to the bone screw is provided. The receiving part has on open first bore and a substantially U-shaped cross-section having two free legs provided with a thread. Furthermore, the receiving part has a second bore on the end opposite to the first bore whose diameter is greater than that of the threaded section and smaller than that of the head. On the bottom of the first bore a seat for the head is provided. In order that the screw member can be pivoted to at least one side by an enlarged angle, the edge bounding the free end of the second bore viewed relative to the axis of the first bore is of asymmetric construction.

Abstract: An element with a thread is created, in which both partial flanks enclose a negative angle with a plane extending perpendicular to the screw axis. Further, a screw or a hook for connecting to a rod, as used in particular in spinal column surgery, is created, wherein the inner thread of a holder, to which the rod is connected, and the associated thread of a nut comprise the thread according to the invention.

Abstract: A flexible space holder made of at least one biocompatible, rigid material having a tube-like body, with one or more flexible areas is described. The flexible space, holder can be temporarily or permanently inserted into a human or animal. Furthermore, the flexible space holder can be surrounded by an elastomeric sleeve. Alternatively, an elastic core can be inserted into the center of the flexible space holder.