Abstract: A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes: an anchoring element having a shaft for anchoring in a bone and a head, the head having a spherically-shaped outer surface portion; a receiving part configured to be pivotably connected to the head, the receiving part having a top end and a bottom end, a longitudinal axis extending through the top end and the bottom end, a channel transverse to the longitudinal axis for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating the head, the accommodation space having a lower opening at the bottom end, a sleeve-like insert piece configured to be positioned around a portion of the head and to pivot in the receiving part, the insert piece having a spherically-shaped outer surface portion, wherein a lower edge of the insert piece extends past the lower opening in a direction away from the receiving part when the insert piece is seated in the receiving part in a position in which a central axis of the insert piece is coaxial with the longitudinal axis, and wherein th

Abstract: A screw element includes a screw axis, a shank for inserting in a bone, and a drive portion for engaging a screw driver. The drive portion includes a first wall defining a first recess and a second wall defining a second recess. Drive grooves are formed in the first wall and extend parallel to the screw axis. The second wall extends axially from a free end portion of the screw element to the first wall and has an inner diameter that continuously increases from the first wall towards the free end portion. A plurality of guide grooves are formed in the second wall at circumferential positions corresponding respectively to circumferential positions of the drive grooves. The guide grooves extend further radially from the screw axis than the drive grooves and guide the screw driver from the free end portion of the screw element to the drive grooves.

Abstract: A bone anchoring element comprising a shaft (2) for anchoring in a bone, with a plurality of barb elements (7) arranged in at least one helical line around the shaft axis (M) is described, wherein said barb elements are elastically movable relative to the shaft. The bone anchoring element (1) is easy to press into a core hole bore in a bone. The barb elements (7) act in a similar manner as do the threads on a conventional bone screw and thus provide for depth positioning. Moreover, the barb elements at the same time secure the bone anchoring element and prevent it from sliding-out.

Abstract: A dynamic bone anchor includes an anchor member having first and second ends and a tubular section between the ends, a longitudinal axis extending from the first to second end, an outer surface, and a bone engagement structure for engaging a bone on at least a portion of the outer surface; and a longitudinal core member having a first portion and a second portion configured to be received in the tubular section and to connected to the anchor member, with the first portion configured to be spaced apart from the anchor member and movable with respect to it. The core member is made at least partially of a nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) based shape memory alloy such that its shape after transitioning from a martensitic to austenitic phase is configured to result in a press-fit connection between the second portion and the anchor member with the second portion in the austenitic phase.

Abstract: A receiving part for coupling a bone anchor to a rod is provided, where the bone anchor includes a shank for anchoring to a bone or a vertebra. The receiving part includes a first end and a second end, the second end being connected to the shank, a bore extending from the first end into the receiving part for receiving a fixation device, the bore having a bore axis, and a recess for receiving a rod, the recess being open at the first end of the receiving part for allowing insertion of the rod and having opposing sidewalls on at least one side of the bore. When a rod is inserted into the recess, a longitudinal axis of the rod extends substantially perpendicular to the bore axis. A resilient retention element is provided on at least one of the opposing sidewalls, where the resilient retention element is deflectable toward the at least one sidewall when the rod is inserted.

Abstract: An anchoring element includes a screw having a shank with a bone thread portion and a head. The anchoring element also includes a receiving part for connecting the screw to a rod-shaped element, the screw and the receiving part being connected to one another in a polyaxial or monoaxial manner, and the shank of the screw being of tubular design and its wall having a plurality of recesses. The bone anchoring element provides for the bone screw to fuse with the surrounding bone substance, and at the same time bone portions or vertebrae can be positioned relative to one another and fixed. Moreover, a substance to be introduced into the bone can be introduced precisely at the desired site.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element is provided, wherein the coupling assembly includes a receiving part having a first end, a second end, a central axis extending through the first end and second end, an accommodation space for accommodating a head of an anchoring element, a bore extending from the accommodation space to the first end, and a recess for receiving a rod. The accommodation space has an opening at the second end sized to permit insertion of a head of the bone anchoring element. The coupling assembly further includes a retainer element configured to be positioned at least partially in the accommodation space and being radially expandable and/or compressible to allow retaining a head inserted through the opening. The retainer element is held in position adjacent the opening by an engagement structure provided at or in the accommodation space.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a bore extending from the first end to the second end, and a plug member which is insertable into the bore and guidable through the bore for closing the bore at the second end. The bone anchor is suitable for minimally invasive surgery in such a way a guide wire can be guided through the bone anchor and after the bone anchor has been anchored in the bone the plug member is inserted to close the open end of the bone anchor. A bone cement or a pharmaceutical substance can be introduced into the bone anchor.

Abstract: A coupling device is provided for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element. The coupling device includes a receiving part having a first end, a second end, a central axis extending through the first end and the second end, and a channel for receiving a rod. The receiving part defines an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening for inserting the head. The coupling device further includes a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element having a flexible portion to clamp an inserted head, and a clamping element extending at least partially around the flexible portion of the pressure element. The clamping element is configured to move from a first position to a second position in which the clamping element exerts a clamping force onto the pressure element, where the movement includes rotating the clamping element around the central axis.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided that includes a tubular body having a first end and a closed second end. The tubular body has a tubular wall defining a cavity wherein the thickness of the wall in a radial direction is smaller than an inner radius of the cavity and wherein a plurality of recesses is provided extending entirely through the tubular wall into the cavity. The tubular body further includes an exterior bone thread on an exterior tubular surface portion of the tubular wall, a head at the first end configured to engage with a driver to advance the bone screw in the bone, and a tip at the second end. The tubular body, the head and the tip are formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a receiving part including a rod receiving portion with a first end, a second end, and a U-shaped recess for receiving a rod, the recess defining two free legs, and a head receiving portion at the second end for introducing and clamping the head, and a locking ring configured to be arranged around the head receiving portion, the locking ring including an engagement structure for engagement with a tool, the engagement structure defining a width of the locking ring that is greater than a greatest width of the rod receiving portion, wherein the locking ring can assume a locking position exerting a greatest compressive force on the head receiving portion of the receiving part to lock an inserted head, and wherein the locking ring is movable out of the locking position towards the first end of the rod receiving portion.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a front wall, a back wall spaced apart from the front wall, and two side walls connecting the front wall and the back wall at their respective ends. The walls define a space. The implant further includes a bottom face, a top face, at least one engagement member with an engagement surface for engagement with the end plate of a vertebral body, a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element which are supported by a first support member and a second support member, respectively, and which cooperate with the respective support member such that the engagement member is reciprocally movable between a first end position and a second end position. In the first end position, the engagement surface does not project beyond the bottom face or the top face and in the second end position, the engagement surface at least partially projects outwardly beyond the bottom face or the top face. The first and the second support members are coupled by a coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shank to be anchored in a bone or vertebra, a head, and a receiving part receiving the head for connecting the shank to a rod. The shank and the head are separate parts. The head has a bore with a cylindrical inner surface, a ring-shaped groove provided on the inner surface, and at least one slit extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the head. The shank has a first portion for anchoring in the bone or vertebra and a second portion with a cylindrical outer surface adjoining a free end. A projection is provided on the cylindrical outer surface which engages with the ring-shaped groove of the head, when the cylindrical second portion of the shank is inserted in the bore of the head.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided including a tubular body and a head as separate parts. The tubular body has a first end, a second end, a tubular wall defining a cavity and a plurality of openings extending through the tubular wall into the cavity. The tubular body also includes a continuous exterior bone thread on an exterior tubular surface of the tubular wall. The continuous exterior bone thread extends for at least one full revolution about the tubular surface. The head defines an inner bore and includes an engagement structure to engage with a driver to advance the bone screw in the bone when a rotating force from the driver is applied to the engagement structure in a first direction, and a connection structure to connect to the tubular body at the first end.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes: an anchoring element having a shaft and a head; a receiving part having a top end, a bottom end, and an accommodation space for accommodating the head, the accommodation space having a lower opening at the bottom end, a sleeve-like insert piece configured to be positioned around a portion of the head, wherein a lower edge of the insert piece extends past the lower opening when the insert piece is seated in the receiving part; a pressure member configured to contact the head to exert pressure onto the head; wherein when the head, the insert piece, and the pressure member are arranged in the receiving part, the insert piece is tiltable with respect to the receiving part and with respect to the anchoring element, and wherein the anchoring element and the insert piece can be locked at respective angles relative to the receiving part.

Abstract: An anchoring member for a polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring section having a first end, a second end, a core having a first portion with a constant cross-sectional area, and a bone engagement structure on at least a portion of the core, a head, wherein a central axis extends through respective centers of the head and the first and second ends of the bone anchoring section, and a neck, the neck having an outer surface that is asymmetric with respect to the central axis, wherein a first cross-section of the neck perpendicular to the central axis includes a portion of the neck where the outer surface of the neck is at a minimum distance from the central axis, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first cross-section of the neck is at least the cross-sectional area of the first portion of the core of the bone anchoring section.

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: An anchoring member is provided suitable for use in a polyaxial bone anchoring device, the anchoring member (1) comprising a bone anchoring section (2) with a bone engagement structure in at least a portion of an outer surface thereof; a head (3); a central axis (C) extending through a center of the head (3) and the bone anchoring section (2), and a neck portion (24; 24?; 24?; 24??) between the bone anchoring section and the head, wherein the neck portion is asymmetric with respect to the central axis (C); and wherein the bone anchoring section (2) has a contour in a circumferential direction adjacent to the neck portion and wherein the neck portion is at least partially recessed with respect to the contour of the bone anchoring section at one side and extends beyond the contour of the bone anchoring section at an opposite side from the central axis.