Abstract: A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.

Abstract: An implant suitable for being anchored with the aid of mechanical vibration in an opening provided in bone tissue. The implant is compressible in the direction of a compression axis under local enlargement of a distance between a peripheral implant surface and the compression axis. The implant includes a coupling-in face which serves for coupling a compressing force and the mechanical vibrations into the implant, which coupling-in face is not parallel to the compression axis. The implant also includes a thermoplastic material which, in areas of the local distance enlargement, forms at least a part of the peripheral surface of the implant.

Abstract: A second object, which includes a thermoplastic material, is bonded to a first object, which includes a first object material having an at least partially cross-linked polymer not miscible with the thermoplastic material. The method includes the steps of pressing the second object against the first object and coupling energy into the second object until the thermoplastic material is at least partially liquefied and the first object material in a vicinity of an interface to the thermoplastic material is above its glass transition temperature, and until the thermoplastic material is caused to penetrate into at least one of cracks, pores and deformations of the first object material, and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify.

Abstract: A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.

Abstract: A method of connecting parts relative to one another includes the steps of providing a first part, the first part having an opening; providing a second part, the second part having thermoplastic material in a solid state; arranging the first part and the second part relative to one another, so that the second part reaches into the opening, while a volume with an undercut is defined in the opening; causing a mechanical pressure and mechanical energy to act on the second part until at least a part of the thermoplastic material is caused to liquefy and to fill the volume; and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify, thereby anchoring the second part in the first part.

Abstract: A method of fastening an edge structure to a construction element includes providing the construction element, being a planar structure with with two cover regions and a middle region between the cover regions; providing the edge structure being continuously extended, the edge structure having contact surfaces with a thermoplastic material shaped to lie against the cover regions in an outer surface of the construction element, and, opposite the contact surfaces, a coupling-in surface for coupling energy into the edge structure; coupling energy into the edge structure and pressing the contact surfaces against the cover regions until at least a portion of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and pressed into the cover regions; and repeating or continuing the steps of coupling and pressing until the edge structure is attached to the building element at a plurality of discrete locations or over an extended region along an edge of the construction element.

Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.

Abstract: A perforated sheath is anchored in a tissue opening with the aid of a tool, wherein the anchorage is achieved with the aid of mechanical vibration and a material which is liquefiable by the vibration. The tool includes a vibrating element and a counter element. Distal portions of both elements are introduced into the sheath to be in contact with each other at an interface. The vibrating element is connected to a vibration source and the vibrating element and the counter element are held against each other for effecting liquefaction of the liquefiable material at the interface. Under the effect of the force applied to the vibrating and counter element for holding them against each other, the liquefied material flows from the interface through the sheath perforation and penetrates the tissue.

Abstract: A perforated sheath is anchored in a tissue opening with the aid of a tool, wherein the anchorage is achieved with the aid of mechanical vibration and a material which is liquefiable by the vibration. The tool includes a vibrating element and a counter element. Distal portions of both elements are introduced into the sheath to be in contact with each other at an interface. The vibrating element is connected to a vibration source and the vibrating element and the counter element are held against each other for effecting liquefaction of the liquefiable material at the interface. Under the effect of the force applied to the vibrating and counter element for holding them against each other, the liquefied material flows from the interface through the sheath perforation and penetrates the tissue.

Abstract: A device for the anchoring of a suture in tissue includes a guide sleeve, a sonotrode, an anchor and the suture. The guide sleeve has a distal part with a smaller cross section and a proximal part with a larger cross section. The sonotrode extends through the lumen of the guide sleeve and has a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being designed for coupling the sonotrode to a vibration source (e.g. an ultrasonic device). The anchor is arranged at the distal end of the device and includes an anchor foot and an anchoring sleeve sitting on a shoulder of the anchor foot. The anchoring sleeve consists of a material which is liquefiable through mechanical vibrations. A middle portion of the suture runs through the anchor foot and two end portions of the suture are attached to the guide sleeve.

Abstract: A spine stabilization device is provided, the spine stabilization device including an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra, and including a top surface oriented towards the lower endplate of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface oriented towards the upper endplate of the vertebral body of the lower vertebra; and a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device including a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra into a ventral direction, the support portion shaped to rest against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and further including an anchor, the anchor including an anchoring material portion that is configured to be inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and of th

Abstract: A lightweight component is equipped with two cover layers, which are made of a wood material, and a filling disposed in between the layers after cutting everything to size, having an edge support including thermoplastic material. The edge support is anchored in both the first and second cover layers starting from the narrow side. Anchoring is achieved by bringing the edge support into contact with the respective cover layer and coupling mechanical vibrations into the edge support by a sonotrode engaging from the narrow side. The edge support at the same time is pressed against the cover layer such that, in the region of a transition between the thermoplastic material and the wood material of the cover layer, part of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and pushed into the cover layer material, thereby producing a positively engaged anchoring after hardening.

Abstract: Objects are fastened to object surfaces of a porous or fibrous material, in particular made of wood or a wood-like material, with the aid of a thermoplastic fastening film. For this, the object, which is separate from, or integrated in the fastening film, is positioned on the object surface and, with the aid of a vibrating fastening tool having a distally arranged, for example closed, perimetric profile element, which is positioned on the fastening film, is anchored in the object surface along a perimeter, and optionally also punched out. The fastening is suitable in particular for fastening identification carriers to wooden objects such as pallets or tree trunks, wherein the identification carriers are equipped, for example, with an antenna and an RFID chip or with a bar code.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a product includes the steps of providing a first and a second product part, each including a structure of fibers; arranging the first and second product parts relative to one another and against a support; providing a connecting element having a thermoplastic material; pressing the connecting element against the product parts to compress the semi-parts between the connecting element and the support and impinging the connecting element with energy, thereby causing thermoplastic material of the connecting element to become flowable, and causing the connecting element to be pressed into the product parts; and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify, thereby connecting the first and second product parts with each other.

Abstract: A second object, which includes a thermoplastic material, is bonded to a first object, which includes a first object material having an at least partially cross-linked polymer not miscible with the thermoplastic material. The method includes the steps of pressing the second object against the first object and coupling energy into the second object until the thermoplastic material is at least partially liquefied and the first object material in a vicinity of an interface to the thermoplastic material is above its glass transition temperature, and until the thermoplastic material is caused to penetrate into at least one of cracks, pores and deformations of the first object material, and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify.

Abstract: A method of connecting parts relative to one another includes the steps of providing a first part, the first part having an opening; providing a second part, the second part having thermoplastic material in a solid state; arranging the first part and the second part relative to one another, so that the second part reaches into the opening, while a volume with an undercut is defined in the opening; causing a mechanical pressure and mechanical energy to act on the second part until at least a part of the thermoplastic material is caused to liquefy and to fill the volume; and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify, thereby anchoring the second part in the first part.

Abstract: A device for the anchoring of a suture in tissue includes a guide sleeve, a sonotrode, an anchor and the suture. The guide sleeve has a distal part with a smaller cross section and a proximal part with a larger cross section. The sonotrode extends through the lumen of the guide sleeve and has a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being designed for coupling the sonotrode to a vibration source (e.g. an ultrasonic device). The anchor is arranged at the distal end of the device and includes an anchor foot and an anchoring sleeve sitting on a shoulder of the anchor foot. The anchoring sleeve consists of a material which is liquefiable through mechanical vibrations. A middle portion of the suture runs through the anchor foot and two end portions of the suture are attached to the guide sleeve.

Abstract: For fixedly implanting a device for material or signal delivery or acquisition or a part of such a device in a human or animal body, an opening is provided in hard tissue of the body, the opening reaching through a hard tissue layer, e.g. through a cortical bone layer into cancellous bone underneath. The device includes a plug portion and/or a cover portion which includes a ring of a material having thermoplastic properties extending around the plug portion or on a tissue facing surface of the cover portion. The opening provided in the hard tissue has a cross section at least in the area of its mouth that is adapted to the plug or cover portion such that the plug portion can be introduced through the mouth of the opening or the cover portion can be positioned over the mouth of the opening such that the ring extends around the opening, along its wall and/or on the hard tissue surface around its mouth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal method for producing functional tissue. The invention relates to the method for producing functional fusion tissue, the functional fusion tissue obtainable by this method, and use thereof in particular as a pharmaceutical preparation, drug, transplant, implant, food and test system. The invention in particular relates to the production of functional cartilage tissue and bone tissue from articular cartilage and bone.

Abstract: An assembly including a joining element and an object, the object having a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a middle layer between the first and second outer layers. The object has an opening that extends through the first outer layer and the middle layer, and the joining element is anchored in the opening. The joining element includes a proximal end, a distal end, a contact face in the area of the proximal end, a wall anchoring portion, and a tubular portion. The contact face is engaged by a vibrating tool that applies mechanical vibration and axial force to the joining element. The joining element includes a thermoplastic material at least at the circumferential surface of the wall anchoring portion and at the distal end to anchor the joining element to the first and second outer layers, respectively.