Abstract: A fixing device for bone fractures having at least two tensioning elements, at least two fastening elements and at least two sleeve elements. Each of the tensioning elements has a contoured body and has, at ends mutually spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, receivers which enclose sleeve elements and/or fastening elements, so that by linking a plurality of tensioning elements, sleeve elements and/or fastening elements they can be arranged into a chain. Each tensioning element is formed with mirror-symmetry with respect to the longitudinal direction, wherein the receivers extend, starting from an imaginary center line of each tensioning element in longitudinal direction, upwards or downwards to the outer edge of the contoured body of the tensioning element in the height direction and have a toothing system on their contact surface facing the imaginary center line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint biopsy needle (1) for taking tissue samples and to a method therefor. The joint biopsy needle (1) has a trocar tip (2) and a substantially rigid guide sleeve (11), which adjoins a base surface (23) of the trocar tip (2) and has a lateral opening (12) in a region adjacent to the trocar tip (2). The biopsy needle (1) also has a plunger (3), which can be displaced in the guide sleeve (11) in the longitudinal direction thereof and has a cutting blade (31) on a side (30) that faces the trocar tip (2), wherein the tissue which is to be taken in the region of the lateral opening (12) of the guide sleeve (11) and can enter the guide sleeve (11) through the lateral opening (12) can be severed by the cutting blade (31). The guide sleeve (11) is inserted into a handle (6).