Abstract: The invention relates to a bone fixation device which includes a pair of bone plates and a longitudinal carrier. The longitudinal carrier can be used to permit the bone plates to telescope with respect to one another, such as in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. A joint also may be used to permit swivelling of the plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: An electric heating system is disclosed for the heating of the interior of an instrument cabinet which includes a radiator having a receiving cavity with a heating element and a melting fuse connected in series as an excess-temperature fuse encapsulated in the receiving cavity. The heating element and the excess-temperature fuse are connected to a temperature control. An environmental-temperature sensor and a fuse-temperature sensor are encapsulated in the receiving cavity near the melting fuse connected to the temperature control. The current fuse temperature of the excess-temperature fuse is determined by the fuse-temperature sensor. The temperature control operates in a first control algorithm within a fuse temperature range below a preset changeover temperature. The temperature control switches over to a second control algorithm when the changeover temperature has been reached or exceeded and lowers the heating performance of the heating element for the protection of the excess-temperature fuse.

Abstract: A device for fixation of vertebral bodies including a longitudinal support with a central axis and n anchoring elements (2≦i≦n). Each anchoring element having a longitudinal axes, a front end, and a back end. The longitudinal axis of each anchoring elements may be arranged at an angle of between 65° and 115° relative to the central axis of the longitudinal support, while the anchoring elements are designed to abut the back end. The anchoring elements may be shaped in the form of a blade toward the front end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone fixation device which includes a pair of bone plates and a longitudinal carrier. The longitudinal carrier can be used to permit the bone plates to telescope with respect to one another, such as in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. A joint also may be used to permit swivelling of the plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for exerting axial forces on bone fragments or vertebral bodies. The inventive device comprises a first connecting element, a second longitudinal connecting element which is displaceable relative to the first connecting element and a longitudinal support with a longitudinal axis and a front end that can be linked with the first connecting element. A tubular sleeve is coaxial relative to the longitudinal axis in which the longitudinal support is displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprises a front end that is directed against the first connecting element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the introduction of medical items into the human or animal body. The device comprises a longitudinal guide sleeve or member having a first end segment, a second end segment, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface. The second end segment defines a chamber and includes a drive element, which may be configured to couple to another drive device for rotatably driving the longitudinal member. The first end segment includes a screw thread for anchoring the device to bone such as a pedicle in the spine. The thread defines either a cylindrical or prismatic thread root or thread surface. The first end includes self-cutting teeth and at least one slot that extends along the outer surface between the self-cutting teeth and the second end segment in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: The central portion of the screw according to the invention has a series of segments varying in diameter, typically having a segment located near the screw head with a large diameter, a segment located near the front portion with a small diameter, and intermediate segments tapering in the direction of the segment with the small diameter. A continuous thread extends along the central portion from the screw head to the screw tip where the thread has a substantially uniform outside diameter along the entire length of the central portion. The screw, which is particularly well-suited as a pedicle screw, has improved resistance to tearing, cutting and bending, and, largely independent of bone quality, good hold in bone.

Abstract: A device for connecting a longitudinal support to a bone anchor having a rounded head includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the rounded head of the bone anchor and a first channel for receiving the longitudinal support. Further, a first sleeve is slidable over the body for compressing the chamber, a second sleeve is slidable over the body for biasing the longitudinal support against the first sleeve, and a fastener is operatively associated with the body for biasing the second sleeve toward the first sleeve. The forces exerted on the second sleeve by the fastener are transferred to the first sleeve in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Preferably, the longitudinal support contacts the first sleeve at first and second contact points or zones and one of the sleeves includes at least one extended portion for contacting the other sleeve at at least one additional contact point or zone.

Abstract: A plug-type connection for releasably connecting two bodies (1) and (2),

Abstract: A device permitting a joint-like connection of two bodies, including

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument installation on a process circuit capable of being subjected to a medium under high pressure, with a locking element between the measuring instrument and the process circuit. According to the invention the locking element is a ball valve 18 provided with a valve body as the ball housing and with a process circuit connection 2 and a measuring instrument connection 3. In addition a ball 7 which can be rotated back and forth between a pass position 6 and a lock position is installed in the ball housing, said ball being provided with a passage bore 8 that can be positioned in the pass position. Furthermore two ball seats 12, 13 pointing respectively in the direction of the process circuit connection 2 and of the measuring instrument connection 3 are provided, each being provided with a sliding sleeve 14, 15 spring-loaded and capable of sliding in the direction of the ball 7.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a longitudinal bar to a pedicle screw thereby forming a system for fixation of the spine. The device includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a hole which is open at least towards the bottom and has an axis, and a through hole positioned perpendicular to the axis. The device also has a collet chuck mounted coaxially on the inside of the body in such a way that it can slide along the axis. The collet chuck has a through hole which is flush with the through hole of the body, and a chamber which faces at least downwards and is defined by tongues spring-mounted against the cylinder axis. When the collect chuck is inserted in the body, the through holes align to allow insertion of the longitudinal bar. The head of a pedicle screw can be clicked into the chamber from below by spring-action. The device is easy to use and makes it possible for the pedicle screw to be inclined within a certain range.

Abstract: An electric heating system (1) is disclosed for the heating of the interior of an instrument cabinet and the like which is protected against explosion. The heating system includes a radiator (2) with a receiving cavity (3). A heating element (5) and a melting fuse (6) are connected in series as an excess-temperature fuse, whereby the heating element (5) and the excess temperature fuse (6) are disposed in receiving cavity where they are encapsulated. The heating element (5) and the excess-temperature fuse (6) are connected via connection lines (8, 14) to a temperature control (9). An environmental-temperature sensor (10) is also connected to the temperature control. According to the invention, a fuse-temperature sensor (11) is also encapsulated in the receiving cavity near the melting fuse which is connected to the temperature control (9). The current fuse temperature of the excess-temperature fuse (6) is determined by the fuse-temperature sensor (11) for comparison to a set changeover temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure transducer assembly (1; 24; 39) on a process circuit (2; 29, 30; 48, 49) as is used in a process plant, whereby the process circuit (2; 29, 30; 48, 49) is capable of carrying a hot fluid. Furthermore at least one fluid carrying measuring line (5; 26, 27; 40, 41) is provided between the process circuit (2; 29, 30; 48, 49) and a valve (4) of the pressure transducer (3; 25; 42), and/or transducer. Furthermore first and second flange connections (6, 10; 31, 32; 44) are provided between connections on the process line 9)2; 29; 30) and the fluid measuring line (5; 26, 27; 40, 41) as well as between the valve (4) and the fluid measuring line (5; 26, 27; 40, 41). These flange connections are connected to each other by means of nuts and bolts (9, 13; 38).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone fixation device which includes a pair of bone plates and a longitudinal carrier. The longitudinal carrier can be used to permit the bone plates to telescope with respect to one another, such as in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. A joint also may be used to permit swivelling of the plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a longitudinal bar to a pedicle screw thereby forming a system for fixation of the spine. The device includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a hole which is open at least towards the bottom and has an axis, and a through hole positioned perpendicular to the axis. The device also has a collet chuck mounted coaxially on the inside of the body in such a way that it can slide along the axis. The collet chuck has a through hole which is flush with the through hole of the body, and a chamber which faces at least downwards and is defined by tongues spring-mounted against the cylinder axis. When the collect chuck is inserted in the body, the through holes align to allow insertion of the longitudinal bar. The head of a pedicle screw can be clicked into the chamber from below by spring-action. The device is easy to use and makes it possible for the pedicle screw to be inclined within a certain range.

Abstract: The central portion of the screw according to the invention has a series of segments varying in diameter, typically having a segment located near the screw head with a large diameter, a segment located near the front portion with a small diameter, and intermediate segments tapering in the direction of the segment with the small diameter. A continuous thread extends along the central portion from the screw head to the screw tip where the thread has a substantially uniform outside diameter along the entire length of the central portion. The screw, which is particularly well-suited as a pedicle screw, has improved resistance to tearing, cutting and bending, and, largely independent of bone quality, good hold in bone.

Abstract: A device for connecting a longitudinal support to a bone anchor having a rounded head includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the rounded head of the bone anchor and a first channel for receiving the longitudinal support. Further, a first sleeve is slidable over the body for compressing the chamber, a second sleeve is slidable over the body for biasing the longitudinal support against the first sleeve, and a fastener is operatively associated with the body for biasing the second sleeve toward the first sleeve. The forces exerted on the second sleeve by the fastener are transferred to the first sleeve in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Preferably, the longitudinal support contacts the first sleeve at first and second contact points or zones and one of the sleeves includes at least one extended portion for contacting the other sleeve at at least one additional contact point or zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument installation on a process circuit capable of being subjected to a medium under high pressure, with a locking element between the measuring instrument and the process circuit. According to the invention the locking element is a ball valve 18 provided with a valve body as the ball housing and with a process circuit connection 2 and a measuring instrument connection 3. In addition a ball 7 which can be rotated back and forth between a pass position 6 and a lock position is installed in the ball housing, said ball being provided with a passage bore 8 that can be positioned in the pass position. Furthermore two ball seats 12, 13 pointing respectively in the direction of the process circuit connection 2 and of the measuring instrument connection 3 are provided, each being provided with a sliding sleeve 14, 15 spring-loaded and capable of sliding in the direction of the ball 7.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure transducer assembly (1; 24) connected to a process circuit of a process plant by at least one fluid line (5; 26, 27; 61). There is a flange connection (7; 33) between connections on the process circuit and the fluid line and a flange connection (9; 35) between a connection block (3; 32) and the fluid line (5; 26, 27; 61). Each flange connection has a flange (8, 11; 34, 37; 53; 62) on the fluid line. According to the invention, at least one of the flanges (8, 11; 34, 37; 53; 62) on the fluid line is made in two parts and consists of a flange connection piece (14; 46, 50; 54) screwed to an end of the fluid line. The flange connection piece provided with an axial passage bore (18; 47; 55) and of a flange element (15; 48, 51; 56, 58; 64) having a sealing face (19).