Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide surgical instruments which can insert a block-shaped interspinous spacer into a space between adjacent spinous processes with easier operations. The surgical instruments of the present invention are instruments for inserting the interspinous spacer having a block-like shape formed with a hollow portion into the space between the adjacent spinous processes. The surgical instruments include an insertion instrument having an inserting portion adapted to be passed through the hollow portion of the interspinous spacer, and a grasping instrument for grasping the insertion instrument, wherein the insertion instrument and the grasping instrument are adapted to be used under the condition that the insertion instrument is inserted into the hollow portion of the interspinous spacer and in such a state the grasped portion of the insertion instrument which is provided near the first end of the insertion instrument is grasped by the grasping instrument.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide surgical instruments which can insert a block-shaped interspinous spacer into a space between adjacent spinous processes with easier operations. The surgical instruments of the present invention are instruments for inserting the interspinous spacer having a block-like shape formed with a hollow portion into the space between the adjacent spinous processes. The surgical instruments include an insertion instrument having an inserting portion adapted to be passed through the hollow portion of the interspinous spacer, and a grasping instrument for grasping the insertion instrument, wherein the insertion instrument and the grasping instrument are adapted to be used under the condition that the insertion instrument is inserted into the hollow portion of the interspinous spacer and in such a state the grasped portion of the insertion instrument which is provided near the first end of the insertion instrument is grasped by the grasping instrument.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic composite comprises the steps of preparing at least two ceramics bodies to be bonded together, each of the at least two ceramics bodies having a bonding surface; preparing a slurry in which primary particles of a bonding ceramic are dispersed; applying the slurry to the bonding surface of at least one of the ceramic bodies to be bonded; and sintering the ceramic bodies between which the slurry has been interposed to bond them. In this method, the bonding ceramic in the slurry is preferably constituted from the same ceramic starting material as that of the at least one of the ceramic bodies to be bonded. In this way, it becomes possible to manufacture, with a simple technique, a ceramic composite having a required strength and excellent biocompatibility and biosafety.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic composite comprises the steps of preparing at least two ceramics bodies to be bonded together, each of the at least two ceramics bodies having a bonding surface; preparing a slurry in which primary particles of a bonding ceramic are dispersed; applying the slurry to the bonding surface of at least one of the ceramic bodies to be bonded; and sintering the ceramic bodies between which the slurry has been interposed to bond them. In this method, the bonding ceramic in the slurry is preferably constituted from the same ceramic starting material as that of the at least one of the ceramic bodies to be bonded. In this way, it becomes possible to manufacture, with a simple technique, a ceramic composite having a required strength and excellent biocompatibility and biosafety.

Abstract: An anchor including a shank formed from a hardened product of a calcium phosphate compound. The anchor having a strength capable of retaining its original shape, before, during and after insertion into a pre-drilled hole of a bone, and a brittleness capable of causing its original shape to disintegrate as a result of a breakage of the shank upon an application of a driving force from the screw to the shank during a driving of the screw through the anchor inserted in the bone. The present invention also relates to a method for fixing a screw in a bone. Using the anchor of the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and reliably fix a screw in a bone having a reduced strength.