Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. A set of blades is provided on each jaw such that an implant may be inserted between the spaced apart blades. The set of blades includes at least two blades.

Abstract: A bone tissue removal and harvesting device is disclosed and includes a cutting tool with a cutting head, a longitudinal shaft attached to the cutting head and a drive element. A container is located on the end opposite the cutting head for collection of the removed bone. The shaft can be made flexible to permit torsion and/or bending around the longitudinal axis without damage to the bone. During the cutting operation, the bone tissue is simultaneously removed and suctioned through an opening of the cutting head and conveyed through an axial shaft bore for collection in the container. The container is detachably mounted to the drive element and connected to the shaft so as to avoid substantial pressure drops from the cutting head to the container.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. The distractor includes blades that are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. The jaws include a mating fixture and the blades include a mating portion for removable association with the mating fixture.

Abstract: A bone anchoring assembly includes at least one fixation plate and at least one bone anchoring element. Each bone anchoring element includes a circular-cylindrical hollow body with an upper end and a lower end, a connecting element that is pivotably mounted to a fixation plate or longitudinal support, an external thread that extends partially along the outer surface of the circular-cylindrical body for anchoring the bone anchoring element into the cortical portion of the bone, and a series of teeth located on the lower end of the circular-cylindrical body for cutting into bone.

Abstract: Combining an implant and cement for prophylactic and/or preventative use for femoral neck augmention. A hole is drilled into the femoral neck. The hole is filled with an uncured filler cement after loose materials have been removed from the hole. Then, an open-ended tube, an implant, having openings through its walls is inserted into the hole and attached to the bone. Finally, additional filler cement is provided under pressure to the inside of the tubular implant. The filler cement flows into spaces in the bone structure via the tube wall openings. A sliding leak-tight fit between the implant and a cement injection tube permits delivery of cement at preselected locations along the implant length. Pressure is maintained until the filler cement has hardened. A strengthening factor up to 3 was measured when osteoporotic bone was strengthened.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces for receiving a bone screw. The at least one hole includes a first portion and a second portion that overlap one another. The first portion defines a substantially circular outer periphery and the second portion defines an elongated outer periphery that is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The first portion may have threads configured to engage threads on the head of a bone screw, and the second portion may be configured to cooperate with the head of a different bone screw to provide compression to the fracture.

Abstract: Combining an implant and cement for prophylactic and/or preventative use for femoral neck augmention. A hole is drilled into the femoral neck. The hole is filled with an uncured filler cement after loose materials have been removed from the hole. Then, an open-ended tube, an implant, having openings through its walls is inserted into the hole and attached to the bone. Finally, additional filler cement is provided under pressure to the inside of the tubular implant. The filler cement flows into spaces in the bone structure via the tube wall openings. A sliding leak-tight fit between the implant and a cement injection tube permits delivery of cement at preselected locations along the implant length. Pressure is maintained until the filler cement has hardened. A strengthening factor up to was measured when osteoporotic bone was strengthened.

Abstract: A bone anchoring assembly includes at least one fixation plate and at least one bone anchoring element. Each bone anchoring element includes a circular-cylindrical hollow body with upper and lower ends, a hemi-spherical connector that is pivotably mounted to and supported by fixation elements, an external thread that extends partially along the outer surface of the body for anchoring the bone anchoring element into the cortical portion of the bone, and a series of teeth located on the lower end of the body for cutting into the bone.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces for receiving a bone screw. The at least one hole includes a first portion and a second portion that overlap one another. The first portion defines a substantially circular outer periphery and the second portion defines an elongated outer periphery that is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The first portion may have threads configured to engage threads on the head of a bone screw, and the second portion may be configured to cooperate with the head of a different bone screw to provide compression to the fracture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interbody spacer for use in replacing diseased or damaged intervertebral discs and fusing together vertebrae. The implant includes an annular base portion having an anterior end, a posterior end, and two side portions together forming a continuous outer wall, and an upper and a lower face portion extending around the outer wall. A plurality of teeth extend outwardly from the upper and lower face portions of the annular base portion. The teeth are slanted in the longitudinal direction toward the anterior end and have a generally regular V-shaped configuration in the transverse direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant in the form of a support unit with a central yoke and four legs extending in a direction is described. The legs are configured in two substantially mutually parallel planes spaced apart by the yoke and are abuttable as support surfaces against adjacent vertebrae. A guide cylinder extending from the yoke in the same direction as the legs has at least on threaded surface. A dilator member is adapted to be fixed to the guide cylinder and to deformably spread the legs of the intervertebral implant a predetermined amount. The gaps between the legs which the dilator member spreads may have grooves to arrest the dilator member in a predetermined location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone tissue removal and harvesting device. The device includes a cutting tool with a cutting head, a longitudinal shaft attached to the cutting head and a drive element. A container is located on the end opposite the cutting head for collection of the removed bone. The shaft can be made flexible to permit torsion and/or bending around the longitudinal axis without damage to the bone. During the cutting operation, the bone tissue is simultaneously removed and suctioned through an opening of the cutting head and conveyed through an axial shaft bore for collection in the container. The container is detachably mounted to the drive element and connected to the shaft so as to avoid substantial pressure drops from the cutting head to the container.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. The distractor includes blades that are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. The jaws include a mating fixture and the blades include a mating portion for removable association with the mating fixture.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. A set of blades is provided on each jaw such that an implant may be inserted between the spaced apart blades. The set of blades includes at least two blades.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. Additionally, one or more of the blades, distracting mechanism, and handles are offset with respect to the other to facilitate visualization and to increase the space available for an implant holder. The blades are configured to enhance versatility of the distractor. In a first embodiment, the blades are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. In a second embodiment, curved portions are provided between the blades and jaws such that the blades are offset from the jaws in a smooth transition which does not expose sharp edges to internal organs or vasculature of the patient.

Abstract: A bone anchoring assembly includes at least one fixation plate and at least one bone anchoring element. Each bone anchoring element includes a circular-cylindrical hollow body with upper and lower ends, a hemi-spherical connector that is pivotably mounted to and supported by fixation elements, an external thread that extends partially along the outer surface of the body for anchoring the bone anchoring element into the cortical portion of the bone, and a series of teeth located on the lower end of the body for cutting into the bone.

Abstract: A bone-anchoring assembly (9) to affix bone parts to another implant, comprising (a) a longitudinal, circular-cylindrical anchoring part (1) having a longitudinal axis (2), an upper end (3) and a lower end (4); and (b) a connecting element (5) mounted at the upper end (3) to couple to another implantable element; where (c) an external thread (7) is present on the outside surface (6) of the anchoring part (1); (d) the anchoring part (1) is of height H in the direction of the longitudinal axis (2) and is fitted with a borehole (10) concentric to the longitudinal axis (2) and of a depth T starting at the lower end (4); and to (e) the anchoring part (1) at the lower end (4) is self-cutting.

Abstract: A pedicle hook for use in treatment of the spine has a bifurcated blade in which one of the legs formed by the bifurcation is longer than the other.

Abstract: A coupling element for holding a Schanz screw and a threaded pin rigidly in the correct orientation comprising a jacket, an eye with a collet therein and a nut.