Abstract: A device for simultaneously identifying a plurality of surgical instruments or instrument groups includes a first detecting device having a first detection technology for detecting instruments and, if applicable, related instrument-specific information. The device also includes a second detecting device having a second different detection technology for detecting instruments and instrument information. Moreover, the device includes a comparing device for comparing the detection results of the two detecting devices. The comparing device outputs a positive evaluation regarding the correctness of the detected instruments if the two detection results are matching.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously identifying a plurality of surgical instruments or instrument groups includes a first detecting device having a first detection technology for detecting instruments and, if applicable, related instrument-specific information. The device also includes a second detecting device having a second different detection technology for detecting instruments and instrument information. Moreover, the device includes a comparing device for comparing the detection results of the two detecting devices. The comparing device outputs a positive evaluation regarding the correctness of the detected instruments if the two detection results are matching.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously identifying a plurality of surgical instruments or instrument groups includes a first detecting device having a first detection technology for detecting instruments and, if applicable, related instrument-specific information. The device also includes a second detecting device having a second different detection technology for detecting instruments and instrument information. Moreover, the device includes a comparing device for comparing the detection results of the two detecting devices. The comparing device outputs a positive evaluation regarding the correctness of the detected instruments if the two detection results are matching.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously identifying a plurality of surgical instruments or instrument groups includes a first detecting device having a first detection technology for detecting instruments and, if applicable, related instrument-specific information. The device also includes a second detecting device having a second different detection technology for detecting instruments and instrument information. Moreover, the device includes a comparing device for comparing the detection results of the two detecting devices. The comparing device outputs a positive evaluation regarding the correctness of the detected instruments if the two detection results are matching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a cartilage defect by implanting a cartilage replacement implant through an arthroscopic access, comprising: determining at least one parameter for describing the arthroscopic access, providing a surgical instrumentation comprising at least two different applicator instruments for grasping the cartilage replacement implant, choosing one of the at least two applicator instruments of the instrumentation in dependence upon the at least one parameter determined for describing the arthroscopic access, and grasping and inserting the cartilage replacement implant into the patient's body with the chosen instrument through the arthroscopic access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cross checking points palpated with a localization device. Points corresponding to the palpated points are obtained from a preoperative image of an object such as an X-Ray of a tibia bone. During a surgical procedure, the accuracy of palpated points are determined based on the palpated points and corresponding points obtained from the preoperative image. If a palpated point is inaccurate, an indicator is generated to indicate the inaccuracy of the palpated point.

Abstract: In order to establish an optimum position on the upper side of the tibia for the exit point of an anterior cruciate ligament replacement, it is proposed that, with the leg bent, the position of a number of points along the front edge of the notch is detected and in this way their position and progression on the femur are also determined, that, with the leg straight, the course of this front edge of the notch is projected onto a projection plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tibia in the region of the upper side of the tibia, and that, within the region enclosed by this projected curve, the exit point is selected such that it maintains at least a distance corresponding to the radius of the implant from the projected curve. Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out such a method is proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a cartilage defect by implanting a cartilage replacement implant through an arthroscopic access, comprising: determining at least one parameter for describing the arthroscopic access, providing a surgical instrumentation comprising at least two different applicator instruments for grasping the cartilage replacement implant, choosing one of the at least two applicator instruments of the instrumentation in dependence upon the at least one parameter determined for describing the arthroscopic access, and grasping and inserting the cartilage replacement implant into the patient's body with the chosen instrument through the arthroscopic access.

Abstract: In order to improve a surgical system for the preparation of an implant for filling a defect on a bone and/or a cartilage of a human or animal body formed as a result of a trauma and/or degeneration, so that the defect can be filled with the implant with as precise a fit as possible, it is proposed that the system enables a provided defect data file to be processed, which contains data in particular for the description of the shape, area and/or volume of the defect, and that the system enables the implant corresponding to the defect in shape and size to be prepared from at least one provided implant material using the defect data file. In addition, a method for filling a defect on a bone and/or cartilage of a human or animal body present as a result of a trauma and/or degeneration is proposed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus that permit one to accurately measure range of motion of a joint for joint stability testing and other purposes. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a marker that can be tracked by a surgical navigation system is rigidly fixed to each of the bones forming a joint and the joint is placed within the field of view of the surgical navigation system. The surgical navigation system tracks the bones in all six degrees of freedom by tracking the markers attached thereto. The navigation system can be programmed to measure and display to the surgeon all information relevant to such joint stability testing, including, but not limited to, starting position, maximum joint translation, maximum joint rotation, instantaneous joint translation, instantaneous joint rotation, and instantaneous joint flexion angle. The system may be set up to show a comparison of pre- and post-operative data.

Abstract: In order to establish an optimum position on the upper side of the tibia for the exit point of an anterior cruciate ligament replacement, it is proposed that, with the leg bent, the position of a number of points along the front edge of the notch is detected and in this way their position and progression on the femur are also determined, that, with the leg straight, the course of this front edge of the notch is projected onto a projection plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tibia in the region of the upper side of the tibia, and that, within the region enclosed by this projected curve, the exit point is selected such that it maintains at least a distance corresponding to the radius of the implant from the projected curve. Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out such a method is proposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cross checking points palpated with a localization device. Points corresponding to the palpated points are obtained from a preoperative image of an object such as an X-Ray of a tibia bone. During a surgical procedure, the accuracy of palpated points are determined based on the palpated points and corresponding points obtained from the preoperative image. If a palpated point is inaccurate, an indicator is generated to indicate the inaccuracy of the palpated point.

Abstract: In a suture anchor system for joining pieces of tissue, in particular, for repairing meniscal tears, comprising at least two arrow-shaped or pin-shaped anchor implants joined to one another by a flexible suture fastened to the anchor implants, in order to facilitate installation of the anchor implants, it is proposed that at least one of the anchor implants have a continuous longitudinal passageway for receiving a longitudinally displaceable core, that a suture guide for receiving a suture common to all anchor implants for longitudinal displacement in the suture guide be disposed on this anchor implant, that a clamping device for securing the suture in the suture guide be associated with the suture guide, and that the clamping device be inactive so long as the core is located inside the longitudinal passageway and only become active when the core is pulled out of the longitudinal passageway. An instrument for inserting such anchor implants is also described.

Abstract: In order to facilitate insertion and reduce movement of the tendon replacement part in the channel in an implant for fastening of a tendon replacement part to a channel receiving the tendon replacement part in the region of the tibia and/or femur close to the knee, with an abutment element abutting against the channel and with a connecting element, wherein the tendon replacement part and the abutment element may be coupled by means of the connecting element, it is proposed that the abutment element and the connecting element defining a longitudinal direction are configured and reconciled with one another such that the tendon replacement part is fixable in the channel by relative movement between the abutment element and the connecting element in longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a suture anchor system for joining pieces of tissue, in particular, for repairing meniscal tears, comprising at least two arrow-shaped or pin-shaped anchor implants joined to one another by a flexible suture fastened to the anchor implants, in order to facilitate installation of the anchor implants, it is proposed that at least one of the anchor implants have a continuous longitudinal passageway for receiving a longitudinally displaceable core, that a suture guide for receiving a suture common to all anchor implants for longitudinal displacement in the suture guide be disposed on this anchor implant, that a clamping device for securing the suture in the suture guide be associated with the suture guide, and that the clamping device be inactive so long as the core is located inside the longitudinal passageway and only become active when the core is pulled out of the longitudinal passageway. An instrument for inserting such anchor implants is also described.

Abstract: In order to be able to adjust the tension of a ligament replacement implant in a controlled manner, a device is suggested for handling an implant which can be placed against a contact surface of a bone and thereby covers a tunnel in the bone and fixes in position at least one thread extending in the tunnel, this device being characterized by releasable spreading elements on the device, with which the device can be connected to the implant in a locking position of the spreading elements in such a manner that as a result of rotation of the device this implant can be turned in relation to an axis defined by the tunnel and, in addition, be lifted away from the contact surface in the direction of this axis.

Abstract: To be able to secure the tendon replacement member without additionally weakening the tibia in the case of an implant for securing a tendon replacement member to a channel receiving the tendon replacement member in the region of the tibia close to the knee, it is proposed that the implant is in the form of a disc with passages for threads connected to the tendon replacement member and is dimensioned so that it completely covers the outlet opening of the channel from the tibia.

Abstract: In an implant for fixing a plastic replacement for a tendon at a channel accommodating the plastic tendon replacement in the area of the tibia near the knee in the form of a disc having through-openings for threads joined to the plastic tendon replacement and being of such dimensions that it completely covers the opening of the channel exiting from the tibia, in order to prevent rotation of the implant with respect to the tibia head, the disc comprises on its underside facing the tibia projections for preventing the disc from rotating relative to the tibia.

Abstract: In order to allow a particularly small construction of a scissors-like tool for a surgical instrument with two interconnected arms which are pivotable elastically between a spread open position and a virtually closed position by engagement of a sleeve over the outside to a greater or lesser extent, this sleeve being axially displaceable relative to and engaging around the scissors-like tool, it is suggested that for forming the arms a rod consisting of elastic material have a diametric, front recess starting from its free end and followed by an additional, diametric, rear recess which is turned through 90.degree.

Abstract: In a surgical retractor having a frame on which at least two retractor elements are mounted, if desired, so as to be displaceable, to enable individual adjustment of the forces exerted by the retractor elements on the surrounding tissue, it is proposed that the frame have at least one support foot which carries attachment means for fixing on a bone.