Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.

Abstract: In order to provide a spring device which is of simple construction and enables achieving high spring forces and long spring paths, it is proposed that the spring device comprises the following: a spring element which is able to be brought from an initial state into a deflected state by elastic deformation; an abutment element against which the spring element is able to abut for reaching a deflected state of the spring element, wherein at least one end of the spring element is moveable relative to the abutment element by elastic deformation of the spring element, wherein the spring element in the initial state thereof has an increasing distance from the abutment element in the direction of the end of the spring element which is moveable relative to the abutment element.

Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.

Abstract: A device for preparing an opening in tissue for implantation of an implant. The device includes a tool adapted to be coupled to an energy source, an augmentation element of a thermoplastic material, and a counter element. A tool contact surface and a first augmentation element contact surface together form a first interface, and a second augmentation element contact surface and a counter element contact surface together form a second interface. The device is configured to be being inserted into an opening in the tissue and configured for the augmentation element to be compressed between the tool and the counter element while at the same time energy is coupled into the tool.

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting device for connecting two components, which is simple to manufacture and enables a stable and reliable connection of the two components, it is proposed that the connecting device comprises a main body which comprises a receiving channel extending through the main body for accommodating a fixing element, wherein the receiving channel is preferably accessible at one end by way of an insertion opening of the main body and/or preferably at a (further) end by way of a fixing opening of the main body, wherein the main body preferably further comprises an actuating opening that is different from the insertion opening and/or the fixing opening, by way of which in particular the fixing element arranged in the receiving channel is preferably accessible for the actuation thereof.

Abstract: A connecting device includes a connecting element arranged on a connectible part, which includes non-self-cutting retaining projections having a curved supporting surface in the shape of a circular arc in a longitudinal section that are insertable into a groove provided on another connectible part. The groove has a curved undercut surface in the shape of a circular arc in a longitudinal section, a base segment, and two undercut segments extending away from the base segment in a thickness direction. The retaining projections engage in the undercut segments of the groove, the connecting means guiding the parts in relation to each other. One connecting element includes a guiding groove with a slotted guide and the other connecting element includes a guiding element moveable along the guiding groove in a specified guiding path having varying distances from a contact surface of the part and/or abutment surface of the connecting element.

Abstract: A punching device for preparing a recess in a bone has a punching tool usable for such a punching device. An implant usable with the punching tool is provided and a method for preparing a recess in a bone are disclosed. The punching device comprises an ultrasonic sonotrode and a punching tool which is fixable to the sonotrode at its proximal extremity. At its distal extremity, the punching tool has a thin-walled portion having a non-rotational symmetric cross-section. By ultrasonic vibration of the punching tool, the thin-walled portion can be forced into a bone thereby preparing a recess of which is not rotationally symmetric. Subsequently, an implant can be held in such recess. Due to its lack of rotational symmetry, the implant may absorb rotational forces around its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In order to provide an anchor element for fastening an article to a further article, this anchor element being simple and inexpensive to produce and enabling an article to be fastened to a further article simply and reliably, it is proposed that the anchor element should include a base body that takes a hollow form, at least in certain regions, and surrounds a receiving space for receiving a fastening element, wherein the base body includes one or more elastically yielding spring elements that are formed by one or more wall portions of the base body, and these project into the receiving space in an installed condition of the anchor element.

Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Abstract: An implant or endoprosthesis suitable to be implanted in human or animal tissue includes two (or more than two) parts to be joined in situ. Each one of the parts includes a joining location, the two joining locations facing each other when the device parts are positioned for being joined together, wherein one of the joining locations includes a material which is liquefiable by mechanical vibration and the other one of the joining locations includes a material which is not liquefiable by mechanical vibration and a structure (e.g. undercut cavities or protrusions) suitable for forming a positive fit connection with the liquefiable material. The joining process is effected by pressing the two device parts against each other and by applying ultrasonic vibration to one of the device parts when the two parts are positioned relative to each other such that the two joining locations are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, the method including the steps of: providing an artificial or allograft flexible planar structure; providing an implant, the implant including material liquefiable by mechanical oscillation, exposing a surface region of hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material; positioning the implant on an exposed area of the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material; and fastening the implant to the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material by impinging the proximal end of the implant with mechanical oscillation and simultaneously pressing the implant against the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material while the distal end of the implant protrudes into a cavity of the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material and regions of the liquefiable material are in contact with the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material, and thereby liquefying at least a portion of the liquefiable material, and letting the liquefiable material resolidify.

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Abstract: A screw for fixation of, for example, a fracture having a hollow shaft, a first outer thread and radial openings at its distal end, and a second outer thread and an inner engagement portion at its proximal end. The second outer thread is adapted to engage with a tissue protection sleeve. The inner engagement portion is adapted to fit to a driving end of a driving tool. By way of this, forces in axial or radial direction may be applied to the screw by the sleeve, and forces in rotational direction may be applied by the driving tool. Therefore, the screw can be installed accurately at the intended site in an object.

Abstract: An ultrasonic handpiece is used for augmenting a bone screw. The handpieces comprise a housing, an ultrasonic converter shiftingly accommodated in the housing, and a sonotrode connected to one end of the ultrasonic converter. The sonotrode protrudes from the housing into the bone screw. An adjuster wheel is adjustably connected to the housing. A spring is provided the ends of which are supported by the ultrasonic converter and the adjuster wheel, respectively. The ultrasonic converter is preloaded in the direction away from the adjuster wheel by setting the adjuster wheel, thereby the sonotrode is urged with a selected force into the bone screw and the augmentation material is pressed out of the bone screw and into the bone.

Abstract: In order to create a connecting device for fixing and/or connecting objects or components, in particular for connecting furniture or machine parts, which connecting device comprises one or more connecting elements which are easily and reliably fixable in or to one or more components, it is proposed that the connecting device comprise at least one connecting element which is fixable in or to a component and comprises the following: a main body and one or more securing elements, wherein the one or more securing elements are formed in one piece with the main body in an initial position of the connecting device, wherein the one or more securing elements are detachable from the main body by destroying a predetermined break-away region between the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements and wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are moveable from the initial position into a securing position for the purposes of fixing the main body in or to the component.

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Abstract: A device for preparing an opening in tissue for implantation of an implant. The device includes a tool adapted to be coupled to an energy source, an augmentation element of a thermoplastic material, and a counter element. A tool contact surface and a first augmentation element contact surface together form a first interface, and a second augmentation element contact surface and a counter element contact surface together form a second interface. The device is configured to be being inserted into an opening in the tissue and configured for the augmentation element to be compressed between the tool and the counter element while at the same time energy is coupled into the tool.

Abstract: A method of anchoring an implant in hard tissue, and/or hard tissue replacement material, includes the steps of providing an initial opening in the hard tissue, providing a thermoplastic augmentation element, a tool and a counter element, compressing the augmentation element between the tool and the counter element while energy is coupled into the tool and while a periphery of a liquefaction interface of the tool and the augmentation element and/or of a liquefaction interface of the augmentation element and the counter element is in the opening, thereby liquefying material of the augmentation element at the liquefaction interface(s) to yield liquefied material, causing portions of the liquefied material to penetrate into structures of the hard tissue, allowing the liquefied material to harden and to thereby become augmentation material, removing the tool and the counter element, and anchoring the implant in the opening including at least some of the augmentation material.