Abstract: An inflatable balloon for diagnostics and treatment of diseased discs or fractured bones. The balloon is a multi-volume balloon comprised of a plurality of adjustable and expandable single volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the diseased discs or fractured bones. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing a bone, disc, or spinal motion segment.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis (4), comprising: a rigid top plate (5); a rigid bottom plate (6); and an elastically-compressible intermediate cushion (7) received between the two inside surfaces of the plates (5, 6); remarkable in that the assembly is subdivided in the thickness direction into two units resting one on the other via complementary contact surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical retractor has a rail, a first arm protruding from the rail at an angle, a second arm being movably mounted on the rail and extending substantially parallel to the first arm, and a multiplicity of holding elements mounted on the first and second arms. A holding element has a multi-axis joint for pivotably holding a blade for engaging tissue to be retracted. In this way, a most flexible surgical retractor is provided.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprising a first component, a second component and a core component is disclosed. The first component comprises a first exterior surface configured for engaging a first vertebra and a first interior surface opposing the first exterior surface. The second component comprises a second exterior surface configured for engaging a second vertebra and a second interior surface opposing the second exterior surface. The core component is situated between the first and second components and adhered to the first interior surface and the second interior surface, wherein at least one of the first interior surface and the second interior surface comprises a concavity such that at the location of the concavity, the core component comprises a corresponding convexity. Further, the core component may further comprise a sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a concavity.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis, having a rigid top plate, a rigid bottom plate, and an elastically deformable intermediate cushion housed between the two inner surfaces of the plates. The cushion, at rest, possesses a wedge-shape possessing at least one front notch open into the larger end of the wedge and one rear notch open into the narrower end. The faces of the notches co-operate by contact over an area of magnitude that varies as a function of the intensity and/or direction of the load to which the prosthesis is subjected. The bottoms of the notches are spaced apart from each other and situated in the narrower half of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical retractor has a rail, a first arm protruding from the rail at an angle, a second arm being movably mounted on the rail and extending substantially parallel to the first arm, and a multiplicity of holding elements mounted on the first and second arms. A holding element has a multi-axis joint for pivotably holding a blade for engaging tissue to be retracted. In this way, a most flexible surgical retractor is provided.

Abstract: Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6,7,8) for the plate and means (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the blocking means comprises at least one slide (22) slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at least one anchorage screw head (15, 16). The slide cooperates with means (33, 34) for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable means.

Abstract: Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6,7,8) for the plate and means (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the blocking means comprises at least one slide (22) slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at lease one anchorage screw head (15,16). The slide cooperates with means (33,34) for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable means.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement implant includes two longitudinal elements slidably mounted with respect to each other, and locking elements. These locking elements include, on one of the longitudinal elements, an anchor surface, and on the other of the longitudinal elements, an anchor shoe guided in translation to take up a first position in which the elements slide freely with respect to each other, and a second position in which the anchor shoe cooperates with the anchor surface to lock the elements together, with a system converting a rotational movement into a translational movement transmitted to the anchor shoe.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis, having a rigid top plate, a rigid bottom plate, and an elastically deformable intermediate cushion housed between the two inner surfaces of the plates. The cushion, at rest, possesses a wedge-shape possessing at least one front notch open into the larger end of the wedge and one rear notch open into the narrower end. The faces of the notches co-operate by contact over an area of magnitude that varies as a function of the intensity and/or direction of the load to which the prosthesis is subjected. The bottoms of the notches are spaced apart from each other and situated in the narrower half of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6,7,8) for the plate and means (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the blocking means comprises at least one slide (22) slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at lease one anchorage screw head (15,16). The slide cooperates with means (33,34) for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable means.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis (4), comprising: a rigid top plate (5); a rigid bottom plate (6); and an elastically-compressible intermediate cushion (7) received between the two inside surfaces of the plates (5, 6); remarkable in that the assembly is subdivided in the thickness direction into two units resting one on the other via complementary contact surfaces.

Abstract: The subject of the invention concerns a vertebral replacement implant comprising: two longitudinal elements slidably mounted with respect to each other, and locking means (8) comprising: on one of the elements, an anchor surface (10), and on the other element: an anchor shoe (12) guided in translation to take up a first position in which the elements slide freely with respect to each other, and a second position in which the anchor shoe (12) cooperates with the anchor surface (10) to lock the elements together, a system (15) converting a rotational movement into a translational movement transmitted to the anchor shoe (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns a backbone osteosynthesis system comprising an elongated element, a vertebral screw, and a connecting element comprising two branches for clamping between them the linking element, at least one first branch being capable of being engaged onto the screw. The system comprises a second vertebral screw, the first branch having an extension capable of being engaged onto the second screw. The system may comprise a second elongated linking element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a backbone osteosynthesis system, in particular for anterior fixing comprising: an elongated linking element; a vertebral screw with a threaded head; a connector comprising two branches capable of being engaged onto the screw and clamping between them the linking element; and a threaded clamping member capable of co-operating with the head for clamping the branches. The head has a threaded orifice, the clamping member comprising a threaded rod capable of being urged to be engaged in the orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plating system for anterior fixation of the spine that utilizes a fixation plate. The plating system stabilizes the spine and promotes fusion and incorporation of a graft in a portion of the spinal column. The plating system includes a fixation plate and bone screws that extend through holes in the plate to rigidly secure the plate to vertebrae. The plating system also includes a retainer assembly that prevents screw back out. Methods and instruments relating to the plating system are also described.

Abstract: Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6, 7, 8) for the plate and means (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the blocking means comprises at least one slide (22) slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at least one anchorage screw head (15, 16). The slide cooperates with means (33, 34) for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable means.

Abstract: A spinal osteosynthesis system, in particular for anterior spinal fixation, comprising at least an anchoring member, an elongated linking element and a connector capable of being fixed to the anchoring member and to the linking element by selecting an angular position of the linking element relative to the connector. The system comprises a second elongated linking element, the connector being capable of being fixed simultaneously to both linking elements.

Abstract: Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6, 7, 8) for the plate and at least one slide (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the at least one slide (22) is slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at least one anchorage screw head (15, 16). The slide cooperates with boss and recess portions for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a)) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a backbone osteosynthesis system, in particular for anterior fixing comprising: an elongated linking element; a vertebral screw with a threaded head; a connector comprising two branches capable of being engaged onto the screw and clamping between them the linking element; and a threaded clamping member capable of co-operating with the head for clamping the branches. The head has a threaded orifice, the clamping member comprising a threaded rod capable of being urged to be engaged in the orifice.