Abstract: The device for protecting adjacent stages Vc of a spinal segment Sr of a vertebral column previously instrumented by an osteosynthesis device (1) is constituted of fixation elements (110) formed of connectors (111) immobilized in translation and in rotation on the corresponding connection rod (4) of osteosynthesis device (1), a support block (130; 180) in which is housed the spinous process Ve of superjacent vertebra Vc found just above the instrumented spinal segment Sr and at least one ligament (150, 170, 190) allowing spinous process Ve of superjacent vertebra Vc to be joined to support block (130; 180) and the support block (130; 180) to be joined to connectors (111).

Abstract: The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a plate which defines a convex surface intended to bear against the glenoid cavity of a patient's scapula and which forms a directional guide for a drilling, fashioning or like member. To allow the surgeon to apply this member in a chosen direction, the tool comprises means for adjusting the position of the guide with respect to the plate.

Abstract: The total arthroplasty joint prosthesis includes connectors (2, 4) fixed in the pedicles Vp of the spinal levels by anchoring screws (3), upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6) connecting the connectors (2, 4) to each other, and guiding and damping element (7) connecting the upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6), the guiding and damping element (7) and the upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6) being constructed with relation to each other so as to define at least one rotation and sliding axis C situated at the level of the upper superjacent vertebra Va of the instrumented segment Sr in order to limit the stresses on the anchoring screws (3) ensuring fixation of the connectors (2) in the superjacent vertebra Va.

Abstract: The facet arthroplasty device according to the present invention comprises linking rods (2) for linking together connectors (3, 6) that are held respectively in the vertebral bodies of each treated vertebra V by way of anchoring screws (4), while each connector (3) has means for immobilizing and guiding a sleeve (5) that allows said connector (3) freedoms of movement in rotation R, R1 and/or in lateral tilting B about a vertical axis xx' and/or vv' of the anchoring screw (4), which has been fixed beforehand in the corresponding vertebral body.

Abstract: A guidance device including two vertebral units adapted to be fixed to the posterior side of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine and wherein the two units have substantially spherical complementary articulation surfaces which, when the units are fixed to the vertebrae, extend overall on the posterior side of the vertebrae and slide against one another about a center point located in the intervertebral space that separates the vertebrae, and wherein the device also includes a mechanical element to limit an amplitude of the relative sliding of the articulation surfaces.

Abstract: A vertebral anchoring device includes connectors (2) linked to one another by connecting rods (3) and fixed on bone-anchoring screws (5) implanted in the vertebrae (4) of a vertebral column, each connector (2) being composed of a connection element (6) that includes receiving and fixing members to permit immobilization of the connecting rod (3) in translation and in rotation. Each connection element (6) includes, opposite the members for receiving and fixing the connecting rod (3), a seat (12) that cooperates with a connecting device (17) permitting assembly of the anchoring screw (5). The connecting device (17), before immobilization of the connecting rod (3) in the connection element (6), permits lateral and independent tilting movements of the connection element (6) and of the anchoring screw (5) relative to each other, and rotation of the anchoring screw (5) for fixing it in the body of the vertebra (4).

Abstract: This surgical apparatus comprises, on the one hand, means for spatial marking-out of the patella and femur of a patient to be operated on, and, on the other hand, means for simultaneous and relative representation of this patella provided virtually with a patellar implant of the prosthesis, and of this femur provided virtually with a femoral implant of the prosthesis, in a transverse plane passing both through the patella and through the trochlea of the aforementioned femoral implant. Using this apparatus, the surgeon can easily and quickly check the congruent position of the patellar implant with respect to the prosthetic femoral trochlea in order to reduce the risks of subsequent dislocations of the patella fitted with the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for implanting a malleolar implant in an ankle joint. A spacer block is positioned between a lower portion of a tibia and an upper portion of an astragalus in the ankle joint. A guide attached to the spacer block is positioned opposite an outer surface of a fibular malleolus. A bore aligned with the guide is formed through the fibular malleolus. The spacer block is removed from between the tibia and the astragalus. A shank of the malleolar implant is engaged with the bore from an inner surface of the fibular malleolus. The shank is advanced into the bore so an inner surface of a head of the malleolar implant engages the inner surface of the fibular malleolus.

Abstract: An ancillary tool for fitting a humeral component of a total or partial elbow prosthesis, comprising a guiding tool (30) for boring a humeral trochlea (T) along a geometric axis (X-X?) of bend of a joint to be equipped with said prosthesis. The guiding tool (30) includes a stirrup element (31) and means (32b, 33b) for securing said stirrup element on the humeral trochlea (T) so that said guiding tool defines a guiding zone that is aligned in the geometric axis of bend for the introduction (F1) of a drill (40), a punch or the like, in the humeral trochlea (T) along said geometric axis of bend. This ancillary tool also comprises at least one stepped template (701, 702, 703) for determining an anterior offset of said geometric axis of bend (X-X?) with respect to a humeral diaphyseal axis (Y-Y?).

Abstract: An ancillary tool (10) comprising a trial humeral trochlea (202) that is representative of an anatomical humeral trochlea when the trial humeral trochlea is in place with respect to corresponding cubital (SC) and/or radial (SR) articular surfaces and a cut-out guide (30) for cutting an ulna (C) and/or a radius (R), wherein the cut-out guide (30) is adapted to be positioned with respect to the trial humeral trochlea (202). The cut-out guide (30) is also adapted to be positioned with respect to an ulna (C) and/or to a radius (R) equipped with the trial humeral trochlea (202).

Abstract: The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a plate which defines a convex surface intended to bear against the glenoid cavity of a patient's scapula and which forms a directional guide for a drilling, fashioning or like member. To allow the surgeon to apply this member in a chosen direction, the tool comprises means for adjusting the position of the guide with respect to the plate.

Abstract: A slide-type cervical plate includes an anti-backout device (2) preventing the vertical movements of the bone anchor screws (3) and which consists of first vertical-blocking elements (71) capable of deforming elastically in a first direction so that an anchor screw (3) can be introduced into the corresponding bore (4) and of second vertical-blocking elements (8) capable of deforming elastically in a second direction different than the first so that another anchor screw (3) can be fitted into another bore (4), the first and second blocking elements deforming elastically when a combined external load in a vertical direction and in rotation in the clockwise direction is applied to the anchor screws (3).

Abstract: The device for protecting adjacent stages Vc of a spinal segment Sr of a vertebral column previously instrumented by an osteosynthesis device (1) is constituted of fixation elements (110) formed of connectors (111) immobilized in translation and in rotation on the corresponding connection rod (4) of osteosynthesis device (1), a support block (130; 180) in which is housed the spinous process Ve of superjacent vertebra Vc found just above the instrumented spinal segment Sr and at least one ligament (150, 170, 190) allowing spinous process Ve of superjacent vertebra Vc to be joined to support block (130; 180) and the support block (130; 180) to be joined to connectors (111).

Abstract: The hinge mounting system according to the present invention is constituted of a link connector (10) comprising, on either side of a U-shaped opening (8), a first and a second vertical branch (11, 12) respectively cooperating through axes of rotation (13, 14) with a clamping element (15) enabling the linking rod (4) to be immobilized in translation and in rotation after it has been pivoted and locked above the opening (8) by a lock (16) elastically loaded by a leaf spring (29).

Abstract: A jig for resurfacing the head of a femur comprises a centering guide defining a centering axis. It further comprises: a support suitable for fitting on a head of the femur and defining an envelope surface forming a portion of a sphere, the centering guide being fastened to the support with the centering axis aligned on a diameter of the sphere; and at least one abutment arm for coming into abutment against a predefined portion of a neck of the femur, the abutment arm being connected to the support and having a distal end that bears against the corresponding predefined portion when the support is fitted on the head of the femur with the centering axis aligned on the central axis of the neck of the femur or with a small amount of valgus.

Abstract: A total shoulder prosthesis includes a glenoidal component a substantially hemispherical convex articular surface and of which a center of curvature is adapted, when the prosthesis is implanted, to be located in the glenoid cavity or in the immediate vicinity thereof, and a humeral component defining a concave articular surface adapted to cooperate with the convex articular surface of the glenoidal component. The concave humeral articular surface is defined by a metallic part of the humeral component to thereby reduce a space requirement of the prosthesis.

Abstract: The total arthroplasty joint prosthesis includes connectors (2, 4) fixed in the pedicles Vp of the spinal levels by anchoring screws (3), upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6) connecting the connectors (2, 4) to each other, and guiding and damping element (7) connecting the upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6), the guiding and damping element (7) and the upper and lower connecting elements (5, 6) being constructed with relation to each other so as to define at least one rotation and sliding axis C situated at the level of the upper superjacent vertebra Va of the instrumented segment Sr in order to limit the stresses on the anchoring screws (3) ensuring fixation of the connectors (2) in the superjacent vertebra Va.

Abstract: An apparatus and modeling method of the present invention includes the successive steps of generating cartographic data representative of points belonging to a glenoid surface; distinguishing from among the cartographic data a first group of cartographic data corresponding to a first part of the glenoid surface, the first surface part being situated farthest down in the vertical direction in relation to the scapula; calculating from the first group of cartographic data a first ellipsoid portion that coincides substantially with the first surface part; and obtaining a theoretical glenoid surface from the first ellipsoid portion. By virtue of the theoretical glenoid surface obtained by this method, it is possible to assist the surgeon in optimizing the position of implantation of a glenoid component and to produce a glenoid component “made to measure” for the scapula that is to be fitted with a prosthesis.

Abstract: A humeral component, forming a first articulating surface, and an ulnar component forming a second articulating surface adapted to be disposed around a part of the first articulating surface and to pivot about its longitudinal axis. This ulnar component is provided with structure for mounting a locking element which forms a third articulating surface extending the second and adapted likewise to be disposed around a part of the first surface. These mounting structure comprise guiding structures adapted to cooperate with complementary structure provided on the locking element in order to guide this element in translation with respect to the ulnar component, up to a position where blocking structure provided respectively on the locking element and on the ulnar component may be employed to immobilize this element on this component, these blocking structure being able to be employed only in this position.