Abstract: The device (4) comprises two vertebral elements (10, 20) each adapted to be fixed to the same lateral side of the body of at least two adjacent vertebrae (1, 2). In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and stably in order to reproduce an articulating intervertebral joint, the elements delimit respective surfaces (14A, 26A) for the relative guiding of the two elements, which surfaces are so adapted that, when the elements are implanted on the corresponding vertebrae, they cooperate with one another by complementarity of forms, in such a manner that they define an axis of rotation (X-X) about which the two elements are able to tilt one relative to the other and which extends both according to a direction substantially mediolateral to the spine and in the intervertebral disk space (7) separating the two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A method of implanting in a fibula a malleolar implant including a head and a shank. The method comprises the steps of creating a bore in the fibula extending from an inner face to an outer face and applying a traction force to the malleolar implant so that the shank is pulled into the bore.

Abstract: This device comprises two vertebral assemblies designed to be fixed respectively to the bone of two different vertebrae. In order to guide the vertebrae effectively and in a stable manner for reproducing an intervertebral articular connection, rigid means connect the two vertebral assemblies to one another and are designed such that, when the device is in implantation configuration, they can be connected to each assembly so as to slide along a relative guide trajectory which, projected in the sagittal plane of the spine, is curved along the spine, having a concavity directed toward the spine and being centered at a zone contained in the interosseous space delimited between the two vertebrae.

Abstract: A set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, wherein each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation in the form of a portion of a sphere. The offset between an axis of symmetry of this surface and a central axis of the metaphyseal part varies between the different components of the set. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during a movement of adduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indirect heating system in which a solid fuel circulates in the form of particles. The inventive system comprises a grinding station, a furnace (7), at least one intermediate silo, a separator, at least one cyclone and, optionally, a gas recirculation fan. The invention is characterised in that a dust extractor (10) captures the finest particles which are subsequently introduced into the furnace (7) by means of at least one specific conduit (52) and burnt by at least one specific burner (71). The aforementioned ultra-fine particles are then stored in a specific silo (10), dosed into a feeding device (61), mixed in well defined proportions with hot air and conveyed to the specific burner (71) through the specific conduit (52).

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

Abstract: This nail (2) comprises a body (4) that can be inserted into the medullary canal (108) of the humerus (100), this body (4) comprising a proximal part with housing orifices into which interlocking devices (22) such as screws will be inserted to interlock initially split humeral fragments (1061-1063), and a locking device (6) capable of locking the said interlocking means (22), this locking device (6) being free to move relative to the body (4). The locking device (6) comprises several openings (61), each of which comprises a free passage part (611) extending in front of a corresponding orifice (44) in the free passage position, and a locking part (612), the walls of which can stop in contact with a corresponding interlocking device (22), in the locking position.

Abstract: The prosthesis of this invention comprises a humeral or femoral component presenting a concave articulation surface, and an intermediate component presenting first and second convex articulation surfaces intended to cooperate respectively with said concave articulation surface of the humeral or femoral component and with a concave glenoid or cotyloid articulation surface. The locus of the instantaneous centers of rotation of the first convex articulation surface, with respect to the concave humeral or femoral articulation surface, and the locus of the instantaneous centers of rotation of the second convex articulation surface on the glenoid or cotyloid surface, are located on either side of the first surface.

Abstract: The prosthesis according to the invention comprises a first component, humeral or femoral, presenting a concave surface of articulation and a second, intermediate component presenting first and second convex surfaces of articulation intended to cooperate respectively with the concave surface of articulation of the first component and with a glenoidal or acetabular concave surface of articulation. The second component is hollow and defines a volume for receiving a part of a member belonging to the first component, this part being connected to a metaphyseal part of the first component by a stem traversing an opening made in a ring of the second component mounted on a cup of which the outer surface forms the second convex surface of articulation of the second component, The first convex surface of articulation of the second component is formed on the outer surface of the ring, around the aforementioned opening.

Abstract: This glenoidal component for a shoulder prosthesis comprises a base which may be immobilized on the glenoid cavity of a shoulder, and an element provided to be mounted on this base and forming a convex surface of articulation centred on an axis of symmetry. This axis of symmetry is non perpendicular to a rear face of the base intended to abut against the glenoid cavity, this making it possible to compensate a defect in parallelism between the resectioned surface of the glenoid cavity and the axis of the patient's spinal column. A surgeon can select the component most adapted to the orientation of the resectioned surface from a set of components in which the axes of symmetry of the components are oriented differently with respect to their rear faces.

Abstract: The glenoidal component for shoulder prosthesis according to the invention comprises a base adapted to be immobilized on a patient's glenoid cavity and an element adapted to be added on the base and defining a convex surface of articulation of which at least a part is globally in the form of a portion of sphere and centred on a geometric point, the base being provided with a part centred on an axis and on which is added the afore-mentioned element. When the component is in assembled configuration, the geometric centre and the afore-mentioned axis are offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: In this set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation globally in the form of a portion of sphere. The offset between the axis of symmetry of this surface and the central axis of the metaphyseal part of the different components is variable. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during the movement of adduction.

Abstract: This total shoulder prosthesis comprises a glenoidal component, defining a substantially hemispherical convex articular surface and of which the centre of curvature is 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, this avoiding having to resort to a part made of plastics material which would increase the space requirement of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic element comprising two principal components which are assembled together and immobilized with respect to each other by a screw which may be selectively threaded into at least one tapping in at least one of the principal components. The screw comprises at least one radial element adapted to abut against a stop surface within the first component, and a non-threaded end forming a guide which is adapted to slide in a bore in the second component.

Abstract: This prosthesis comprises a humeral or femoral component and an intermediate component. The concave surface of articulation of the humeral or femoral component is formed by a plate connected by a neck to a part of this component adapted to be anchored in the humeral or femoral medullary cavity. The intermediate component is provided with a member for retaining the humeral or femoral component in a position where the plate is in abutment against the first convex surface of the intermediate component. The retaining member defines a non-circular passage in which the neck is adapted to be displaced as a function of the movements of the humeral or femoral component with respect to the other components of the prosthesis. The retaining member defines with the first convex surface of articulation of the intermediate component a volume for receiving a part of the plate projecting radially with respect to the neck.

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.

Abstract: A tibial prosthetic assembly generally comprises a base (6) intended to be connected to a tibia and a shoe adapted to be fixedly mounted on the base. This shoe defines a prosthetic articulating surface intended to cooperate with a femoral element (2) and presenting an anterior spine (56) on either side of which are located two glenoidal cavities (54, 55) for receiving femoral condyles (14, 15). In order to form such an assembly, the surgeon has at his disposal a set comprising the base (6) and a plurality of shoes which are adapted to be assembled in respective inherent angular positions in each of which the longitudinal axis of the anterior spine (56) of each shoe forms a predetermined angle with the antero-posterior median axis of the base (6). Application to the domain of prostheses of the knee joint, particularly of humans.

Abstract: The glenoid component according to the invention comprises a metal body of which the inner face is adapted to be immobilized on the glenoid cavity of a shoulder and of which the outer face bears a concave articulating surface adapted to cooperate with a humeral component. This articulating surface extends on the periphery by a convex surface forming, at least in part, the edge of the body.

Abstract: The prosthesis according to the invention comprises 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 means 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 means comprise guiding means adapted to cooperate with complementary means 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 means provided respectively on the locking element and on the ulnar component may be employed to immobilize this element on this component, these blocking means being able to be employed only in this position.

Abstract: A method of positioning a malleolar implant for partial or total ankle prosthesis wherein the implant includes a head intended to bear against the astragalus or astragalian prosthetic component and a shank provided to be introduced in a bore in the fibula including providing an orifice in the shank and inserting the implant in the bore by use of force applied along a flexible traction member extending through the orifice.