Abstract: A method for producing a workpiece includes: placing a workpiece holder on a base support of a support system with a positioning element in an additive manufacturing device, the lower side of the workpiece holder having a first positioning device, the positioning element and first positioning device forming a pin/hole pair; performing additive manufacture of a workpiece on the workpiece holder using the manufacturing device, the temperature of the support system increasing, producing a clamping effect between the pin and the hole; cooling the support system, whereby the clamping effect is released; disengaging the workpiece holder together with the workpiece produced thereon from the base support; and arranging the workpiece holder on a support of an installation for the subtractive post-processing of the workpiece wherein a positioning element of the support and the positioning device of the workpiece holder engage in each other.

Abstract: A support system includes a base support to be secured in a process chamber of a production system, and includes at least one positioning element. A workpiece holder has upper and lower faces. The workpiece support has at least one first positioning device. The positioning element and the first positioning device form a pin/hole pair. A section of the pin has a first thermal expansion coefficient. A section of the hole controlling positional accuracy has a second thermal expansion coefficient. In a first alternative, the second thermal expansion coefficient is lower than the first, producing a clamping effect between the pin and hole upon temperature increase of the support system. Alternatively, the first thermal expansion coefficient is lower than the second, producing a clamping effect upon temperature increase of the support system. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a workpiece.

Abstract: A compression screw comprising a threaded shaft and a head associated with the proximal end of the shaft. The head has a plurality of outwardly extending projections spaced from one another so as to define a plurality of recesses there between for receiving a screw drive in such a way that rotational force may be transferred from the screw drive to the screw. The projections of the head may be provided with suture fixation holes or a suture coupling may be positioned over the shaft so as to extend between the projections of the head.

Abstract: A support system includes a base support to be secured in a process chamber of a production system, and includes at least one positioning element. A workpiece holder has upper and lower faces. The workpiece support has at least one first positioning device. The positioning element and the first positioning device form a pin/hole pair. A section of the pin has a first thermal expansion coefficient. A section of the hole controlling positional accuracy has a second thermal expansion coefficient. In a first alternative, the second thermal expansion coefficient is lower than the first, producing a clamping effect between the pin and hole upon temperature increase of the support system. Alternatively, the first thermal expansion coefficient is lower than the second, producing a clamping effect upon temperature increase of the support system. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a workpiece.

Abstract: A bone plate comprises a locking hole extending through the bone plate from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof. The locking hole is threaded and sized and shaped to lockingly receive a correspondingly threaded head of a bone fixation element therethrough. The bone plate further comprises a first plate relief extending at least partially through a thickness of the plate and separated from the locking hole to define a first weakened portion of the bone plate. The first plate relief extends around a portion of a circumference of the locking hole.

Abstract: A catheter guiding device includes a bolt including a shaft configured to be inserted within a hole drilled in a bone and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough along a bolt axis and a guide member received within the passageway of the bolt and extending longitudinally along a guide axis. The guide member includes a guide channel extending therethrough along the guide axis, wherein, in a first configuration, the guide member is arrangeable to a desired position relative to the bolt to align the guide axis with a target area and, in a second configuration, the guide member is fixed in the desired position relative to the bolt such that the guide axis is at a desired angle relative to the bolt axis within a permitted range of angulations.

Abstract: A device for implanting heat deformable fixation elements of different sizes in a bone, comprises a hand piece extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including an internal optical waveguide connected to a laser source and open to the distal end of the hand piece and a light guiding tip extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the light guiding tip being removably mechanically and optically connectable to the distal end of the hand piece and the distal end of the light guiding tip being configured to permit removable attachment of a bone fixation element, the light guiding tip including an optical waveguide, wherein the light guiding tip is configured to control a total radiant energy Q transmitted from the laser source to the bone fixation element

Abstract: A device for implanting heat deformable fixation elements of different sizes in a bone, comprises a hand piece extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including an internal optical waveguide connected to a laser source and open to the distal end of the hand piece and a light guiding tip extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the light guiding tip being removably mechanically and optically connectable to the distal end of the hand piece and the distal end of the light guiding tip being configured to permit removable attachment of a bone fixation element, the light guiding tip including an optical waveguide, wherein the light guiding tip is configured to control a total radiant energy Q transmitted from the laser source to the bone fixation element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthesis device with a bone plate and with at least one bone screw, wherein the bone plate has at least one through-hole with a conical inner thread formed at least in part in the through-hole. Moreover, the bone screw has a screw shank and also a screw head with a conical thread, with the possibility of forming a connection at a variable and stable angle between bone screw and bone plate by receiving the screw head with conical outer thread in the respective through-hole of the bone plate. According to the invention, the thread in the screw head has a first portion A with a first conicity and a second portion B with a second conicity, wherein a zone of discontinuity with respect to the conicity is present between the first portion A and the second portion B.

Abstract: A torque limiting instrument is disclosed configured to drive a shaft to rotate in a select direction in response to an applied torque until the applied torque reaches a predetermined threshold. Thus, when the torque limiting instrument drives a bone screw into bone, the bone screw is advanced into the bone until the torque applied to the torque limiting instrument reaches the predetermined threshold, at which point the torque limiting instrument will no longer communicate the applied torque to the bone screw.

Abstract: An instrument includes a bearing member, and an actuator spaced from the bearing member in a proximal direction. The instrument includes, or can be attached to, an elongate member that extends from a location of the actuator toward the bearing member. The elongate member can attach to or extend from a portion of an implant, wherein the location is spaced from the bearing member a distance in the proximal direction. The actuator includes a flexible portion that is spaced from the elongate member in a direction perpendicular to the proximal direction, such that, when a force is applied to the flexible portion of the actuator, the flexible portion of the actuator deforms so as to increase the distance between the location and the bearing member.

Abstract: A multi packaging system for packaging of sterile implants includes a carrier plate and a plurality of packings removably attached to the carrier plate. Each of the plurality of packings contains an implant and is individually removable from the carrier plate.

Abstract: A bone plate includes a first through hole extending through the plate along a first longitudinal axis from a proximal surface of the plate to a bone-facing distal surface thereof which, when the plate is placed on a target portion of bone in a desired orientation, faces the bone. An outer wall of the first through hole includes three wall sections provided with projections for receiving a screw head of a bone screw. The three wall sections are straight or convex.

Abstract: A device is for treating and packaging implants. The device includes a container including a chamber therein. The chamber is closed by a removable seal. The device also includes a carrier sized and shaped to be inserted into the chamber. The carrier includes a carrying structure configured to connect an implant thereto. A portion of the carrier may be formed of an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A bone plate comprises a locking hole extending through the bone plate from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof. The locking hole is threaded and sized and shaped to lockingly receive a correspondingly threaded head of a bone fixation element therethrough. The bone plate further comprises a first plate relief extending at least partially through a thickness of the plate and separated from the locking hole to define a first weakened portion of the bone plate. The first plate relief extends around a portion of a circumference of the locking hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthesis device with a bone plate and with at least one bone screw, wherein the bone plate has at least one through-hole with a conical inner thread formed at least in part in the through-hole. Moreover, the bone screw has a screw shank and also a screw head with a conical thread, with the possibility of forming a connection at a variable and stable angle between bone screw and bone plate by receiving the screw head with conical outer thread in the respective through-hole of the bone plate. According to the invention, the thread in the screw head has a first portion A with a first conicity and a second portion B with a second conicity, wherein a zone of discontinuity with respect to the conicity is present between the first portion A and the second portion B.

Abstract: A bone plate comprises a locking hole extending through the bone plate from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof. The locking hole is threaded and sized and shaped to lockingly receive a correspondingly threaded head of a bone fixation element therethrough. The bone plate further comprises a first plate relief extending at least partially through a thickness of the plate and separated from the locking hole to define a first weakened portion of the bone plate. The first plate relief extends around a portion of a circumference of the locking hole.

Abstract: A dynamic bone fixation element can include a sleeve elongate along a first direction and a fixation member. The sleeve can define a channel that extends from a proximal end through to a distal end along the first direction. The channel has a first cross-sectional dimension. The fixation member has a head, a shaft extending from the head and elongate along a second direction, and an abutment member extending from the shaft and integral with the shaft, wherein the shaft extends through the channel such that the sleeve is captured between the abutment member and the head. At least a portion of the shaft that is within the channel has a second cross-sectional dimension that is less than the first cross-sectional dimension such that the fixation member is moveable with respect to the sleeve along a direction that has a directional component transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A bone plate includes a first through hole extending through the plate along a first longitudinal axis from a proximal surface of the plate to a bone-facing distal surface thereof which, when the plate is placed on a target portion of bone in a desired orientation, faces the bone. An outer wall of the first through hole includes three wall sections provided with projections for receiving a screw head of a bone screw. The three wall sections are straight or convex.

Abstract: A bone plate includes a first through hole extending through the plate along a first longitudinal axis from a proximal surface of the plate to a bone-facing distal surface thereof which, when the plate is placed on a target portion of bone in a desired orientation, faces the bone. An outer wall of the first through hole includes three wall sections provided with projections for receiving a screw head of a bone screw. The three wall sections are straight or convex.