A surface coating for a medical instrument includes an interference filter having at least one dielectric layer and at least one metallic layer arranged one above another. At least one of the at least one metallic layer and the at least one dielectric layer is adapted to be structurally altered by action of a corrosive environment on the surface coating such that the surface coating is convertible from a first state to a second state. In the first state, the surface coating has a first spectral reflectivity. In the second state, the surface coating has a second spectral reflectivity that is different from the first spectral reflectivity.

A device and method for inserting a liner into an acetabular cup. The device includes a first portion configured to engage the liner and a rim of the acetabular cup to align a pole of the liner and a pole of the cup along an axis of the device prior to insertion of the liner into the cup. The device also includes a second portion for pushing the liner into the cup. The second portion includes a guide arrangement for engaging a rim of the liner. The second portion is coupled to the first portion for movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion along said axis.

A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

A surgical component mounting system is provided that can include a surgical instrument (5) and an intermediate component (20). The surgical instrument can have a proximal end and a distal end (7) that can provide a first part (9) of a mounting. The intermediate component can have a proximal end that can provide a second part (22) of the mounting and a distal end (35) that can be provided with a first part (36, 38a, 38b) of a second mounting such that the first part of the mounting and the second part of the mounting are detachable.