A vacuum cementing system has at least one cement powder cartridge and a container-opening system. The container-opening system has at least one container for at least one liquid and/or at least one powder, an opening device, and an outlet opening for applying a negative pressure. When a negative pressure is being applied, the opening device is mobile relative to at least a part of the at least one container. The vacuum cementing system has a means for connecting the cement powder cartridge to the at least one container and utilizes necessary vacuum for automatically opening the at least one container.

An augment for supporting an acetabular shell at an acetabulum of a hip bone. In some examples, the augment can include a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body can extend from a first end portion that is adapted to be fixed to an acetabular shell, to a second end portion. The body can include a first hole and a second hole, each of the first and second holes extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface. The body can be formed of a porous material that promotes boney ingrowth and can further include a trim marker located in between the first hole and the second hole.

An orthopedic implant can comprise a structural body, a plug and a frangible connection. The structural body can comprise a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a through-bore extending from the first surface to the second surface. The through-bore can have a bore surface. The structural body can be formed of a porous material. The plug can be disposed in the through-bore. The frangible connection can link the bore surface and the plug. A method of manufacturing an orthopedic implant can comprise producing a porous structural body having a port, producing a plug for positioning in the port, and producing a plurality of frangible crosspieces within the port to connect the plug to the structural body.

This invention relates to a method of forming a polymer component and comprises blending polymer particles with antioxidant to form a mixture in which the antioxidant coats the polymer particles, irradiating the polymer particles to cross-link the polymer particles therein and forming the irradiated mixture into a consolidated component. The invention also relates to a method of forming an articular surface for a prosthesis and a prosthesis having a polymer articular bearing surface wherein at least one pre-determined portion of the bearing surface is provided with cross-linked polymer bonds.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A device for covering and/or reconstructing a bone defect site includes a cap (molded shell, rigid shell, molded body) having a rim and at least one fixing device for fixing the cap on a bone. The cap has a dimensionally stable (rigid) nature. A wall of the cap facing the bone defect or a wall of the cap facing away from the bone defect corresponds to the shape of the regenerated bone, at least one positioning device being located on the rim of the cap. A method produces a cap for a covering device for a bone defect site.

A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.