The invention refers to an in vitro method for determining a pathology associated with an increased local and/or systemic bone resorption, being the pathology preferably chosen among the group consisting of: osteoporosis, osteopenia and osteolysis. Moreover, the invention’s method allows to prevent and/or limit the complications associated with the aforementioned pathological conditions, especially pathological fractures.

The invention is referred to a method that produces components for orthopaedic implants resistant to wear and corrosion, this method comprises a phase of deposition in vacuum of an anti-wear ceramic material placed on the surface of the mentioned components. In detail, the components referred to by this invention are components for specific prostheses, e.g. prostheses of the knee, hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, finger or spine. Moreover, the invention is referred to components of implantable orthopaedic devices, in detail to the components of an orthopaedic prosthesis, which can be obtained using the method of this invention and may implanted in orthopaedics.

New knee prostheses based on spherical mechanisms. These are orthopaedic devices for either partial, primary or secondary prosthetic knee replacement, with a component on the distal femur, and one on the proximal tibia. In a rather original way, the two prosthetic components are coupled together virtually or physically forming a spherical couple, thus generating together with the help of the preserved ligaments, a spherical movement with only a single degree of movement. This has proven to be an excellent approximation of the natural movement of this joint in passive flexion. The movement may be obtained with different designed solutions, some of which include innovative elements connecting the joint surfaces, these limit (relatively) movement to simple rolling, thus avoiding sliding.

The invention provides a human monoclonal antibody in single chain fragment variable (scFv) format that recognizes an extracellular epitope of the human CD99 determinant expressed on the cell surface of the Ewing sarcoma tumor cells. The antibody may be used to selectively distinguish EWST cells and may find application in differential diagnosis, or in diagnosis imaging. Due to its small molecular size, the antibody should provide for efficient tissue penetration, yet give rapid plasma clearance. In addition, the antibody has all the prerequisites to be further developed for therapeutic purposis, since the activation of CD99 is able to induce rapid apoptosis of Ewing sarcoma cells. The invention was the results of strict collaboration between Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli and Istituto Superiore di Sanità.

Composizione comprendente cellule mononucleate autologhe supportate su matrice scelta dal gruppo comprendente matrice liofilizzata o matrice precostituita sottoforma di membrana o tessuto, con eventuale aggiunta di gel piastrinico, nonché uso di detta composizione per la preparazione di medicamenti per trattamenti chirurgici.