Abstract: A dental abutment having a metallic core, a shield surrounding an outer surface of the core, and a polymeric cuff surrounding the core and shield, wherein the cuff bonds to a polymeric prosthesis.

Abstract: A stent includes an elongated stent member having a plurality of post members. Each post member includes a pair of opposite sides. A first end of each post member includes an arcuate apex interconnecting the opposite sides. A second end of each post member has an open end. The opposite sides are angled to converge toward each other at the second end. The second end of each post member is connected to an adjacent post member by a stent portion. Each opposite side and each stent portion converge at an angle of less than 90°. The opposite sides are angled to converge toward each other at the second end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting heart valves. The method comprises projecting an actual image of a heart valve onto an image receiver, providing target data corresponding to a desired heart valve, comparing the actual image to the target data using a microprocessor, and determining whether the actual image matches the target data. The apparatus comprises a light source, a image receiver, a holder adapted to support a heart valve between said light source and the image receiver such that an actual image of the heart valve is received at the image receiver, a microprocessor in electronic communication with the image receiver. The microprocessor has access to target values for the regions of interest and compares the actual values in each region of interest to the target values to produce an output pass/fail signal.

Abstract: A modular knee system includes a hinged femoral component and a distal femoral component. A plurality of first stem components are selectively compatible with the hinged femoral component. A plurality of first adaptors are selectively compatible with the first stem components and the distal femoral component. A hinge component is connected to a tibial insert. The hinge component and the tibial insert are selectively compatible with the hinged femoral component and the distal femoral component. A hinged tibial component and a proximal tibial component are selectively compatible with the tibial insert. A plurality of second stem components are selectively compatible with the hinged tibial component. Alternately, a plug component is compatible with the hinged tibial component. A plurality of second adaptors are selectively compatible with the second stem components and the proximal tibial component.

Abstract: A dental implant healing screw formed from two pieces: a threaded shaft and a collar. The healing screw functions as a conventional healing cap to protect the coronal end of the dental implant and as a driver to drive the dental implant during the implantation procedure.

Abstract: The invention, in a first aspect, is an apparatus for holding a flexible annuloplasty ring during implantation. The apparatus comprises a top piece including a bottom surface sized to engage substantially all of the inner diameter of the annuloplasty ring and finished to grip the annuloplasty ring; a bottom piece including a top surface sized to engage substantially all of the inner diameter of the annuloplasty ring and finished to grip the annuloplasty ring; and a haft capable of engaging the top and bottom pieces to clamp the annuloplasty ring therebetween. In a second aspect, the invention is a method of manipulating a flexible annuloplasty ring for implantation. The method comprises disposing the annuloplasty ring between a top piece and a bottom piece; and engaging the top piece and the bottom piece with a haft to clamp the annuloplasty ring between the top and bottom pieces.

Abstract: A dental implant includes a body having a coronal end, and an apical end opposite the coronal end. An implant-prosthetic interface region is provided adjacent the coronal end. A tapered region is adjacent the apical end. A variable profile helical thread extends along the tapered region. The thread includes an apical side, a coronal side and a width defined between the apical and coronal sides. The variable profile thread includes an expanding width in the direction of the coronal end.

Abstract: A trial prosthesis and saw guide system for use in orthopedic surgery to implant an orthopedic calcar-replacing femoral hip prosthesis. A trial femoral hip stem includes a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a neck portion for temporarily receiving a trial femoral head. The proximal portion includes an elongate saw guide slot substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A trial femoral hip flange is provided for temporary insertion within the saw guide slot. An elongate rotary reamer is provided for reaming a socket in the medullary canal to receive the hip prosthesis. An elongate driver adapter has means at a proximal end for connection to a powered rotary driver and has means at a distal end for connection to the elongate rotary reamer.

Abstract: A golf swing training and exercise system for improving the golf swing of a golfer. The system includes a mat with an optically reflective surface, an elongated golf device having three sections and two lasers. Each laser attaches to one end of the golf device and projects a laser beam onto a mat.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant having a round bottom with channels that extend upwardly to communicate with bone cutting flutes horizontally disposed along a tapping end of the implant.

Abstract: A method for immediately placing a non-occlusive and non-functional temporary dental implant prosthesis in the jawbone of a human patient.

Abstract: A surgical measuring instrument includes a caliper having pin apertures formed therein for mounting on surgical pins in a first skeletal member. An adaptor includes pin apertures on a first portion for mounting on the surgical pins when the caliper is removed, and includes adaptor pins extending from a second portion for engagement with the caliper. A rod is connected to the caliper for indicating alignment and flexibility of a second skeletal member relative to the first skeletal member.

Abstract: A device for releasably holding and positioning a heart valve prosthesis includes a handle having a first end, a second end and a super elastic shaft interconnecting the first and second ends. A connector is positioned at the second end of the handle and includes a plug portion having a pair of raised members and diametrically opposed guide slots. A low profile pusher-rotator is releasably engaged with the plug portion and includes diametrically opposed guide tabs engaged with the guide slots. A manually flexible release portion of the pusher-rotator includes a pair of engagement members engaged in a snap fit with the raised members. The release portion can be manually distorted to release the engagement members and the raised members for separation of the handle and the pusher-rotator.

Abstract: A method for treating biological tissue is provided in which a cross-linked biological tissue containing free aldehyde groups is reacted with a suitable neutralization agent in order to chemically block the aldehyde groups from reactivity toward cellular proteins. Also provided is the cross-linked biological tissue so produced which is substantially free of reactive aldehyde groups and, as a result, exhibits reduced toxicity and improved biocompatibility.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic heart valve comprising: a valve body, a sewing ring assembly surrounding the valve body and comprising at least a fabric collar and preferably also a stiffening ring, and a tubular vascular graft having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the graft passes between the fabric collar and the valve body, but not between the stiffening ring and the valve body. The proximal end of the graft is preferably retained by a retaining ring that engages a retaining ring in the downstream end of the fabric sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for distal femur sizing and resection includes a sizer member and a platform pivotably connected to the sizer member. An anterior femoral cut guide is movably engaged with the sizer member and includes a first retainer for retaining a removable reference device for referencing, and a second retainer for retaining a removable distal cut guide subsequent to removal of the reference device to position the distal cut guide on the femur. Retaining guides extend from the femoral cut guide. A slide member is movably mounted on the retaining guides. The slide member includes a carriage member, and a plunger resiliently mounted in the carriage, and movable for retaining the slide member on the retaining guides.

Abstract: A valve includes an elastic valve body and a stent. A first portion of the stent is embedded in the elastic valve body and a second portion of the stent is outside the valve body. A method of manufacturing such a valve is also claimed.

Abstract: A two-piece dental abutment having a cuff portion that is removable from a upper portion. The upper portion engages and retains the cuff portion during abutment placement.

Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to a process for cross-linking and stabilizing proteinaceous material, and in particular, to a process for oxidizing collagenous material, by oxidizing the tissue. The invention also relates to the resulting cross-linked product. The method comprises immersing the material to be cross-linked in a solution comprising compounds designed to generate the radical species singlet oxygen or other oxidizing intermediates without the addition of an external energy source. Immersing collagen containing tissue in a solution comprising an oxidizing agent and sufficient dissolved oxygen, under controlled conditions of pH and temperature, provides a cross-linked and stabilized collagen containing tissue that resists chemical and enzymatic degradation.

Abstract: A dental implant system that dramatically simplifies implantation of a dental implant at an implant site. The dental implant system includes a threaded dental implant having a mounting end with an internal, threaded, axial bore. A healing cap is threadably engaged with the internal, axial bore prior to implantation. The healing cap also includes engagement features, such as a plurality of indentations, that permit secure engagement of a dental driving tool with the healing cap. Thus, upon engagement with a dental driving tool, the dental implant system can be threaded into engagement with the alveolar bone at the implant site and covered by gingival tissue, without any additional components or process steps.