Abstract: A humeral prosthetic device having a body, a stem for anchoring the device in a humeral canal of a humerus, and a head for replacing a natural humeral head of the humerus. The head is disposed at a selected angle relative to the stem and at least one of the body and stem may control the selected angle of the head relative to the stem. Further, the stem may include an extension for coupling the stem to the body. The extension may be disposed on an axis parallel to and offset from a center line of the stem for providing a lateral offset of the body relative to the stem upon reversal of the stem in the humeral canal. The humeral prosthetic device may further include an insert which coacts with the body and the head of the device to provide superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior positioning of the head relative to the body.

Abstract: A patella replacement device consists of a porous metal insert which is surrounded by a metallic ring which is press-fit to a portion of the insert. The porous insert has cement accommodating apertures. A polyethylene device or biocompatible articulating material has projections which fit into the apertures in the porous insert and the combination is used for the repair or replacement of the patella bone. The porous metal insert consists of a high porosity metal material for initial stability through the adhesive and frictional properties of the metal material and allows for articulation of one polyethylene or metal bearing surface to a normal non-resurfaced femur or a femur that has been resurfaced with a prosthetic replacement device.

Abstract: A method for making a composite material for implantation in the body which is able to act as a matrix for the biological ingrowth of bone and is suitable as a bearing surface. The method consists of compression molding the implant by forming to net shape the first material to its desired end device and inserting it into a mold cavity. Polyethylene in is then placed onto the first material, and the mold is subjected to heat and pressure for specific time durations. The end result is polyethylene which is fully interdigitated into the first material to a desired depth which is controlled by temperature, pressure and time constraints. The present method creates an interface between the first material and the polyethylene which is securely fixed and does not allow micro and macro motion between the two materials.

Abstract: A process for bonding a porous material having an opened porous cellular structure to a substrate material, the process including the steps of: conditioning the substrate with tantalum in a reactor at 925.degree. C. having a tantalum source pot at 550.degree. C.; affixing the porous material to the conditioned substrate to form an affixed composite structure by clamping the porous material to the conditioned substrate; and, subjecting the composite structure to a chemical vapor deposition process (CVD) which uses tantalum as a source material for a time sufficient to CVD bond the porous material to the conditioned substrate material.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis for implanting into the medullary canal of a femur, which comprises a stem for implanting into the canal of the femur, the stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the stem also including a proximal locking zone substantially adjacent the proximal end, the proximal locking zone including a proximal locking surface which circumferentially press-fits within the canal of the femur and a neck extending at an angle from the proximal end of the stem for receiving the femoral head of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for interfacing with an internal region of a bone of a given structure and function such as a femoral head and/or neck, wherein the internal region of the bone can be an avascular necrotic region. The prosthesis comprises porous filling member for filling a cored channel provided in the internal region of the bone to provide mechanical stability which preserves the function and the structure of the bone and accommodate an ingrowth of healthy vascularized bone tissue into the internal region of the bone. Also, a method for mechanically stabilizing a bone using the prosthesis.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis for implanting into the medullary canal of a femur, which comprises a stem for implanting into the canal of the femur, the stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the stem also including a proximal locking zone substantially adjacent the proximal end, the proximal locking zone including a proximal locking surface which circumferentially press-fits within the canal of the femur and a neck extending at an angle from the proximal end of the stem for receiving the femoral head of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An acetabular cup having an outer shell of a hard material defining a cavity circumscribed by an annular surface, and a bearing insert of a material which is softer than the material of the outer shell, the bearing insert being disposed within the cavity of the shell, and coupling tracks disposed on the annular surface for coupling a tool to the outer shell, the tool being used for installing the cup in a patient's acetabulum, the coupling tracks operating to prevent the tool from damaging the bearing insert during the installation of the cup.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthetic device comprised of an outer shell component and a inner bearing insert and the method of implanting the acetabular cup prosthetic within a patient. The outer surface of the shell component for the present invention acetabular cup has a plurality of regions which conform to the curvature of at least one ellipsoid. To implant the shell component, the acetabulum of a patient is spherically reamed to a size slightly smaller than that of the outer surface of the shell component. As the shell component is inserted into the spherically shaped acetabulum, the interior surface of the acetabular cavity deforms to assume a substantially ellipsoidal curvature, producing an interference fit between the rim region of the shell component and the upper peripheral rim region of the acetabulum.

Abstract: An acetabular cup having an outer shell of a hard material defining a cavity circumscribed by an annular surface, and a bearing insert of a material which is softer than the material of the outer shell, the bearing insert being disposed within the cavity of the shell, and coupling tracks disposed on the annular surface for coupling a tool to the outer shell, the tool being used for installing the cup in a patient's acetabulum, the coupling tracks operating to prevent the tool from damaging the bearing insert during the installation of the cup.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthetic device comprised of an outer shell component and a inner bearing insert and the method of implanting the acetabular cup prosthetic within a patient. The outer surface of the shell component for the present invention acetabular cup has a plurality of regions which conform to the curvature of at least one ellipsoid. To implant the shell component, the acetabulum of a patient is spherically reamed to a size slightly smaller than that of the outer surface of the shell component. As the shell component is inserted into the spherically shaped acetabulum, the interior surface of the acetabular cavity deforms to assume a substantially ellipsoidal curvature, producing an interference fit between the rim region of the shell component and the upper peripheral rim region of the acetabulum.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization device positionable between neighboring vertebral bodies to provide rigid internal fixation thereof and thus stabilize a spinal column which has been rendered unstable by disease or injury. The device includes a vertebral body prosthesis dimensioned to act as a replacement for a damaged vertebral body and associated discs which have been removed. Once implanted, the prosthesis provides direct mechanical stability and preserves the original spacing between the neighboring vertebral bodies, thereby preventing nerve damage and ensuring proper tensioning of the soft tissue surrounding the implantation site. To facilitate long-lasting bony fixation, the prosthetic implant is fabricated from a rigid, tantalum foam material. The open surface porosity at the interface between the adjacent vertebral bodies and the prosthesis enhances the opportunity for axial bone growth to take place, and ultimately, for fusion of the adjacent vertebral bodies to occur.