Abstract: The present invention relates to a brace including a support member that is configured to the actual or desired shape of a user's body part, a support structure for mounting the support member on a user, a variable force applicator for adjusting the amount of force to be applied by the support member and an indicator for displaying the force applied.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for use in shaping a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis. A gap checking device is fixed to the distal end of the patient's femur and referenced to the epicondyles of the femur. The gap checking device includes slots through which a cutting instrument can be passed to shape the femur so that it can receive the femoral component of the prosthesis. One of the slots enables the distal femoral cut to be made. The thickness of the gap checking device is selected so that the distance between the distal femoral cut and the distal surface of the gap checking device plus the thickness of a shim resting on the cut proximal tibia surface is equal to the combined thickness of the tibial and femoral components of the prosthesis. This enables balancing of the ligaments to be checked before the femoral cuts are made, but while the gap checking device is secured to the femur.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting healing of damaged tissue that result in an increased level of nitric oxide in the vicinity of the damaged tissues. Also provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting unwanted wound healing by inhibiting the activity of nitric oxide in the tissue.

Abstract: A rotationally ratcheting bone screw including a body having a distal end formed with an engagement tip for engaging bone tissue, and a shaft formed with a unidirectional stop. The bone screw further includes a fastening element formed with an opening complementally configured to receive the shaft and responsive to relative rotation between the shaft and fastening element to axially advance along the shaft. The fastening element includes a rotationally sensitive ratchet element to cooperate with the stop and inhibit relative counter-rotation between the shaft and the fastening element.

Abstract: A hip replacement for reducing the likelihood of joint dislocation and including a femoral component having a head and an elongated neck and an acetabular cup formed with a socket to capture the head. The socket includes a formed annular liner defining a stop to engage the neck during extreme motion. The neck contact surface and annular liner cooperate to shift the resultant contact point radially outwardly from the head to minimize dislocation resulting from the moment acting upon the femoral component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether a patient has a predisposition to develop severe forms of autoimmune disease. The method involves determining whether the Fc.gamma. receptor allelic pattern of the patient corresponds most closely to known Fc.gamma. receptor allelic patterns of patients having no autoimmune disease, mild autoimmune disease, or severe autoimmune disease. The invention also encompasses methods for determining if a patient has a predisposition to infection by certain encapsulated bacteria.

Abstract: Antibodies to specific subsets of T cells can be obtained by incubating a polyclonal population of T cells with a microbial superantigen, and injecting of the incubated T cells into a host animal. Antibodies obtained by this method and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Used or partially used devices or instruments which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises femoral and tibial components. The femoral component includes a pair of condyles each curved generally to match the shape of an anatomical femoral condyle. The surface of each condyle is defined by (a) anterior posterior radii R.sub.CF and R.sub.CE, wherein R.sub.CF is the radius of curvature Of that portion of the condyle which is weight bearing in flexion and R.sub.CE represents that portion of the curvature of the condyle which is weight bearing in extension, and (b) a medial lateral radius R.sub.CML. The tibial component includes a pair of concavities, each of which is adapted to receive one of the condyles of the femoral component. The surfaces of the concavities are defined by an anterior posterior radius R.sub.TAP and a medial lateral radius R.sub.TML. The foregoing radii are selected to optimize the balance between range of motion and knee longevity.

Abstract: A co-axial filtering device for removing particles from arteries and veins comprises an outer catheter that can be inserted into a blood vessel and an inner catheter with a filter at its distal end. The filter is a radially expandable receptacle made of an elastic mesh structure of spring wires or plastic monofilaments. The filter expands into engagement with the walls of the blood vessel when it is pushed from the distal end of the outer catheter. A syringe is attached to the proximal end of the inner catheter and particles entrapped within the filter are aspirated through the inner catheter into the syringe. When filtering is no longer necessary, the filter can easily be removed by pulling the elastic material through the outer catheter.

Abstract: Used or partially used orthopaedic implants or similar medical devices which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.