Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing part or all of the ossicles of the ossicular chain in the tympanic cavity. The prosthesis includes a porous body having an enlarged head for being closely associated with the tympanic membrane and having an elongated shaft for being coupled to the fenestra vestibuli. A metal core is encased within the body for collecting sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane and for transmitting the collected sound vibrations to the fenestra vestibuli. The metal core has substantially higher sound vibration and collecting qualities than the porous body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container, package, or case and at the same time an article of surgical equipment for the storage, transportation, asepsis and surgical preparation of a medical device. The container is especially adapted for small, delicate, otic prostheses, the type used as a middle ear implant, such as a total or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. The container comprises a base that constitutes a work area and has a first recessed area formed therein conforming to the shape and size of the prosthesis which it will carry. The end of this first recessed area opens laterally into a contiguous, coplanar second recessed area adapted in cooperation with the said work area to use in preparation of the prosthesis. Disposed on the base opposite the second recessed area and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first recessed area are measuring apparatus having a scale set perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improvement in an otic prosthesis of the type used in ossicular reconstruction of the sound-conducting mechanism of the middle ear is provided. The improvement comprises a movable joint which connects a head portion and a shaft portion whereby there is provided a flexible, variably angled prosthesis, which can be readily set in position in the middle ear against the tympanum during surgical implantation. The movable joint permits the so-connected shaft portion to move in at least a single plane normal to the head portion and can itself be readily set against either retained bony elements of the sound-conducting mechanism or against tissue grafted into the aperture (oval window) between the middle and the inner ear. The movable joint is responsive to tympanic vibrations and the prosthesis exerts a minimized pressure on the tympanum during surgical implantation and thereafter it also resists dislodgment within or extrusion from the middle ear.

Abstract: Knee prosthesis for permitting total or partial replacement of an articulating portion or portions of the knee. The knee prosthesis is particularly adapted for attachment to one of the condyles of the knee, and includes a curved elongated body portion, a post fixedly attached to the body portion, and a plurality of cement holding rings attached to the body portion.

Abstract: A myringotomy tube device which obviates the inimical natural tendency of the healing incision to cause spontaneous extrusion of the device. The device is characterized by an inner flange member having a shape substantially resembling a top view of a canoe which establishes sharp tapered portions to individually facilitate initial engagement of the device with a lip portion of the tympanic membrane defining a surgical incision applied thereto. Included is a principal or tubular member which extends through the incision provided in the tympanic membrane for communicating the middle ear with the external auditory canal. The tubular member is conspicuously pinched in adjacent the middle of the length thereof to establish a minimal diameter portion upon which the lip portion of the incision is urged to ride, i.e., being urged thereon by the inwardly sloping annular surface.

Abstract: A device for use in evacuating waste fluid from a closed wound or the like in a patient's body. The evacuation device includes an expansible member enclosed within a substantially collapsible pouch having walls formed of an air- and liquid-impermeable material. At least one hollow tube is attached to the pouch in operative communication with the interior of the pouch so that when the end of the hollow tube opposite the pouch is positioned within a closed wound or the like and when the expansible member is compressed and subsequently released, suction is applied to the wound through the hollow tube as the expansible member and the pouch expand thereby drawing any waste fluid in the wound into the interior of the pouch. The expansible member may consist of a hydrophylic sponge so that when waste fluid is drawn into the interior of the pouch, the expansible member will swell as a result of the contact between it and the waste fluid.