Abstract: A propeller according to an embodiment includes a hub and a series of blades extending outward from the hub. Each blade of the series of blades includes a core and a skin covering the core. The core may be formed of a ceramic first material and the skin is formed of a second material different than the ceramic first material. The ceramic first material of the core may be ceramic Si3N4 (silicon nitride), yttria-toughened zirconia ceramic, or alumina-zirconia ceramic, and the second material of the skin may be a polymer. The polymer skin is configured to function as a shock absorber protecting the ceramic core, and the ceramic core is configured to provide rigidity to maintain the shape of the propeller blades under aerodynamic loading, which enables improved aerodynamic efficiency and reduced noise generation.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided that includes a body having at least one piece of cortical bone. The body has a tapered leading end, a trailing end and first and second sides. The body also includes superior and inferior surfaces that are inclined relative to one another. A first plurality of grooves is formed in the superior surface and a second plurality of the grooves is formed in the inferior surface. Each groove of the first and second pluralities of the grooves has first and second opposing faces converging toward and intersecting one another. Each groove has a maximum cross-sectional width. Each adjacent pair of the grooves of the first and second pluralities of the grooves is separated by a generally planar portion of the superior and inferior surfaces, respectively. Each of the generally planar portions has a width that is equal to or greater than the maximum cross-sectional width of each of the grooves of the respective adjacent pair of the grooves.

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: 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 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 tibial component for use in a prosthetic knee implant is constructed of a one-piece unitary member of synthetic polymeric material including a bearing portion having bearing surfaces for accepting the load imposed by the femoral component of the prosthetic knee implant and a keel projecting axially downwardly from the bearing portion and having flanges extending from a generally centrally located post outwardly at an angle to one another to be placed beneath the bearing surfaces of the bearing portion for reinforcing the bearing portion against the load imposed by the femoral component during service, while providing strength as well as rigidity and added stability for providing a relatively inexpensive alternative to metallic tibial components in recipients where the levels of performance offered by the higher cost metallic tibial components are not required.

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.