Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a valve body having a first retainer integrally formed with an outer surface thereof. A grafting assembly is formed to include a stiffening member having an axial bore extending therethrough and a second retainer integral with a surface of the stiffening member. The valve body is mounted within the bore of the stiffening member. A retaining member engages the first and second retainers to limit axial displacement of the stiffening member relative to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A tibial prosthetic implant with a reversible offset stem includes a base and a boss extending from the base. A reversible keel member includes a first end attached to the boss and a second end including an offset stem receiver. A stem includes a stem attachment extending at an angle from a first end thereof and connected to the offset stem receiver such that attaching the angled end of the stem to the offset stem receiver when the keel is in a first position, offsets the stem in a first direction, whereas, attaching the angled end of the stem to the offset stem receiver when the keel is in a second position, reversed from the first position, offsets the stem in a second direction.

Abstract: An angiogenic factor comprising a mixture of proteins derived from bone. The angiogenic protein mixture is produced by a series of steps that allow the proteins to be kept in solution. The angiogenic mixture of bone proteins is produced by a multi-step process that includes at least one ultrafiltration step, an anion exchange chromatography step, a cation exchange chromatography step and a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification step.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed devices, particularly medical devices, more particularly implantable medical devices, comprising a first layer of a metal and a short chain silicone terminating with silicon hydride, and a second layer of a silicone polymer. The short chain silicone is bound to the metal, and the silicone polymer is covalently bound via the vinyl group to the silicon hydride group of the short chain silicone. Also disclosed herein is a method for making such devices, involving providing the metal, depositing the short chain silicone, molding the silicone polymer as a silicone prepolymer, and polymerizing the silicone prepolymer to yield silicone polymer covalently bonded to the short chain silicone.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis having improved flow characteristics. A heart valve prosthesis includes a valve body and a pair of leaflet occluders. The valve body includes an interior surface that defines a central passage for blood flow. The pair of leaflet occluders are pivotably mounted in the passage via ears or tabs that are received in recesses formed in the interior surface that defines the central passage. The recesses are formed with sloped sidewalls to improve the blood flow therethrough. The recesses are also formed such that the leaflet occluder ears act against at least two surfaces that limit the motion of the leaflet occluder to provide a more stable movement that is less damaging to blood cells.

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: A pusher-rotator for installing a heart valve prosthesis including a handle and a flexible shaft extending from the handle. A valve holder is attached to a terminal end of the shaft. A bendable member is formed of a material which is bendable to hold a fixed shape. The bendable member includes multiple contact points for supporting the flexible shaft at spaced apart support points and maintaining the flexible shaft rotatable in a flexed orientation.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis includes a valve housing having an opening formed therein having an inmost arcuate surface and a leaflet pivotally mounted in the opening for movement between an open position and a closed position with the inmost arcuate surface. The leaflet has an outmost edge providing multiple points of contact with the housing. The leaflet also forms a leakage gap adjacent the leaflet major radius and between the inmost and outmost surfaces such that the multiple points of contact are displaced from the leaflet major radius and are adjacent to and on opposite sides of the leakage gap. One or several such leaflets may be provided in the housing. Each leaflet respectively includes the leakage gap and the adjacent multiple points of contact.

Abstract: A method whereby one or more occluders are inserted in the housing of a prosthetic heart valve by compressing the housing of the prosthetic heart valve at four discrete locations, thereby causing the housing to deform sufficiently for insertion of occluders between diametrically opposed pivot supports on the inner surface of the housing. The appropriate locations for application of the compressive forces are identified. Compression force is then applied using either pin blocks or v-shaped blocks. One or more occluders are inserted in the pivot supports. The compressive forces are released, allowing the housing to return to its unstressed generally annular shape and securing the occluders in the housing.

Abstract: A packaging container for a heart valve includes a container having a first inner barrier member and a second inner barrier member. A support shelf is mounted in the first inner barrier member of the container. A heart valve has a first side and a second side, first side being engaged with the support shelf. An insert member is engaged with the second side of the heart valve and is engaged with the second inner barrier member the packaging container is mounted within an outer barrier container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of proof testing a planar, brittle materials such as those used for valve leaflets in the manufacture of mechanical heart valve prostheses, in which the material to be tested is placed between two interfitting, spherically-shaped shoes, one convex and one concave, and the shoes are compressed together, causing a biaxial stress force to be applied across the surface of the material. The use of a biaxial force created by the spherical shoe surfaces simplifies the testing procedure over the prior art, allowing a single application of force to test the material for flexure in any direction. The magnitude of the stress which is applied to the material is determined by the radii of the interfitting test shoes relative to the thickness of the material sample being tested. Sufficient force is applied to conform the material to the shoes such that any flaws of a predetermined minimum critical size will be revealed by acoustical monitoring during the test or visual inspection thereafter.

Abstract: An improved mechanical heart valve that reduces the time required to perform heart valve replacement surgery is provided. The mechanical heart valve is comprised of a valve body and a plurality of staples extending around the valve body that are coupled to the valve body through at least one intermediate member.

Abstract: A dental implant that reduces the potential for stress shielding. The dental implant utilizes an implant body that includes a metallic core and a shell disposed about the metallic core. The shell is made from a material that has a lower modulus of elasticity than the metallic core. The metallic core also is connected to a mounting end to which a prosthetic tooth may ultimately be attached.

Abstract: A distal femoral osteotomy system and method according to which an end segment is cut from the bone to be realigned and a wedge-shaped segment is cut from between the end segment and the remaining portion of the bone. The wedge-shaped segment is cut so that it has an angled surface substantially corresponding to the angle of malalignment. The wedge-shaped segment is discarded and the severed end segment is repositioned relative to the remaining portion of the bone at an angle corresponding to the angle of malalignment to realign the end segment and the remaining bone portion and correct for the malalignment. A compressive load is then established across the remaining bone portion and the end segment.

Abstract: The surface molecules of a modified polymeric prosthetic device participate in the free radical polymerization reaction of a bone cement such as polymethylmethacrylate, thereby providing improved bonding between the prosthesis and the bone to which it is attached.

Abstract: A compression ring for use in implanting an orthopedics prosthesis, the ring having an interior surface generally conforming to a peripheral wall of a base plate of the prosthesis, the compression ring being adapted to extend beyond a lower surface of the prosthesis, forming a cavity bounded by the lower surface and the compression ring. Also, a kit consisting of an orthopedic appliance having a base plate with a peripheral wall and a lower surface adapted to abut a resected bone surface, and a compression ring having an interior surface generally conforming to the peripheral wall of the base plate and slidingly received thereon, the compression ring being adapted to extend beyond the lower surface, forming a cavity bounded by the lower surface and the compression ring.

Abstract: A tibial preparation instrument including a baseplate trial having an opening formed therein. A removable handle is attached to the baseplate trial. A keel broach trial is shaped for insertion into the opening. A broach guide is provided for mounting on the baseplate trial. The broach guide includes an attachment member for attachment to the keel broach trial for angularly guiding the keel broach trial through the opening to a seated position on the baseplate trial, whereby the keel broach trial secures the baseplate trial on a tibial plateau.

Abstract: Collagen-containing tissue is cross-linked to provide tissue suitable for use in production of bioprosthetic devices. A cross-linking agent is used having an aliphatic component containing about 8 to 40 carbon atoms and two collagen-reactive groups such as isocyanate, epoxy or n-hydroxysuccinimide. The cross-linking agent may be produced by dimerizing fatty acids, and modifying carboxylic acid group of the fatty acids before or after dimerization to contain collagen-reactive groups. The cross-linked tissue has desirable mechanical and biocompatibility features and a reduced susceptibility to calcification.

Abstract: An offset trial stem system includes a baseplate and a trial stem. The trial stem has a main body portion and a baseplate connection portion. The baseplate connection portion is threadably attached to the baseplate, and is offset from, and connected to, the main body portion by a transition portion. A threaded member is provided for attaching the trial stem to the baseplate. The threaded member is mounted for reciprocating and rotating movement in the trial stem.

Abstract: An offset, press-fit tibial stem system includes a baseplate, a main body portion, a baseplate connection portion attached to the baseplate and being offset from, and connected to, the main body portion by a transition portion. The main body portion has a first centroidal axis passing therethrough and the baseplate connection portion has a second centroidal axis passing therethrough. The offset is such that the first centroidal axis and the second centroidal axis are slightly spaced apart and substantially parallel so as to each pass through the main body portion.