Abstract: Fluidized bed apparatus for use in applying a coating, having a relatively lesser density to particles, having relatively greater densities, by causing passage of a gaseous atmosphere through a bed of the particles. The apparatus includes an enclosure for holding and heating a bed of the particles. A valve network for causing the flow of the gaseous atmosphere carrying a material for forming the coating upward though the bed of particles to fluidize the particles, is provided. The apparatus further includes a conveyor for adding seed particles to the bed and a spillover for removing particles from the bed upon its achieving a predetermined level to limit the height of the bed. The apparatus also has a selectively operable sampler for removing sample of the contents of the bed at a level below the predetermined maximum level.

Abstract: Fluidized bed apparatus for use in applying a coating, having a relatively lesser density, to particles, having relatively greater densities by causing passage of a gaseous atmosphere through a bed of the particles. The apparatus includes an enclosure holding a bed of the particles and means for causing flowing of the gaseous atmosphere carrying a material for forming the coating through the bed of particles to be fluidized. The apparatus further includes means for adding seed particles to the bed and weir tube means removing coated particles from the bed when the contents of the bed achieves a predetermined level. Finally, the apparatus includes discharge means receiving the coated particles from the tube means and conveying them to a collection location remote from the enclosure.

Abstract: In a dental prosthesis having a post stem, a neck and a head, the stem has a terminal segment at the end opposite the head and an intermediate segment with an uneven surface between the terminal portion and the head. The radial extremities of the uneven surface extend precisely to the contour of a right circular cone tapering in the terminal direction, and the radial extremities of the outer surface of terminal portion extend radially outward beyond the contour of this cone. A socket is drilled into the alveolar bone using a drill bit having the same conical taper that the extremities of the uneven surface follow. The prosthesis is inserted into the socket with some pressure so that the terminal portion deforms the alveolar bone only at the deep end of the socket, locking the prosthesis into the socket and bringing the extremities of the uneven surface into firm surface contact with the wall of the socket.

Abstract: Access to internal regions of a living body is achieved by a device, a movable plug and an adaptor. An access tube insertable in a living body is appropriately anchored within the body. The access tube extends above the skin and provides a first passageway for body fluids which is blocked by the movable plug. The adaptor, when linked to the access device, provides a second passageway which allows relocation of the plug to a fluid access position whereat communication is established between the conduit and an external outlet of the adaptor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fully encasing radio-opaque markers in pyrocarbon prosthetic members. Inserts having a pyrolytic carbon portion joined to a radio-opaque marker are affixed to a mandrel surface so that the marker extends thereabove. Pyrocarbon sufficient to encase the marker is deposited on the mandrel, the mandrel is removed, and the deposited layer of pyrocarbon is finished to form the prosthetic member.

Abstract: Springs are used to form cardiovascular grafts.A tightly wound spring coated with carbon while in a stretched position will have a biocompatible interior surface which provides an unobstructed passageway for blood. Fabric sleeves may be employed around springs to improve the fluid integrity of the interior surfaces.Springs may also be used to join blood vessel segments by puncturing one segment of the blood vessel with a first end of a spring, coiling the spring therearound, puncturing a second segment of the blood vessel with a second end of the spring and coiling the spring therearound.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis having an annular valve body defining a central passageway which is closed by a pair of pivoting leaflets. Projections extending laterally from each of the leaflets are received in socket means provided at generally diametrically opposite locations in the interior wall of the valve body. Slot portions of the socket means guide the pivotal movement of the leaflets. The pivotal axis of each leaflet is eccentrically located and moves relative to the valve body during opening and closing motion.

Abstract: A Bileaflet Heart Valve where two leaflets open and close a cylindrical passageway through an annular body. An improved pivot for the leaflets uses a pair of generally triangular depressions in opposed supports that extend above the body. Each depression includes a curved edge bridging two straight edges that converge to a curved vertex. Elongated guides extend from opposite ends of each leaflet and define the pivotal axis. Each guide pivots on its rounded end in the region of the curved vertex as the leaflets open and close the passageway.

Abstract: A prosthetic element is securely joined to a natural element of the human body using a ductile metal alloy coupling member which has a transition-temperature range and which has been deformed from its original shape at a temperature below its transition-temperature. Heating the coupling member to a temperature above the transition temperature, as by passing electric current therethrough, causes the coupling to try to return to its original shape and effect a secure joinder.A prosthetic device for long-term implantation in the human body can be made by using such a coupling element to join a circumscribing member, e.g., a sewing cuff, to a generally tubular, rigid portion of a prosthetic device, e.g., a heart valve body.

Abstract: Multistrand carbon coated sutures comprising a plurality of small diameter fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 2.times.10.sup.6 psi, and a thin, smooth, adherent, isotropic carbon coating on the substrate fiber having particular properties including a tensile fracture strain of at least about 5%.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has an annular valve body with a central circular passageway and a pair of valve leaflets supported for pivotal movement between closed and open positions. Guides formed with spheroidal surfaces project in opposite directions along the pivotal axis of each leaflet and are received in spheroidal depressions in a pair of upstanding, diametrically opposite supports. The supports are formed with stops outside of the depressions which contact the distal surface of the leaflets at a region apart from the spheroidal guides and determine the open position.

Abstract: A tubular vascular graft is attached to a rigid tubular portion of an implantable prosthetic device by assembling the vascular graft plus a surrounding heat-shrinkable polymeric sleeve on the rigid tubular portion. The polymeric sleeve, which may be TEFLON-FEP, extends a short distance past the free end of the tube and upon heating shrinks into firm compressive contact with the vascular graft and provides a smooth transition in stiffness between the end of the rigid tube and the soft, flexible graft.

Abstract: Artificial joint prostheses comprising an artificial graphite substrate of predetermined orthopedic shape, a pyrolytic carbon coating on said substrate, and a metallic band circumferentially compressively engaged with the exterior surface of said carbon coated substrate in a plane generally orthogonal to the loading axis and adjacent the articulating contact surface of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Artificial vascular and patch grafts comprising a flexible elastic fabric substrate of predetermined shape fabricated from small diameter fiber having a tensile modulus of at least about 2.times.10.sup.6 psi, and a thin, smooth, adherent, isotropic carbon coating on the substrate fiber having particular properties including a tensile fracture strain of at least about 5%.