Abstract: A wound covering for burns, extensive skin wounds, skin lesions or the like, which are subject to contamination by germs, including fungi, and may then become slow healing septic wounds which require a special wound covering and wound treatment. The wound covering may either comprise a plurality of individual elements connected by connecting members into a network, and having, at least on the surface, a layer of ceramic or glass, or it may comprise a base, particularly a mat, web or fabric, provided with glass or ceramic layer. The wound coverings according to the invention are permeable to oxygen and liquids, biocompatible and may also be bioactive.

Abstract: A screw implant for securing a dental prosthesis comprising a threaded part (4) which can be screwed into the jaw, and an occlusal structural support (2) which has a conical head (8) and an inside thread (22) for an occlusal screw (24). A cap (12) is attached by means of the occlusal screw to the head. The screw head (26) is supported by a bearing surface (28) on the occlusal end face (30) of the cap, and the outer diameter of the screw head adjacent the bearing surface is substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the end face of the cap. The screw implant is simple to produce and manipulate and improves oral hygiene.

Abstract: A process for producing a heating element comprising a heating wire wound as a bifilar spiral and arranged in a plastic part that can be welded to a plastic pipe by supplying electric current to radially outwardly extending wire ends of the heating wire. The process can be implemented with little effort, and the apparatus for carrying out the process enables functionally reliable production of the heating element. The heating wire is arranged in a bifilar spiral groove in a surface of an injection mold with the windings of the heating wire spaced a distance corresponding to the radial spacing of the individual windings of the spiral groove. After closing the injection mold, plastic is introduced into preferably radial connecting grooves between the windings of the spiral groove so that the plastic at least partially surrounds the heating wire in the vicinity of the connecting grooves.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for a knee joint comprising a femur part (6), a tibia part (8), and a middle part (18) which is articulated on the femur part (6) by a pin (14). The middle part (18) is pivotable with respect to the tibia part (8) about a centering pin (20), and a stop is pivoted which is dependent on the flexion angle. A bearing part (54), acting as artificial meniscus, is arranged between the femur part (6) and the middle part (18), and has a first guide element (56) coaxial to the flexion axis and in engagement with the bearing member (58) of the femur part (6). The bearing part (54) is displaceable with respect to the middle part (18) and also comprises a second guide element (60) in engagement with a guide track (62) of the middle part (18); the pin (14) is arranged eccentric to the bearing member (58), and movement of the flexion axis is forced along an evolute curve. The invention avoids localized load peaks while accomplishing the physiological functions of the knee joint during movement and load.

Abstract: An electroweld fitting or electroweld collar for synthetic resin pipes comprising a body of a thermoplastic and/or weldable synthetic resin, on the inner surface of which a heating coil is arranged. In order to weld an electric current is conducted to the heating coil, whereby the material of the body is strongly heated and becomes plastic. The invention solves the problem of reliably applying the contact pressure in the welding zone while using a reduced amount of material. To achieve this it is proposed that a reinforcement in the form of a winding or a tube be arranged on the outer surface of the body and that the thermal coefficient of expansion of the reinforcement be smaller than that of the body.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement comprising a threaded sleeve of synthetic plastic material and a tube portion having a pipe thread. The threaded sleeve contains an insert nut with an internal thread and a synthetic plastic ring which is engaged by the pipe thread of the tube portion. The tube portion has at its forward end a supplemental sealing ring which sealingly engages a sealing region of the synthetic plastic ring. The sealing region is spaced from the axial ends of the threaded sleeve and has an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing ring. A further seal may be provided by disposing an adhesive sealing mass in an annular groove on the tube portion such that the mass adheres the tube portion to the sleeve when they are connected.

Abstract: Implants made of corrosion resistant metals such as titanium, tantalum or niobium, wherein the parts to be inserted into the jaw bone have an essentially leaf-shaped form, and the parts projecting from the jaw bone right through into the mouth cavity being a crown, bridge or some other superstructure, have the problem that such implants have frequently been surrounded by a soft tissue fringe as a result of which the implants are merely loosely anchored in the jaw bone. This also causes an irritation of mucous membrane in the region of the implant part extending through the mucous membrane, as a result of which the implant's bacteria-tight closure is no longer present in many instances. There is an annular groove on the outside of the ring. In order to hold the implant during the healing-in phase with a certainty of freedom from any load, the elements of the superstructure are attached to the post penetrating the mucous membrane by means of a blind hole.

Abstract: The invention provides a implants made of metal for the purpose of anchoring superstructures consisting of one or more crowns or parts of crowns, also made of metal, arranged in the form of bridges. In general, various metals are used for the implant and the individual parts of the superstructure. In most of the implant systems presently in use, these different metal parts are in direct, electrically conductive contact. Consequently, the possibility of the formation of galvanic cells results. The electrical voltages coming into being as a result of such can lead to the flowing of electric currents through the tissue and the body fluid that is present. Such electrical currents, in turn, can have an unfavorable influence on the tissue reactions at the point where the surface is in contact with the implant, and consequently can result in the premature loosening and loss of the implant.

Abstract: The shaft portion of an artificial hip joint intended for cement-free anchoring in a femur which is generally rectangular in cross-section and is provided with outwardly projecting steps for direct transfer of axial forces between the shaft and the bone tissue, one half of the steps being transversely inclined with respect to the shaft axis with the other half of the steps inclined in the opposite direction by an equal amount to prevent rotation of the shaft as a result of the development of equal and opposite components of force.

Abstract: A superstructure-fastening dental implant formed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -ceramic material having a distal end and a proximal end opposite to the distal end thereof and including a cylindrical shaft formed with constrictions at least partly defined by annular surfaces formed on the shaft, the annular surfaces extending perpendicularly to the axis and facing toward the proximal end of the dental implant, and means including a threaded bushing for anchoring a superstructure at the distal end of the dental implant, the proximal end of the dental implant being rounded and in the form of a spherical calotte having a smooth and uninterrupted surface.

Abstract: An auditory ossicle prosthesis comprises a grooved plate and a depending shaft integrally formed as a one-piece construction from a biologically inert ceramic material, provided with a hole extending through the plate and along the interior of the shaft to reduce the amount of material to be removed by grinding when the device is fitted to the patient.

Abstract: A dental implant of biocompatable material includes a body provided with a head for supporting bridgework or an artificial tooth and having a shaft which is provided with a series of exterior peripheral surfaces of diminishing cross-section to define a series of stepped thrust resisting surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the shaft with the proximal end of the shaft being smooth.

Abstract: The thigh portion of an endoprosthesis for hip joints is provided with stepped projecting surfaces to distribute forces in the bone tissue.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for making the socket bed for a complete endoprosthesis is slidable on a guide rod, which rod is first inserted into a guide bore which has previously been made in the hip bone. The relative axial position of the cutter with respect to the rod indicates the depth of penetration of the cutter.

Abstract: A socket for hip joint prosthesis is secured to a cavity in the bone tissue by a series of radially arranged pegs which can be projected outwardly from the wall of the socket into the surrounding tissue by a central screw member which also has a self-tapping thread which also enters the tissue.