Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying Fc.gamma.RIIIA allelic pattern in a human patient. The present invention also provides methods for determining in a human patient a predisposition to autoimmune diseases and the relative capacity of a human subject to produce anti-tumor antibodies, antibodies directed against viral or bacterial pathogen, or to mount an effective immune response to a vaccine.

Abstract: A hip replacement for reducing the likelihood of joint dislocation and including a femoral component having a head and an elongated neck and an acetabular cup formed with a socket to capture the head. The socket includes a formed annular liner defining a stop to engage the neck during extreme motion. The neck contact surface and annular liner cooperate to shift the resultant contact point radially outwardly from the head to minimize dislocation resulting from the moment acting upon the femoral component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether a patient has a predisposition to develop severe forms of autoimmune disease. The method involves determining whether the Fc.gamma. receptor allelic pattern of the patient corresponds most closely to known Fc.gamma. receptor allelic patterns of patients having no autoimmune disease, mild autoimmune disease, or severe autoimmune disease. The invention also encompasses methods for determining if a patient has a predisposition to infection by certain encapsulated bacteria.

Abstract: Antibodies to specific subsets of T cells can be obtained by incubating a polyclonal population of T cells with a microbial superantigen, and injecting of the incubated T cells into a host animal. Antibodies obtained by this method and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Shaped articles made from molded ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with an average molecular weight of between about 1 million and about 10 million and exhibiting a low modulus of elasticity throughout the shaped article or in selected regions of the shaped article are disclosed. These articles are produced by filling a mold with powdered UHMWPE, covering the mold with a piston, raising the temperature of the mold and its contents to between about 140.degree. and about 225.degree. C. while simultaneously applying a pressure of between about 2.5 and about 15 MPa to the mold and its contents, maintaining the pressure and temperature for between about 5 and about 25 minutes, with the time selected dependent upon the thickness of the molded part, then dropping the temperature of the molded part, either completely or in part at a rate between about 4.degree. and about 175.degree. C.

Abstract: Used or partially used devices or instruments which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises femoral and tibial components. The femoral component includes a pair of condyles each curved generally to match the shape of an anatomical femoral condyle. The surface of each condyle is defined by (a) anterior posterior radii R.sub.CF and R.sub.CE, wherein R.sub.CF is the radius of curvature Of that portion of the condyle which is weight bearing in flexion and R.sub.CE represents that portion of the curvature of the condyle which is weight bearing in extension, and (b) a medial lateral radius R.sub.CML. The tibial component includes a pair of concavities, each of which is adapted to receive one of the condyles of the femoral component. The surfaces of the concavities are defined by an anterior posterior radius R.sub.TAP and a medial lateral radius R.sub.TML. The foregoing radii are selected to optimize the balance between range of motion and knee longevity.

Abstract: Tissue and organ repair, healing and augmentation are enhanced by administering pharmaceutically acceptable group IIIa element-containing compounds in amounts sufficient to provide therapeutic levels of the elements. Group IIIa element-containing compounds mimic the beneficial biological effects of endogenous growth factors to induce cells responsible for repair, healing and augmentation of tissues and organs. Group IIIa element-containing compounds are suitable for a variety of applications such as wound healing, bone fracture repair, treatment of dermatologic conditions and successful bonding of implanted tissue grafts and prostheses.

Abstract: A co-axial filtering device for removing particles from arteries and veins comprises an outer catheter that can be inserted into a blood vessel and an inner catheter with a filter at its distal end. The filter is a radially expandable receptacle made of an elastic mesh structure of spring wires or plastic monofilaments. The filter expands into engagement with the walls of the blood vessel when it is pushed from the distal end of the outer catheter. A syringe is attached to the proximal end of the inner catheter and particles entrapped within the filter are aspirated through the inner catheter into the syringe. When filtering is no longer necessary, the filter can easily be removed by pulling the elastic material through the outer catheter.

Abstract: Used or partially used orthopaedic implants or similar medical devices which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of obtaining antibodies specific to a population of T-lymphocytes (T cells) restricted by V.beta. gene usage. The invention also relates to the antibodies obtained and to methods of using them. According to the invention, T cells are incubated with an effective amount of a superantigen under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow division and growth of T-cells reactive to the superantigen. The incubated T-cells are injected into a mammal, and thereafter serum containing antibodies specific to the incubated and injected T-cells is removed from the mammal.

Abstract: A patella cutting clamp comprises a pair of jaw members joined together in scissors-like relation for pivotal movement relative to each other about a pivot axis intermediate their ends. Each jaw member has a handle portion extending in one direction from the pivot axis and a jaw portion extending in the other direction. The jaw portions have edges facing each other that are shaped for engagement with opposite borders of a patella. Teeth along the patella-gripping edges grip and hold the patella firmly. Saw guide slots in the jaw portions lying in a common plane guide the saw when the saw cut is made. A patella elevator member is attached to the jaw members for movement along the pivot axis and has a platform portion adapted to engage the anterior aspect of the patella. A mechanism is provided for establishing and maintaining a predetermined position of the elevator member relative to the jaw members and thereby positioning the patella at a predetermined position relative to the saw guide slots.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation device for stabilizing a fracture of a portion of a long bone overlying or closely adjacent to a prosthetic joint component comprises a fixation plate that is held adjacent to the bone by clamps joined to it by screws. The fixation plate and clamps have spikes that penetrate partly into the bone to fix the bone to the device and stabilize the fracture but that also remain partly outside the bone and serve as spacers to hold the plate and clamps spaced apart from the bone, thereby leaving the periosteum undisturbed and preserving good blood distribution to the bone at the fracture site and hence good conditions for healing of the fracture.

Abstract: A bone prosthesis for the leg and thigh comprises a distal femoral component that includes a body portion adapted to replace a resected portion of the distal femur and a condylar portion having a spherical surface along its inferior and posterior aspects and an axle hole extending through it in the latero-medial direction at the geometric center of the sperical surface and a proximal tibial component that includes a metal head portion having a cavity opening superiorly and defined by spaced-apart lateral and medial flange portions, each of which has an axle hole. A plastic tibial plateau insert is received in the cavity of the tibial head portion and has a spherical seat matching, receiving and pivotably supporting the femoral condylar spherical surface. A plastic bushing is received in the axle hole of each tibial flange portion, and a metal axle is received in the femoral and tibial axle holes.

Abstract: An elbow joint prosthesis having a metal humeral component, the head of which has flanges forming a recess in which a U-shaped plastic insert is nested. A boss projecting anteriorly from the head portion of a metal ulnar component is received within the insert with latero-medial clearance for laxity. A tubular plastic sleeve is received in axle holes in the ulnar boss and the legs of the plastic insert, and an axle spanning the flanges of the humeral component and extending through the sleeve bore connects the ulnar component to the humeral component for articulation. Clearance between the sleeve and the axle hole of the ulnar boss provides laxity up to nominal limits, beyond which elastic deformation of plastic at contact areas of the sleeve and insert restrains rotational and angular motions under supination, pronation and varus-valgus angulation of the arm, absorbing energy in the process.

Abstract: A total hip joint prosthesis has a ball, replacing the ball of the hip joint ball and socket, affixed to the femur by a stem. Stem stress is reduced by providing a rounded cross-section of the stem truncated along the lateral side in the critical section subject to greatest cyclic loading. The stem is of controlled low flexibility so that when the bone cement and stem composite structure is in place, the bone is subject to a maximum percent of normal stress from bending moments. By virtue of the truncated shape and its size relative to the bone cavity, stress in the stem is minimized when the stem alone carries the load.