Abstract: The invention is directed to orthopedic casting tapes including the combination of a knit tape and a hardenable liquid resin coated onto the knit tape. The knit tape includes alternating thick and thin portions extending transversely across the tape. Such casting tapes have been found to be capable of improving cast strength.

Abstract: A process for making a composite stem for a prosthesis by providing a tapered metal core with a predetermined cross section and a composite shell having a tapered cavity having a cross sectional configuration to receive the metal core. Adhesive is applied to the metal core and the core is placed in the cavity and pressure is applied along the axis of the metal core toward the smaller end of the core to force the core against the composite shell and heat is applied with the pressure to bond the composite shell to the metal core.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sole for an orthopaedic cast having an upper and a lower surface and first, second and third regions broadly corresponding respectively to the heel, arch of the foot and ball of the foot of a wearer, characterized in that the lower surface of the third region is provided with two crossed oblique recesses. Preferably the shape of the sole, and location of the first and second recesses are such that the sole is substantially congruent with its mirror image. The sole is attached to an orthopaedic cast by a source of, inter alia, a strap which passes through one oblique recess, and which is fastened over the top of the cast. In this way, the strap extends from a posterior region of the ball of the wearer's foot on the side corresponding to the small toe to an anterior region thereof on the side corresponding to the big toe.

Abstract: A modified elastomeric glove is disclosed having a lubricous coating made up of polyvinyl alcohol and a thickening agent. The thickening agent is initially added in order to increase the processability of the polyvinyl alcohol coating in order to prevent runbacks and drips during the manufacturing process. A hydroscopic thickener may be used. The polyvinyl alcohol coating becomes lubricous when wetted in a water bath and therefore becomes particularly useful in applying a water-activated resin casting material for forming orthopaedic casting bandages.

Abstract: The invention is a method of applying a material usable as an orthopaedic bandage which material is an open weave substrate having thereon a curable resin. The resin is curable, for example, by polymerization which polymerization is initiated by immersion of the resin coated substrate in a bath. Gloves are worn during the performance of the method which gloves are provided with a coating which in use is lubricous relative to the resin coated substrate. Thus the interference in application of the substrate due to the substrate sticking to the gloves is substantially reduced or eliminated by the lubricousness of the gloves.

Abstract: A new set of surgical instruments is described which provides a movable constraint such that the instruments include a saw guide which may be used in either a constrained or unconstrained fashion. The instruments have a movable restraint which, in the down position provides a continuous surface with the remainder of the instrument for guiding a saw, and when in the up position provides a constrained slot for guiding the saw of a surgeon in making cuts in prosthesis implantation surgery.

Abstract: A process of purifying and stabilizing a high molecular weight polylactide polymer by contacting solid polymer particles with methyl alcohol and subsequently acetone.

Abstract: A hip prosthesis is disclosed which employs a number of cement spacers located on the surface of the stem of the prosthesis immediately below a collar which makes direct and parallel contact with calcar bone when a stem of the prosthesis is seated in medullary canal of the patient. The collar is constructed to provide even stress distribution to the bone.

Abstract: A composite stem for a prosthesis, particularly a hip prosthesis, including a metal core and a fiber reinforced composite shell surrounding the core to provide modulus values that are similar to bone. The composite shell is preferably composed of braided fibers and a thermoplastic resin. The stiffness of the prosthesis can be varied along the length of the stem. The metal core contributing between 5 and 25 percent of the total flexural stiffness of the stem.

Abstract: An osteal prosthetic component of a prosthetic joint and a method of implanting an osteal prosthetic component in the medullary canal of a bone are disclosed. The osteal prosthetic component includes a stem for disposition within a medullary canal of a bone and a fluted wedge portion extending from the stem. The fluted wedge has wedge portions which define at least one flute between the wedge portions. An interference fit is formed between the wedge portions and the bone during implantation of the stem into the medullary canal. Movement of the osteal prosthetic component relative to the bone is thereby sufficiently limited to allow tissue growth into a tissue-ingrowth portion at the surface of the stem to substantially prevent micromotion of the stem relative to the bone.

Abstract: An anti-displacement device and method are disclosed for implantation of a prosthetic bone joint in a bone. A biodegradable biocompatable anti-displacement device comprising a biodegradable biocompatible polymer is directed through an orifice, defined by a cup of a prosthetic bone joint, and into interfering contact with bone tissue of the bone. Displacement of the cup is thereby sufficiently limited to allow bone tissue growth at the cup to fix the prosthetic bone joint to the bone while body fluid at the bone tissue and contacting the elongate member biodegrades the elongate member.

Abstract: A composite material for making supporting dressings or supporting structures for medical use consists of a porous flexible carrier which is impregnated with an aqueous polymer dispersion, the polymer particles of which are capable of film formation on removal of water. This composite material can be stored in waterproof packaging, in the state ready for use.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis system having generally planar bone contact surface with an undercut edge around the periphery of the surface and includes augmentation devices which can be attached to the planar surface with a cam locking mechanism secured to the undercut edge to increase the thickness of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A knee prothesis system which is composed of a femoral component and a series of bolts capable of being attached to the femoral component and extending through the femoral component at different angles. These angles correspond to different valgus angles. The system also includes stems of different lengths and diameters which can be attached to the bolts to provide a system with stems of different and diameter lengths set at different valgus angles.

Abstract: A method of making a non raveling stretchable fiberglass fabric by knitting an elastic yarn under tension into the fabric in the length direction, releasing the tension from the elastic yarn to compact the fabric and removing the elastic yarn from the fabric.

Abstract: A trocar, used to introduce wound drain catheters is disclosed. The trocar have a reduce cross sectional area that allows the trocar to be bent by the user to a desired configuration.

Abstract: A bone pin made with a tapered polymeric portion and a cutting device secured to the smaller end of the polymeric portion. The pin can be inserted through a bone or bone fragment and the cutting device removed.

Abstract: A revision knee prosthesis which includes augmentation blocks that may be added to the inferior surface of the femoral component of the prosthesis. The blocks have a post on one surface which is secured in a cavity in the inferior surface.

Abstract: A cutting guide to position a bone cutting device is disclosed. The cutting guide has at least one fixed or stationary surface and a movable surface to create a slot or gap between the fixed surface and movable surface. The cutting device is positioned and held in the slot to make accurate bone cuts.

Abstract: An absorbable bone plate resistant to breakage fabricated with such interrelated dimensions that the highest stresses developed along the length of the plate when the plate is implanted are relatively constant and do not vary by more than 20% and preferably do not vary by more than 10%.