Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite structural article exhibiting a three dimensional shape and size and including an admixture including at least one of a metal and a ceramic component, this combined with at least one polymeric component. In a further revised application, the article can include an admixture including at least one of a silver and a polymeric component.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite structural article exhibiting a three dimensional shape and size and including an admixture including at least one of a metal and a ceramic component, this combined with at least one polymeric component. In a further revised application, the article can include an admixture including at least one of a silver and a polymeric component.

Abstract: A cast for supporting a limb includes a rigid outer shell, such as provided as first and second assembleable halves interconnected by a plurality of latches. An inner conforming foam insole is supported within the shell and is interconnected by pluralities of linearly extending passageways in combination with radially extending rings and which communicate with additional breathing holes extending through a cross sectional thickness of the insole for introducing an airflow for relieving patient discomfort. A toe attachable fan unit creates the airflow within the insole in communication with a plurality of vents positioned at upper terminating ends of each of the linear extending passageways. A plurality of airbags encircle the insole and are iteratively inflated and deflated to achieve a pulsing massage effect.

Abstract: An abrasive wear testing machine exhibiting a support surface upon which is dynamically supported a tray to which a wear piece is secured. A tool bit is supported by a vertically displaceable and weight supporting bracket in a fixed and downward load applied fashion against the wear piece, such that the tray is reciprocated a selected number of cycles to determine a wear profile exerted upon the wear piece by the tool bit. The bracket is configured so that end located receiving channels are each seatingly engaged upon upwardly extending hydraulic lifts secured to the support surface, with a plurality of free weights arranged upon the hydraulic lifts.

Abstract: A joint replacement assembly including a male component seating within a female component and a pattern of microgrooves defined in an articulating surface associated with at least one of the components. A volume of a lubricant is maintained in an evenly distributed fashion across the articulating surface in order to provide at least one of reduced friction, increased wear life, and elimination of squeaking or acoustical emissions. The microgrooves can exhibit any of a plurality of intersecting and enclosed profiles, a plurality of overlapping and undulating patterns, an intersecting grid pattern, and a plurality of isolated profiles. Other shapes include a concave depression cross sectional profile, each of which can further exhibit a central upward projection associated with the concave depression.

Abstract: An artificial joint associated with an implant including a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, and which collectively defines a joint location. At least one plasticized layer is applied to one of, or both, the end faces in a coacting and substantially frictional reducing fashion. A lubricating plastic is defined upon an exposed face of the bladder. The plasticized layers may include a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area associated with the joint location. A curable/settable fluidic material can be injected into the bladder and which includes at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener. The bones each further include an artificial implant constructed from at least one of a plasticized and a metallic material.

Abstract: A hip implant assembly including body exhibiting a substantially spherical shaped ball and an elongated stem. An annular defining rim separates the ball from the stem and abuts, in a maximum inserting condition, an exterior surface of a reconditioned femur upon inserting the stem within an interior passageway associated with the femur. A three dimensional and interior volume defining support secures around the ball in a universally articulating permitting fashion, the support being fixed to a reconditioned acetabulum socket associated with an ilium bone by interconnecting posts and anchors established between the fixed support and the reconditioned surface of the acetabulum. A corresponding installation kit assists the preparation of the femur and ilium bones defining the hip joint, as well as the installation of the implant body into the upper conditioned femur end and the outer socket support to a reconditioned acetabulum defined in the ilium bone.

Abstract: An artificial joint associated with an implant including a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, and which collectively defines a joint location. At least one plasticized layer is applied to one of, or both, the end faces in a coacting and substantially frictional reducing fashion. A lubricating plastic is defined upon an exposed face of the bladder. The plasticized layers may include a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area associated with the joint location. A curable/settable fluidic material can be injected into the bladder and which includes at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener.

Abstract: A skeletal implant for replacing a human bone includes an inner reinforcing member and an outer plasticized and fluid resistant layer encasing the inner reinforcing member. A structurally rigid and foamable layer is disposed between the inner reinforcing member and the outer plasticized layer. An end of the outer layer is configured for receiving, in articulated engagement, an end of an adjoining bone. A plurality of ligaments are grafted between the implant and the adjoining bone and proximate the articulated engagement. Conduit passageways are also established between the inner reinforcing member and the end of the outer layer in order to communicate a fluid to an articulating engagement and ligament supporting location with an adjoining bone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an implant for use with a joint defining bone having a three dimensional shape and including a first exposed and joint surface defining layer and an inner most and bone mounting layer. The body further has at least one intermediate layer exhibiting a hardness less than either of the exposed layer and the inner most layer such that, upon mounting the body to a conditioned end of a joint defining bone, it provides the dual features of dynamic cushioning support and external wear resistance.

Abstract: A ligament incorporated into a prosthetic joint exhibiting a plasticized, elongated and deformable material. A fibrous material is internally disposed within the deformable material, the fibrous material terminating in first and second enlarged bead portions arranged in proximity to enlarged pocket defined ends associated with the deformable materials. First and second bones define a joint region therebetween, the deformable end pockets and bead portions being inserted through associated holes defined in joint proximate locations associated with the bones, so that actuation of a projection location of the fibrous material causes the bead portions to outwardly deflect the end pockets, resulting in the ligaments being anchored in place between the bones.

Abstract: An artificial and wear-resistant plug mounted to an existing bone associated with a joint structure and which includes a three dimensional and composite platicized material. An end surface of an existing bone is reconditioned in preparation for engagement of the plug thereto and in order to define a reconditioned artificial wear surface. Ina preferred application, a pair end mounted plugs are arranged in opposing fashion between first and second bones and respectively define a male receiving end and a female socket. A lubricant retaining and cartilage defining exterior layer is applied to one or both of opposing surfaces of the plugs.

Abstract: An artificial joint implant in use with a bone and including a three dimensional shaped body have an exterior configured and joint defining face. An annular shaped recess is formed within a seating location of the implant for securing the body over a sectioned end of the bone. A stem extends from the body inwardly within the bone and exhibits at least one support for engaging an inner bone surface and in order to maintain the implant in secured fashion to the bone.

Abstract: An artificial material, kit and process for filling a three dimensional cavity associated with a damaged or diseased bone and including a body composed of a cellular material including either a foam plastic spray or a syringe holding a plurality of liquid pellets and filling a preconditioned area associated with the bone. The syringe includes a stem which supports, at an extending end, a flexible forming guide for covering an inside location associated with the cavity concurrent with filling the interior. The material sets to facilitate long term and rehabilitative bone growth within and through the cells.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a plurality of ligaments to a bone includes a first portion exhibited by such as a ring shaped clamp with a tab and slot or a split stem incorporating a plurality of spaced apart ring shaped clamps compressively gripping about the ligaments. A second portion includes at least one of a screw or a ring extending portion engaging a ligament end loop or an undercut recess seating portion extending from an end of a body also incorporating the first portion, and such that the second portion extends from an end of the ligaments and mounts to the bone. The ligaments may further include first and second end-to-end attached sections, between which are configured angled and opposing/aligning incisions.

Abstract: A support insert located between succeeding vertebrae and which includes a body having a specified shape and size and which is located in a space existing between succeeding process portions associated with the vertebrae. The body includes a generally boomerang shape in cross section with inner and outer ramped and displaceable pieces in order to seat against a surface of each vertebrae process. A collection of clips, anchors and/or frictional surface teeth are provided to assisting in locating and gripping opposing vertebral locations between which the body is applied.

Abstract: An insert for a tip of a spinal process portion of a selected vertebrae in communication with a succeeding vertebrae and for providing proper angle and lift between the succeeding vertebrae and for preventing bone-on-bone contact. An insert body exhibits a pocket shaped recess and is constructed of a plastic or like composite material. The body further exhibits an irregular underside surfaces associated with the recess for promoting internal bone growth and adhesion. A rounded exterior surface further promotes seating support between the selected and projecting spinal process upon which the body mounted, as well as an opposing location associated with a successively located vertebrae.

Abstract: A patch for covering an aperture associated with a skull including a plastic composite body having either a planar or arcuate shape exhibits an extending edge profile which matches a profile associated with a reconditioned edge of the skull. A fastener extends through the edge profile for securing the body to the skull. The extending edge profile further includes a first portion and a second reduced portion separated by a shoulder, the skull exhibiting a corresponding outer skull edge portion, inner stepped skull portion and intermediate shoulder being configured to mate with the configuration of the extending edge profile and in order to achieve a generally flush appearance when seating the patch over the skull aperture. One or more screws fasten the edge profile of the body to the skull. This can further include a bone screw with undercut engaging portion extending through the extending edge profile and associated skull location.

Abstract: A cast for aligning and supporting first and second bone locations adjoining a bone fracture zone including a body employed in at least one of interior and exterior locations of the bone surrounding the fracture zone. The body provides for at least one of aligning the bone locations on either side of the fracture zone and influencing the bone locations in a compressive fashion against the fracture zone during healing of the bone. The body may further include an internally inserted membrane, such as further exhibiting inflatable bladder incorporating a plurality of elongate stiffening members.

Abstract: A combination spacer insert and support for incorporating into a space defined between succeeding vertebrae. A first insert body is constructed of a composite material exhibiting at least one modulus of elasticity with a substantially cylindrical shape and is inserted within the space, such as established between a pair of previously non-consecutive vertebrae and corresponding to an absent vertebrae. An additional and exterior supported member engages locations associated with the (formerly) non-consecutive vertebrae and which, in combination with the insert body, provides a limited degree of mobility to the vertebrae.