Abstract: Disclosed is a graft polymerization method which has solved problems involved in use of a solvent, a radical initiator and high-energy radiation when a monomer is graft-polymerized on the surface of a polymer base. The graft polymerization method is characterized in that a polymerization product is obtained by immersing a polymer base (i) having a ketone group on the surface into a reaction system containing a monomer (ii) and then irradiating the polymer base (i) with light so that polymerization of the monomer starts from the surface of the polymer base (i).

Abstract: A femoral stem including a stem member having a distal part of the stem member which is inserted in a medullary cavity of a femur and fixed therein and a proximal part of the stem member which has a neck for fixing an artificial head and is positioned at a proximal end of the distal part. The distal part and the proximal part are integrated or separable. Also, a plate fixing portion is detachably attached at a top of the proximal part, and a greater trochanter plate is provided for depressing the greater trochanter. The greater trochanter is fixed to the plate fixing portion at a certain angle or is fixed to the plate fixing portion so as to adjust an angle of the trochanter plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell transplantation device which is capable of inserting cells for transplantation into a cell-deficient site without application of direct external force to the cells. The present invention discloses a cell transplantation device provided with a plate-type carrier with at least one pass-through hole formed on its side surface, a linear member to be threaded through the pass-through hole, and a pusher member which engages with the linear member that comes out from each exit of the pass-through holes.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a sliding member which is capable of maintaining wear resistance over a long period of time; an artificial joint member in which the polymer base is reduced in thickness; and an artificial joint which exhibits high lubricating properties in the body, biocompatibility and resistance to dislocation. Specifically disclosed is a polymer sliding material which has a coating layer (B) that is composed of a graft polymer containing a phosphorylcholine group and having a density of at least 1.4 g/cm3 on at least a part of the surface of a polymer base (A) that has a ketone group on the surface. The sliding material can be obtained by immersing the polymer base (A) into a liquid of a monomer (C) that has a phosphorylcholine group, and causing surface graft polymerization by irradiation of light. Also specifically disclosed are an artificial joint member using the polymer sliding material, and an artificial joint.

Abstract: The artificial knee joint includes a femoral component, a tibial tray and an insert plate fixed onto the top surface of the tibial tray. The femoral component includes a femoral articular surface and a cam that is provided on the rear end of the femoral articular surface and protrudes from the femoral articular surface, the insert plate includes a tibial articular surface that makes contact with the femoral articular surface and a cam-receiving slide surface that makes contact with the cam. When the knee is extended, the joint takes a first sliding state in which the femoral articular surface slides against the tibial articular surface. When the knee is bent at an angle in a range from 90 to 160 degrees, the joint shifts from the first sliding state to a second sliding state in which the cam slides on the cam-receiving slide surface.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a joint prosthesis, bearing material and a production method thereof, which suppresses wear in a sliding section and suppresses the production of abrasive powder even during repeated daily operation. To achieve the object, there is provided a biomaterial comprising: a substrate made of metal, alloy or ceramic; and a biocompatible material layer laminated on the substrate, wherein hydroxyl groups are formed on the substrate by surface-treating, while the biocompatible material layer comprises a polymer containing phosphorylcholine groups, the substrate and the biocompatible material layer are bound via a binder layer which is combined with the hydroxyl groups of the substrate and with the biocompatible material layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. First and second layers of fabric material are disposed on opposite sides of the core. The fabric material may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and may be formed from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers have a thickness sufficient to impart strength and rigidity to the fabric material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the layers of the fabric material. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite material may be formed by supplying the thermoplastic material to the opposite surfaces of the fabric material and by then passing the resultant material through the spaces between progressive pairs of rollers. The rollers in each progressive pair have a decreased spacing relative to the rollers in the previous pair so as to squeeze the thermoplastic material into the interstices between the fabric threads without compressing the fabric material. The resultant material may also be moved in a tortuous path, such as formed by a pair of rollers defining an S-configuration relative to the resultant material, to engage the opposite surfaces of the resultant material and squeeze air from the resultant material without compressing the fabric.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. First and second layers of fabric material are disposed on opposite sides of the core. The fabric material may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and may be formed from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers have a thickness sufficient to impart strength and rigidity to the fabric material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the layers of the fabric material. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material.

Abstract: Athletic and other footwear has an upper and also an insole, a midsole and an outsole in successive layers. The midsole may be made from a flexible material (e.g. polyurethane or EUA) and may be shaped to conform to the shapes of the insole and the outsole. A cavity in the midsole at a forefoot position extends from the top surface to a position near the bottom surface of the midsole. The cavity may extend downwardly and rearwardly at an angle of approximately 10.degree.-45.degree., preferably approximately 15.degree. to the horizontal. The cavity may be undercut to provide a recess at the bottom of the cavity. A spring disposed in the cavity may have a slightly concave configuration in the cavity. The spring may have a flat configuration at the opposite ends of the spring in the longitudinal direction. The spring may be made from a fabric material woven with a warp and a fill and impregnated with a resin material.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for maintaining the tuckboard of footwear in a particular shape. The apparatus includes a tuckboard member made from a sheet of deformable material such as a fiberboard. Retention members are attached to the opposite surfaces of the tuckboard at localized positions such as where the tuckboard has been or is to be deformed. One of the retention members is in compression and the other is in tension. Each of the retention members may be thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite material formed from fibers (preferably non-woven) impregnated and covered with a thermoplastic material. The fibers may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass and aramid. The thermoplastic material may be an acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate or ABS. The retention members help to maintain the tuckboard in a particular shape. The retention members may be initially attached to the tuckboard, and the retention members and the tuckwear may subsequently be deformed to the desired shape.

Abstract: A thermoformable thermoplastic composite material has a core sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. Layers of a fabric material disposed on opposite sides of the core may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers are sufficiently thick to impart strength and rigidity to the composite material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the fabric layers. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material. The core is preferably thinner than the combined thicknesses of the fabric layers and the thermoplastic layers. For example, the thickness of each fabric layer may be 0.008"-0.009", of each thermoplastic layer may be 0.0005"-0.002" and of the thermoplastic composite material may be 0.035"-0.060".

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. First and second layers of fabric material are disposed on opposite sides of the core. The fabric material may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and may be formed from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers have a thickness sufficient to impart strength and rigidity to the fabric material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the layers of the fabric material. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material.

Abstract: A thermoformable thermoplastic composite material has a core sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. Layers of a fabric material disposed on opposite sides of the core may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers are sufficiently thick to impart strength and rigidity to the composite material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the fabric layers. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material. The core is preferably thinner than the combined thicknesses of the fabric layers and the thermoplastic layers. For example, the thickness of each fabric layer may be 0.008"-0.009" of each thermoplastic layer may be 0.0005"-0.002" and of the thermoplastic composite material may be 0.035"-0.060".

Abstract: A thermoplastic thermoformable resin material defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. First and second layers of fabric material are disposed against opposite sides of the core. An additional layer of a fabric material is positioned on the first fabric layer to impart a particular color to the composite material. A resin envelopes and impregnates the different fabric layers and bonds these layers to the core. The fabric layers have a total thickness sufficient to impart strength and rigidity to the fabric material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration without any rippling or buckling of the composite material. Additional layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the outer layers of the fabric material. They impregnate the fabric layers, provide a continuity with the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite having a plurality of layers of material each having a particular total thickness and a particular total volume, including a first layer of thermoplastic resin materal forming a core. At least two layers of fabric material each disposed on an opposite side of the first layer and impregnated with the core material to define an outer skin on the core. Two layers of thermoplastic resin material each overlaying one of the at least two layers of fabric and each bonded to the thermoplastic material impregnated in the adjacent layer of fabric material to define an outer covering for protecting the layers of fabric and providing a covering for protecting the layers of fabric and providing a smooth exterior. The thickness of the core forming a substantial percentage of the total thickness of the composite and the fiber volume of the at least two layers of fabric material forming less than one third (1/3) of the total volume of the composite.