Abstract: An artificial elbow has a humeral member and an ulnar member. A connecting segment has first and second ends. A first pin assembly connects the humeral member to the first end for pivotal rotation relative thereto in response to a first torque. A second pin assembly connects the ulnar member to the second end for pivotal rotation relative thereto in response to a second torque. The second torque is less than the first torque.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthetic phalangeal joint replacement device which allows twisting, pistoning, flexing, and lateral rotational movement made up of a ball joint held within a receptacle end defining a socket with enlarged or recessed sides, thereby allowing flexing and lateral rotational movement. Twisting and pistoning movement is achieved by a metacarpal body which interconnects the bones to be joined and rotatively and slidably connects to the ball joint. A pin can be used to securely retain the device together and allow the aforementioned range of motion.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic junction for releasably connecting prosthetic materials having varying characteristics comprising an apparatus of an inner component of a first material having certain characteristics including a female receptor for receiving a male end of a prosthesis of the first material. The female receptor and the male end are complementarily tapered to provide a locking taper connection therebetween when the male end is inserted into the female receptor. An outer component is incorporated which comprises a second material having different material characteristics from the first material. The outer component partially surrounds the inner component and fixedly and securely retains the inner component, preventing the first component from moving, rotating, or sliding relative to the second component. This provides a secure, but dissociable junction between the outer piece and the end of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An osteotomy blade saw is provided in left-offset and right-offset embodiments for performing sagittal ramus osteotomies. The blade saw has first and second straight arm portions forming an obtuse angle between them, the end of the second arm terminating in a neck portion which angles acutely away from the plane containing the arms and terminates in an end portion on which a cutting blade is mounted. The blade lies in a plane parallel to the plane containing the arms and is offset to the right and left depending on the embodiment. Supplying reciprocating linear motion to the first arm allows the saw to be used in cutting bone. The blade saw in its two preferred embodiments can be used to score and cut the underside of the right and left inferior borders of the mandible, respectively, through incisions inside the mouth.

Abstract: A bone plate for use in repairing bone fractures or osteotomies wherein the bone plate is provided with a positioning member which allows for ease of handling of the bone plate during the fixation process and wherein the bone plate has a upper surface having smooth or rounded surfaces which allows the upper surface of the bone plate to be juxtapositioned to soft tissue without fear of damaging the soft tissue, as by sharp edges.

Abstract: An improved carpal-metacarpal thumb joint prosthesis comprising carpal and metacarpal components which are tapered and threaded to facilitate fixation and to promote bone ingrowth together with a recess formed in the carpal component for holding a mesh disc to further enhance bone in-growth and having the carpal component formed generally U-shaped cavity containing an insert formed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene which receives the spherical end of a tapered head which is securely received in a corresponding cavity within the metacarpal component.

Abstract: An improved Morse taper consisting essentially of a male taper and a mating female taper, one of the tapers having a key recess at the periphery of a mating face such that a key can be inserted and rotated to force the segments longitudinally apart from its assembled embodiment such tapers are particularly useful in skeletal structures. A distraction key with a cam designed to fit in and rotate in the key recess is also described.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a biocompatible mesh screen structure for bonding to a prosthetic substrate. The process comprises providing from four to eight layers of a mesh comprising a titanium alloy and subjecting the layered structure to a temperature below the beta-transformation temperature of the alloy and a pressure of about 1300 to 1500 psi. The heating and pressing are carried out in a furnace maintained at a temperature of about 1600.degree. to 1725.degree. F., which is evacuated to a vacuum of less than about 10.sup.-4 torr. The process of the invention provides a product retaining the strength of the alloy and having a well-characterized pore structure. Further, the layered mesh composite may be bonded to a thin substrate and readily formed into complex shapes.

Abstract: An osteal medical staple of unique configuration having a cross-bar portion defining gripping surfaces by which the staple may be securely and rigidly held by a driver tool or the like, wherein the staple has depending leg portions flaring outwardly a predetermined amount such that regardless of the size of the staple a discrete, constant spread or flaring is obtained once same is implanted in bone or the like, and wherein loosening or reversal of the driven staple is all but eliminated by reason of the triangular, in cross-section, legs of the staple wherein two of the sides have retention barbs thereby insuring complete and total fixation while the curvilinear surfaces of the cross-bar portion of the staple insure a minimum of damage to soft tissue surrounding the bone with which the staple is utilized.