Abstract: The surgical aid endowed with osteotropic activity comprises a base and a suspended substance constituting the active element dispersed in the base. The active element is constituted by granular, ceramic hydroxy-apatite, and the base is gelatine of pharmacologic grade in a pure state, to which glycerol is possibly added. The aid is used in anhydrous phase, and as thin sheets and filaments, the flexibility of which increases with increasing percentage of glycerol in the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides and derivatives thereof having laminin-like activity. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptides, to antibodies effective against these peptides, and to vectors containing a DNA sequence of cDNA coding for the A chain of laminin. The peptides of the invention may be used to treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: An intraocular lens whose optic or optic and haptic are composed of a substantially soft polymer obtained by curing a composition comprising:(a) a dimethylsiloxane-phenylsiloxane copolymer having a vinyl group at each of the both terminals of the molecular chain,(b) a diorganopolysiloxane having at least three hydrosilyl groups in the molecule, and(c) an U.V. absorber.The intraocular lens obtained above has good intraocular stability, excellent biocompatibility, high optical properties and an U.V. absorbability closer to that of the human lens.By further incorporting a filler as the component (d), the intraocular lens has improved mechanical properties and higher intraocular stability.

Abstract: Stress-bearing prostheses for replacement or partial replacement of stress-bearing bone are fixed in place by bony ingrowth by providing a stress-bearing member having a porous region in combination with an osteogenic factor extract or a purified osteogenic inductive protein, optionally in combination with a TGF-beta cofactor, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier is preferably either a collagen composition or a ceramic.

Abstract: A polynonapeptide of the formula:--X--(.alpha..beta..gamma..delta..epsilon..theta..lambda..pi..rho.).sub.n Y--wherein:.alpha. is a peptide-forming residue of L-Valine or another peptide-forming residue capable of functioning in position i of a .beta.-turn in a polypeptide;.beta. is a peptide-forming residue of L-Proline or another peptide-forming residue capable of functioning in position i+1 of a .beta.-turn in a polypeptide;.gamma. is a peptide-forming residue of L-Glycine or another peptide-forming residue capable of functioning in position i+2 of a .beta.-turn in a polypeptide;.delta. is a peptide-forming residue of L-Phenylalanine or another peptide-forming residue capable of functioning in position i+3 of a .beta.-turn in a polypeptide;.epsilon. is a peptide-forming residue of Glycine, or D-Alanine, when functioning as position i' of a subsequent .beta.-turn in a polypeptide when .delta. is as defined, or .epsilon. is as defined for .alpha. when .delta. is Glycine or D-Alanine;.theta.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implantable medical device capable of encouraging cellular growth and regeneration of function fabricated totally or in part from one or more bioresorbable polymers, as for example bioresorbable homopolymers derived from the polymerization of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids, where at least one of the polymers has an average molecular weight of from about 234,000 to about 320,000 as measured by gel permeation chromatography.

Abstract: A prosthetic device prepared by curing an intimate mixture of an addition-polymerizable composition and a particulate inorganic solid which provides up to 80% by volume of the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device has a flexural modulus similar to the boney tissue which it contacts in use.

Abstract: A three-component knee joint prosthesis is disclosed including femoral, tibial and patellar components. During flexion of the prosthetic knee, the patellar component, which has a convex bearing surface, cooperates with and is guided by a patellar track defined by the anterior plate portion, lateral condylar bearing portion and medial condylar bearing portion of the femoral component and a web portion joining the two femoral condylar bearing portions. The inner regions of the two femoral condylar bearing portions are steeply sloped towards the web portion to permit the patellar component to "ride deeply" upon the femoral component at high degrees of flexion, thereby reducing quadriceps tension and expanding the permissible range of motion in flexion.

Abstract: An implant prosthesis and method for replacing a full or partial thickness of a cornea. The prosthesis includes a transparent lens portion, and a carrier of preserved tissue, preferably cornea. The lens is attached to the carrier which in turn is adapted for attachment to the eye wall.

Abstract: An enossal or endosteal implant with a fastening head and fastening arrannt having a metal implant post screwable into a basic structure for snugly fitting a conditionally removable denture with a spacer element provided with a centering collar being inserted into the open end of the basic structure and engageable with a shoulder of an upper edge of the basic structure and an intermediate element having a portion made of an elastic material is characterized by the spacer element being made of metal and having a closed end remote from the fastening head for the denture and being threaded into the basic structure; the intermediate element is insertable in a socket formed by a counterbore at the open end of the spacer element and is provided with a ring shoulder for engaging an upper edge of the spacer element, and the intermediate element has an inner bore whose diameter, in an area facing the fastening head for the denture and remote from the spacer sleeve, is larger than the external diameter of the implant p

Abstract: A method of joining a polymeric part and a metallic or ceramic part. The result is a bearing for an orthopedic prosthesis comprising a rigid backing component presenting a mating surface having interstices, a polymeric bearing component having a corresponding mating surface, the bearing component and backing components being joined together by heating the backing component to a temperature sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the bearing component at its mating surface and by forcing the components together with sufficient pressure to cause the bearing component mating surface to flow into the interstices of the backing component mating surface.

Abstract: A material for connecting members for soft tissues and inner organs which consists of a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid containing in the alkyl group 2 to 8 carbon atoms at the following proportions of the components, molar percent:______________________________________ N-vinylpyrrolidone 40-90 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid 10-60.

Abstract: A soft tissue implant device such as a catheter, heart valve, or plastic or reconstructive surgical material, to be at least partially embedded in an implantation site in soft organic tissue of a living organism includes a body defining a surface layer extending over the portion of the body contacting the organic tissue. The surface layer defines a three-dimensional pattern with an exterior surface defining a plurality of spaces and a plurality of solid surface portions. The spaces have a mean bridging distance ranging from greater than 1.0 micron to less than 4.0 microns and the solid surfaces portions have mean breadths ranging from 0.10 micron to 2.0 microns. The mean bridging distance is preferably greater than 1.4 microns and less than 1.9 microns. The exterior surface is substantially free of indentations having a bridging distance measuring in a range from between 10.0 microns and 1,000 microns.

Abstract: Article made of lactic acid polymer capable of being employed particulaly as a biodegradable prosthesis exhibiting at 23.degree. C. a tensile regidity modulus higher than 5000 MPa and a tensile resilience higher than 500 kJ/m.sup.2 and a heat shrinkage of less than 50% at 130.degree. C.The article is produced by forging a blank at a temperature of between 80.degree. and 170.degree. C., with a draw ratio of 200 to 1000%.

Abstract: An absorbable fabric which effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative adhesions when used as a physical barrier at the operative site is a warp knit fabric of oxidized regenerated cellulose or other bioresorbable material. The barrier fabric is particularly characterized by having a density of 8 to 15 mg/cm.sup.2 and an open area porosity of 12 to 20 percent.

Abstract: A process for the prosthetic supplementation or replacement of hard tissue. In the process an anatomically-shaped form is molded by or a prosthetic device is coated with a composite material containing unsintered calcium phosphate biomaterial, a synthetic biodegradable polymer, and optionally, a pore-forming agent.

Abstract: An injectable composition comprising a plurality of discrete physiologically-compatible, non-biodegradable, polymeric bodies, said bodies having (i) an average outside diameter of from about 0.005 to 0.20 inch, (ii) reversible deformability of about 20 to 75% of their unstressed outside diameter, and (iii) a lubricious surface; a process for the preparation of said composition and a method for treating a tissue condition in a patient using said composition.

Abstract: A medical and surgical dressing has an expansion system designed to cover, yet be spaced apart from, a healing wound when the dressing is applied. In its expanded configuration, the dressing is bubble shaped. The dressing includes an adhesive material for adhering to the skin of a patient surrounding the wound, and further includes several layers of material which permit circulation and filtration of air entering the space defined by the expanded bubble. The dressing and expansion system avoid direct contact with the healing wound, yet fully protect the wound from the outside environment.

Abstract: An artificial ligament device is provided for joining the ends of two bones wherein at least one of the bones has a tunnel extending therethrough. The device comprises a multilayered or tubular woven ligament having an intra-articular region, at least one bend region, and at least one end region, each region being woven so as to possess qualities of flexibility and strength suitable to the particular types of stresses it receives during use. The end region and a portion of the bend region are encased within a polymer bone block, usually by thermomolding, and the bone block is inserted into the bone tunnel to attach the ligament. The bone block is molded to provide a fixed bend radius for the ligament at the point of exit therefrom so as to control the amount of bending stress on the ligament during flexure and extension of the joint.

Abstract: An absorbable fabric which effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative adhesions when used as a physical barrier at the operative site is a warp knit fabric of oxidized regenerated cellulose or other bioresorbable material. The barrier fabric is particulary characterized by having a density of 8 to 15 mg/cm.sup.2 and an open area porosity of 12 to 20 percent.