Abstract: A microporous biocompatible material is formed by preparing a segmented polyether urethane urea solution containing 25%.+-.1.5% solids dissolved in a solvent. The solution has sufficient viscosity to be preshaped and formed into the desired thickness of the finished article, then immediately immersed into a precipitation bath in which the solvent in the solution is miscible for a time interval sufficient to cause the solution to set up into an opaque elastomeric article. The article is immediately removed from the bath, any excess solvent extracted and then dried at a temperature on the order of 35.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. followed by heat treating by annealing for approximately sixty minutes at a temperature at 100.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. The void volume of the membrane solution is controlled to within the 50% to 80% range and the pore size from ca <0.1 to several mms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial vascular graft having ultra fine fibers smaller than 0.5 denier in fineness as part of the inner wall. The artificial vascular graft of this invention is very flexible and produces very low blood leakage. The ease of performing anastomoses is greatly improved. Because of the ultra fine fiber there are many sites to which live cells adhere, the adaptability of the live cells to the fibers of the vascular graft increases, an excellent antithrombotic effect is exerted by the vascular graft, and the formation of the endothelial cells is satisfactory and is observed at a very early stage.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flexible planar sheet having perimetric edges, the sheet being formed from a plurality of multi-fiber carbon filaments. The sheet is coated with a first solution of biodegradable polymer dissolved in a solvent, and the solvent is permitted to evaporate thereby leaving a first film of biodegradable polymer on the flexible sheet member. A second solution is applied to the sheet and contains a biodegradable polymer dissolved in a solvent, the concentration by weight of the polymer with respect to the solvent being greater in the second solution than in the first solution. When the solvent of the second solution evaporates it leaves a second film of biodegradable polymer on the planar sheet adjacent to the perimetric edges thereof. An alternative method of applying the polymer to the sheet is to lay polymer strips on the sheet and to apply heat to those polymer strips.

Abstract: A method of stimulating chemotaxis toward a prosthetic device is disclosed, which method comprises incorporating a chemotactic peptide of the formulaB.sup.1 -X-(AGVPGFGVG).sub.n -Y-B.sup.2whereinA is a peptide-forming residue of L-alanine:P is a peptide-forming residue of L-proline;G is a peptide-forming residue of glycine;V is a peptide-forming residue of L-valine;F is a peptide-forming residue of L-phenylalanine;B.sup.1 is H or a biocompatible N-terminal group;B.sup.2 is OH, OB.sup.3 where B.sup.3 is a non-toxic metal ion, or a biocompatible C-terminal group:X is GVPGFGVG, VPGFGVG, PGFGVG, GFGVG, FGVG, GVG, VG, G or a covalent bond;Y is AGVPGFGV, AGVPGFG, AGVPGF, AGVPG, AGVP, AGV, AG, A or a covalent bond; andn is an integer from 1 to 100;into a surface of the prosthetic device. Prosthetic devices which have the property of enhancing invasion of elastic fiber synthesizing fibroblasts as a result of the chemotactic peptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: Titanium or other biocompatible metal fibers having a diameter of from about 20 to about 200 .mu.m, a length of from about 2 to 50 mm and a length-to-diameter ratio of at least about 100 are formed into a flexible and deformable mass, for example, a sheet, of interlocked fibers, which may be sintered for additional coherence, to a thickness of from about 0.5 to 30 mm. The amount of fibers is such that the sheet has a voids volume of at least 65%, preferably about 90%. The diameter of the pores of the porous sheet are at least about 150 .mu.m such that bony tissue can grow in the pores. These porous sheets are highly malleable without loss of structural integrity or pore size distribution. Accordingly, the porous metal fiber mesh sheets are useful for stabilizing prosthetic devices or for general repair of defective bone structures.

Abstract: Improved versions of heart valve prostheses include the usual generally annular body having an interior surface defining a blood flow passageway and having one or two occluders supported thereon for alternately blocking and then allowing the flow of blood in a predetermined direction. Notches are formed at opposite locations in the periphery of an occluder, and each is disposed about a pivot post that projects radially inward from the interior surface of the annular body. A pair of stops flank each pivot post, having curved surfaces at locations adjacent to the pivot posts but radially inward from the ends thereof that function as oppositely disposed fulcrums and cooperate with the pivot posts in defining the opening and closing movement of each occluder. Preferably, the pivot posts and the stop means are formed as an integral structure. Self-centering seats can be used to provide a better seal in the closed position.

Abstract: A stent for the anastomosis of a vessel comprises an integral solid of biologically compatible material which is adapted to melt from a solid into a fluid in response to heat energy or body temperature into the fluid which flows through the vessel. Preferably the stent is formed of frozen material, and has a temperature which is substantially less than the temperature of the vessel upon insertion. Upon melting, the biologically compatible material naturally integrates with the fluid normally conducted by the vessel. The stent may be advantageously formed of frozen blood plasma or other blood fluid which is compatible with the blood normally conducted by an artery or a vein. When used in conjunction with thermal bonding techniques, the stent aligns the ends of the vessel for thermal bonding without the necessity for taking the time-consuming circumferentially-spaced stay sutures.

Abstract: Junction for a medical instrument, which permits the opposed ends for union in two tubular members of a medical instrument made of vinyl chloride polymer to adhere fast to each other with a combination of vinyl chloride polymer paste resin and a plasticizer.

Abstract: Stents are disclosed for use in surgical augmentation of tissue at body sites such as the alveolar ridge, by the use of an implant material, i.e., hydroxylapatite (HA) for example. The stents are used for surgical positioning and shaping of the implant material and for post operative maintenance thereof. The stents are constructed of a transparent substance, molded to a model of specific desired tissue morphology and adjacent tissues. In use, a stent is positioned to define a confining open sided cavity corresponding to the specific predetermined tissue morphology. Implant material is injected or placed beneath the soft tissue over which the stent is positioned, to expand the tissue to occupy entirely the inside of the stent cavity, this step facilitated by observation through the transparent stent walls.

Abstract: A method of deodorizing articles, devices, and solutions involved in or used in medical and biological procedures including endoscopic procedures and associated solutions and materials. The method is to treat the materials and solutions to be deodorized with 2,4-pentanedione as a chemical deodorant. In a preferred treating composition the 2,4-pentanedione is used as an aqueous solution containing a small amount of an essential oil-type masking agent and an oil solubilizing surfactant.

Abstract: Material for use in a biological environment is produced by subjecting a sheet of parietal pleura to glutaraldehyde tanning. The pleura is stretched and cleansed of excessive tissue to result in a membrane of substantially uniform thickness prior to tanning.The material produced by the invention may be used as a surgical graft material, in which case the visceral surface of the pleura may provide a blood contacting surface. The material may also be used as a surgical dressing.The pleura may be obtained from various animal species but will commonly be bovine pleura.

Abstract: A "tissue valve type" heart valve prosthesis is disclosed which has a biocompatible plastic sewing ring adapted to be surgically implanted into the mitral, aortic or tricuspid annulus of the human heart. The sewing ring has internal square threads and a biocompatible fabric mesh or cloth is embedded into the sewing ring so that the cloth can be fully wrapped around the sewing ring covering all of its plastic surfaces except for the internally protruding threads. A biocompatible plastic stent support ring has externally disposed threads to lock with the threads of the sewing ring in approximately one turn, or less. The stent support ring also embeds a biocompatible fabric mesh which can be wrapped around the stent support ring to cover all of its plastic surfaces, except for the protruding threads, and to form a cloth pocket wherein a solid stent is mounted. A porcine trileaflet valve is mounted to the stent.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis is constructed of a bio-active bio-compatible glass. The prosthesis includes a substantially disc-like base member, one base surface of which is adapted to bond to the tympanic membrane, and a substantially cylindrical stem member projecting from the other base surface. The axis of the stem member is offset from the center of the base member and perpendicular to the base surface.

Abstract: The method comprises inserting a securing device with skin graft wrapped therearound through an incision in the skin to a subcutaneous region of the body. The skin graft has its epidermis facing the securing device and is joined to the body surface skin at the incision to form a pouch for containing the securing device. The prosthesis is then attached to the securing device. The device comprises a base member for subcutaneous disposition and a post on the base extending to the surface of the body skin. An opening through the post and the base member facilitates attaching the prosthesis to the securing device and permits the pouch to be irrigated by forcing fluid through the opening. Channels in the surface of the base of the device disburse irrigation fluid throughout the pocket for effective cleansing of the pouch. Ridges formed on the post and the base inhibit contractural growth of the pouch from sealing against the securing device and preventing irrigation.

Abstract: A surgical stent (10) having elongate opposite end portions (12, 14) of different cross-sectional dimensions terminating in rounded terminal elements (16, 18) with rounded exterior surfaces is disclosed together with a surgical procedure for anastomosis of anatomical tubular organ structures. The stent contains a central canal (24) providing passage through the entire length of the stent and a plurality of annular ribs (20, 22) surrounding the exterior surfaces of the elongate portions (12, 14). The different cross-sectional dimensions of the two elongate portions (12, 14) allows selection of a stent to conform with the interior diameters of the lumena of the two sections of the tubular organ structure to be joined. The rounded exterior surfaces of the terminal elements (16, 18) and annular ribs (20, 22) assures a minimization of surgical trauma to the organ structure while the ribs minimize post-operative leakage at the site of the reanastomized tubular organ structure end sections.

Abstract: An implant for use in a human body having an integral attachment surface adapted to permit tissue ingrowth. The attachment surface has an inner attachment surface and a multiplicity of spaced posts projecting from the inner attachment surface. The posts each have side attachment surfaces which are generally cylindrically concave, intersect to define post edges, and are radiused at their intersections with the inner attachment surface. A method of forming the attachment surface on an implant with a laser is also included.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new prosthetic ligament and a set of surgical instruments for use in the surgical replacement of a ligament and in particular for inserting a prosthetic ligament into the body.The ligament in accordance with the invention comprises an elongate foraminous flexible strip, having at one end a pouch portion capable of receiving a bone plug and including an opening through which the bone plug may be inserted into the end portion, the pouch portion also including a closure or the like to prevent escape of the bone plug in a direction away from the center of the ligament.The set of surgical instruments includes a new bone plug extractor which is adapted to sever the base of the bone plug from a host bone to allow complete separation of the bone plug.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having a lens body, at least one flexible haptic and a component of shape memory alloy operatively connected to the haptic to change the overall dimensions of the lens for implantation of the lens is disclosed. An intraocular lens having a lens body and a component of shape memory alloy operatively connected to the body to change the overall dimensions of the lens is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis comprises an annular frame and a valve sleeve with a plurality of valve flaps which are forced apart by the blood passing through the prosthesis in one direction and which are mutually coapted by blood flow in the opposite direction. The frame of the prosthesis includes a rigid or semi-rigid stent constituted by a tubular body with a ring of apertures and with first and second end edges which, in the implanted position of the prosthesis, are respectively upstream and downstream with respect to the direction of flow of the blood through the prosthesis. Biocompatible textile completely covers the rigid stent: the covering has associated suture stitches some of which extend through the apertures of the said ring to attach the covering to the stent itself.

Abstract: An intravascular prosthesis comprises a lining rolled upon itself around an axis so that it is introducible into a vascular lumen. An inflatable channel is included for unrolling the lining when the prosthesis is positioned within the lumen so that the lining may engage the vascular wall to provide support therefor. A filter is provided for filtering the blood which passes through the prosthesis when the lining is unrolled.