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.

Abstract: Calcification resistant bioprosthetic implants are made from tanned biological materials, such as porcine heart valves, bovine pericardium, human dura mater or the like, which has been impregnated with a calcification-mitigating effective amount of a ferric and/or stannic salt. The impregnated biological materials and processes are particularly advantageous for the preparation of bioprosthetic heart valves. These implants have been found to be highly resistant to calcification in vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a moisture-proof adhesive coating composition comprising an antioxidant and a blend of an amorphous polymer of propylene, a crystalline polymer of propylene and a resinous mixture of C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbons derived from the polymerization and hydrogenation of a petroleum feedstock and to a method of using and producing the blend of this invention.

Abstract: Contact lens or intraocular lens from lightly crosslinked polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or from such its copolymer, where the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate component prevails over the second nonhydrophilic component, which contains a hydrophilic swellable transparent surface layer and an inner part of lower swellability than the surface layer, whereby the swellability of the surface layer decreases continuously from the surface towards the inner part to the swellability level of the inner part. The swellability of the surface layer is at the surface of up to 98% and the thickness of the surface layer is at utmost 100 .mu.m. The finally shaped lens is treated with an alkaline reacting solution of a salt, in which the lens does not swell and the lens is then freed of all soluble substances by washing.

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: A bone induction tray which acts as a structural support intimate contact with a bone to be repaired and participates directly in the reconstruction of a bone defect by providing direct chemical bonding with the bone and in the repair thereof. A suitable dimensionally formable fabric is selected which comprises a woven or non-woven mesh of fibers having pores between the fibers primarily for carrying an appropriate ceramic material therein. The fabric acts as a substrate support for a calcium phosphate biomaterial which is coated onto the fabric mesh such that the individual fibers of the mesh are completely coated and the pores in the mesh are completely impregnated therewith. Preferred bioresorbable fiber materials are the alpha-hydroxyacids such as lactic acid or glutaric acid. Preferred non-bioresorbable fabrics are typically polyamides, polyesters, or polyacrylics.

Abstract: A transplantable artificial tissue matrix structure containing viable cells which is suitable for insertion into the body is made by polymerizing precursors in an aqueous solution to form a shape retaining solid matrix comprising viable cells, matrix polymer and reversible gel polymer. The solution contains a matrix polymer precursor, a reversible gel polymer precursor, and viable cells. The reversible gel polymer is dissolved and removed to yield an insoluble, porous matrix containing viable cells. The conditions and reagents are selected to maintain the viability of the cells. The invention is particularly suitable for artificial transplant matrix tissue containing pancreatic islet cells.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a soft intracameral lens determined for the location in the posterior chamber of eye.The soft intracameral hydrogel lens has its front supporting and centering convex part determined for leaning against iris having in front a rotation symmetrical shape of a sphere, paraboloid or hyperboloid and passing into the broadest circumference by a surface which shape is equal to or approaches a shape of lateral area of cone, while the hinder supporting part of the lens with a spherical, planar, or moderately convex or concave-curved shape for leaning against a hinder capsula or a membrane from vitreous body in a large surface area. The hinder supporting part is broadened and forms on the edge a retaining ring reaching over the front part as much as by 1.5 mm, whereas the central thickness of the lens ranges between 1 to 3.5 mm. The surface of the soft intracameral lens may be formed, at least in part, from a soft hydrogel containing at least 70% of water at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A kit and process for reconstituting human bone and/or related tissue is disclosed. The kit comprises a pre-formulated sterilized reconstitution medium and double ended transfer needle.

Abstract: An improved crayon composition is disclosed, comprising a base wax binder component having a melting point in excess of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, from about 5.0 to about 50.0 weight percent of an emulsifying agent, and from about 0.01 to about 5.0 weight percent of a reflective flake.

Abstract: An extended implant is surgically inserted underneath the soft tissue and superposed on the human mandible. The implant has a convex anterior surface. The posterior surface has a concave surface for cooperating with the irregular bony surface of the mandible. The medial sagittal area of the convex surface has a protuberance for augmenting and providing a natually appearing chin contour when the implant is in place. The implant extends and tapers bilaterally from the protuberance. The superior edge has bilateral arcuate-shaped depressions for avoiding the mental nerves. The snug fit of the implant against the mandible prevents movement thereby precluding bone erosion below the lower teeth. The snug fit and the arcuate depressions preclude painful impingement of the mental nerves.

Abstract: Arteries and veins of umbilical cords are treated by processes described, fitted with a biodegradable mesh support and used as tubular prosthesis for vascular reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: A composite yarn possessing a nonabsorbable, elastic core yarn component and an absorbable, relatively inelastic sheath yarn component is employed in the manufacture of a porous tubular prosthesis useful, e.g., in vascular reconstruction.

Abstract: Improved ceramics which promote bone ingrowth are disclosed. The coating of the present invention consists essentially of oxyhydroxyapatite, and alpha- and beta-tricalcium phosphate. Methods of making and using the ceramics are also disclosed. The present invention uses a microscopically powdered form of calcium-phosphate materials and electrophoretic deposition to create ceramics having significantly higher dissolution rates than previous materials. By agitating the electrophoretic solution, agglomeration is prevented and a uniform coating is achieved. Thus, the present invention presents both improved ceramic materials and novel methods of depositing them uniformly upon metal surfaces, such as titanium wire mesh.

Abstract: A material with chemically induced surface charges is employed to foster formation of mammalian hard and soft connective tissues. The material may be in the form of beads such as ion exchange resins. Bead materials with a negative surface charge stimulate formation of hard tissue within long bones and foster bony repair of defects in parietal bones and in mandibular rami. Beads with positively charged surfaces engender formation of large quantities of soft dense connective tissue when implanted into defects in the cranium or when used as an onlay on the nasal bone surface. The use of such beads or other charged biodegradable materials and the use of other surface charged materials with different physical configurations provides significant improvement in hard and soft connective tissue repair, augmentation and replacement in medical fields such as orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgery.

Abstract: A composition produced as a result of mixing alumina, silica, and a calcium phosphate compound in a specific ratio exhibits high affinity for bioceramics. When a bioceramic is coated with this composition and the coated bioceramic is heated, the composite is fused fast with the bioceramic to produce a composition bioceramic which is active to vital tissues.

Abstract: This invention is described and illustrated in connection with the generation of a homograft composed of collagenous tissue generated on a prosthetic device. A tubular substrate having generally cylindrical outside and inside surfaces is suspended in the lumen of a blood vessel of a living body. The tubular substrate is open at each end to permit blood to flow over both the inside and outside surfaces. One of the surfaces of the substrate is a thrombogenic surface or supports a thrombogenic mesh material to promote growth of a tube of collagenous tissue suitable for use as a surgical graft. The substrate is suspended in the blood flow of a blood vessel by an anchor which permits the substrate to freely move within the lumen of the vessel but is anchored by the tether to prevent the substrate from moving along the vessel in the direction of blood flow. The collagenous tissue growth about the substrate is generally tubular and suitable for use as a surgical graft.

Abstract: A material which transmits wound moisture, made up of an upper layer of an elastomer having a thickness of 0.01-0.2 mm which is provided with pores having a diameter not exceeding 0.7 .mu.m and a pore density of 1-75% of the surface, and a lower layer of an elastomer having a thickness of 0.05-1 mm which is provided with macropores having a diameter of 50-200 .mu.m, at least some of the walls of said macropores being provided with micropores having a diameter of 0.1-0.25 .mu.m, is provided. The material of the invention meets a number of conditions making it suitable for the use of artificial skin.

Abstract: The alloplastic material comprises bundles of metallic fibers loosely held together. The fibers preferably consist of a titanium-based alloy containing at least one of the metals niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum and aluminum, and may be provided with a coat of an organic substance selected to be absorbed inside a human or animal body. On the outer surfaces of the fibers consisting of the named alloy there may arise layers of oxides effective to protect the metal beneath against chemical influences taking place in the body. Moreover, the metals present in the fibers in the form of alloy components are not toxic and enable a good bond with natural tissue to take place. Without the optional coat, the fiber thickness has a value of less than 20 micrometers and preferably 15 micrometers or less. Thus, subjecting the fibers to bending, as takes place with alloplastic material inside the body, will not cause any fatigue fractures.

Abstract: A collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth is shown. Also shown is an optical lens for the eye, fabricated from the collagen-hydrogel, which, when affixed to Bowman's membrane, promotes and supports epithelial cells growth and enables corneal epithelium of the cornea of an eye, during the healing process, to attach to and cover the anterior surface of the lens implanting the same. The collagen-hydrogel is a hydrogel polymer formed by the free radical polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer solution gelled and crosslinked in the presence of an aqueous solution of macromolecules to form a three dimensional polymeric meshwork for anchoring macromolecules. Macromolecules comprising a constituent of a ground substance of tissue, which in the preferred embodiment is a native collagen, are interspersed within the polymeric network forming the hydrogel resulting in a collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth.