Abstract: A ceramic-coated metal implant is used in medicine as a hemiprosthesis or endoprosthesis. A metal implant base body having at least a surface comprised of a barrier layer metal is imparted with a surface roughness of 100-400 .mu.m by means of a mechanical and/or chemical and/or electrochemical pretreatment, thereby increasing the effective surface by more than 400%. Using anodic oxidation through spark discharge in aqueous electrolytes, an outer thickness of the roughened barrier layer metal is converted into a ceramic layer comprising oxides of the barrie layer metal and, optionally, a resorbable calcium phosphate. A maximum amount of calcium phosphate ceramic in the oxide layer faces an implantation bed of the implant. The calcium phosphate ceramic concentration decreases in the direction towards the phase boundary of the base body and oxide layer, so that bone can grow into the ceramic-coated metal implant and attain a high tenacity.

Abstract: The inventive prosthetic body for bone substitute is a sintered body of hydroxyapatite and characterized by the open pore structure with a pore diameter in a specified range forming a porosity of 20 to 40% and a bending strength of at least 100 kg/cm.sup.2. The sintered body can be prepared by blending powders of hydroxyapatite and a thermally decomposable substance, e.g. crystalline cellulose, each having a specified particle size distribution, in a specified proportion and shaping and sintering the powder blend.

Abstract: A suture coating composition comprising a sucrose fatty acid ester and sutures coated therewith whereby said sutures exhibit improved smoothness in tie-down properties and knotting can be readily accomplished using said suture.

Abstract: A collagen impregnated synthetic vascular graft including a synthetic vascular graft substrate and cross-linked collagen fibril is formed by depositing an aqueous slurry of collagen fibrils in the lumen of the graft and massaging to insure intimate mixing of the fibrils into the porous structure of the substrate. After massaging, the collagen is dried and cross-linked. Repeated applications and massaging and drying further reduce porosity of the graft.

Abstract: The invention relates to artifical joint components in total prostheses for teaching, research and as visual aids. The outer form and structure of the joint components is the equivalent of conventional joint components; they consist of easily separable material, such as injection moulded plastic or casting resin. These joint components can be used in basic research and in surgery courses to teach and further develop new operation techniques and to evaluate results of surgery simply and with certainty, since the bone is opened up together with the implant using a simple belt saw. Immediately thereafter, the results of the operation can be evaluated.

Abstract: An artificial vessel made of an elastomer having a network structure over the entire thickness of the vessel wall with small pores having a maximum diameter of from 1 to 100 .mu.m which communicate between the inner surface and the outer surface, and having a porosity of 75 to 87.5% by volume and a compliance of 0.1 to 0.8.

Abstract: Gauge blocks or plugs and permanent implant plugs are provided for surgical procedures to support and fuse together adjacent vertebrae in a vertebral column. The plugs are rectangular with tapered front ends and tool receiving rear ends. The gauge blocks are smooth faced for removal but the implant plugs have roughened surfaces to grip the vertebrae and provide channels for bone ingrowth. The plugs have recesses in the form of through slots to be packed with bone graft material. In the surgical procedure, undamaged annulus fibrosus disc tissue connecting the adjacent vertebrae is preserved and a pair of side-by-side roughened implant plugs are forced into side-by-side transverse channels in the adjoining vertebrae to stretch the remaining annulus disc tissue and form struts supporting the vertebrae. The plugs are bottomed in the channels on cortex bone and bone ingrowth is facilitated to fuse the plugs to the vertebrae.

Abstract: An implant having a surface coating of growth factors for animal or human cells, wherein the growth factors are covalently bonded to bonding-active groups of a polymer on the base body of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breast form that is adapted to be located within a pocket formed by a cover flap connected to the cup of a brassiere. In a preferred embodiment the breast form includes a body member having an outer protruding surface that terminates in a base edge that is configured to fit against the juncture of the cup and the cover flap. The body member has a chamber that is spaced from the base edge. A weighted member, located within this chamber, is thus also spaced from the base edge to produce a moment in the brassiere cup that is resolved as a tensile force in a strap of the brassiere. The wearer experiences this tensile force as that produced by a breast form, located within the cup of the brassiere, that weighs more than the combined weight of the body member and the weighted member.

Abstract: Bio- and blood compatible materials are prepared by treating the surface of a substrate to provide reactive primary or secondary amine groups sites which are activated by treatment with a dialdehyde or arylchloride for coupling to a biological in an amount sufficient to provide compatibility. The use of specific substrates, such as a compliant, and elastic material, such as a fabric-elastomer membrane matrix, results in a product having advantageous qualities as a thermal burn dressing, breast prostheses and implants. Detailed procedures and various products are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integral elastic suspension sleeve for use with an artificial limb prosthetic device. Specifically, the invention is an integral flexible elastic support sleeve having two circular ends which encloses and securely grips the residual lower extremity portion of a human being who has had a below the knee (or below the elbow) amputation and also encloses and securely grips the top outer surface of the socket of a shin and foot (or forearm and hand) prosthetic device. The suspension sleeve has a smaller internal cylindrical-like panel which has a fabric surface having a low coefficient of friction. This fabric surface is in contact with the outer intersection line between the prosthetic device and the limb extremity of the human being. This sleeve is at between about 5.degree. and 45.degree. angle, and the described configuration results in improved mobility, decreased dermatological irritation to the wearer and enhances the longevity of the elastic suspension sleeve.

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 tubular prosthesis having a composite structure comprising (i) tubular polytetrafluoroethylene having a microfibrous structure comprising small nodes interconnected with fibrils and (ii) materials which can be absorbed by a living body wherein (a) said polytetrafluoroethylene has a greater average fibril length on the outer surface than on the inner surface, and the fibrous structure of said polytetrafluoroethylene varies continuously across the thickness of the tube wall wherein said inner surface has said fibrous structure being predominantly oriented along the axial direction and said outer surface has said fibrous structure being predominantly oriented along the concentric direction; and (b) said materials which can be absorbed by a living body are collagen, at least one of albumin and chitosan, and heparin, and are distributed in such a manner that collagen is present in the portion of the tube wall which is closest to the outer surface thereof while at least one of albumin and chitosan is present in t

Abstract: A method of designing a prosthesis having convex male and concave female mating portions is provided for a human joint comprising a condylar male portion the surface of which is generated by the piecewise analysis of an anatomical condyle, which can be an average condyle or a selected condyle, or a distortion of an average condyle to fit the observed general dimensions of a specific patient, and the female portion having at least flexion and laxity surfaces, the flexion surfaces of which are generated by plotting the path of articulation of substantial points of contact between said male portion and a corresponding anatomical female component for said joint through the full normal extension-flexion range plus normal rotation and posterior-anterior displacement for that joint, and the laxity surfaces of said female member comprising raised guide-bearing surfaces for resisting dislocation of the condylar portion, the height and angle, and therefore, the resistance to dislocation, of which guide bearing surfaces

Abstract: A prosthesis fabricated from filamentary laminates including a pylon having an upper extremity, a shin portion, an ankle portion and a forwardly extending foot portion, all integral with one another. A separate heel portion is secured directly to the foot portion and is provided in different modules of stiffness which serve, when secured to the foot portion, to greatly enhance the life-like movement of the foot and the entire prosthesis. The pylon is provided in different modules to match the weight and activity levels of a wide spectrum of individuals.

Abstract: The invention comprises a syringe for extrusion of a semi-plastic mass, or a mass having a paste-like consistency. In a preferred embodiment, the syringe is so-designed to permit mixing of two components of a plasticizable mixture within the syringe barrel. The bore of the syringe barrel is flared to facilitate extrusion of the plastic mass therefrom. The parts of the syringe ready for use are packaged in a one-piece tray which serves not only for shipping and storing of the syringe, which may be preloaded with one of the components of the plasticizable mixture, together with the associated syringe parts, but which also serves, when opened for use, as a convenient tray for handling the syringe while mixing the two components of the plasticizable mixture prior to extrusion.

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: A process for forming a piece (6) implantable in an organism, more especially for the percutaneous passage of cables or pipes (8).According to the invention, the piece (6) is formed from a felt of carbon fibers coated with a pyrocarbon matrix.

Abstract: An improved heart valve having an annular valve housing and two leaflets supported for pivotable movement within the annular valve housing. Each leaflet is pivoted about an axis displaced from the center of the valve housing. When open, the leaflets pivot away from the center of the valve housing allowing for central flow. The valve leaflets are provided with curved indentations with engage curved projections from the valve housing which serve both to retain the valve leaflets within the housing and to define and control their pivotal movement during opening and closing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-part, biocompatible hip-joint socket moorable without cement, which hip-joint socket can be used universally in combination with hip-joint endoprostheses and is especially suitable for the treatment of dysphasia hips. The joint socket is made of Ti or Ta metals forming a barrier layer or of alloys thereof and is provided with a perforated flange ring for screwing to the pelvic bone, as well as being provided over its entire surface with specific function characteristic oxide layers containing bioactivators. For the implantation of the hip-joint socket, there are not required any special operating instructions, and additional operations, such as pelvic osteotomies, plasties of the roof of the acetabulum and repeated operations are prevented or minimized.