Abstract: A dental crown is prepared from a dental crown material including 7 to 11% by weight of Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3, 18 to 28% by weight of MgO, 9 to 15% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 38 to 48% by weight of SiO.sub.2 and 10 to 15% by weight of Na.sub.2 SiF.sub.6. The dental crown material is melted and the molten material is molded in a lost wax mold. The molded material is crystallized to form the dental crown.

Abstract: The reinforced tubular graft structure is particularly adapted for cardiovascular use and is made of collagenous tissue with a reinforcing fibrous structure surrounding the lumen. The fibrous structure comprises a coiled monofilament which can have a textured surface defined by randomly disposed strands of polymer on the outer surface of the monofilament. The coil can be embedded within the collagen or positioned about the collagen to form the graft structure.

Abstract: An acetabular cup comprising a shell having inner and outer ends, a cavity having an outer opening at the outer end, a surface defining an inner opening at the inner end and external screw threads for threading the shell into the acetabulum and an insert having an external polar cap and a concave bearing surface of generally part spherical configuration opening at a mouth. The insert is adapted to receive a femoral head and has an overhang to reduce the likelihood of dislocation. The insert is receivable in the shell with the polar cap being received in the inner opening of the shell. Interlocking teeth on the surface of the shell and on the polar cap of the insert hold the insert in any of a plurality of different angular positions relative to the shell so that the desired angular orientation of the overhang can be obtained.

Abstract: A stent for implanting in a blood vessel following balloon angioplasty to prevent restenosis. The stent is a helical coil of a shape memory alloy tape or wire. The coil has a diameter less than that of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted. The tape or wire has previously been wound to form a helical coil having a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the inside diameter of said blood vessel, this coil is than heated to an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to fix the shape of the second mentioned coil in the memory of the tape or wire, cooled to ambient temperature and then rewound to form the first mentioned helical coil.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing surgical implants at least partially coated with a layer of a metal compound, comprising the formation of an implant blank from a metal or composite substrate having at least one contact bearing surface, a first polishing of this contact bearing surface, cleaning of this contact bearing surface using physico-chemical means, decontamination and heating of this surface by high energy ion bombardment, in a reactor having a structure similar to that of an oven for thermo-chemical treatment by ionic bombardment, the formation of the deposit by creation of metal vapor inside the reactor and by introducing therein a reactive gas.

Abstract: A prosthetic ligament assembly includes a nonaugmented prosthetic ligament for permanently replacing a natural ligament spanning first and second body members, such as the femur and tibia, and a bone screw adapted for tensioning the prosthetic ligament during implantation. The prosthetic ligament includes a load bearing member intertwined into a plain braid from a plurality of biocompatible, high strength, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene yarns. Each yarn includes at least fifty fibers and has a tensile strength greater than or equal to about 100,000 psi. The load bearing member has a gage section and a loop at each end thereof for anchoring the load bearing member to the body members. The load bearing member is preloaded to remove slack therefrom. The load bearing member may be used alone or may be formed into a hollow braid having a core disposed within the hollow portion of the braid to permit radiographic visualization of the prosthetic ligament.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic metatarsal-phalangeal replacement joint is described. The joint includes a distal metatarsal component having a part-spherical convex distal superior phalangeal articular surface, and two inferior "side-by-side" sesamoidal articular surfaces, separated by an intersesamoidal ridge. The proximal phalangeal component is provided with a proximal circular surface at least a major portion of which has a part spherical concave surface having similar radius of curvature as the distal superior phalangeal surface of the metatarsal component. Natural, natural-resurfaced or prosthetic sesamoids are secured to a flexible mesh element arranged to be secured between the phalangeal component and the phalanx so that the sesamoids are positioned for articulation with the two inferior sesamoidal surfaces of the distal metatarsal component.

Abstract: New and improved orthopedic/orthotic splint materials are provided which exhibit excellent elasticity, do not easily fingerprint, retain adhesion and have high toughness and flexural strength. The materials employed in the casts of this invention are blends of an aliphatic polyester, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone), with certain thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard block segment and a soft block segment, which possess a combination of desirable properties not heretofore found in cast materials.

Abstract: The surgical TM joint implant has two-parts: a first part which covers or replaces the natural glenoid fossa and articular eminence of a natural TM joint, and a second part which replaces the natural condylar head of the joint. The first part includes a plate having a fossa cavity defined by a relatively deep concave portion and an anteriorly located concavo-planar portion. The second part has a condylar head defining a convexo-planar, articular face for engaging the concavo-planar surface and establishing therewith a planar contact area which minimizes the unit stress transmitted between the first and second parts, thereby providing for an even load distribution between their engaged planar surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to prosthesis and methods for promoting nerve regeneration. The proximal and distal ends of a severed nerve are brought into close proximity and are enclosed by a tubular prosthesis. In one preferred embodiment, a epineurial or endoneurial monosuture is used to hold the nerve ends in close proximity. A tight seal is formed between the prosthesis and the injured nerve so as to isolate the injured nerve within the prosthesis from the rest of the body of the host. Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, nerve grafts may be incorporated into the prosthesis and nerve regeneration promoting substances may be incorporated within the nerve graft to further enhance nerve regeneration.

Abstract: An improved acetabular prosthesis (14) is disclosed for use with a femoral head prosthesis (12). The acetabular prosthesis (14) comprises a cup (28) having, in use, sufficient strength to maintain its shape. The exterior surface of the cup (28) is substantially hemispherical. A coating (32) of sufficient thickness is provided on the exterior surface of the cup (28). The coating (32) is sufficiently deformable and has limited elastic memory to mold itself to the particular anatomic geometry or inner contour of the acetabulum. The coating (32) has grooves (36) on its external surfaces.

Abstract: An improved soft tissue implant which resists capsule formation and contracture is described. The implant is coated with a non-immunogenic collagen preparation optionally stabilized by crosslinking.

Abstract: A single lumen implantable and biocompatible breast prosthesis composed of an outer membrane of silastic, medical grade silicone, and an inner filling material selected from the group consisting of purified reconstituted collagen gel and a purified gel of poly-alpha amino acid homopolymers or random copolymers having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 400,000. The purified reconstituted collagen gel has a collagen concentration of from 20 to 100 milligrams per milliliter of gel.

Abstract: A method producing a multilayered prosthesis material for use with a living body, said material showing mechanical compliance vis-a-vis soft body tissue and possessing biocompatibility. The method comprising the steps:(a) preparing a copolymer solution using a solvent;(b) coating a substrate with a uniform thickness of said solution;(c) precipitating the initial coating resulting from step (b) to form a physically stable structure having pores substantially uniformly distributed therein by treating the coating with a precipitating solution which is miscible in said solvent but functioning as a precipitating non-solvent with respect to the copolymer; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c), as required to form the multilayered material, characterized by preparing in step (a) a solution containing less than 5% by weight of polymer.

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: A prosthetic graft for arterial system repair comprising a flexible tube, an anchoring device attached at each of the two opposite ends of the flexible tube member, each anchoring device containing a ring, a circular member and a connecting member, in each anchoring device, the ring is connected to and defines an opening into one of the opposite ends of the flexible tube member, the circular member is spaced apart from the ring delimiting a space therebetween and the connecting member is affixed to the ring and the circular member spacing apart these two members.

Abstract: Prosthesis for repair of inguinal hernias and femoral hernias are provided, together with techniques for implanting the prostheses. The inguinal prosthesis has three panels which radiate from a common elongate core. The core serves as a replacement for the inguinal ligament and the panels are attached to selected musculature and ligamentous tissue. One of the panels is sutured to Cooper's ligament, a second panel is sutured to the conjoined tendon and the third panel is sutured to the exterior oblique aponeurosis. A prosthesis for repair of femoral hernias also is provided and is in the form of an umbrella-shaped device having a top panel and a stem which is attached to the face and extends generally perpendicular from the top panel. The prosthesis may be implanted in a relatively simple procedure in which the femoral ring, through which the hernia has occurred is exposed surgically from below.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a mold surface with microscopic upstanding pillars for molding the inside surface of a vascular prostheses (synthetic blood vessel). The mold article is formed from a quantity of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) which has a polished, flat surface on which a gold film has been sputter deposited. A photoresist layer, which cannot adhere directly to Teflon, adheres to the gold. The photoresist is exposed and developed leaving a sputter resistant mask defining the desired pillar locations, and the resulting workpiece is ion etched to form the pillars in the Teflon. A synthetic blood vessel material is cast against the Teflon mold to form blind recesses on the inside of the synthetic blood vessel, with the recesses being of predetermined uniform cross section and present in a predetermined uniform pattern.

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 2,5-hexanedione or with 2,3-pentanedione as a chemical deodorant. In a preferred treating composition the chemical deodorant is used as an aqueous solution containing a small amount of an essential oil-type masking agent and an oil solubilizing surfactant.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic heart valve comprises a support body or stent covered by a layer of biological tissue having only the smooth surfaces thereof presented outwardly. The stent has a cutaway section and a flexible cusp sewn thereto for opening and closing the valve. The valve cusp is made of pericardial tissue which has been doubled over such that the rough side thereof is folded inwardly. A sewing ring is secured around the base of the stent and is made of pericardial or other biological material, so as to increase the likelihood of the sewing ring becoming covered with epithelium. The smooth-surfaced biological construction of the valve is highly durable and reduces the risk of thrombogenic or infection sites.