Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implant that can be placed between two adjacent vertebral bodies using a lateral insertion method. The implant is characterized as having a first end plate and a second end plate which a crossbar spacer therebetween. The crossbar spacer preferably fits within a channel on the inner surfaces of the first end plate and the second end plate, whereby the spacer allows pivots, twisting and/or rotational movement of the spine. The first end plate and the second end plate include a keel extending therefrom, whereby the keel traverses longitudinally between a first lateral side and a second opposed lateral side and is substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the patient's spine.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant including a first member and a second member. The first member has first and second arms. The first and second arms of the first member both including an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The second member has first and second arms that both include an upper face partially defining an upper contact area of the implant and a lower face partially defining a lower contact surface of the implant. The first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other for relative movement about a rotation axis between a closed position for inserting the implant into a spine and an expanded position for providing structural support to the spine. The rotation axis extends generally perpendicular to the upper and lower contact surfaces.

Abstract: A very small diameter intravascular stent device which may be used in balloon angioplasty or in the treatment of an aneurysm in the human brain, which is comprised of a thin-walled skeletal cylindrical tube formed of undulating or sinusoidal elements which, when compressed, nest tightly with each other.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint, which makes a drag (a contact stress) acting on a sliding surface upon bending small so as to evade an extraordinary abrasion and damage of a sliding surface of a tibia component and which prevents an bending angle from being decreased by preventing lifting of a femoral component in a rotational movement. The artificial knee joint comprises a femoral component to be secured to a distal portion of a femur and a tibia component to be secured to a proximal portion of a tibia, comprising an inner sliding surface and an outer sliding surface receiving a load of the femoral component at the tibia component. In the inner sliding surface, both of a front side and a rear side are formed in a sectional shape of circular arc in the front-to-back direction thereof, while in the outer sliding surface, a front side is formed in a sectional shape of a circular arc and a rear side is formed in a linear sectional shape in the front-to-back direction thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable tibial trial insert includes an upper plate having an upper articular surface and a lower plate. A height-adjustment mechanism of the insert is coupled to and positioned generally between the upper plate and the lower plate and is configured to move between a closed position where the upper and lower plates are adjacent each other and an opened position where the upper and lower plates are spaced-apart from each other in order to adjust a height or thickness of the insert.

Abstract: An implantable artificial heart apparatus which has no moving parts. It employs the technology of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) to induce flow of human blood. An MHD propulsion unit is a device which applies magnetic and electric fields to blood to propel the conductive fluid through the body's circulatory system. Electricity is passed through the blood via electrodes at the same junction where the blood is exposed to the magnetic field. Charged ions that move from anode to cathode create their own corresponding magnetic fields which are either attracted or repelled by the externally applied magnetic field. The result is propulsion in a uniform direction with the moving ions, in effect, dragging fluid molecules with them. A single MHD propulsion unit performs the combined functions of the atrium and the ventricle of the human heart.

Abstract: An improved method of implanting cells in the body of a patient includes positioning viable cells on a support structure. One or more blood vessels may be connected with the support structure to provide a flow of blood through the support structure. A support structure may be positioned at any desired location in a patient's body. The support structure may be configured to replace an entire organ or a portion of an organ. An organ or portion of an organ may be removed from a body cells and/or other tissue is removed to leave a collagen matrix support structure having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the organ or portion of an organ. Alternatively, a synthetic support structure may be formed. The synthetic support structure may have a configuration corresponding to a configuration of an entire organ or only a portion of an organ.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip level socket system for a user's lower torso comprising a socket fitted to the individual user's lower torso having a mounting point for an attachment, a first strap attached to the socket and a second strap attached to the socket wherein the first strap and the second strap work in cooperation to support the socket on the iliac crests of the user's lower torso.

Abstract: Joint prostheses are provided which may be used to replace, for example, knee, elbow or ankle joints. A knee prosthesis comprises a pin and a pivoting member. The pin bridges a gap between a medial condyle and lateral condyle of a femur. The pivoting member is positioned in the gap and the pin passes through the pivoting member to secure it in position and to allow it to pivot about the pin. The pin and pivoting member of the prosthesis represent a mechanically convenient system which is able to replace the function of a joint and can be positioned with less trauma to the joint whose function they replace than prostheses according to the prior art.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant, such as a tibial tray, includes a body having a bone contacting surface with at least one and preferably two pegs extending from the bone contacting surface. Each of the pegs has a longitudinal axis angled with respect to the bone contacting surface and also angled in at least one direction consisting of a medial-lateral direction, an anterior-posterior direction and an inferior-superior direction. In the case of the tibial tray, the pegs form a non-perpendicular angle with the bone contacting surface of the baseplate and are angled in both a posterior direction and a medial or lateral direction.

Abstract: A stump boot for use by an ankle disarticulation patient having a stump. The stump boot includes a sole, an inner casing, and an outer casing having a substantially rectangular cutout covered by a flexible member. The inner casing is custom molded to fit the stump and insertable within the outer casing. The sole is integrally attached to the outer casing and includes a foam inner sole, an outer sole having a non-skid grip material, a contoured wedge therebetween having an adjustable rubber build-up and a rounded bottom. A buckle and a strap are both integrally attached to the outer casing opposite one another. The strap has a securing fastener and a securing means and wraps over the flexible member and through the buckle for securing the stump within the stump boot.

Abstract: A prosthetic metatarsal implant comprising a head and a neck extending from the head. A stem having at least one anchoring aperture extending transversely therethrough extends from the neck for insertion into a metatarsal bone. Means received by the at least one anchoring aperture for anchoring the stem in the metatarsal bone.

Abstract: A medical stent is sized for placement in a ureter. The stent includes a first section which includes a first material, defines a lumen, and includes a first coil completing at least one revolution. A second section of the stent includes a second material, defines a lumen, and includes a second coil completing at least one revolution. A third section defines a lumen and is located between the first and second sections. The third section includes a co-extrusion of the first and second materials. One of the first or second sections is harder than the other section.

Abstract: A quadriceps control device comprises an elongated, elastic member having a first end affixed at an anterior position above the knee and a second end affixed at an anterior position below the knee of the user. The quadriceps control device may be utilized with a prosthetic or orthotic leg assembly. The quadriceps control device mimics to some degree the quadriceps muscle group in human anatomy, to thereby enhance the ability of a user of a prosthetic or orthotic leg assembly to control knee extension and flexion.

Abstract: This invention relates to enable a person to walk smoothly even if a length of a remained thigh of the lost leg is short or even if the leg is cut at the hip joint and has no thigh. The hucklebone supporting type artificial leg comprising the crotch support (1), the shaft part (21) arranged vertically at the lower surface of the crotch support (1) and having substantially the same length as that of the lower leg and a foot (22) fixed to the lower end of the shaft part (21), wherein the crotch support (1) is formed into a substantial L-shape as seen in its top plan view, one front end (2) is arranged at a front part so as to be applied to a substantial front half part of the crotch part when installed and at the same time, the other side end part (3) is arranged at the rear surface of the lost lower leg and applied to both the hucklebone and the hip part corresponding to the lost leg when installed.

Abstract: An interbody osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes a rigid elongated central element and a pair of opposing bone engaging members. The device promotes fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae. In one aspect, a cylindrical end cap is coupled to one end of the central element. The opposing bone engaging members are configured to contact and support the adjacent vertebrae. The opposing bone engaging members are coupled at opposite sides of the central element and extend from the end cap to the other end of the central element. The central element, cylindrical end cap, and bone engaging members define opposite cavities for containing osteogenic material.

Abstract: A spinal surgical prosthesis such as an artificial disc having a pair of upper and lower plate members, a flexible disc interposes therebetween and a rigid collar made of a bio-compatible and bio-resorbable material surrounding the flexible disc between the upper and lower plate members. Prior to the resorption of the collar, the collar serves to provide stability to the flexible disc for enhancing osteo-integration of the prosthesis with adjacent vertebrae. Subsequent to the resorption of the rigid collar, the flexible disc provides flexibility and compressibility while maintaining the proper inter disc space and lordosis or kyphosis between adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint structure is provided herein. The knee join mainly contains an upper member for connecting to a prosthetic thigh, a lower member for connecting to prosthetic shin and foot, a linking device for connecting the upper and lower members, a cushion element, and a resilient device. During walking, the resilient device prevents the shin from dangling and the knee joint from sudden bending and kneeling-down. The cushion element absorbs the shock when the prosthetic leg is walking on a flat ground or slope.

Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two rods or screws used for bone or vertebra stabilization is provided. The connecting element comprises a connecting portion, a first portion which can be connected to one of the rods and a second portion which can be connected to the other rod. In order that not only rods parallel to each other, but also those inclined at an angle to each other or oblique can be fixed to each other, the first portion is connected to the connecting portion by a device allowing polyaxial orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device with that can be placed between two vertebrae. The implant is characterized by having a first plate and a second plates with a crossbar therebetween. The crossbar fits within cavities on each of the first and second plate and allows for pivotal or rotational motion and also for twisting motion.