Abstract: A ball and socket joint for implanting in the body is provided wherein the socket portion of the joint can have various orientations with respect to the patient's anatomy, and the orientation used for a particular patient can be selected and/or changed in situ, that is, during or after implantation of the joint. In addition, the configuration of the joint, e.g., constrained versus semi-constrained, as well as the materials making up the socket portion of the joint, e.g., plastic versus metal, can be selected and/or changed in situ.

Abstract: This invention provides a spinal hook comprising a body having a rod receiving bore therethrough, a connecting portion and a shoe portion, the connecting portion extending along a plane approximately normal to the axis of the base and the shoe portion extending in a plane from the connecting portion and terminating in a tip on one end and joined to the connecting portion on the other end. Preferably, the side of the body facing the shoe portion has a convex curved outer surface to allow a closer fit to a vertebra to which the hook is attached. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tip of the shoe is disposed closer to the body than the remainder of the shoe by either forming an acute angle between the shoe and the connecting portion or bending the tip of the shoe. The shoe may be tapered in both width and thickness and the connecting portion may be tapered in width from the body to the shoe to provide better fit between the hook and the vertebrae.

Abstract: A slide bearing surface element is disclosed which can be used in prosthetic joints or mechanical bearing devices. The element has a composite coating made of a matrix of epoxy resin with particles of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 dispersed therein. Cu or stainless steel particles are included to increase thermal conductivity.

Abstract: There is disclosed a curved intramedullary lower leg spike in which the face over which cooperates with a driving tool is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spike and in which the face area and the front plane of the spike define a divided frontal surface at the leading end of the spike and form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: An artificial limb having two limb members connected by a joint is provided with rotator members, comprising one of the limb members, which are relatively rotatable about an axis extending along the limb. A locking mechanism is provided which is movable from a locking position to a released position. In the locking position, the locking mechanism provides a rigid connection between the two rotator members and thereby prevents rotation. When moved to its released position, the locking mechanism is disengaged from at least one of the rotator members, thereby permitting relative rotation between them. The locking member is disposed on one limb member in the vicinity of the joint and is connected via a coupling member to a fixed connection point on the other limb member.

Abstract: A pivotal knee joint associated with an orthopedic leg brace is provided with a ratchet wheel operable to permit adjustable back and forth movement of a knee. Both upper and lower leg brace sections of the leg brace are pivotally attached to the rotatable axis of the ratchet wheel, and a pair of rotatable pawls are provided which are selectively manually operable by a user to effectively control the direction of rotation of the ratchet wheel, as well as to lock the ratchet wheel and the associated leg brace against further rotation or relative pivotal movement. Depending on the positioning of the pawls, various leg muscles may then be exercised and stretched through the relative positioning of the upper and lower leg brace sections, and the knee joint having the double-locking ratchet.

Abstract: An improved intramedullary nailing device including a plurality of pivotal blades which rotate outward to engage the distal end of a fractured bone. Specifically, the blades are pivotally coupled to a connector member which translates longitudinally in either direction within an elongated sheath, translation of the connector member toward the front end of the sheath resulting in the outward rotation of the blades into the bone at its distal end. The bone engaging mechanism prevents rotation, angulation, and antero posterior translation with the device inserted lengthwise into the bone.

Abstract: An inflatable lower limb prosthesis comprises an outer cover of relatively inextensible material defining the shape of a leg prosthesis and having a pad of rigid material at its lower end defining the shape of a foot. An inner member of independently inflatable compartments welded together comprises a shin compartment contacting the rigid pad and of upwardly convergent profile, an inner spacer compartment between the upper end of the shin compartment and the patient's stump and an annular socket compartment that surrounds the patient's stump and extends downwardly in overlapping relation around the upper end of the shin compartment to resist bending of the prosthesis at the false joint at the patient's stump.

Abstract: A precursor device is provided for forming a surgical implant for prosthetic surgery. The device has a body or matrix of biocompatible material which is thermoplastic and electrically insulating. Embedded in the matrix is a plurality of electrically conductive fibres. Opposite ends of at least some of the fibres project outwardly from the matrix to permit heating and softening of the matrix for shaping thereof, by the application of a suitable electric potential to opposite ends of said outwardly projecting fibres.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis incorporating a dynamic stiffener element is disclosed. The prosthesis is adapted for securement to the annulus of an atrioventricular valve and has the characteristic of allowing normal movement of the annulus during the cardiac cycle while providing mechanical support to the valve annulus so as to maintain the valve leaflets in proper physiological alignment. The stiffener element has a plurality of reciprocating members allowing it to be modifiable in shape so as to be capable of assuming the optimum shape for a particular heart valve.

Abstract: A method of surgically repairing an injured human joint such as a finger joint by means of a prosthetic device. The prosthetic device comprises a U-shaped sack partially filled with a pressure sensitive material. The prosthetic device is implanted between two bones comprising the injured joint in a manner to control the growth of the scar capsule at the joint to prevent the joint from becoming stiff. The pressure sensitive material in the sack moves between the two bones in response to any slackness of the scar to fill out the slackness and thereby prevent shortening of the scar that would restrict motion.

Abstract: A structure suitable for in vivo implantation in a tension application having a plurality of longitudinal strands of a fabric with the ends of the strands in the fabric and bonded with a film, a sleeve surrounding the strands, the strands being slidable with respect to each other and movable in the sleeve for adjusting their relative positions whereby the structure load is substantially uniformly distributed among the strands and a means on the ends of the structure for securing the structure in implanted position.

Abstract: An auxiliary tool used with an orthopedic compression system having a hollow barrel member coacting with nail means, the tool comprising an elongated rod engageable within the barrel member and having at least one longitudinal groove on its exterior surface which aligns and cooperates with a similar groove on the interior surface of the barrel to form an essentially cylindrical channel for guidance of drill means used to form an internal groove within the bone which is to receive the nail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new implant material of ceramic material for use in dentistry and medicine for replacing hard tissue, such as dental elements and bones. In order that the material may have sufficient strength characteristics, in particular tensile and bending strength, there is provided a compression element with which the ceramic material, preferably sintered hydroxylapatite, can be brought under compression.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthetic device having a support shank to be fitted into the medullary canal of the femur and which, in its proximal region, has a curvature in the AP plane with a center of curvature at its anterior that makes the shank more compatible to naturally existing conditions of the femur, permits a substantial increase in the shank thickness, reduces shank tendency to turn within the medullary canal, simplifies the prosthesis operating procedures and improves the association of the shank with the trochanter region of the femur.

Abstract: A flexible, nonstress-bearing bone prosthesis is disclosed that comprises demineralized bone powder contained within a medical grade porous flexible casing made from polymeric fibers or a micro-porous membrane. The pores of the casing are smaller than the particle size of the bone powder but large enough to permit ingress of body cells associated with bone formation.

Abstract: An improved ribbon shield for use with a ribbon cassette in a printer. The shield snaps into the front of a ribbon cassette so as to cover an exposed portion of ribbon and prevent the smudging or wicking of ink onto a printing medium. The ribbon shield includes an elongated strip of flexible material such as polypropylene having a central aperture to enable the ribbon to pass through it for printing purposes. The shield includes a lower curved lead-in portion to accommodate paper motion past the cassette. The shield is held within the ribbon cassette in a flexible state. The flexed portion of the shield contacts the printing medium and forces it into close contact with the platen. Improved performance can be obtained by providing spacing ridges in the form of rings which surround the aperture.

Abstract: A "no-lock" printing plate assembly including a plate cylinder having a smooth plate-supporting surface interrupted by an axial groove defining leading and trailing edges, at least the leading edge having a flat undercut end face with a register pin anchored therein. The plate is formed of a thin sheet of resilient material having a smooth undersurface and which is bent over adjacent its ends to define leading and trailing edge portions having respective longitudinal notches, the bend adjacent the leading edge making an acute angle and the bend adjacent the trailing edge making a wide obtuse angle. The width of the gap is substantially greater than twice the plate thickness and the edge portions of the plate are spaced and dimensioned so that when the plate is installed the bends are peripherally spaced from one another to provide clearance between them. The trailing edge portion of the plate is outwardly sprung causing the trailing edge of the plate to be in pressing engagement with the leading edge portion.

Abstract: A "no-lock" printing plate assembly including a plate cylinder having a smooth plate supporting surface interrupted by a narrow axial groove having parallel side walls terminating in leading and trailing edges to form a gap, the side wall adjacent the leading edge presenting a flat angularly undercut end face. A single register pin is rigidly anchored perpendicular to the undercut end face. The plate is formed of a thin sheet of resilient material having a first bend at each end spaced from the leading and trailing edges of the plate to define respective leading and trailing edge portions. The leading and trailing edge portions have alined notches dimensioned to register with the pin. The edge portions are spaced and dimensioned for insertion into the gap into a condition in which the first bends are peripherally spaced from one another to provide clearance between them.