Abstract: A hip prosthesis for implanting into the medullary canal of a femur, which comprises a stem for implanting into the canal of the femur, the stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the stem also including a proximal locking zone substantially adjacent the proximal end, the proximal locking zone including a proximal locking surface which circumferentially press-fits within the canal of the femur and a neck extending at an angle from the proximal end of the stem for receiving the femoral head of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip assembly comprising an acetabular component having a bearing surface which forms a first articulating surface and a femoral component including a spherically shaped head defining a second articulating surface. The acetabular component includes a first surface treatment for promoting the attachment of fibrous tissue to the acetabular component. The femoral component includes a second surface treatment for promoting the attachment of fibrous tissue to the femoral component. The first and second surface treatments cause fibrous tissue to attach to the femoral component and the acetabular component to form a capsule between the components when the components are implanted in a patient. Any wear debris created by the first and second articulating surfaces rubbing against one another is confined within the capsule to substantially prevent the migration of the wear debris into interfaces between the components and their associated bones.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for a cement free anchorage in a bone having a longitudinal direction comprises a prosthetic shank to be secured in the bone in the longitudinal direction of the bone. The prosthetic shank has a proximal end and a distal end and includes three plate-like blades arranged in parallel and presenting a cross-sectional profile that has an open configuration. A first one of the blades constitutes a central web and a second and third ones of the blades constitute side walls which enclose, at least partially, the central web and extend, at least partially, in parallel, in a direction of the central web. The prosthetic shank further includes bridges connecting the side walls with the central web. A region adjacent the distal end of the prosthetic shank is in the shape of a scoop and the blades are joined at least at the distal end to form a common cutting edge. A collar including a pin for receiving a ball joint is attached to the proximal end of the prosthetic shank.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system for fixing vertebrae and sacrum having anterior and posterior aspects. The system comprises a plurality of rods or plates disposed over the vertebrae and/or sacrum, at least one rod or plate disposed anteriorly and at least one disposed posteriorly, and a plurality of bolts and nuts extending laterally through said vertebrae and/or sacrum and attached to the rods.A method for installing a spinal stabilization system to fix vertebrae and/or sacrum, comprising the steps of: exposing the spine anteriorly and posteriorly to reveal a level of vertebrae and/or sacrum, inserting a pair of beam means through the vertebrae and/or sacrum; repeating the exposing and inserting steps for a next level of vertebrae and/or sacrum; disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of vertebrae and/or sacrum; and connecting the ends of the beam means at each vertebrae and/or sacrum level to the column means.

Abstract: Periosteal cells have been grown in cell culture and have been shown to have an osteoblastic phenotype, with production of osteocalcin and glycosaminoglycan. When seeded into polymeric implants, repair of critical size cranial defects was demonstrated and was confirmed by histology, biochemical assays, and radiodensitometry.

Abstract: An artificial filling and prosthetic material, characterized in that the surface of a substrate is coated with a calcium phosphate compound together with a water-insoluble and bio-degradable binder polymer. This material is capable of firmly adhering to tissue for a short time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vascular prosthesis which comprises a braided tubular fabric comprising a plurality of braid layers wherein each layer includes at least one interlocking yarn which extends from that layer into another layer to form an interlock therewith. In one aspect of the invention, the plurality of braid layers may include a substantially non-absorbable first surface layer and a substantially resorbable second surface layer.

Abstract: An intraluminal vascular graft is structure to be deployable within a vessel for incorporation therein without use of hooks or barbs. The intraluminal vascular graft structure comprises a tubular body formed of a biocompatible material and a frame structure, having both circumferential support and longitudinal support structures, which support the graft at a distal end thereof and upwardly from the distal end. The vascular graft also includes a porous collar which have sufficient porosity to promote and enhance ingrowth of tissue and other materials into the porous collar from the surrounding vessel environment, thereby facilitating incorporation of the intraluminal vascular graft into the vessel wall.

Abstract: An aortic graft for intraluminal delivery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm is provided with at least one wire which is woven into the distal, or lower, end of the graft, which wire permits the distal end of the graft to conform to, and sealingly engage, within the aortic bifurcation region of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A transluminal arrangement for positioning a prosthesis assembly at an aneurysm in the bifurcated lumen of the aorta and the common iliac arteries extending therefrom. The prosthesis assembly includes a bifurcated endovascular graft having a main body and ipsilateral and contralateral limbs extending therefrom. The assembly also includes main, ipsilateral, and contralateral spring assemblies each having a compressed state. When released from its compressed state, each spring expands a portion of the graft to substantially conform that portion of the graft to the wall of the bifurcated lumen. The transluminal arrangement comprises an elongated member extending through the main and ipsilateral bores of the graft and includes attachment sutures and an inner catheter extending therethrough for temporarily attaching the main and ipsilateral spring assemblies to the elongated member.

Abstract: An aortic graft, and method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm includes a tubular graft which is intraluminally delivered through the aorta and secured to the aorta by the expansion and deformation of a thin-walled tubular member.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant. The delivery tool preferably has an implant holder with a pair of flexible opposed arms extending from a base, separated so that the implant can fit between the arms. Optionally, the implant holder may have a breakable release band extending around the implant to hold it in place until a weak link in the release band is intentionally broken during implantation.

Abstract: A bone regeneration membrane containing resorbable or degradable, polymeric and/or polymeric-ceramic material with a glass transition temperature in the range of -30.degree. to +200.degree. C.The novel membrane can be used for the spontaneous regeneration of bone and for the improved application of autologous or allogenic graft materials and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disc for surgical placement between adjacent vertebrae including a first component for attaching to a first vertebrae, the first component having a concave recess, with the concave contoured surface having a circumference of 360.degree.. A second component for attaching to a second vertebrae, the second component including a projection with a convex surface, the convex contoured surface having a circumference of 360.degree.. The corresponding contoured surfaces shaped to allow an unrestricted rotational and a flexion/extension bending motion between the first and second components relative to a patient's normal spinal axis when in a standing position with the spine in a straightened position.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis including a tubular wall portion of loosely interlocked pattern, e.g. of knitted loops, constructed to function within a body lumen. The loops are preferably formed of co-knitted strand materials. A first strand material is a metal strand that structurally defines the tubular shape of the prosthesis and maintains the shape when positioned in the lumen. A second strand material is a predetermined substance selected to provide desired characteristics to the wall of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior tissue lument and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lument and causes it to conform to the interior surface of the lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansible member.

Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then mounted to virtually any prosthesis implanted in a human, such as a breast implant. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's manufacturer and use for medical as well as legal reasons.

Abstract: An implantable bioartificial pancreas device having an islet chamber containing glucose responsive and insulin-secreting islets of Langerhans or similar hormone secreting cells, one or more vascularizing chambers open to surrounding tissue, a semi-permeable membrane between the islet and vascularizing chambers that allows passage of small molecules including insulin, oxygen and glucose and does not allow passage of agents of the immune system such as white cells and antibodies, the vascularizing chambers containing a growth factor soaked fibrous or foam matrix having a porosity of about 40 to 95%, the matrix providing small capillary growth and preventing the blood from clotting in the lower chamber.

Abstract: An endovascular support device for treatment of chronic restenosis or other vascular narrowing is disclosed together with a method of manufacture and a method for delivering a plurality of such devices to an affected area of a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the endovascular support device comprises a unitary wire-like structure configured to form a plurality of upper and lower peaks which may be compressed for delivery to an affected area of a coronary or peripheral vessel in a human, and then expanded to maintain a passageway through the vessel.