Abstract: An inner hand as an orthopedic fitting part of thermoplastic for accommodating a hand mechanism is disclosed. The inner hand has an annular groove which is made on the end portion of the hand and into which a ring which fixes the inner hand on the hand mechanism is inserted. To improve the functioning of the inner hand, a two-component sandwich design is proposed, the utilization region of at least the thumb and index finger being harder than the remaining hand element.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis in which each closing body has a skeleton line which is curved in the area of the swivel axis. The curved area is followed by a rectilinear area, thus causing a linear cross sectional enlargement in the outlet region of the passage formed by the closing bodies. The opening and closing behavior of the cardiac valve becomes more stable, deadwater ares and vortex formation are largely avoided and natural blood flow is substantially undeviated.

Abstract: A fluctuating volume adjustable prosthetic socket for below-the-knee amputees comprising a generally hollow main body support of rigid plastic; a posterior popliteal section of rigid plastic generally contoured to conform to the posterior anatomy of the knees; elasticized sleeve means supported at lower portions of said posterior popliteal section; and cooperating locking means disposed on said posterior section and said main support section for adjustably joining said sections for controlled limited anterior-posterior displacement with respect to each other.

Abstract: A tissue expander and a method of making a tissue expander which includes (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation and which has an expandable upper section formed (i) a first elastic portion and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of the material forming the first portion, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each portion at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion, thereby allowing the envelope to assume a complex shape. The tissue expander also has a means for inflating the envelope with a biocompatible fluid.

Abstract: The shrinker comprises a soft, pliable, sock-like receptacle for the stump having a closed toe and an open upper end. Initially flat, opposite sides of the shrinkere are joined along their longitudinal extremities without seams due to the one-piece, knitted construction of the shrinker. By knitting the shrinker on flatbed knitting machines, a tapered configuration without seams can be achieved through the technique of adding more knitting needles to progressively widen the shrinker as the knitting process is carried out after beginning at the toe. The lack of seams at the toe and along the sides increases comfort, and the yarn utilized for the knit fabric is stretchable to such an extent that at 50% stretch of the shrinker, a compression of approximately 10 to 30 millimeters of mercury is achieved, whereby to reduce edema and shape the stump in preparation for receiving a prosthesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a joint prosthesis for permanent anchorage in the bone tissue of a joint in a human body, for instance a knee joint. The joint prosthesis comprises an anchorage device (3, 4; 7-10, 11) disposed to be implanted into the bone tissue at a first operation so that it remains in unloaded condition during a healing phase during which the function of the joint is not prevented and an articulation device (5, 6; 13, 12) which is arranged to be connected to the anchorage device only at a second operation after the said healing phase.

Abstract: A cylindrical shaped stent to prevent arterial acute closure and subsequent restenosis formed of longitudinal wires of biocompatible metal. The wires are welded together in pairs at alternate ends with each pair of wires bent into a V-section. The wires are all formed into a cylinder welded closed to form the stent. The stent is compressed and loaded into an outer catheter by a special tool. The stent is positioned and released for self expansion in situ by an inner catheter. A guide wire through both assists in threading the catheters through blood vessels.

Abstract: Described is an endotube for positioning in particular in the esophagus, which at one end has a funnel-like enlargement portion (1), a tubular central portion (2) and at the other end a thickened portion which enlarges towards the central portion and which after having passed through a constriction makes it difficult to withdraw the endotube. The thickened portion is formed from two hollow thin-walled limb portions (3) which are open to the interior of the central portion (2) and which project out of the central portion (2) and which rise in a ramp-like configuration towards the central portion and which then terminate with a steep drop (4). By virtue of that configuration the limbs (3) can be fully folded in, even when an endoscope is introduced into the endotube for positioning thereof, so that the limbs can be easily passed through a constriction. The funnel-like enlargement portion (1) is such that it forms a non-rotatable connection together with an inserted positioning tube.

Abstract: Extra-pericardial module for total cardinal prosthesis with two pumps joined together by a functional link. The extra-pericardial module comprises a rigid casing, inside which two pushing plates are disposed. The pushing plates are facing each other and divide the inside of the casing into an inner pumping cavity and into two peripheral chambers inside which are disposed the actuation devices for pushing plates. Thus, it is obtained a single unit comprising, inside of the casing, the pushing plates and their actuators.

Abstract: A lens implant for insertion in a human eye after an extra-capsular extraction includes a lens body of polymethyl methacrylate to which are attached first and second curved holding loops formed integrally with and projecting from the periphery of the lens. The loops are diametrically attached to the lens and the loops project from the lens along a curved path so that the pair of loops define generally an ellipse that symmetrically surrounds the lens body. Each loop terminates at a free end in a positiion near the point of attachment of the other loop. The free end of one loop and the point of attachment of the second loop are in a common quadrant of the ellipse, with the respective ellipse quadrant having a loop-free end and a point of attachment being also diagonally opposed. The free end of one loop and the point of attachment of the second loop are radially spaced by a measure of less than ninety degrees (90.degree.).

Abstract: Improved heart valve assembly 1(FIG. 4) includes: Sewing ring 2 made preferably of woven/knitted fabric of carbon/carbon coated polyester/polytetra-fluoroethylene;Metallic valve housing 3, with external groove accommodating sewing ring, with flat lugs 3a on one side and lug 3b having hook 3c on the other side, said housing being preferably made of "Stellite", titanium or alloys of titanium with aluminum, vanadium or palladium or of stainless steel or cobalt based alloys optionally with coating of boron nitride, titanium nitride or diamond and;Valve occluder disc 4 made of Agate, polyacetal homopolymer, synthetic sapphire, synthetic ruby, corundum or ceramics like alumina, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide or their mixture or of metals like aluminum, titanium, steel or cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy having coating of one or more of said ceramics, and tapered surface 4a with depression/groove 4c therein held by hook 3c on its less pronounced depression 4d as seen in FIG. 5 more clearly.

Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis assembly for the replacement of a portion of the knee joint is provided. The assembly has a femoral component that is formed to include first bearing surfaces and first means for demountably receiving an optional femoral stem member. The assembly also has a tibial component that is formed to include a platform and second means for demountably receiving an optional tibial stem member. The assembly includes a separate tibial insert that is configured to be supported by the tibial component platform. The tibial insert is formed to include second bearing surfaces that are configured to mate with the first surfaces on the femoral component to permit pivotal movement between the femoral component and the tibial component.

Abstract: A totally implantable artificial heart that utilizes a fluid displaced from the left blood pump to power the right blood pump. The left blood pump is a sac-type pump powered by an electric motor that, when contracting and expanding, displaces a volume of fluid in a fluid chamber within the left pump housing. The fluid is displaced through a fluid line connecting the right blood pump, which is a pneumatically operated sac-type or rotary-type pump. The artificial heart permits spatial separation of the left and right blood pumps within the chest of the patient for ease in implantation.

Abstract: An article having the nature of a splint and/or mold which is adapted for temporary use on the injured digit of a person's hand or foot in order to foster beneficial healing after a nail plate has been removed. The splint includes a generally elongated sheet of thin (i.e., 0.020 inch) polypropylene or the like, which is inert to body fluids. It has a generally compound curvature so that it approximates the natural shape of a human nail plate, and has on its lower surface a smooth, concave shape which is adapted for contacting the healing nail bed. The sheet has a proximal end that is approximately perpendicular to the sides of said sheet, and the sheet has "square" corners which fit within the eponychial fold of the person's digit--for the purpose of preserving the fold and maintaining its size.

Abstract: A prosthetic cardiac valve with a plurality of flaps supported by a base through a rotational guide and retaining mechanism between an open position and a closed position.The valve is characterized in that:the guide and retaining mechaism define a virtual axis of rotation disposed at a distance from the axis of the valve which is greater than 75% of the radius of the base measured along the axis of symmetry of a flap,each virtual axis, situated outside the corresponding flap, is offcentered with respect to the center of gravity of the flap, andin the open position, the corners of each flap come to bear on the internal wall of the base in zones which are situated at a distance from the corresponding virtual axis of rotation which is greater than 25% of the radius of the base.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is folded on itself one or more times and is releasably held in the folded configuration by a very small, flexible retainer so as to be implantable in an eye through a smaller incision than would otherwise be required. The retainer is secured around the folded lens in a transverse direction and is held taut by the resiliency of the lens. The retainer is released in the eye as by severing, following which the lens is unfolded and positioned in the eye and the retainer is removed. The technique is especially useful following removal of a cataract by the phako-emulsification technique, because the same small incisions can be used for implanting the lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to a total artificial heart intended to replace a diseased human heart. According to the invention, this prosthesis comprises a pericardial module and an abdominal module, incorporating their own electro-mechanical pumping system and connected to each other by a blood and gaseous link. The pericardial module acts as right-hand part of the heart and the abdominal module as left-hand part of the heart. This abdominal module is connected to the abdominal aorta by a connection.

Abstract: A speech prosthesis device which is inserted into a surgically created opening communicating the trachea and esophagus of a laryngectomized patient includes a one-way valve assembly that permits air to be channeled air from the patient's trachea into the patient's esophagus while preventing flow of esophageal material into the trachea. The present invention provides an improvement in such prosthesis devices by providing that the membrane-like, tabbed flap or disc is seated at an angle which is oblique in reference to the longitudinal axis of the tubular housing of the device be, preferably, oval shaped, and that the tabbed flap or disk be superiorily hinged to the tubular housing. The predetermined and uniform resistance to airflow offered by the one-way valve assembly of the present invention is substantially less than the resistance offered by a normal human larynx.

Abstract: An intraocular lens including a PMMA intraocular lens implant, a second soft and pliable lens disposed thereover such as that of silicon, and electromechanical circuitry for regulating the distance between the soft silicon lens and the hard PMMA lens. The electromechanical circuitry can include a microsolar power cell, a microprocessor, a microfluid pump, a micro reservoir for fluid, and a micro DC storage cell. The electromechanical circuitry provides for adjustment of the focal point of the lens system for accommodation from distance to near vision.

Abstract: A muscle-powered pump to assist the natural heart is disclosed. The device comprises an oblate, spheroidal-shaped pumping chamber surrounded by innervated muscular tissue. The device may be coupled to the ventricle and descending aorta with valves and be stimulated in synchrony with the natural depolarization of the heart or the device may be inserted into the descending aorta and used as a counter pulsation device. In this application, the innervated muscle is stimulated after a brief delay from the natural cardiac depolarization.