Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthetic ligament comprising at least one intra-osseous bearing members in a bone of a joint and an intra-articular linkage means connecting the intra-osseous member to the other bone so that multiple degrees of motion are provided between the bones.

Abstract: The stabilizing prosthesis device comprises a functional skeletal structure having a rigid flat sole extending parallel to the ground surface, and at least one upright half-shell adapted to at least partially envelop the patients's limb and provided with means of anchoring the limb. Extending between the sole and the half-shell there being a connection part having a bottom portion defining a sloping upper surface whereby the patient's center of gravity can be shifted forward in alignment with the extension of the sole.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis having an S-shaped curve of the closing body along the skeleton line. The inlet area and the outlet area are oriented toward the flow direction, while the opening force is exclusively effective in the central region behind the swivel axis. The S-shaped geometry favors the formation of a stable, closed vortex on the suction side of the closing body with a resultant reduction of deadwater in the aorta ascendens and a more favorable closing behavior. The aortic wall is less stressed, the aorta ascendens is better washed out, and pressure loss in the area of the opening angle is relatively low.

Abstract: An implant prosthesis for replacing a full or partial thickness of a cornea. Prosthesis includes a transparent lens portion, and a carrier of preserved, denatured tissue. The lens is attached to the carrier which in turn is adapted for attachment to the eye wall.

Abstract: A ventricular access device and method. In accordance with the method a grommet is introduced into a ventricle and the grommet conduit is caused to penetrate the ventricle's myocardium in an inside to outside manner. The portion of the grommet conduit external to the ventricle is connected to a primary external conduit. The inventive device is a grommet in the form of a conduit and an extension (e.g. flange) extending outwardly from the conduit. The grommet conduit provides an outlet for the egress of blood from the ventricle. The extension provides contact against the inner wall of the ventricle to hold the grommet in place notwithstanding the outward flow of blood from the ventricle.

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: An intraocular lens, in form of a disk, intended to replace the crystalline lens of a patient's eye, in particular after a cataract extraction, comprises on its distal side an aspherical sector extending approximately from the midline of the disk over one quarter of the surface thereof. The rest of the distal side is spherical. The radius of curvature of the aspherical sector varies monotonously between the value of the radius of the spherical sectors and a lower value. Such a configuration allows light rays impinging on the intraocular lens to be refracted at different angles and provides both near and distance vision. The discontinuity at transition between the aspherical sector and the spherical sector is blocked out by dark or etched plastic to eliminate glare. The proximal side can either be a convex surface, a concave surface or a plane.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an articulated ankle joint for use in an artificial limb to connect a foot prosthesis to a leg prosthesis. The joint has foot and leg plates for attachment to the respective prostheses, a stem assembly which includes a coil spring and spherical bearing attached between the plates over a heel portion of the foot prosthesis, and a resistance assembly including a coil spring connected between the plates forwardly of the stem assembly. The joint can be used for performing a variety of physical activities in a natural and comfortable manner and has a natural appearance when clothed.

Abstract: Structure and a method of implanting the structure to assist a patient's cardiovascular system in pumping blood from a vein to an artery. A chamber is associated with a vein and an artery to allow blood from the vein to flow thereinto. A length of living muscle is associated with the chamber in a manner that contraction of the muscle will cause at least a portion of the chamber to contract and pump blood therefrom into the artery.

Abstract: An artificial disc for a human spine. The disc has upper and lower members hinged together at their rear portions and biased apart at their fronts by stiff coil springs. Rear stop surfaces limit the opening movement of the members. Vertically projecting tabs at the front and side of each member are rigidly screwed to the adjacent vertebrae. Tolerances in the hinge allow limited side to side rocking. The disc and screws are made of titanium alloy or cobalt chrome alloy. In a modified version a hinge pin is replaced by cables tying the members together.

Abstract: A knee joint assembly utilized in an above knee prosthesis includes an upper half member, a lower half member, and a locking pin assembly for locking the upper and lower half members together. The upper member has a front face having a lower edge, a center rib which is orthogonal to the front face, and two upper surfaces, one on each side of the center rib. The two upper surfaces are each upwardly sloped from the front to the rear of the upper member when the upper member is locked together with the lower member. The lower member includes a base having a lip protruding horizontally. The lower member also includes two ramps extending parallel to each other and extending vertically from the base. The ramps each have a sloped surface.

Abstract: An anti-suture looping device for prosthetic polycuspid heart valves is provided. The device comprises a frame or body portion that is attached to the heart valve assembly and a vaned insert portion that can project beyond the cusps of the heart valve. The insert portion can slide within the body portion between a retracted position where the vanes do not project beyond the free ends of the cusps of the valve and a forward position where the vanes pass between the cusps of the valve, extend beyond, and protect the cusps from interference or damage by any suture loops that may catch on the cusps when the heart valve assembly is secured into place.

Abstract: A low glare intraocular lens optic using partial depth positioning holes.

Abstract: A prosthesis for an anterior cruciate ligament features first and second elongate members, first and second separately tensionable cords, a catch means on the bore surface of each elongate member, and a means for securing the elongate members to the femur and tibia, respectively. The prosthesis has the significant advantage of being able to replace and to perform in substantially the same manner as a natural anterior cruciate ligament. The separate tensioning followed by fixing of the two cords in the implanted prosthesis results in a substantially smoother and more stable range of motion than has been possible with prior art prostheses.

Abstract: An artificial lens is cantilevered from a support rod in the vitreous chamber of the eye with the other end of the support rod affixed to an anterior chamber lens, the support for it, the sclera or (natural) lens capsule. There may be a number of support rods and a number of lenses cantilevered from support rods in the vitreous cavity.

Abstract: An artificial heart is made of a pair of substantially seamless, polyurethane rigid outer housings each having a shape approximating the combined outer shape of a natural cardiac ventricle and its associated auricle, with the bases of each of the housings being bonded together. Each of the outer housings includes a flexible bladder contained within the housing and having an expanded shape approximating the shape of the outer housing. This bladder is spaced from the interior surface of each of the housings a predetermined distance and the lower perimeter of the bladder is attached to the respective base. The bladder in each of the housings is attached at a point opposite the base to the interior of the housing, and a provision is made for expanding and collapsing the bladder under the control of fluid supplied to and removed from the region contained within the bladder between the bladder and the base in each housing.

Abstract: This device is designed to effectively restore the muscles of the pelvic floor of a patient. Primarily, it consists of a main body with an upper front horn portion for engagement with the exterior of the vulva without pinching it. A pair of rearwardly extending wing portions are provided on the device and engage with the inner portions of the thighs of the patient, and a spring portion in the wings is provided, for returning the wings to their normal outwardly extending positions after being compressed.

Abstract: A weightlifting support belt is constructed of two layers of pliable material, fastened together with stitching along the layer peripheries. First and second straps, each with a D-shaped pull ring at its free end, extend longitudinally from opposite ends of a medial section of the belt. Transverse stitching lines divide the space between the layers into a series of transverse compartments spanning the width of the medial section. Flattened, helical coiled springs are contained in each compartment, acting as a flexure to stiffen the medial section while allowing localized torsional bending and arcuate flexing about axes running longitudinally of the medial section. Tape closure strips are provided on the straps for maintaining the straps in overlying relation to maintain the belt in a wrapping configuration about the lumbar region of an individual. An elastic cover strap, provided with a closure strip at its free end, overlies the outermost strap and D-shaped ring to maintain them against the inside strap.

Abstract: Disclosed is an external prosthesis with a magnetically transmissive/receptive layer for use with an internal prosthesis attachable to the stump of a residual limb. The external prosthesis comprises a synthetic body member having a concave socket formed at an end thereof. The socket is sized to receive the stump of a residual limb with an internal prosthesis installed. The socket has disposed on its concave external surface a magnetically transmissive/receptive layer. Magnetic attraction between the magnetically transmissive/receptive layer and the magnetically attractive internal prosthesis will ensure a secure and non-slip installation of the external prosthesis on the residual limb of the user.

Abstract: An improved mechanical joint construction for pivotally interconnecting two members, particularly members of an orthopedic or orthotic body appliance, to limit the degree of pivotal movement between the members and adjustably control the position of limited pivotal movement of the two members; comprising first securement components for attachment to a first appliance member to be interconnected and presenting a generally flat planar surface with pivot pin extending outwardly from the surface and a protrusion on the surface spaced radially from the pivot pin; second securement components for rigid attachment to a second appliance member to be interconnected and comprising an inner peripherally serrated plate with central opening for receipt of the pivot pin to support the inner plate for rotation thereon, an arcuate slot in the inner plate spaced radially from the opening therein and receiving the protrusion for movement between ends of the slot to limit relative rotational movement of the inner plate on the p