Abstract: A femoral component as herein before described for an artificial hip joint made out of an alloy containing titanium, wherein at least a major load bearing portion of which has been subjected to bombardment by a beam of nitrogen or other light ions having energies in the range of 10 Kev to 200 Kev until a surface fluence of between 1 and 8×1017 ions/cm2 has been implanted. An apparatus for processing such components is described also.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are terminally sterilized osteogenic devices for implantation into a mammal. The devices contain a combination of a biologically active osteogenic protein and an insoluble carrier which after being combined are sterilized by exposure to ionizing radiation, for example, by exposure to gamma rays or an electron beam. The terminally sterilized devices of the invention are characterized in that they induce bone formation following implantation into a mammal. Also disclosed is a method for inducing bone formation in a mammal by implanting a terminally sterilized device of the invention into a preselected locus in a mammal. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the terminally sterilized device of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is a heterobifunctional artificial cornea or biomedical membrane and novel process for preparing the heterobifunctional artificial cornea. In this method, plasma induced graft polymerization is adopted to provide the surface property modification of polymer materials like silicone or polyurethane. At first, the frontal side of the material is grafted with polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid and then bonded with collagen, or 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) is grafted alone. A surface which increases the cell attachment and growth can be then developed. Another side of this membrane is grafted with acrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid and then different molecular weights of polyethylene oxide (PEO) is bonded thereto. 2-methacryloyl-oxyethyl phosphoryl chloride (2-MPC) is grafted to the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention includes a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. A process in connection with the present invention eliminates any step involved with dehydration of the hydrogel prior to implantation thereof. The hydrogel construct may include a tissue scaffolding, a load bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Abstract: An expandable stent for deployment into a vessel having a lumen therein comprising a cylindrical member having a length and having proximal and distal extremities and being formed of a metal having a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The cylindrical member has an inside diameter and an outside diameter. The cylindrical member is formed of at least one cylindrical segment. The at least one cylindrical segment has a pattern formed therein which when the stent is expanded is capable of forming a truss formed of serially connected three-sided triangularly-shaped truss members. The pattern includes a first sinusoid extending circumferentially through 360.degree. about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly, for receiving a ball attached to a femur, including components interlocked via a locking mechanism that includes a retaining ring fabricated at least in part using a polyaryletherketone material, such as PEEK. The locking mechanism is designed to meet predefined constraints such as assuring that substantially all motion is eliminated between assembled parts, assuring further that push-in/pull-out forces of assembly are within generally accepted industry standards, etc.

Abstract: This is a braided tubular device used in the occlusion of various lumen or cavities in the body. In particular, it may be used to form an endovascular occlusion. Most desirably, it is braided of a majority of super-elastic alloy ribbons and therefore is both inherently non-stretching and most difficult to permanently deform. It may be deployed using an electrolytically severable joint. A radio-frequency modulated current may optionally be applied to the device after its placement in the body. The elongated device preferably is insulated along its length to optimize its occlusive activity without harm to the body.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state includes a first expansion column having a plurality of first expansion column slots that are formed of a plurality of first expansion struts. Substantially each first column expansion slot has a longitudinal axis. A second expansion column has a plurality of second expansion column slots that are formed of a plurality of second expansion struts. Substantially each second expansion column strut has a longitudinal axis. A first connecting strut column is formed of a plurality of first connecting struts. The first connecting strut column couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first expansion column, second expansion column and the first connecting strut column form a first tubular structure with a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the first expansion column slots is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular structure.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for generating new tissue on a surface, e.g., a surface of damaged or lost tissue, of a structure or organ in a mammal, The methods involve applying a thin layer of a liquid hydrogel-cell composition to the surface; and allowing the liquid hydrogel-cell composition to solidify, thereby forming a matrix that enables the tissue precursor cells to grow and generate new tissue. The surface can be internal, e.g., the surface of an organ or the internal surface of a blood vessel, or external, e.g., skin.

Abstract: Areal spacers for prosthesis parts can be cemented into bones and enable a prosthesis part to be cemented in with a correction of the position of its functional surfaces without producing additional risks during the cementing. Since the spacers themselves consist of hardened bone cement, a secure, homogeneous binding with the fluid bone cement arises. At the same time, these spacers also enable a fine kit-like graduation and an exact positioning of prosthesis parts during cementing.

Abstract: The stent appears as a prismatic cage (3) of which the flat faces consist in a corresponding number of modular elements (2) linked one to the next in sequence, each comprising a pair of first mutually parallel tubular elements (4), fashioned in a biocompatible material, and a pair of filiform spacer elements (5), likewise biocompatible, which are inserted into the first tubular elements (4) in such a way that the assembled modular element (2) assumes a closed quadrangular configuration; each of the spacer elements (5) is deformable along its own longitudinal axis (X) so that the distance (D) separating the pair of first tubular elements (4) can be varied between a non-operative position of minimum clearance, in which the spacer elements (5) are collapsed and folded, and a stable operating position in which the first tubular elements (4) are spread fully apart with the spacer elements (5) at right angles to them.

Abstract: Stented tubular grafts of expanded, sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The stented PTFE grafts of the present invention include an integrally stented embodiment, an externally stented embodiment, and an internally stented embodiment. In each embodiment, the stent may be either self-expanding or pressure-expandable. Also, in each embodiment, the stent may be coated or covered with a plastic material capable of being affixed (e.g., heat fused) to PTFE. Manufacturing methods are also disclosed by the individual components of the stented grafts are preassembled on a mandrel and are subsequently heated to facilitate attachment of the PTFE layer(s) to one another and/or to the stent. Optionally, the stented graft may be post-flexed and post-expanded following it's removal from the mandrel to ensure that the stented graft will be freely radially expandable and/or radially contractible over it's full intended range of diameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for plugging holes in an acetabular shell component. The apparatus includes an acetabular shell component having an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface with at least a first selectively pluggable hole passing therethrough. The first selectively pluggable hole being defined by at least a cylindrical threaded sidewall. The apparatus further includes a plug having a tapered threaded sidewall. The cylindrical threaded sidewall of the first selectively pluggable hole threadably receives the tapered threaded sidewall of the plug to create an interference fit. This interference fit substantially seals the first selectively pluggable hole to minimize migration of debris through the first selectively pluggable hole.

Abstract: A toy device for pet animals, particularly cat's and like natural hunters, comprising a ground engaging base pedestal, a pair of rigid linear posts, adapted to be coaxially assembled with a single relatively stiff coil spring to form a flexible mast anchored at one end to the pedestal; an elongated highly flexible linear wire spring carrying a pet attractive bait or fascinator at one end and a connector at its opposite end, for connecting the wire spring to the non-anchored end of the mast, the connector rotatably supporting the linear spring for 360.degree. rotation. A modified coil spring is fitted with a noise maker operably reactive to flexure of the coil spring.

Abstract: A method for autotransplantation, is provided including the steps of (a) obtaining a piece of tissue from one part of a body, (b) preserving the tissue by contacting it with a tissue preserving medium, without tissue culturing occurring, and (c) grafting the tissue in another part of the body. The method is especially advantageous for the repair of hypospadias using buccal mucosa tissue. The tissue preserving medium preferably is a solution of (a) 80-120 mM NaCl, (b) 3-6 mM KCl, (c) 0.1-0.3 mM MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O, (d) 1-3 mM CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O, (e) 0.2-0.6 mM NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, (f) 1.5-4 mM glucose, (g) 15-25 mM Na lactate, (h) 0.2-0.6 mM Na pyruvate, (i) 0.01-0.05 mM phenol red, (j) 0.1-0.4 mM L-glutamine, (k) 2-35 mM sodium bicarbonate, (l) 125-200 units/ml penicillin-G, (m) 40-60 .mu.g/ml streptomycin sulfate, (n) vehicle consistent with tissue preservation; said medium having a pH ranging from 7.0-7.8.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an absorbent composite in a sanitary product wherein at least one liquid absorbing layer (14) is formed by the dry forming technique. The absorbing layer includes natural fibers, such as wood fibres, or natural fibers and plastic fibers mixed with one another, and superabsorbent material (15), and is bound by heat. At least one material layer (13) is dry formed on the absorbing layer (14), before the absorbing layer is bound by heat, from fibers crimping in connection with the binding taking place by heat.

Abstract: The stent comprises a flexible self-expandable braided tubular wall having a proximal segment having an outer diameter, and a distal segment having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal segment. An intermediate segment is formed between proximal and distal segments, which forms a truncated cone of which the base is forming the proximal end of the intermediate segment and of which the top is forming the distal end of the intermediate segment. A covering layer is arranged within the tubular wall.

Abstract: A bearing component includes an interrupted articular face suitable for mating with a corresponding joint face. The interrupted articular face of the bearing component is defined by a plurality of bearing platforms integral with the face where either recesses extend between the bearing platforms or said platforms protrude from the articular face in order to minimize surface area of articulation for the corresponding joint face.

Abstract: An animal training system has a stimulation unit for administering an electrical stimulation to an animal, a receiver for receiving a control signal, and a controller for processing the control signal and activating the stimulation unit for a predetermined duration. The electrical stimulation administered to the animal has a first magnitude at a first time in the stimulation duration, and a second greater magnitude at a second time in the duration. The system further includes a transmitter for transmitting the stimulation control signal, with the duration of the stimulation duration being selectable at the transmitter. The electrical stimulation signal preferably comprises a number of electrical pulses.