Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transplanting hematopoietic system reconstituting cells from a donor into an allogeneic recipient comprising administering to the recipient, prior to the administration of the hematopoietic system reconstituting cells, an amount of mononuclear cells which are treated so as to render them incapable of proliferating and causing a lethal graft versus host disease effect, but which are effective in enhancing subsequent engraftment of the hematopoietic system reconstituting cells in the recipient; and administering to the recipient an effective amount of hematopoietic system reconstituting cells.

Abstract: A body compatible stent is formed of multiple filaments arranged in two sets of oppositely directed helical windings interwoven with one another in a braided configuration. Each of the filaments is a composite including a central core and a case surrounding the core. In the more preferred version, the core is formed of a radiopaque and relatively ductile material, e.g. tantalum or platinum. The outer case is formed of a relatively resilient material, e.g. a cobalt/chromium based alloy. Favorable mechanical characteristics of the stent are determined by the case, while the core enables in vivo imaging of the stent. The composite filaments are formed by a drawn filled tubing process in which the core is inserted into a tubular case of a diameter substantially more than the intended final filament diameter. The composite filament is cold-worked in several steps to reduce its diameter, and annealed between successive cold-working steps.

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: The artificial hand joint comprises a proximal joint part securable to the radius with a groove-like guide track and a distal joint part securable to the os capitatum with two supporting heads placed alongside one another, displaceable in the guide track in the direction of their longitudinal extent, and mounted so as to be inclinable in the transverse direction. These are executed with spherical support parts, each of which cooperates with a guidance section of the guide track. By means of the two supporting heads a stable guidance of the distal joint part in the direction of the extension movements is achieved. The guide track and the proximal joint part can be executed with advantageously small cross sectional dimensions so that the intrusions into the implantation region of the hand joint can be kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A porous three-dimensional bone grafting matrix is provided which is biodegradable. The matrix is preferably formed from mineralized collagen where the mineral comprises particulate calcium phosphate immobilized in the matrix and having a particle size of 5 microns or less.

Abstract: A covered stent for treating a stenotic region in a blood vessel. The stent covering has different porosities in different regions. In those regions, typically the ends, where tissue ingrowth and re-endothelialization are desired, the stent covering is more porous, and in those regions were it is desirable to inhibit such ingrowth, the stent covering is substantially non-porous.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core therebetween. The backsheet is made of an air-permeable but liquid-impermeable plastic film having a surface thereof whitened by fine particles of an inorganic substance contained therein. An indicator 18 provided between the backsheet and the absorbent core. The indicator includes a layer of printed ink adapted to be visually revealed when it is wetted with discharged urine and a masking region disposed between the layer of printing ink and the backsheet so as to cover the layer of printed ink, and the masking region contains a surfactant.

Abstract: A plug is provided for securing two components of an orthopedic implant where at least one of the components is formed of material softer than the material of the plug. In a preferred embodiment the components comprise concentric cups rotatable with respect to one another about an axis. The components are fixable using a plug to prevent rotation of the components with respect to each other. The invention is preferably used with an acetabular shell and liner of a hip implant wherein the shell is comprised of metal material and the liner is comprised of a polymer or other similar soft material. The plug has a serrated head and a distal lip or anchoring edge to provide securement at more than one location along the length of the plug. The plug is insertable into a common opening defined by aligned recesses or openings of the two components of the implant.

Abstract: A semi-synthetic material for producing shaped elements for use in orthopaedic surgery, bone stabilizing and regenerating materials and biological cement, made from the mother-of-pearl of aquatic molluscs which is subjected to a specific mechanical, thermal or chemical treatment in order to alter its physical and chemical structure. The material may be powdered, mixed with calcium hydroxide, any other calcium salt, collagen or starch, dried and shaped into prosthetic members. Said material may be combined with methyl or acrylic derivatives, antibiotics or antimitotic agents, and is suitable for use in orthopaedic surgery, dentistry, carcinology, ear, nose and throat medicine, gynaecology and ophthalmology.

Abstract: A perforated unitary multi-laminar tissue graft construct and method for preparing such construct is described. The method comprises overlapping strips of submucosa tissue with other strips of submucosal tissue, compressing at least the overlapped portions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets, and perforating the resulting unitary tissue graft construct. The perforated tissue graft compositions have enhanced mechanical and remodeling properties relative to non-perforated submucosal tissue grafts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing coronary artery bypass surgery establishes a channel leading directly from a chamber of a heart into a coronary artery. The coronary artery bypass procedure may be performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: A resilient prosthesis such as a stent for widening a channel in a living body, particularly a stenotic portion of a blood vessel, is disclosed. The prosthesis (5) consists of a number of lengths of resilient thread (1, 2, 3, 4) helically wound in the same direction, which threads are axially inserted between one another in a substantially cylindrical arrangement without intersecting one another. The threads may be separate or joined together at the ends of the prosthesis. The turns of the threads have a shorter pitch P.sub.1 in the mid-portion (6) of the prosthesis than in the other portions thereof (7, 8), so that one separate thread cannot be "screwed" between the others. The ends (10, 11) of the threads all lie in the same plane or are axially offset. The prosthesis may be manufactured at low cost and is useful for performing angioplastic, urological or gynaecological treatments, and generally for widening or supporting any channel in the human or animal body.

Abstract: An intravascular pump and balloon catheter assembly is shown. The assembly includes a primary catheter having a balloon provided thereon and an intravascular pump provided therein. The pump is adapted to generate a pressure differential between the inlet of the catheter and the outlet. With this structure, fluid is supplied, under pressure, to multiple arteriotomy cannulae provided at the terminal end of the assembly. The cannulae are inserted into blood vessels at appropriate points so that an occlusion or restriction in a blood vessel can be bypassed while still maintaining blood flow throughout the body.

Abstract: A method for forming a stent includes forming a sleeve from a biocompatible material, curling one end of the sleeve upon itself to form a skirt extending for a preselected length along and above the sleeve, the skirt and sleeve cooperating to define an annular space therebetween, filling the space with a curable material curling the opposite end of the sleeve onto the skirt to completely enclose the curable material and fixing the opposite end to the skirt to seal the curable material therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laparoscopically reinforcing blood vessels and vascular endoluminal prosthesis includes providing at least one reinforcing member. The endoluminal prosthesis having a sufficient hoop strength to inhibit collapse of the blood vessel. The reinforcing member constricts around the blood vessel to hold the endoluminal prosthesis with respect to the blood vessel and to inhibit aneurysmal growth.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis assembly for percutaneous deployment on a balloon catheter is disclosed. The assembly includes a radially expandable stent overlied by a tubular, low profile stent cover wrapped over the stent. The wrapped cover is thermally set to maintain its low profile wrapped configuration during deployment of the assembly. At the treatment site, the balloon portion of the catheter is inflated causing the stent to expand radially and the stent cover to unwrap and open to conform to the expanded configuration of the stent.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a body structure formed of a biocompatible material, the body structure including a first material having an average atomic number greater than 24 and a second material that is different than the first material. The first material is present in an amount not greater than 9% by volume based on the combined volume of the first material and the second material. The body structure has a mass absorption coefficient effective to provide a ratio of an intensity of an incident X-ray to an intensity of a transmitted X-ray in a range of 1e.sup.-2 to 1e.sup.-4.

Abstract: A medical device consisting essentially of stratum compactum of tissue membrane is provided. The present invention further provides a method for producing a medical device consisting essentially of stratum compactum of tissue membrane. The method comprises the steps of: separating tissue membrane including stratum compactum from tissue; sterilizing or disinfecting the separated tissue membrane; and removing all other layers except the stratum compactum from the sterilized or disinfected tissue membrane using an enzyme.

Abstract: A biocompatible composite material and a method for its production are provided, wherein the composite material is made of a plastic matrix having a felt of collagen fibers contained therein, wherein the collagen fibers project out of a surface of the composite material, wherein the composite material is produced by a process involving:a) providing a collagen fiber felt wherein the collagen fibers have a structure of native collagen;b) impregnating the collagen fiber felt with one or more polymerizable monomers,c) partially curing the one or more polymerizable monomers to provide a polymer containing unpolymerized monomers, shortchain oligomers or both therein;d) removing the unpolymerized monomers and shortchain oligomers from the surface of the composite material to expose the collagen fiber felt on the surface,wherein the composite material is useful for the production of implants, especially dental implants and the implants can be colonized with human cells prior to implantation.

Abstract: A method of attaching heparin to, and immobilizing it on, inorganic substrate surfaces of cardiovascular implants such as cardiac valves or alloplastic vessel wall supports, comprising the following steps:activation of the inorganic substrate surface by etching,attachment, by exposure to ultraviolet light, of a photoactive benzophenone compound with an amino protective group as a spacer to the activated substrate surface,splitting off of the amino protective group by the aid of a non-aqueous piperidine solution, andcovalent peptide-bonding of heparin to the free and reactive amino groups of the substrate surface by an aqueous heparin solution acting on the amino groups.