Abstract: A breast prosthesis aggregate consisting of (a) a flexible resilient breast prosthesis (10) imitating a female left or right breast; and (b) one or more flexible fastening slabs (12; 40,42) sealable to the skin of the wearer by a skin-friendly adhesive. The prosthesis can be releasably secured to the slab or slabs by complementary, interacting attachment members, preferably of the hook-and-loop type with the hooks on the prosthesis, placed on a backward ledge (18) on the prosthesis and the front side of the slabs. On the ledge the attachment members are arranged in separate areas (20) disposed at a mutual distance in an arched, upward convex pattern. Loop members of the closure may be placed in an analogous pattern or may cover the entire front side of the slab. Single slab (12) may be replaced by a number of small slabs (40,42) each corresponding to one area (20) of attachment members on the ledge.

Abstract: Two redundant hearts are operated simultaneously for normal patient activity, one of said hearts having sufficient capacity to maintain life at a reduced activity in the event of failure of the other.A single housing contains two brushless DC motors that pump hydraulic fluid to diaphragms which are part of the two respective hearts. The diaphragms operate, on the blood side, to pump blood in a single blood system connected respectively to the aorta, left atrium, right atrium and pulmonary artery.If one motor fails, the remaining motor will pump sufficient blood to keep the patient alive until the heart can be replaced.

Abstract: The invention provides biocompatible, corrosion-resistant prostheses and methods for producing these. A coating comprising a bismaleimide-triazine resin, a biocompatible plasticizer and optionally a thickener is applied to a prosthesis substrate and the resin is cured to provide a tightly adherent, biocompatible, corrosion-resistant coating. Radio-opaque materials, such as barium sulfate, may be included in the coating as well as bone ingrowth materials such as hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: Preoperative planning method for systematically performing a total hip replacement utilizing CT scan data to size acetabular and femoral components, orient the actabular cup, and equalize leg lengths. The method includes one or more of the steps of selecting acetabular cup size according to dimensions revealed by a certain acetabular CT slice, determining stem size of the femoral component according the scanned dimensions of the medullary canal, reaming the acetabulum and orienting the face of the acetabular cup placed therein according to a reference plane defined by three CT-defined reference points on the acetabulum, equalizing leg lengths by performing the femoral neck osteotomy according the preselected component dimensions and bone/cartilage removal. The invention envisions the use of CT and NMR devices to achieve bony contour definitions.

Abstract: A lunate implant includes a one-piece, at least semi-rigid body defining a triquetrum face, a scaphoid face, a cupped, concave, distal surface adapted to articulate with the capitate bone, a proximal surface, a palmar surface and a dorsal surface. A pair of spaced, generally parallel suture passages extend between and open through the triquetrum and scaphoid faces. A pair of sutures are stitched to ligaments of the wrist. The ends of the sutures are passed through the suture passages so that one of the sutures has ends extending away from the triquetrum face and the other suture has ends extending away from the scaphoid face. The ends are grasped and the lunate implant is pulled down into the desired position in the distal carpal row of the wrist. The sutures are tied adjacent the implant to stabilize and position the implant.

Abstract: A matted (delustered) artificial hair which is disclosed herein comprises a fiber made of a synthetic resin. A large number of irregular scrubbed flaws is formed circumferentially on the surface of a monofilament having a substantially circular section. A method for preparation of such an artifical hair which method comprises placing a bundle of monofilaments of a synthetic fiber and each having a substantially circular section between two abrasive-coated plates each having a soft layer on a surface thereof, and allowing the two abrasive-coated plates to reciprocate in the opposite directions at an angle of 45.degree. to 90.degree. with respect to the longitudinal direction of the monofilament while applying a slight pressure in the presence of an abrasive, whereby a large number of scrubbed flaws is formed circumferentially on the surface of each monofilament.