Abstract: A pressure monitor for use in connection with tissue expander envelopes implanted beneath the tissue of the skin wherein a liquid is injected into the envelope to cause expansion of the skin or tissue and additional liquid is periodically injected to cause progressively increased expansion of the tissue. The tissue monitor includes means extablishing direct communication between the pressure monitor and the liquid injected under pressure whereby the monitor will provide a reading of the internal liquid pressure in the envelope. The method comprises the steps of implanting an inflatable envelope beneath the skin, injecting a sterile solution under pressure through a fill line communicating with the envelope, interrupting the flow of liquid under pressure into the envelope, sensing the pressure level of liquid injected into the envelope, and adjusting the pressure level when necessary either by removing from or injecting liquid into the envelope.

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 plamar 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 mechanical artificial heart valve is provided and consists of an annular shaped orifice, to which a single (or multiple) bicurved leaflet(s) is (are) hinged. The curves are planar and are generated from two intersecting circular acrs. The valve is constructed to cause a predominately accelerating flow through the orifice. This significantly reduces the flow separation from the leaftlets. In addition, the leaflets are shaped so as to reduce the closing reflux volume through the orifice during the regurgitation phase of flow. These improvements tend to significantly decrease the work load on the heart.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc comprises a pair of end bodies which are provided, on their outer surfaces, with apatite layers. The disc includes a medical synthetic polymeric intermediate which is held between the end bodies through connecting members.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for effecting artificial respiration in synchronism with a patient's voluntary breathing. The apparatus is in the form of an external body ventilator with an assistor, and comprises a jacket, a suction pump, a suction pipe, a changeover device, a jaw movement detection device, and a changeover controlling device. The jacket has a rigid shell for surrounding the chest of a patient and forming an air-tight chamber between the chest and the rigid shell when the jacket is applied to the chest of the patient. The suction pipe is in fluid communication with the air-tight chamber of the jacket, and the changeover device is for effecting a changeover between releasing the air in the air-tight chamber through the suction pipe and into the atmosphere during voluntary respiration, and connecting the suction pipe to the suction pump during artificial respiration.

Abstract: The impellor of a blood pump is supported by permanent magnets on the impellor and pump housing and stabilized by an electromagnet on the housing. A control circuit supplies current to the electromagnet to maintain the axial position of the impellor at a control position in which the impellor is in mechanical equilibrium under permanent magnet forces and static axial forces on the impellor to minimize energy consumption in the support of the impellor. The impellor is rotated magnetically and stator coils in the housing are supplied with electric currents having a frequency and amplitude adjusted in relation to blood pressure at the pump inlet to match the flow characteristics of the pump to physiological characteristics of the natural heart. A cavity is formed in the impellor to match the average specific gravity of the impellor and portions of the suspension and drive systems thereon to the specific gravity of blood to further minimize power consumption by the pump.

Abstract: An implantation prosthesis, and a composite material for use in constructing this prosthesis. The material is flexible. It has an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam layer between the walls in adherent surface-to-surface contact. The walls are made of a flexible elastomeric material with at least limited permeability. The foam is resiliently deformable to resist sharp folding of the walls, and to resist relative in-plane motion of the walls.

Abstract: A prosthetic pericardium comprises a sheathing (1) made of a biologically neutral elastic material and sized to suit the heart's size, and provided with a means for its being fixed on the heart. The sheathing (1) is shaped as a figure-of-eight platelet one of whose loops (2) has a greater area than the other loop and is provided with a projection shaped as a reed (4) and located at its top. The fixation means is made as a guide channel (5) situated along the contour of the platelet accommodated in the channel (5) of a tube (6) made of an elastic material, and a flexible cord (7) accommodated in the tube (6) with a possibility of reciprocating therealong.

Abstract: Hip joint socket prosthesis with devices for anchoring to the bone. These comprise, for bridging an interspace between the socket surface and the bone, at least one support which projects from the socket surface and which is preferably extensible from the socket inside.

Abstract: The invention is relative to a cardiac valve.This valve is of the type which comprises a means inserted with a controlled and limited clearance into a casing (2) comprising a ring (2.1) and a wire framework constituting arches, which ring comprises a peripheral groove (2.2) on its outer periphery which groove permits the centering and positioning of a covering (3), which valve is characterized in that said means which is inserted into the casing is a module comprising a hemisphere (1.1) extended in the front by a finger (1.3) which extends from the ring toward the outside, which ring comprises an inner profile (2.4) which forms a seat which permits the centering and angular tipping and the articulation of the module (1) in every position of the sweep of the finger.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implant is provided having an optical lens and lens positioning and supporting haptics one of which has a pair of protrusions between opposite ends of an outer segment of the haptic which protrusions provide spaced discrete focal points of contact intermediate the length of the haptic segment and which cooperate with a broad arc formed by the other haptic for continuous surface-to-surface contact and improved centration and enhanced fixation upon implantation in an eye.

Abstract: A prosthesis permits both an acoustic stimulation and an electrical stimulation of the inner ear and include an interposition element, one end of which is provided with a device for attachment to a downwardly extending branch of the anvil. The other end of the element is adapted to be applied on the oval window of the ear and has a conductive end surface constituting an electrode which is connected by a conductor covered with a biocompatible insulating covering to a source of electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A modular humeral prosthetic device comprising a humeral stem having a substantially cylindrical distal end for insertion within the medullary canal of a resected human humerus; the stem transforming proximally from the distal end into a widened proximal end being tapered from anterior to posterior aspect; the proximal end having a proximal end surface which is angled relative to the axis of the distal end; a collar extending from the proximal end surface for preventing the stem from subsiding within the medullary canal; a tapered cylindrical mounting lock mechanism disposed on the proximal end surface, the axis of the tapered cylinder being substantially coincident with the central axis of the proximal end surface; a head mechanism having a substantially spherically shaped outer surface for engagement within the glenoid cavity of a human scapula, the outer spherical surface of the head mechanism being less than half the surface of a complete sphere; the head mechanism including a complementary tapered apertu

Abstract: A Temporomandibular Joint disc implant for functionally replacing an irreparable human temporomandibular disc formed of a compressible pouch-like body having at least one outer surface layer of resilient biocompatible material enclosing a filling solution or a matrix of fibrous or open-cell material(s) and a filling solution. The fluid forming the filling solution is adapted to be introduced into the body through the surface layer(s) when surgically implanting the disc.

Abstract: The metal anchoring part, in one embodiment, has a flat bearing surface to receive a synthetic tibial endoprosthesis part as well as a parallel tibial plateau from which anchoring rails project. The anchoring rails are slidably mounted within guide bores in a tibia to permit sliding of the anchoring part in the ventral/dorsal direction. In addition, a lock-like latch is provided in each rail to permit securement of the anchoring part in a tibia after placement. The anchoring part may be made as a half part for mounting on the medial or lateral part of a tibia or as a full part. A rotatable bolt may also be mounted in a pair of aligned rails to expand expandable rings secured to the tibial plateau for securing the part to the spongiosa of the tibia.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis, of the type comprising a humeral piece intended to be fixed in a humerus to replace at least the head thereof and comprising a hollow tubular element which must be fixed in the humerus substantially along the longitudinal axis thereof and a cylindrical rod, the upper end of which carries a ball cooperating with a glenoid bearing surface to form the shoulder joint and the lower end of which is disposed in said tubular element, this and the rod being able to slide relative to each other, the glenoid bearing surface consisting of a glenoid piece which comprises an anchoring element intended to be inserted into a cavity formed in the scapula and a female hemispherical element, this latter cooperating with the male ball of the humeral piece.

Abstract: A ring prosthesis which provides different flexibilities at various points about the circumference of an associated heart valve. Specifically, the annuloplasty ring prosthesis of the invention includes a segmented body formed by two or more segments. The individual segments form a body which is substantially circular and shaped proportional to fit about the annulus of the associated heart valve. The individual segments are held in position with respect to each by a flexible joint. This flexible joint is formed by covering the segments with a flexible material which fits snugly about the segments. The cover is tied off between the adjacent segments to further restrain movement of the segments with respect to each other.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis having a stem to be anchored in the bone and a separate bone support. The devices for holding the bone support on the shaft are designed such that the bone support is pivotable, preferably spherically mobile, so that it adjusts itself automatically to the position of the bore surface supporting it.

Abstract: A valve incorporating at least one rocking flap which is fixedly mounted to at least one elongated elastic element whose ends project outwardly with respect to the flap and are fixedly secured to a ring member and wherein the elastic element acts as a torsion bar which functions to return the flap to its original position after the flap has been pivoted with respect to the ring member.

Abstract: A cuff for restoring competence to an incompetent venous valve consists of a band of biocompatible implantable material that is not stretchable at blood flow pressures. The band is of sufficient length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve with the ends of the band overlapping. In one form of attachment, the end 22 passes over the loop 23 and is stapled thereto. The cuff can be attached to an applicator by means of the loop 23. A portion 26 of reduced thickness extends from the bottom face of the band to reduce any inner surface discontinuities with respect to the wall of the vein.The cuff is placed around the vein at the site of the valve and the circumference of the cuff (and hence the diameter of the vein at the valve site) is reduced until competency of the valve in the vein is restored.