Abstract: In the process for firing green moldings of ceramic pastes which contain plasticizers, the green moldings are placed on kiln furniture which has at least a temperature which corresponds to the decomposition temperature of the plasticizers. In addition, the kiln furniture and the green moldings are heated within 5 to 60 minutes to the firing temperature and kept there for 5 to 60 minutes. Cooling is then carried out to the original temperature within 5 to 60 minutes and the moldings are removed from the kiln furniture at this temperature. The invention achieves heating cycles of less than 3 hours.

Abstract: In the case of this extrusion device, a die part with feed passageways for the plastic material on the inlet side and shaping slots on the outlet side, which are connected to the feed passageways, is supported on a stationary part. The die passageway for the skin of the honeycomb structure is formed by interaction of an adjustable die element with the die part on the outlet side. For this purpose, a disk spring column as die element is arranged around the die part and is supported on a tensioning element which is adjustable in the flow direction of the material. In the feeds of the die passageway is arranged an adjustable means for regulating the flow rate of the plastic material.

Abstract: A joint endoprosthesis including a pivot body with a radially extending hole; a pin press fit in the hole; a recess extending into the pin from its end in the hole; wedging means for spreading the pin from its end in the hole; wedging means for spreading the pin end in the hole in the body to securely hold the pin.

Abstract: In a bone joint endoprosthesis, the spigot of the metal shank is externally threaded to mate with a thread inside the ceramic head of the prosthesis; the thread on the spigot has greater depth in the radial direction, with flat sides, and the depth of the thread in the head is more shallow.

Abstract: A joint endoprosthesis including a pivot body with a radially extending hole; a pin press fit in the hole; a recess extending into the pin from its end in the hole; wedging means for spreading the pin from its end in the hole; wedging means for spreading the pin end in the hole in the body to securely hold the pin.

Abstract: A bone joint endoprosthesis comprises a spherical body of the joint with hole in it for receiving a shaft spigot; a shaft is embedded in bone; the shaft has a spigot which is received in the hole; a spreader, comprised of a material that swells when it is wetted, is wrapped over the spigot in the hole or is inside the spigot and the spreader expands radially in the hole or inside the spigot to secure the joint; shaping and profiling of the spigot and the wall of the hole for effective retention of the spreader are disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic implant having at least one component for permanently connecting resected live bone stumps without the use of bone cement or the insertion of an endoprostheses portion into the intramedullar or marrow space of the bone, the implant including at least one cylindrical sleeve having a truncated conical interior recess with rounded grooves helically formed therein for closely engaging a cooperatively formed live bond stump. The ceramic sleeve may be held to the bone stump by use of surgical screws or by a sleeve clamp, to provide a high degree of strength to the resected bone end, as compared to the natural bone strength, immediately after the implanatation operation and to reduce the cortical periphery encased by the implant to promote maximum natural bone growth with minimal inflammation and damage to the marrow space.