Abstract: A mouth-held device is described that can be used by individuals having limited or no use of the hands. The device comprises a V-shaped plastic member having a shaft attached. The V-shaped plastic member must be able to soften at or near the boiling point of water and, at such softening point, to take an impression of the teeth of the individuals having limited or no use of the hands. When cooled to at or near body temperature, however, the V-shaped member must be rigid and non elastic and capable of retaining the impression of the teeth. The shaft attached to the V-shaped member can have various implements fixed to it that allows the individual having limited upper extremity function to perform certain tasks independently.

Abstract: Canine ear implant for strengthening the defective auricular cartilage of the canine ear is formed of a sheet of flexible porous polymeric material adapted in size and shape to be positioned adjacent to either side of the auricular cartilage. The polymeric material comprises a network of interconnected pores throughout its volume having an average pore diameter of between 20 .mu.m - 300 .mu.m, the average pore volume being at least 30%.

Abstract: A cap for covering the exposed end of an excised bone including a head adapted to abut the exposed end. The outer surface of the head is free from sharp corners, at least the portion of the head adjacent to the exposed bone end being interspersed with a network of interconnected pores adapted for human tissue to grow therein and anchor the cap to the bone. The cap further includes means for preventing the pores from communicating with the outer surface of the head.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a prosthetic device of the type that is a composite of a first material adapted to be strong enough to withstand the wear and stress exerted on the prosthetic device and a second material in the form of a coating fixed to the first material over a substantial portion of the outer surface of the prosthetic device that engages the bone to which the prosthetic device is attached. The coating is adapted to allow adjacent human tissue to grow therein. The improvement comprises the coating being at least 1 mm. thick and formed of a porous polymeric material that includes a network of interconnected pores throughout its volume. The average pore diameter of the coating ranges from 50 .mu.m - 300 .mu.m, the minimum pore volume being 30%.