Abstract: A structure suitable for in vivo implantation in a tension application having a plurality of longitudinal strands of a fabric with the ends of the strands in the fabric and bonded with a film, a sleeve surrounding the strands, the strands being slidable with respect to each other and movable in the sleeve for adjusting their relative positions whereby the structure load is substantially uniformly distributed among the strands and a means on the ends of the structure for securing the structure in implanted position.

Abstract: The panel for converting solar energy to sensible heat of a working fluid comprises a thermally-insulated and impervious base member overlayed with and spaced from a solar-collecting member or collector. The collector is in turn overlayed with and spaced from a pair of mutually spaced impervious films which are essentially transparent to incident solar radiation and substantially opaque to radiation emitted by the collector. The solar-collecting member consists of a thermally-insulating porous matrix substance and of a second substance affixed thereto. The second substance is in divided and substantially discrete form. The second substance exhibits a high degree of absorptivity for solar radiation and low emissivity for long wave radiation. The working fluid to be heated is admitted to a chamber underneath the solar-collecting member. The working fluid has a pressure sufficient to cause it to percolate through the collector.

Abstract: A composition of material suitable for in vivo implantation to provide a wear surface which composition includes carbon fibers, perfluorocarbon fibers, fluorinated carbon fibers, fluorinated carbon particles, fluorinated hydrocarbon fibers, fluorinated hydrocarbon particles, polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or combinations thereof and polytetrafluoroethylene resin alone or with a high molecular weight polyethylene all of which composition is processed to align a substantial portion of the fibers with the wear surface. The preferred method of preparing such composition of material includes the steps of mixing, filtering, compressing, rolling, sintering and drying.

Abstract: A composition of material suitable for in vivo implantation to provide an environment in which normal tissue growth is fostered which composition is a porous fibrous structure in which the critical surface tension of the fibers is 35 dynes per centimeter or higher. This composition in the preferred form is a porous structure of carbon or graphite fibers bonded together by sintered polytetrafluoroethylene in a manner to expose a maximum amount of fiber surface.Another composition of material suitable for implantation for wear surfaces includes carbon fibers and polytetrafluoroethylene resin and is processed to align the carbon fibers with the wear surfaces. The method of preparing both material includes the step of mixing, filtering, compressing, rolling, sintering and drying. The method of stabilizing appliances or implants includes bonding the ingrowth material to the appliance or implant.

Abstract: A structure suitable for in vivo implantation as a tension member to substitute for tension members such as ligaments and tendons. The structure includes an elongate member which is a biocompatible film, a biocompatible fabric which has a weave having substantially no permanent yield in one direction after said film is formed thereon and a biocompatible porous material which promotes the ingrowth of living tissue and such material is either bonded to the exterior of the elongate member or is contained within and exposed to the exterior. Also disclosed is a structure having a fabric with a film formed thereon and porous ingrowth material bonded to one or both sides thereof to form a patch for in vivo implantation. The film used on the patch may be porous or solid depending on whether the patch is to be permeable to body fluids.

Abstract: A composition of material suitable for in vivo implantation to provide a wear surface which composition includes carbon fibers, perfluorocarbon fibers, fluorinated carbon fibers, fluorinated carbon particles, fluorinated hydrocarbon fibers, fluorinated hydrocarbon particles, polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or combinations thereof and polytetrafluoroethylene resins alone or with a high molecular weight polyethylene all of which composition is processed to align a substantial portion of the fibers with the wear surface. The preferred method of preparing such composition of material includes the steps of mixing, filtering, compressing, rolling, sintering and drying.

Abstract: A structure for in vivo implantation which includes an elongate section terminating in one end in an enlarged portion and being at least partially of a biocompatible porous material having characteristics of promoting ingrowth of tissue. The structure is adapted to be implanted in place of at least a portion of the bony chain of the middle ear, to serve as a plug for a tube, or to serve as an implant electrode. The same structure including a means for closing the pores of the intermediate portion of such structure may be used in place of all or a portion of the bony chain between the ear drum and the vestibule.

Abstract: A composition of material suitable for in vivo implantation to provide an environment in which normal tissue growth is fostered which composition is a porous fibrous structure in which the critical surface tension of the fibers is 35 dynes per centimeter or higher. This composition in the preferred form is a porous structure of carbon or graphite fibers bonded together by sintered polytetrafluoroethylene in a manner to expose a maximum amount of fiber surface.Another composition of material suitable for implantation for wear surfaces includes carbon fibers and polytetrafluoroethylene resin and is processed to align the carbon fibers with the wear surfaces. The method of preparing both material includes the step of mixing, filtering, compressing, rolling, sintering and drying. The method of stabilizing appliances or implants includes bonding the ingrowth material to the appliance or implant.

Abstract: A structure suitable for in vivo implantation as a tension member to substitute for tension members such as ligaments and tendons. The structure includes an elongate member which is a biocompatible film, a biocompatible fabric which has a weave having substantially no permanent yield in one direction after said film is formed thereon and a biocompatible porous material which promotes the ingrowth of living tissue and such material is either bonded to the exterior of the elongate member or is contained within and exposed to the exterior. Also disclosed is a structure having a fabric with a film formed thereon and porous ingrowth material bonded to one or both sides threof to form a patch for in vivo implantation. The film used on the patch may be porous or solid depending on whether the patch is to be permeable to body fluids.