Abstract: An intraocular lens has an optic body with at least a posterior surface defining a roughness portion disposed close to the periphery of the optic body wherein the roughness portion further defines an attachment configuration specified by parameters falling within certain specific ranges determined statistically using a profilometer. The parameters measure on the order of micrometers. The attachment configuration holds the lens in place without the use of spiral shaped fibrous arms.

Abstract: Isoelastic implants are provided with a surface roughness for anchorage in and load transmission to the surrounding tissue. The surface roughness is formed of one or more of the structures including undulations, or grooves, or pores, or lacunae, or gaps and protrusions. The roughness is located at two separate and confined regions along the surfaces of the implant which are intended for transmitting loads from the surrounding tissue into the implant or vice versa. The regions for containing the roughness are confined to two small areas at the opposite ends of the implant's surface. The ends are defined in relation to the direction of the load to be transmitted through the surfaces.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant device includes a structure for storing a bioreactive agent such as an antimicrobic agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, a growth hormone, and an antifungal drug. The structure can take the form of a container or a solid solution. The percutaneous device has a conduit, and the structure containing the bioreactive agent is disposed under the skin and around the conduit in the vicinity where the conduit passes through the skin of the living host. The structure containing the bioreactive agent is refillable via either a wall which is penetrable and reseals after penetration, or an access opening which can be opened or closed and is accessible from outside the living host. The container can include a wall having a diffusion coefficient which increases the rate of diffusion with increasing local temperature.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant device includes a main body portion and a flange extending outwardly from the main body portion. The flange has a free edge and can have a thickness that decreases as an imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The stiffness of the flange decreases as an imaginary point proceeds from portions of the flange nearest the main body portion to portions of the flange nearest the free edge. This is accomplished in one embodiment by a flange density that decreases as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. In another embodiment, the porosity of the flange can increase as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and density of the flange can decrease while the porosity increases as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and thread count of a textile flange can decrease as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and packing density of a fibrous flange can decrease as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge.

Abstract: Implants made of corrosion resistant metals such as titanium, tantalum or niobium, wherein the parts to be inserted into the jaw bone have an essentially leaf-shaped form, and the parts projecting from the jaw bone right through into the mouth cavity being a crown, bridge or some other superstructure, have the problem that such implants have frequently been surrounded by a soft tissue fringe as a result of which the implants are merely loosely anchored in the jaw bone. This also causes an irritation of mucous membrane in the region of the implant part extending through the mucous membrane, as a result of which the implant's bacteria-tight closure is no longer present in many instances. There is an annular groove on the outside of the ring. In order to hold the implant during the healing-in phase with a certainty of freedom from any load, the elements of the superstructure are attached to the post penetrating the mucous membrane by means of a blind hole.

Abstract: The shaft portion of an artificial hip joint intended for cement-free anchoring in a femur which is generally rectangular in cross-section and is provided with outwardly projecting steps for direct transfer of axial forces between the shaft and the bone tissue, one half of the steps being transversely inclined with respect to the shaft axis with the other half of the steps inclined in the opposite direction by an equal amount to prevent rotation of the shaft as a result of the development of equal and opposite components of force.

Abstract: A superstructure-fastening dental implant formed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -ceramic material having a distal end and a proximal end opposite to the distal end thereof and including a cylindrical shaft formed with constrictions at least partly defined by annular surfaces formed on the shaft, the annular surfaces extending perpendicularly to the axis and facing toward the proximal end of the dental implant, and means including a threaded bushing for anchoring a superstructure at the distal end of the dental implant, the proximal end of the dental implant being rounded and in the form of a spherical calotte having a smooth and uninterrupted surface.

Abstract: An auditory ossicle prosthesis comprises a grooved plate and a depending shaft integrally formed as a one-piece construction from a biologically inert ceramic material, provided with a hole extending through the plate and along the interior of the shaft to reduce the amount of material to be removed by grinding when the device is fitted to the patient.

Abstract: A dental implant of biocompatable material includes a body provided with a head for supporting bridgework or an artificial tooth and having a shaft which is provided with a series of exterior peripheral surfaces of diminishing cross-section to define a series of stepped thrust resisting surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the shaft with the proximal end of the shaft being smooth.

Abstract: An articulatory endoprosthesis having bearing surfaces of dense aluminum oxide ceramic are provided with anchoring elements formed from hot-pressed compounds of silicon with carbon and/or nitrogen having a bending strength of more than 600 N/mm.sup.2 ; preferred compositions comprise silicon nitride and silicon carbide.

Abstract: The thigh portion of an endoprosthesis for hip joints is provided with stepped projecting surfaces to distribute forces in the bone tissue.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for making the socket bed for a complete endoprosthesis is slidable on a guide rod, which rod is first inserted into a guide bore which has previously been made in the hip bone. The relative axial position of the cutter with respect to the rod indicates the depth of penetration of the cutter.

Abstract: A socket for hip joint prosthesis is secured to a cavity in the bone tissue by a series of radially arranged pegs which can be projected outwardly from the wall of the socket into the surrounding tissue by a central screw member which also has a self-tapping thread which also enters the tissue.