Abstract: A device for determining resection surfaces on the femur (20) and on tibia (10) in preparation for implantation of a total knee endoprosthesis includes a femoral saw template (12) and a removable tibial component (35) which can be locked in the area of the tibial tuberosity and repositioned there in exactly the same place. The tibial component has a fixed plate and a movable plate. The frontal plane of the tibia is first established and, using the movable plate, pushed in parallel in the direction of the femoral saw template (12), which at this stage is arranged on the frontal aspect of the femur (10) for pivoting around the femoral axis. The movable plate (24) of the tibial component (35) is pushed until finally at least a linear contact between tibia positioners (25) of the movable plate and the femoral saw template (12) is created.

Abstract: An implantable device for selectively opening and closing a tubular organ of the body such as the urethra has an elongate valve body which can be introduced into the tubular organ. The valve body has a shut-off means which can be selectively closed and opened, for which purpose the valve body has an elastic hose portion in which there is disposed an inflation body which can be inflated by a fluid to then close the lumen of the hose portion. The fluid can be conveyed out of the inflation body into a storage container by actuation of an implantable pump so the inflation body collapses and permits a flow through the valve body. Manual actuation of a non-return valve in the pump causes fluid to flow out of the storage container into the inflation body to inflate same and close the valve body.

Abstract: A seat for a chair for surgeons is provided with the seating surface formed from a large number of resilient or partially resilient support elements (1 through 8). These are seated in through-holes (9) in a carrier piece (10). The support elements (1 through 8) have different heights, spread out appropriately over the seating surface, and are arranged for anatomically correct support.

Abstract: A pelvis part endoprosthesis for the replacement of a pelvis part in the region of the hip joint includes a main body (100) that has a hemispherical recess (101) for seating of an artificial hip joint socket, as well as a projecting neck (102) in which at least one locating hole (103, 104) is formed. The longitudinal axis of this hole forms with the polar axis (105) of the recess (101) an angle which lies in the range between 20.degree. and 30.degree.. The endoprosthesis further includes a first connecting element (200), by means of which a connection of the main body (100) with the ilium region (400) of the remaining pelvis is realized. The connection is produced by means of a self-locking seating of a peg (201) of the first connecting element (200) in at least one locating hole (103, 104). The peg (201), when viewed from the dorsal towards the ventral direction, is inclined at an angle in the range between 25.degree. and 45.degree., and is laterally inclined from the medial at an angle between 0.degree.

Abstract: A spherical head endoprosthesis has a spherical head and a base piece. Between the base piece and the spherical head is a conical interference fit connection, wherein the spherical head has a conical bore and the base piece has a conical pin. The axis of the conical bore and the center line of the spherical head form an angle in the range of 7.degree. to 15.degree.. The conical bore is decentralized in relation to the center line with an offset of 1 to 4 mm. On the inside of the bore are at least five grooves parallel to the axis of the bore, into which, after assembly of the conical interference fit connection, grips at least one locking projection provided on the peripheral surface of the conical pin. The grooves may be designated by markings around the periphery of the bore opening for easy identification of the proper groove for insertion of the locking projection during the replacement operation.

Abstract: A knee joint endoprosthesis includes a shaft piece (1) which is anchored in the femur bone and a connected femur component (2) with two gliding runners (3, 4), which are anteriorly connected by a bridge (6) carrying a connecting element (5) to the shaft piece (1) and defining between the runners a groove (7) extending anteriorly to posteriorly. This groove is bordered on both sides, in the femur direction, by struts (8, 8') which have channels (9, 9') with a partially circular cross section running laterally from the groove and aligned with each other. The tibia component (10) has two gliding surfaces (11, 12), on which the gliding runners (3, 4) of the femur component (2) perform a gliding movement, a strut (13) which is directed toward the femur between the two gliding surfaces (11, 12) and reaches through the groove (7) of the femur component (2) and rides tightly against its inner surfaces.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis is provided for use in a shunt between the trachea and the esophagus of a laryngectomized patient. The voice prosthesis has a tube-shaped metal part (1) with a funnel-shaped expansion (2) that opens towards its tracheal end. Within the path of the stream of air from the trachea to the esophagus there is provided at least one element (3) that is caused to vibrate by the stream of air passing through the prosthesis, thereby producing an audible tone. With this prosthesis, a laryngectomized patient can produce a much more natural sounding voice than has previously been the case.

Abstract: An implant is provided for replacement of bones, especially a joint replacement with an open-mesh three-dimensional structure at least partly covering its surface. The surface structure (1) is in its surface extension divided into at least two discrete zones (A, B, C) with different mesh sizes. After the implantation, bone material grows into the three-dimensional structure. The distribution of the zones of different mesh sizes on the surface of the implant depends on the pore size of the natural spongiosa of the bone onto or into which the implant is to be inserted.

Abstract: A penis prosthesis comprises an implantable plastic rod member having an erection chamber which can be filled by a fluid under pressure, and a hose connection communicating with the erection chamber for expansion thereof. The erection chamber is in the middle portion of the prosthesis and is closed outwardly by a sleeve portion which joins front and rear portions of the prosthesis together and which can be extended in length when the erection chamber is pressurized.

Abstract: A shoulder implant for correcting a recurrent shoulder dislocation comprises a one-piece metal member at least part of which is open-celled in nature to simulate spongiosa of a bone. The use of the shoulder implant makes it possible to dispense with the removal of an implant of bone from the tibia or the pelvis which has been customary hitherto. Moreover, the intrinsic mechanical strength of the shoulder implant is responsible for a considerable reduction in the length of post-operative treatment. The open-celled nature of at least part of the shoulder implant in imitation of the spongiosa makes it possible for the bony matter of the scapula to anchor itself biologically in the implant, thus preventing the implant from coming loose.

Abstract: Forceps for pushing apart adjacent vertebrae that has two parallel pins connected or connectible to a pair of jaws, one pin being displaceable towards and away from the other pin by the moving of a guide when the jaws are being spread apart, the guide ensuring that the pins remain parallel to one another during such movement.

Abstract: The stem for the tibia part of knee joint endoprostheses has the features that its cross-section is made arcuate at the back and angular medial ridge with the apex pointing in the direction of walking.

Abstract: A pelvis part prosthesis comprises an essentially hemispherically-shaped shell portion provided with two formed appendices, each of which has a positioning aperture and two connection elements connected to the appendices, and each being provided with a pin inserted with a self-locking tight fit in the positioning apertures. The connection elements are preferably designed as curved plates. The material layer, adjacent to the residual bone material of the pelvis, of the aforementioned parts of the prosthesis, may be in the shape of an open-cell structure to allow the bone material to grow into said structure.

Abstract: The breast prosthesis consists of an elastically deformable envelope filled at least partly with an inert flowable mass. The shape of said envelope imitates that of the breast and its sidewall, facing the thorax, has a concave form. The prosthesis is provided with at least one transverse through-duct open at its ends, in which is located a non-return valve allowing air to flow only from the inside outwards.

Abstract: This invention relates to bone-graft material or implant and to the method of producing the same, for the replacement of animal and human bones and bone parts. The material or implant comprises a morphologically stable, open-pored or open-celled moulding having a sponge-like structure. The mean width of the pores or cells in the implant is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mms. and preferably of 0.8 to 1.0 mm. The implant may be made of metal or plastic material, and may be of any desired shape, such as a wedge, a key, a parallelepiped, a cylinder, a disc or a sheath, for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical support. In order to support, in a pressure-free manner, particularly pressure-sensitive locations of parts of the body of a patient, the aforesaid support comprises a plate-like bearer part with a plurality of receivers, arranged close together, on its upper side and a plurality of plug-in components which are inserted selectively and loosely into the receivers, are removable, and form, with their upper ends of appropriate shape, a substantially closed bearing or supporting surface.

Abstract: A tibia member of a knee joint endoprosthesis used as a replacement for a resectioned tibia head. The tibia member includes a bridge element having a shank anchored in the tibia and provided with a shackle or flap secured thereto at the front side thereof. An outer and concave pan member is provided at the lower extremity of the flap, the pan member having rounded-off edges for reception of tendon extremities. A convex clamping element is connected to the bridge element at the lower extremity of the flap for pressing the tendon extremities into the concave pan member, so that no sharp edges are thereby placed in contact with the tendon.

Abstract: The femur prosthesis part consists of a stem to be anchored in the femur bone and the sledge part, separate from and to be connected to the stem. The stem extends laterally like a fork over the connecting bridge of the sledges of the sledge part, and the ends of the fork arms have flanges which form stops against the lower end of the femur bone and, after connection of the sledge part to the stem, are supported on the top of the sledges.

Abstract: An anchorage for tibia plates of knee joint endoprostheses which provides for each tibia plate of plastic a metal tray which carries the plate and is provided with one straight planar wall having on the inside surface thereof a T-shaped projection engaging with a T-shaped recess of the tibia plate. The metal tray has another side wall in the form of a circular arc which conically thickens from the top downwards to the base of the tray. The underside of the tray, including the base and lower webs thereof, is provided with a metallic open-cell coating or layer, into the cells of which bone tissue can grow in with subsequent formation of bone, so that the tray always remains joined to the shin bone, while the tibia plate is detachable and exchangeable.

Abstract: The prosthesis as replacement for an amputated breast consists of a shell modelled to the shape of the breast made of elastic material, in which, apart from a filled, slowly flowing mass, at least one elastically deformable, porous molding is provided. The slowly flowing mass advantageously consists of a gel-like or partially vulcanized silicone rubber, due to which the porous molding is substantially fixed in its position in the shell.