Abstract: A bioresorbable string of implantable beads in which the beads consist essentially of calcium sulfate and a quantity of a drug suitable for treating tissue disorders, and in which both the beads and the line that joins the beads together are bioresorbable.

Abstract: An articular component has a fibrous structure wherein the fibers are oriented normal to the articular surface. Wear debris reduction is attributed to the increased strength of fibers over bulk material and to the abrasion resistance associated with abrading a fiber bundle on the fiber tips. This is similar to the abrasion resistance seen in a household broom which is subjected to abrasion across the tips of the broom bristles. Reduced cold flow is attributed to the increased strength and stiffness of fibers over bulk material.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant device is formed from, or defined by, a combination of different materials. These devices include a body metal component and a porous metal surface layer for intimate contact with bone and a polymer in the form of a casing that includes adhesive characteristics for attachment to the body metal component and the porous metal layer. The preferred polymer casing is polyaryletherketone.

Abstract: A method of surface hardening titanium orthopedic implant devices, and a titanium orthopedic implant device prepared by the disclosed method. An orthopedic implant device made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (ELI) is exposed to molecular nitrogen gas at a process temperature and for a process time duration sufficient to enhance surface hardness and wear resistance properties, without the formation of a measurable TiN layer that tends to increase surface roughness and diminish wear resistance properties. The process temperature is in the range of 750.degree. F. to 1300.degree. F., preferably about 1100.degree. F. and the process time duration at the preferred process temperature is approximately 8 hours. The hardened surface of the titanium implant occurs primarily due to solid solution hardening of the titanium with nitrogen by dissolution.

Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, including a cobalt-based alloy substrate and a titanium fiber metal pad bonded thereto by means of an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel. More specifically, a method of bonding a titanium porous surface to a cobalt-based alloy in an orthopaedic implant device, by first applying an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel to the substrate and then bonding a porous structure to the interlayer. In one embodiment, an interlayer of L-605 is first applied to a substrate of Co--Cr--Mo by diffusion bonding at approximately 2200.degree. F. and then a fiber metal pad of CP-titanium is diffusion bonded to the interlayer at approximately 1650.degree. F. A layer of CP-titanium may optionally be placed intermediate the fiber metal pad and interlayer before the second diffusion step. In an alternative embodiment, MP-35N alloy may be substituted for the L-605 alloy.

Abstract: A bone implant includes a nonmetallic core and a metallic porous surface secured to the nonmetallic core. The nonmetallic core is designed to closely approximate the modulus of elasticity for bone and the metallic porous surface is intimately engaged with bone to enhance bone growth into the metallic porous surface.

Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis, including a cobalt-based alloy substrate and a titanium fiber metal pad bonded thereto by means of an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel. More specifically, a method of bonding a titanium porous surface to a cobalt-based alloy in an orthopaedic implant device, by first applying an interlayer of a cobalt-based alloy including nickel to the substrate and then bonding a porous structure to the interlayer. In one embodiment, an interlayer of L-605 is first applied to a substrate of Co-Cr-Mo by diffusion bonding at approximately 2200.degree. F. and then a fiber metal pad of CP-titanium is diffusion bonded to the interlayer at approximately 1650.degree. F. A layer of CP-titanium may optionally be placed intermediate the fiber metal pad and interlayer before the second diffusion step. In an alternative embodiment, MP-35N alloy may be substituted for the L-605 alloy.

Abstract: A method of surface hardening titanium orthopedic implant devices, and a titanium orthopedic implant device prepared by the disclosed method. An orthopedic implant device made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (ELI) is exposed to molecular nitrogen gas at a process temperature and for a process time duration sufficient to enhance surface hardness and wear resistance properties, without the formation of a measurable TiN layer that tends to increase surface roughness and diminish wear resistance properties. The process temperature is in the range of 750.degree. F. to 1300.degree. F., preferably about 1100.degree. F. and the process time duration at the preferred process temperature is approximately 8 hours. The hardened surface of the titanium implant occurs primarily due to solid solution hardening of the titanium with nitrogen by dissolution.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for insertion into a cement filled intramedullary canal including a plurality of spacers formed from PMMA. The spacers include a body having a frontal portion and a trailing portion. The body of the spacers narrowing with distance from said frontal portion toward said trailing portion. The narrowing body of the spacers interrupting the flow of cement along the implant body as the body is inserted into a cement filled intramedullary canal. The narrowing trailing portion of the spacers cause the cement flow to smoothly re-attach to the implant body without creating substantial disturbances or vortexes in the cement.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for insertion into a cement filled intramedullary canal including a plurality of spacers formed from PMMA. The spacers include a body having a frontal portion and a trailing portion. The body of the spacers narrowing with distance from said frontal portion toward said trailing portion. The narrowing body of the spacers interrupting the flow of cement along the implant body as the body is inserted into a cement filled intramedullary canal. The narrowing trailing portion of the spacers cause the cement flow to smoothly re-attach to the implant body without creating substantial disturbances or vortexes in the cement.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis including a base member, such as the stem of a hip joint prosthesis, having a porous region on its surface, and the region of porosity being coated with a bioabsorbable material, such as .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate, which enhances permanent bone ingrowth into the region. A method of manufacture of the prosthesis includes the steps of providing a coating material and applying the material to at least a portion of the porous surface of the base member, while providing energy sufficient to transform the material to a state in which it is bioabsorbable. In the preferred embodiment the material is plasma sprayed onto the porous surface of the base member.

Abstract: A prosthetic ligament connection assembly includes a plug adapted to fit within an opening in a bone so that the prosthetic ligament in the opening will be secured to the bone via a uniform interface therebetween.

Abstract: A method for constructing a surgical implant provides a porous layer that is metallurgically bonded to a substrate. An electrode passes current through the porous layer and through the substrate while also controlling the compaction of the porous layer relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A prosthetic device adapted to be secured to a supporting bone by a thickness of acrylic bone cement. The prosthetic device has an outer surface which includes a plurality of spacers projecting therefrom. The spacers are made of an acrylic material, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and are adapted so that when the prosthetic device is positioned against the supporting bone, the spacers provide a uniform space between the bone and prosthetic device, thus uniformly controlling the thickness of cement. The acrylic spacers will repolymerize and bond with the layer of acrylic bone cement. The nature of the bond formed between the new acrylic bone cement and the acrylic spacers should eliminate the stress concentrations at the interface between the spacers and the cement layer, thereby enhancing fixation of the prosthesis.