Abstract: A support arm assembly for assisting in the performance of cardiac surgery has an articulated arm movable axially of a support base and rotatable relative to the support base. A distal end of the articulated arm receives a contact member and the contact member is moveable relative to the distal end. A surgeon may configure the support arm assembly to contact a desired portion of a heart and fix the articulated arm, its axial position, its rotated position and the orientation of the contact member with a single control.

Abstract: A holding device for a tricuspid prosthetic tissue heart valve which permits the commissure support struts to be drawn toward one another by increasing the tension on the threads which attach the holder to the valve. The resulting tapered valve configuration facilitates valve insertion and reduces the possibility of damaging the valve tissue during implantation.

Abstract: A support arm assembly for assisting in the performance of cardiac surgery has an articulated arm movable axially of a support base and rotatable relative to the support base. A distal end of the articulated arm receives a contact member and the contact member is moveable relative to the distal end. A surgeon may configure the support arm assembly to contact a desired portion of a heart and fix the articulated arm, its axial position, its rotated position and the orientation of the contact member with a single control.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic knee joint device with separate pairs of femoral and tibial condylar runner and track components is improved in respect of bone cement fixation surfaces, mutually articulatory bearing surfaces, and securement location relative to each other and the relevant bones. The femoral components have L-shaped fixation surfaces defining a slightly obtuse angle, and the tibial component fixation surfaces are tapered. The femoral component bearing surfaces have longitudinal convex curvature of higher and lower order over respective end portions, the tibial component bearing surface has longitudinal concave curvature of lowest order, and these bearing surfaces have complementary lateral curvatures of highest order. All components have recesses at one end to engage a jig assembly which connects with the femur in predetermined relationship and locates the components relative to the natural condyles.

Abstract: The valve body of a prosthetic heart valve of annular base-cage-ball or disc type has its annular base member circumferentially grooved around its outer periphery and its cage formed with arcuate members held in such grooving. Preferably the arcuate members are formed with the other cage members from a single length of material to a closed loop configuration with four axially directed cage portions joined remotely from the base and interconnected by two diagonally opposed quadrant portions seated in the base groove. One of the base groove side walls is notched to receive the cage portions and this can provide a snap fit or the quandrants can be tied by threading in the groove.

Abstract: A holding device for a tricuspid prosthetic tissue heart valve which permits the commissure support struts to be drawn toward one another by increasing the tension on the threads which attach the holder to the valve. The resulting tapered valve configuration facilitates valve insertion and reduces the possibility of damaging the valve tissue during implantation.