Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has a shaft and a superelastic engagement structure coupled to the shaft. The engagement structure at least partially defines an opening and is deformable to widen the opening to permit a portion of an ossicle to be received therein. When the engagement structure is deformed to receive the portion of the ossicle, the stress in the engagement structure remains substantially constant throughout a majority of the deformation. The load required to deform the engagement structure into an open position is relatively small, facilitating the procedure as well as reducing the potential for damage to the intact ossicle.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has a shaft and an elastic engagement structure coupled to the shaft. The engagement structure at least partially defines an opening and is deformable to widen the opening to permit a portion of an ossicle to be received therein. In one embodiment, the engagement structure is formed to provide substantially three point contact against ossicular structure of various diameters. In accord with preferred materials, when the engagement structure is deformed to receive the portion of the ossicle, the stress in the engagement structure remains substantially constant throughout a majority of the deformation. The load required to deform the engagement structure into an open position is relatively small, facilitating the procedure as well as reducing the potential for damage to the intact ossicle.

Abstract: Ossicular replacement prostheses are manufactured from a non-biodegradable shape memory polymer. Such prostheses can include TORPs, PORPs, and incudo-stapedial joints (ISJs). The prostheses are reshaped upon application of a stimulus to capture a portion of one or more ossicles. The force of capture of a reshaped polymeric prosthesis is less than a comparable reshaped shape memory alloy prosthesis and thereby prevents recipient discomfort and/or pressure induced necrosis of the bone. In addition, biocompatible shape memory polymers can be designed with recoverable strain that is orders of magnitude higher than shape memory alloys. Furthermore, prostheses can be manufactured in a single size and easily trimmed or otherwise modified by the surgeon during the implantation procedure to tailor the prosthesis in size and/or shape for the particular anatomy. Such modification does not negatively effect the ability of the prostheses to engage the ossicle.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an oxidized zirconium surface and a porous textured surface is described. A major advantage of the prosthesis is increased service life. Additionally, a process of manufacturing the prosthesis is described.

Abstract: An implant for replacing the supporting function of an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae includes a prosthetic implant member dimensioned for insertion within a space provided by at least partial removal of the intervertebral disc. The implant member includes a first implant portion and a second implant portion. The first implant portion includes a microporous material formed to define a predetermined configuration and has a first relatively high average porosity to facilitate rapid bone ingrowth within the first implant portion. The second implant portion includes a microporous material formed to define a predetermined configuration and has a second relatively low average porosity to support and maintain the adjacent vertebrae in spaced relation during permanent fixation of the implant member within the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An artificial bone graft implant for use as a replacement for living bone material in surgical procedures requiring the use of bone graft material includes a body formed of a microporous material and configured to be implanted into a prepared site in a patient's bone tissue. The body has a center portion, an outer portion and a pair of opposed outer surfaces defining the body. The body has a small average pore size in the center portion that gradually changes to larger average pore size in the outer portion. The pore size of the center portion of the implant allows for a load bearing capacity similar to natural bone and the pore size of the outer portion of the implant allows for the ingrowth of bone tissue.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface. In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends proximally from the insert and cooperates with a cam on the femoral component. The projecting portion can be a post extending up from the proximal surface of the insert and the femoral component includes an intercondylar surface that may contact the post to constrain the relative motion between the femoral component and the insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an artificial bone graft implant for use as a replacement for living bone material in surgical procedures requiring the use of bone graft material. The implant has a body configured to be implanted into a prepared site in a patient's bone tissue, with the body having a pair of opposed outer surfaces defining the body. A first and a second porous portion form the body with the first and second porous portions having pores of different sizes such that the average pore size of the first porous portion is greater than the average pore size of the second porous portion. The first porous portion of the body is formed in the shape of a core, with the core being in contact with the opposed outer surfaces of the body, and the second porous portion of the body is formed in the shape of an outer shell.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface.

Abstract: A modular intramedullary nail includes three connectable sections that are connectable end to end. The three sections include an upper proximal nail component, a lower distal nail component, and a central nail component. The nail components are connected and the end using corresponding frustroconical socket and frustroconical projecting end portions of adjoining end nail components that can be fitted together with a taper lock or morse taper connection and secured tightly together upon impact. Upon assembly, the connections are self orienting, providing corresponding key and slot portions adjacent the respective frustroconical socket and frustroconical projecting end portions of the nail components. The interlocking keys and slot align and abut upon assembly so that the adjoining nail components only align in one relative rotational position.

Abstract: A modular intramedullary nail has two or more modular components of varied sizes and designs, which are joined by a morse taper friction fit. Adjacent modular components are prevented from rotating relative to each other and can be properly aligned when assembled.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis can be custom fitted to a particular patient by a surgeon prior to surgical insertion. The prosthesis features a body having a neck portion for carrying a rounded head element, a transitional mid-section of the prosthesis body includes generally rectangular and generally rounded cross-sectional areas, and a stem section has a generally rounded cross-sectional area. The stem is tapered to receive a tubular extension sleeve with a hollowed portion corresponding in shape to the stem portion of the prosthesis. The tubular extension sleeve has an open end portion receptive of the lower tapering stem of the prosthesis body. The stem portion includes an internal bore, and an attachment in the form of an elongated screw is provided for connection to the stem internal bore for securing the extension sleeve and the prosthesis body together, forming a compressive sealed connection therebetween.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis can be custom fitted to a particular patient by a surgeon prior to surgical insertion. The prosthesis features a body having a neck portion for carrying a rounded head element, a transitional mid-section of the prosthesis body includes generally rectangular and generally rounded cross-sectional areas, and a stem section has a generally rounded cross-sectional area. The stem is tapered to receive a tubular extension sleeve with a hollowed portion corresponding in shape to the stem portion of the prosthesis. The tubular extension sleeve has an open end portion receptive of the lower tapering stem of the prosthesis body. The stem portion includes an internal bore, and an attachment in the form of an elongated screw is provided for connection to the stem internal bore for securing the extension sleeve and the prosthesis body together, forming a compressive sealed connection therebetween.

Abstract: A fixation device for fastening a medical implant to a patient'3 s bone is provided which includes a fastener with a head member and a shank and a fixation member. The shank has threads along its whole length, and has an outside diameter greater than the width of the head member. The fixation member includes a bore for receiving the fastener. The bore has a diameter intermediate the width of the head member and the outside diameter of the threads of the shank. The head member of the fastener can thus be inserted into the bore such that the uppermost thread abuts against the underside of the fixation member to prevent the fastener from backing out.