Abstract: A skull pin provides greater resistance to shear forces so that it may be more readily made of titanium, ceramic or gem stone, yet still prevents undue penetration, and can be tightened if wear or erosion of the skull results from cyclic loading. The pin is used with a halo or cervical traction ring, and has a main, externally threaded, circular cylindrical body, and a skull engaging portion. The skull engaging portions is formed by first and second concentric, in-line cylinders terminating in conical sections, the first conical section terminating in the second cylinder (which resists shear forces much better than conventional skull pins), and the second conical section terminating in a pointed tip. The first cylinder has a diameter of about 0.18 inches, the first conical section has a length of about 0.09 inches and approximately a 60.degree. taper angle, the second cylinder has a length of about 0.03 inches and a diameter of about 0.07 inches, and the second conical section has approximately a 60.degree.

Abstract: A resorbable osteosynthesis device consisting of: 1) a resorbable plate, in which the side of the plate facing the bone is coated with calcium phosphate and/or hydroxyl apatite; and 2) preferably, a resorbable fixing device consisting of a threaded bolt which is optionally coated with calcium phosphate and/or hydroxyl apatite, and a nut which can be fitted onto the threaded bolt.

Abstract: A bone screw is disclosed for joining bone fragments or for mounting a prosthetic component onto an underlying bone. The bone screw includes a head and an elongated cylindrical shank which is integral with and extends from the head. The shank includes a threaded member and a shoulder member connecting the threaded member and the head, the shoulder member having an outer surface with a porous medium thereon for encouraging bone ingrowth fixation. The outer diameter of the shoulder member is greater than the diameter of a bore of the bone into which the screw is to be threadedly engaged. The head of the screw is provided with a coupling member engageable by a tool for selectively rotating the shank to advance the screw into the bone. As the bone screw is advanced toward a fully seated position, the shoulder member with the porous medium thereon engages the bone in a fitting manner which may be described as a "scratch fit".

Abstract: A knee brace includes an upper support assembly pivotally attached to a lower support assembly. A magnetic assembly secures the upper and lower support assemblies to a leg of a wearer above and below the knee joint, respectively. The upper and lower support assemblies each include a pair of support elements engageable with the medial and lateral sides of a wearer's leg. A pair of polycentric hinge members pivotally connect the upper support elements to respective lower support elements. Flexible padded bands attached between the pairs of upper and lower support elements engage the thigh and calf of the leg. Stop members associated with the polycentric hinge members and support elements restrict extension of the wearer's leg. The magnetic assembly includes implanted magnets mounted directly to each of the medial and lateral sides of the femur and tibia beneath the tissue of the leg.

Abstract: Biocomposite material that is especially suitable for bone surgical applications, containing:at least one bioceramic piece (1) (bioceramic component) andat least one material component (2).The material component (2) comprises at least reinforcement elements which have been manufactured of essentially resorbable material like polymer, copolymer, polymer mixture and/or ceramic material.

Abstract: A deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a block or graft copolymer. The copolymer comprises a plurality of first linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof, and a plurality of second linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages. The plurality of first linkages comprises at least about 50 up to about 90 mole percent of the copolymer. In an alternative claim, the deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a blend of a first and a second absorbable polymer. The first absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof. The second absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages.

Abstract: A fixation screw for securing a bone graft of a tendon section in place in a ligament tunnel is formed from a biocompatible plastic or bioabsorbable material. The tendon section is used to replace a ligament and has a tendon section attached at each end to bone grafts. The fixation screw is tightened between the bone graft and bone surrounding the ligament tunnel to secure the bone graft in place by forcing it against the bone surrounding the ligament tunnel. The material is soft compared to bone so that threads of the fixation screw do not cut into the bone graft or bone graft or bone surrounding the ligament tunnel when the fixation screw is tightened. The fixation screw is formed to have integral instrumentation. A body is molded or fabricated as one piece from the material and has a threaded end, formed as an interference screw, and relatively thicker handle portion connected to each other. The handle portion forms the integral instrument in that it is grasped to turn the fixation screw to tighten it.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked crystallized polymer or polymer blending coating is disclosed for articles that come into contact with bodily fluids. The polymer or polymer blend to be used is crystallizable and is stable in the presence of water at temperatures of up to about 60.degree. C. when in the crystalline state. The polymer or polymer blend is dissolved in a solvent, such as water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and is coated on the article. The polymer coating is then crystallized, generally by heat treatment, providing both toughness and increased adherence of the coating to the article without ready dissolution when the article comes into contact with fluids.

Abstract: A method of forming a surgical mesh material to be used in conjunction with donor bone in reconstructive surgery. A first corporeal model is made of the defect in the bone using computer tomographic techniques. The computer drives a sculpting tool. A second corporeal model is made of missing bone. Surgical mesh is shaped using the second corporeal model as a template. The shaped surgical mesh can be implanted in the patient.

Abstract: A new type of implant for replacement of bone or bony tissue has been developed. The implant is formed of a hydrophilic polymer having a random distribution of single size pores throughout. This hydrophilic polymer is implanted in an uncalcified, or partially calcified, state and is allowed to calcify in place, throughout its entire body, through the random pores. The hydrophilic material can be made from materials such as hydrophilic acrylates and hydrophilic methacrylates.

Abstract: Surgical material of resorbable polymer, copolymer, or polymer mixture containing at least partially fibrillated structural units, and use thereof.

Abstract: The invention advises use of a stainless steel alloy of ferritic-austenitic structure as implant in physiological environments, said alloy containing in weight percent max 0.05% C, 23-27% Cr, 5.5-9.0% Ni, 0.25-0.40% N, max 0.8% Si, max 1.2% Mn, 3.5-4.9% Mo, max 0.5% Cu, max 0.5% W, max 0.010% S, up to 0.5% V, up to 0.18% Ce and the balance Fe and normal impurities, whereby the ferrite content amounts to 30-55%.

Abstract: A porous ceramic material composed of a sintered porous body of a calcium phosphate compound is described. A multiplicity of capillary void paths having a diameter of 1 to 30 .mu.m and a multiplicity of pores having a diameter of 1 to 600 .mu.m are formed in the sintered porous body. At least part of the pores are connected to the exterior space of the sintered porous body through at least a part of the capillary voids. The porous ceramic material is valuable as a medical material, e.g., a substitute or prosthesis for bone or dental root, and also an electronic material and a genetic engineering material.When the porous ceramic material is embedded in a bone defect of human or animals, osteolytic cells, osteoblasts, erythrocytes and body fluid are selectively allowed to intrude through the porous ceramic material while almost no intrusion of osteoclasts and collagen fibers is allowed.

Abstract: A bone grafting unit comprises a cortical shell having a selected outer shape and size for transplanting and a cavity formed therein for receiving a cancellous plug, and a cancellous plug fitted into said cavity in a manner to expose at least two surfaces thereof to the exterior of said shell.

Abstract: The implant is provided with recesses in which therapeutically effective substances are embedded. Each recess is closed by a porous cover which is of a porosity to permit permeation of the therapeutic substance out of the recess while preventing ingrowth of bone tissue. Each cover may be slightly deformed into a convex shape to project from a recess to achieve elastic bonding with a bone.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of mineral/collagen/OF (osteogenic factor) inductive implants for bone repair utilizes drying, under ambient pressure conditions, a suspension of 75-95% mineral particles, 5-25% collagen, and an effective amount of OF, such as 0.5-4% partially purified OFE or its equivalent wherein the concentration of collagen in the suspension subjected to drying is 30-100 mg/ml. The resulting implants are improved. They are homogeneous in composition and have a high compressive modulus as well as containing OF in a biologically active and available form.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate minerals are formed by using highly concentrated phosphoric acid in conjunction with a calcium source, normaly as carbonate or a combination of carbonate and hydroxide, optimally in conjunction with calcium phosphate crystals and additional base to neutralize the phosphoric acid. Protein may be optionally added. The resulting product is readily formed and then sets to a hard, stable, workable shaped object.

Abstract: Prosthesis plug implants forming transverse struts between adjacent vertebrae have roughened surfaces receiving bone ingrowth to fuse the plugs on prepared surface sites on opposed faces of adjacent vertebrae and have end faces with tool receiving recesses securing the plug on a tool for insertion on the prepared sites of the vertebrae and for removing the tool from the plug without disturbing its position on the sites. These sites are prepared by feeding a drill through a guide fixed to posterior or anterior sides of adjacent vertebrae to form transverse side-by-side channels including cortex bone in the opposed faces of the adjacent vertebrae and terminating the drilling in advance of the opposite sides of the vertebrae. A plurality of the plug implants are each threaded on the end of the tool surrounded by a sleeve and are inserted endwise in exact position on the prepared side-by-side sites.

Abstract: Dental restorative compositions containing a mixture of Ca.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 O and at least one different calcium phosphate.