Abstract: A novel surgical fastener is disclosed for attaching soft tissues (e.g. ligaments, tendons and the like) to bone and bone-like structures. The surgical fastener comprises a shank and an enlarged head disposed on one end of the shank. A central bore passes completely through the fastener along its longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diametrically projecting ribs are disposed along the length of the shank. The foregoing fastener is used to attach soft tissues (e.g. ligaments, tendons and the like) to bone and bone-like structures in the following manner.

Abstract: Bone and tissue connectors are designed for use on or in the human body for the purpose of connecting bone or soft tissue to promote a healing process. Various embodiments are in the form of bands, straps, braids, or rods and are secured by fasteners such as pegs, plates, screws and cable ties. All of the connectors are formed from materials having a similar modulusof elasticity as bone and include, among others, polyethylene, polysulfone, collagen and polymer-carbon fiber composites.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for displaying the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

Abstract: The resorbable fixation device is useful for treating torn bodily material in vivo. It has a tip, a head, and a cylindrically shaped shaft portion lying between the tip and the head. The shaft portion has at least one retention element protruding radially therefrom to facilitate insertion of said shaft portion longitudinally into the bodily material in a forward axial direction extending from the tip to the head and to restrict movement of the shaft portion through the bodily material in a backward axial direction opposite to the forward direction. The shaft portion has further a hollow body with at least one radial opening extending transversely through the walls surrounding the hollow body and rendering the shaft radially elastic. The walls surrounding the hollow body are provided with at least one stiffening element providing a controlled stiffness to the fixation device.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to invivo tissue and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles. Apparatus including a trocar wire, an inserter and an impactor facilitates arthroscopic surgical procedures for inserting the tack invivo to attach or join the tissue.

Abstract: An anti-displacement device and method are disclosed for implantation of a prosthetic bone joint in a bone. A biodegradable biocompatable anti-displacement device comprising a biodegradable biocompatible polymer is directed through an orifice, defined by a cup of a prosthetic bone joint, and into interfering contact with bone tissue of the bone. Displacement of the cup is thereby sufficiently limited to allow bone tissue growth at the cup to fix the prosthetic bone joint to the bone while body fluid at the bone tissue and contacting the elongate member biodegrades the elongate member.

Abstract: In order to reduce the risk that a bone screw, in particular one made of resorbing plastic material, with an externally threaded shaft will be destroyed by high screw-in torques, it is proposed that an insertion channel open at the top, arranged concentrically with the shaft and extending along most of the length of the shaft be located in the shaft for an insertion tool and have a cross-section which is non-circular and corresponds to the cross-section of the screwing-in tool.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for deploying the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

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: 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: The invention relates to an implant (10) to sheath and/or reinforce bone and/or to anchor bone screws. The implant (10) takes the shape of a dowel which is capable of spreading and/or swelling and/or interlocking in bone in some other way. The implant (10) preferably presents ring-like bulges (16) on its outer surface and an internal screw thread (20) on its inner surface to screw in bone screws. Implant (10) improves the tensile strength when anchoring bone screws (Figure 1).

Abstract: An infant's pacifier is constructed in a manner to confine and administer a beneficial liquid composition. The pacifier has a hollow nipple which threadably joins with a base that may serve as a funnel for expediting entrance of liquid into the nipple. The base is in turn threadably attached to a cap which has provision for admitting air to the nipple. A handle may be attached to the cap. The base, which is generally perpendicular to the nipple, may have indentations to accommodate an infant's nose.

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: An expandable spinal implant is disclosed. The implant includes a plurality of ribs which are deformable between first and second states. In the first state, the ribs present a generally cylindrical implant. In the expanded second state, the ribs are arced outwardly to define a generally spherical implant. A tie mechanism is provided for urging the ribs between the first and second states and for holding the ribs in the expanded state. A novel surgical method is disclosed for stabilizing the spine by inserting the implant in the first state between opposing vertebrae and expanding the implant to the second state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient utilizes a delivery device having a distal end dimensioned to extend into the interior of the patient's knee. A fastener is fitted within the distal end and is manipulated to extend toward the tear in the meniscus, and extended across the tear to close and bind the tear without passing out of the knee.

Abstract: A bone plate for use in osteosynthesis having a plurality of contact elements extending from its lower surface so that contact between plate and bone is reduced to the minimum contact needed during attachment of the plate to a bone.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate minerals are formed by using phosphoric acid substantially free of uncombined water in conjunction with a calcium source, normally as any combination of carbonate, phosphate and hydroxide, and, as required, any 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: Bioabsorbable copolymers comprising .rho.-dioxanone and AA-BB type polyalkylene carbonates are provided. The copolymers are useful in the fabrication of sterile surgical articles and bioabsorbable coatings for sutures and are produced from organic carbonates by way of prepolymeric synthetic intermediates.

Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use in bone fracture fixation comprises a bone plate, a bone plate spacer comprising a blend or mixture of a nonabsorbable polymer and a bioabsorbable polymer, and a means for fastening both the bone plate and the bone plate spacer to the bone.

Abstract: Article made of lactic acid polymer capable of being employed particulaly as a biodegradable prosthesis exhibiting at 23.degree. C. a tensile regidity modulus higher than 5000 MPa and a tensile resilience higher than 500 kJ/m.sup.2 and a heat shrinkage of less than 50% at 130.degree. C.The article is produced by forging a blank at a temperature of between 80.degree. and 170.degree. C., with a draw ratio of 200 to 1000%.

Abstract: A bone induction tray which acts as a structural support intimate contact with a bone to be repaired and participates directly in the reconstruction of a bone defect by providing direct chemical bonding with the bone and in the repair thereof. A suitable dimensionally formable fabric is selected which comprises a woven or non-woven mesh of fibers having pores between the fibers primarily for carrying an appropriate ceramic material therein. The fabric acts as a substrate support for a calcium phosphate biomaterial which is coated onto the fabric mesh such that the individual fibers of the mesh are completely coated and the pores in the mesh are completely impregnated therewith. Preferred bioresorbable fiber materials are the alpha-hydroxyacids such as lactic acid or glutaric acid. Preferred non-bioresorbable fabrics are typically polyamides, polyesters, or polyacrylics.

Abstract: Biomaterials useful for onthopedicanel dental applications is disclosed. These materials have a base portion of calcium carbonate and a surface layer of a synthetic phosphate such as hydroxyapatite. The base portion may be a calcium carbonate structure having three-dimensional interconnected porosity such as may be found in porous skeletal carbonate of marine life, e.g. coral porites skeletal aragonite, or it may be porous or non-porous granules of calcium carbonate.A method for making the biomaterials is also disclosed. The synthetic phosphate surface is made using a hydroconversion reaction with a soluble or solubilized phosphate such as ammonium dibasic phosphate ((NH4).sub.2 HPO4).

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.

Abstract: A compression hip screw for repairing a bone fracture includes a non-absorbable plate and a non-absorbable barrel section connected to the plate adapted to be inserted into a hole formed in the hip bone. A non-absorbable lag screw with a longitudinal opening therein and with internal and external threads is adapted to be inserted through the longitudinal opening in the barrel and into the portion of the bone on one side of a fracture. A compressing screw with threads adapted to cooperate with the internal threads of the lag screw and a head adapted to abut the outer portion of the barrel adjacent to the longitudinal opening can be inserted into the opening in the barrel for compressing the portions of the bone on both sides of the fracture. The compressing screw has at least a head portion formed of a material that absorbs on contact with body fluids.

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

Abstract: A ligament fixation device and system for its use that includes a channel ligament clamp (10) fabricated for human implantation and consisting of a channel section having a web (13) between parallel sides wherefrom sections have been removed leaving spaced apart pointed spikes (11) that extend outwardly from walls (12), the channel web including a group of pointed pins (15) that extend therefrom parallel and alongside the spikes (11), and at least one screw-type fastener hole (14) formed therethrough. The system of the invention includes tooling for locating a ligament on a bone surface and scoring that surface for drilling. After drilling, a right angle post (22) of a drilling guide (21) is fitted into that drilled hole (20) and the drill guide longitudinal axis is aligned with the ligament location on the bone surface, which drilling guide has an array of spike and pin holes formed therethrough for receiving a drill turned individually therethrough into the bone surface.

Abstract: A resorbable marrow cavity closure comprises a plug formed of randomly packed, crimped pieces of thread of a resorbable polymer material.

Abstract: A bone pin made with a tapered polymeric portion and a cutting device secured to the smaller end of the polymeric portion. The pin can be inserted through a bone or bone fragment and the cutting device removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.

Abstract: An absorbable bone plate resistant to breakage fabricated with such interrelated dimensions that the highest stresses developed along the length of the plate when the plate is implanted are relatively constant and do not vary by more than 20% and preferably do not vary by more than 10%.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic pin characterized in that the pin is formed substantially of a poly-L-lactic acid having a molecular weight of at least about 70,000, and is formed by axially drawing about 2 to about 10 times at an elevated temperature of about 70.degree. to about 120.degree. C.