Abstract: A medullary rod has a peripheral wall defining the outer shape of the medullary rod, and inwardly delimiting a hollow space. The medullary rod also has a plurality of first partitions. The first partitions are generally parallel to one another, extend between the inner side of the medullary rod located along the inner edge of the long bone after implantation, and the outer side of the medullary rod located along the outer edge of the long bone after implantation. Each of the first partitions is integral with the peripheral wall at these inner and outer sides of the medullary rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking ceramic ball heads (3) for hip-joint prostheses which have a receiving space (8) with a conical side face with a clamping cone angle ? and a cone inlet (7) and are subjected to a pressure in order to check areas of the receiving space (8). To ensure that all the checked ball heads (3) also remain functionally ready for relevant, oblique in vivo load situations without suffering damage, it is proposed that only the area of the cone inlet (7) is subjected to a radial force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ball head (3).

Abstract: A biodegradable implant for use in intertransverse process spinal fusion having an absorbable matrix having a bone generating material disposed therein. A molded biodegradable case being made of bioabsorbable polymer can at least partially surround the absorbable matrix to carry a substantial portion of compression force relative to said absorbable matrix.

Abstract: Provided are porous, biocompatible implant bodies and materials. These materials suitably comprise a population of randomly arranged thermoplastic constituents, with at least some of the constituents being bonded to one another The implant bodies are capable of being manipulated at room temperature from a first shape to a second shape, and of maintaining the second shape at about internal body temperature. Also provided are related methods of fabricating such implants and installing the implants into a subject.

Abstract: A bone repair material being superior in apatite-forming ability and its stability in a storage and high in scratch resistance is disclosed. The material is produced by a method comprising the steps of: immersing a substrate made of titanium or a titanium alloy in a first aqueous solution that does not contain calcium ions but contains at least one cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ions and potassium ions and is alkaline; immersing the substrate in a second aqueous solution that does not contain phosphate ions but contains calcium ions; heating the substrate in a dry atmosphere; and treating the substrate with hot water of 60° C. or higher or with steam.

Abstract: An implant assembly comprises a stem and an augment. The augment includes a porous outer region which is integrally formed onto a solid inner region. The augment further includes, solid posts integrally formed on the solid inner region and extend through the porous outer region to the outer surface of the augment. The posts are integrally formed with and surrounded by the porous region and are designed to allow assembly of the augment to the stem without damaging the structure of the porous region. A method of attaching the augment is described, wherein a tool is designed to grip to posts of the augment and apply loads through these posts during assembly.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a human or animal body which comprises at least one implant part is provided. The at least one implant part has a base member which is produced from an implant material and has a surface which is designed at least partially in the form of an artificial joint surface. Part of or the entire joint surface is covered with a wear-reducing hard material coating, such that a service life of the implant is extended and the compatibility of the implant increased. An intermediate layer is provided between the hard material coating and the at least one joint surface formed from the implant material for the purpose of reducing tension between the hard material coating and the implant material. A corresponding method for production of an implant is also provided.

Abstract: An implant stem (1, 2) for implantation in a femur, comprising: a base portion (3) disposed at the proximal end (4) of the stem and a stem portion (5) extending to the distal end (6) of the stem, wherein the base portion (3) has an engagement means (7) for engaging, in use, with the resected end of the femur. An implant comprising such a stem (1, 2) and a head. A method for implanting such implants in a femur.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices having textured surfaces and biocompatible coatings disposed thereon. The textured surfaces allow for durable coatings to be applied to the medical device without a previous pre-coating having been applied. The biocompatible coating can further comprise a bioactive agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a stem implant device typically for use to be received in a hip as part of hip replacement apparatus. The implant has a tapered design and includes an intermediate portion with a surface finish which encourages bone in-growth and a plurality of groups of rib members which increases the stability of the implant in the host bone without pain and enhance long term fixation.

Abstract: In order to improve an implant for insertion into a human or animal body which comprises at least one implant part, wherein the at least one implant part has a base member which is produced from an implant material and has a surface which is designed at least partially in the form of an artificial joint surface, wherein part of or the entire joint surface is covered with a wear-reducing hard material coating, such that a service life of the implant is extended and the compatibility of the implant increased, it is suggested that an intermediate layer be provided between the hard material coating and the at least one joint surface formed from the implant material for the purpose of reducing tension between the hard material coating and the implant material. Furthermore, an improved method for the production of an implant for insertion into a human or animal body is suggested.

Abstract: Biologic coatings on a surface of a prosthesis or implantable device.

Abstract: A femoral stem for canines or humans is made bone-compliant by use of a thick sintered titanium body in a proximal bone contacting region and a polymeric or ceramic body in a distal bone contacting region of the femoral stem. An elastic modulus is thereby engineered to match that of bone tissue. The porous sintered titanium body is created by sintering spheres of titanium. It is bonded to a central solid biocompatible metallic body by diffusion bonding. The distal region has a biocompatible polymeric body or biocompatible cement body. When compression molded the distal region develops an elastic modulus matching that of bone tissue. The proximal region has a porosity designed to encourage bone ingrowth.

Abstract: An article coated with an electrolytically deposited bio-compatible composite layer useful as an internal prosthetic device is disclosed. The bio-compatible composite coating that is electrolytically deposited onto the article comprises hydroxyapatite and chitosan. The introduction of chitosan into the crystal matrix of brushite/hydroxyapatite significantly improves the adhesive and chemical and mechanical stability properties of the coating.

Abstract: Medical devices are coated with terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride (THV). The mole fraction of tetrafluoroethylene can be in a range from about 0.005 to about 0.85, the mole fraction of hexafluoropropylene monomer can be in a range from about 0.005 to about 0.85, and the mole fraction of vinylidene fluoride can be in a range from about 0.005 to about 0.99. One example method of applying the terpolymers to a medical device includes dissolving the terpolymers in a solvent and applying the solution to the medical device and then removing the solvent. The THV coating on the implantable medical devices are advantageously biocompatible.

Abstract: Prosthetic hip stems and acetabular cups for use in prosthetic hip joints. The hip stem may include a core having a stem portion and a neck portion, a polymer matrix layer substantially covering the stem portion of the core, and a porous metal layer substantially covering the polymer matrix layer. The polymer matrix layer connects the core and the porous metal layer and provides a stiffness for the hip stem which more closely mimics the stiffness of bone than do known hip stems. The hip stems and acetabular cups additionally include a number of improvements adapted for more optimized results with certain types of patient anatomy, such as the anatomy of female patients, for example.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implants with composite coatings to promote tissue in-growth and/or on-growth. An implant includes: a substrate; a structured surface formed on at least a portion of the substrate; and a biocompatible coating deposited on at least a fraction of the structured surface. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the implant has good biocompatibility while the biocompatible coating has good strength.

Abstract: Joint endoprostheses are provides which respectively have a joint part with a metallic core, wherein the metallic core is coated, in regions that roll and/or slide on another joint part during execution of the joint function, with a glass-ceramic composite mixture. In one embodiment, the glass-ceramic has the following composition with approximate amounts in wt. %: Component Amount (wt %) SiO2 45–50% Al2O3 15–20% ZrO2 ?8–12% K2O 0–8% Na2O ??0–7.5% CaO ??0–2.5% TiO2 ??0–1.5% and furthermore a residual amount of up to about 12.5% of MnO2 and/or Fe2O3 and/or Co2O3.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint has two load-bearing surfaces that are slidingly disposed relative to each other and define a region of frictional contact. The joint is thermally managed as heat is removed from the region of frictional contact during joint use by thermal conduction so that the surfaces are maintained approximately at or below specified temperatures. Embodiments of femoral ball members and acetabular cup members to be used in thermally managed prosthetic hip joints are provided.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a diamond-surfaced femoral head for use in a prosthetic joint.

Abstract: Hip-joint prosthesis with a stem (12) which is to be inserted into the femur and which comprises a part (13) projecting into the trochanteric region (4) of the bone. For the purpose of more intimate contact with the bone, this part (13) is provided with a coating (16) which contains an osteoinductive substance.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implanting into a bone having a cavity is disclosed. The prosthesis comprises a body and a stem. A first coating including a bone ingrowth promoting material that promotes ingrowth of bone onto the stem and a bioabsorbable material that delays the ingrowth of bone onto the stem is disposed on a proximal portion of the stem outer surface. A second coating including the bone ingrowth promoting material and the bioabsorbable material is disposed on a distal portion of the stem outer surface. The ratio of bone ingrowth promoting material to bioabsorbable material in the first coating is greater than the ratio of bone ingrowth promoting material to bioabsorbable material in the second coating whereby the affixation of the bone to the proximal zone of the stem is faster and stronger over time than the affixation of the bone to the distal zone of the stem.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint replacement ensemble includes an artificial joint implant component having a non-bone-interfacing rough surface for ingrowth of fibrous tissue, preferably about a peripheral boundary. The component can be made of metal, and have the rough surface provided by porous metal coating. When the prosthesis is implanted, the extramedullary rough surface engenders ingrowth of soft fibrous tissue so that it forms, as it were, a reconstituted capsular “bag” in which wear debris from the joint, for example, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene wear debris, is trapped, thus keeping those particles from gaining access to supporting bone at the bone-prosthetic interface. And so, with mitigation of wear debris dispersion, debris wear-induced osteolysis can be ameliorated.

Abstract: In order to form positive connections with human or animal tissue parts, particularly bones, implants (7) are used that at least partially consist of a material that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. Particularly suitable materials of this type are thermoplastics (e.g. resorbable thermoplastics) or thixotropic materials. The implants (7) are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy and are simultaneously pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material then liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, it is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device comprising a generator (2), an oscillating element and a resonator (6), whereby the generator (2) causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator (6).

Abstract: Surface irregularities are removed from the inner wall of a femur cavity, preferably tapered. A tamp having an opening and a socket is disposed in the cavity. The tamp may be one of a plurality of tamps each having a different length for the opening. A guide, one of a plurality, fits snugly in the opening. The guide has a collar which cooperates with the tamp socket to limit the movement of the guide into the tamp. A working portion of each guide below the intermediate position has a bulbous shape which is tapered in accordance with the femur taper. Bone fragments between the guide working portion and the femur inner wall are packed against the inner wall when the tamp and the guide are driven into the femur cavity. Numerals on the guide adjacent a slot in the tamp indicate the disposition of the guide in the tamp.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implanting into a bone having a cavity is disclosed. The prosthesis comprises a body and a stem. A first coating including a bone ingrowth promoting material that promotes ingrowth of bone onto the stem and a bioabsorbable material that delays the ingrowth of bone onto the stem is disposed on a proximal portion of the stem outer surface. A second coating including the bone ingrowth promoting material and the bioabsorbable material is disposed on a distal portion of the stem outer surface. The ratio of bone ingrowth promoting material to bioabsorbable material in the first coating is greater than the ratio of bone ingrowth promoting material to bioabsorbable material in the second coating whereby the affixation of the bone to the proximal zone of the stem is faster and stronger over time than the affixation of the bone to the distal zone of the stem.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having a polycrystalline diamond compact articulation surface and a counter bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved prosthetic stem for implantation in a bone. Specifically, the present invention provides a prosthetic femoral stem having a strengthening rib protruding from the substrate thereof and being flush with a porous coating formed thereon. The strengthening rib is advantageously positioned so as to increase the cross-sectional moment of inertia of the prosthetic femoral stem and thereby decrease the stress on the anterio-lateral surface of the femoral stem. A protrusion in accordance with the present invention may also be utilized with a prosthetic femoral stem absent a porous coating. In such an embodiment, the height of the protrusion is such that the protrusion will be surrounded by the cement mantle formed when the prosthetic femoral component is cemented in a femoral canal.

Abstract: A hip-joint endoprosthesis with a stem to be anchored in the femur, and with a joint head supported by the stem via a neck. In order, upon implantation, to be able to use one and the same prosthesis with a different choice of resection plane within the neck of the head, the stem of the prosthesis is curved in a substantially uniform circular arc; the neck adjoins the upper end of the stem approximately in the same direction; the length of the stem is not greater than 150 mm; and the hip-joint endoprosthesis, while keeping the same stem shape, is available with different neck lengths, of which several are smaller than the length of an average natural femoral neck.

Abstract: A prosthetic bone material comprising a bonded and sintered product of granules of calcium phosphate compound having a particle size of at least 100 &mgr;m, each of the granules being bonded with particulates of calcium phosphate compound having a particle size of about 1 to 40 &mgr;m, in which the granules are bonded to each other while retaining their original shape, and their bonding strength is a level sufficient to maintain their own shape when the bonded and sintered product is disintegrated, produced by mixing the granules and the particulates, followed by firing the mixture at a temperature of about 800 to 1,200° C.