Abstract: A prosthesis adapted to be formed and reformed to a model made of a person's body part, and comprised of a blank member of cured vinyl plastic or the like prepared for formation and reformation and to be softened to a plastic condition at raised temperature substantially below its previous curing temperature and brought into conformity with the model countours and permitted to return to room temperature for hardening, and thereafter stripped from the model for use.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices of utilitarian, yet natural and unprecedented life-like appearance, are formed of durable elastomers. A seamless flexible negative mold of a biological body member selected to form the basic model is made by painting on to it nylon mesh-reinforced silicone with direct monitoring and correction of the positioning of the parts. A positive wax model is cast in the mold and subsequently modified by sculpturing to the requirements of the individual for whom the prosthesis is being developed. From the master wax model a negative metal mold is made by electroplating. New and unique provisions for ventilation to effectively remove from the molds solvents of the elastomer dispersions greatly improve the quality and rapidity of production. Invented methods of creating ventilation ports without damage to the critical interior surface of the molds and of degassing the dispersions to eliminate bubble defects are employed.

Abstract: Amputation apparatus for use with an internal prosthesis attachable to the end of a stump having an outwardly extending bone. The amputation apparatus includes a cap having an internal cavity for insertion over the bone and an opposed outwardly extending boss. A plate having an internal cavity is mountable over the outwardly extending boss of the cap. The plate has a radial extent substantially greater than the radial extent of the cap to define an equal weight distribution surface for internal and external forces over the entire bottom surface of the stump.