Abstract: Metal prosthetic devices to be surgically implanted are heated prior to implantation thereof to a temperature between 110.degree. C. and 430.degree. C. for a period of from twenty minutes to three hours. Such heating enhances bone growth relative to the prosthetic device following implantation.

Abstract: An improved method for making a monolithic intraocular lens and haptic structure. The invention comprises the process of assembling easily available materials into a composite structure having an inner core of optically transparent lens material with broad or selectively tailored wavelength transmission characteristics surrounded by a jacket of colored haptic material having the same composition and mechanical properties as the lens material. The composite structure is then bonded into a monolithic rod with a bonding process wherein the bonding material in the interface between the lens core and the jacket also has the composition and mechanical properties of the lens material. After bonding, the composite structure is sliced into blanks from which lenses with colored haptics can be fabricated.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for the manufacture of live autogenous skeletal replacement parts through muscle flap molding and osteoinduction comprising the steps of:a) forming a mold of physiologically inert support material into the shape of a replacement part for a defective skeletal site,b) placing a muscle flap into the cavity of the mold,c) thoroughly incorporating osteoinductive factor in the muscle flap,d) closing the mold,e) allowing osteogenesis to take place, andf) implanting the resulting newly formed bone into the defective skeletal site.

Abstract: Novel compositions are provided for the production of hydroxyapatite, where a dry mixture is provided which combines a calcium source and an acidic phosphate source, particularly monocalcium phosphate monohydrate or orthophosphoric acid crystals. These two are combined, optionally with other ingredients, with mechanical mixing, resulting in partial reaction or intimate combination to produce a product which requires less water for formation of a desired viscosity, has enhanced mechanical properties and is physilogically acceptable.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus for a vertebral disc is made of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel prosthetic nucleus has a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel has a water content of at least 30% and has a compressive strength of 4MNm.sup.-2 or greater. When the hydrogel material is dehydrated, it has a dimension of less than half of that of the hydrated hydrogel nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may be formed of two or more pieces of hydrogel material which pieces, when combined, have a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprises a substantially clear optic and at least one filamentous haptic having high fracture toughness. The haptic is formed of a polymer composition comprising low concentrations of solid particles uniformly dispersed throughout a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A tissue expander and a method of making a tissue expander which includes (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation and which has an expandable upper section formed of (i) a first elastic portion and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of the material forming the first portion, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each portion at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion, thereby allowing the envelope to assume a complex shape. The tissue expander also has a means for inflating the envelope with a biocompatible fluid.

Abstract: A composite metal/plastic patellar prosthesis for implantation in the human body to replace the articulating surface of the patella is provided. The prosthesis includes a polymeric articulating surface portion and a metal backing having an anterior surface adapted to be attached to the posterior surface of a resected patella, and a dome or conically shaped posterior surface to which the polymeric articulating surface portion is heat and pressure molded. The metal backing portion has at least one aperture extending therethrough which has a greater cross-sectional area on the anterior side than on the posterior side into which an anchoring peg integral with the antrior surface of the polymeric articulating surface portion is molded. The metal and plastic components of the composite are coextensive in size and shape.

Abstract: A method wherein surfaces are provided with desired characteristics of a polymer by covalently bonding polymer molecules to the surface through external activation of latent reactive groups carried by the polymer molecules is disclosed. The initial surfaces are free of chemical groups added by surface pretreatment and which chemically participate in the covalent bonding process.This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 223,149, filed July 22, 1988 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 138,226, filed Dec. 24, 1987 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 920,567, filed Oct. 17, 1986 now abandoned and of U.S. Ser. No. 108,765, filed Oct.15, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,493 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 428,074 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,906 filed Sept. 29, 1982, and of U.S. application Ser. No. 920,567 filed Oct. 17, 1986.

Abstract: Bicomposite, hydrogel intraocular lenses with one or more haptic portions having a lower water content than the corresponding optic portions, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The bicomposite lenses are manufactured by (i) preparing a bicomposite button of hydrogel material containing one or more polymers or copolymers; (ii) lathing the button to produce a dehydrated intraocular lens with an optic and at least one haptic; and (iii) hydrating the lens.

Abstract: A process for coating the pores of a mineral matrix with collagen by pumping collagen through the molded matrix is disclosed. The resulting coated matrix can be used as a prosthesis in bone repair.

Abstract: A method for modifying the solid surface to improve its biocompatibility is disclosed. The method employs molecules of a biocompatible agent and a chemical linking moiety possessing a photochemically reactive group capable upon activation of covalently bonding to the solid surface and possessing a different reactive group as capable upon activation of covalently bonding to separate molecules of the biocompatible agent. The method comprises applying stimulus to sequentially activate the groups and covalently bind the different reactive group of the linking moiety to the molecules of the biocompatible agent and to photochemically covalently bind the linking moiety to the solid surface with a sufficient population density to enable the molecules of the biocompatible agent to effectively shield the solid surface and to provide a biocompatible surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intraocular lens comprising a lens element and a plurality of haptics extending therefrom, at least one of the haptics having an anchoring filament with an enlarged complete or partial mushroom-shaped end fixedly disposed inside a passage in the lens element. Also disclosed is a method for fixing a haptic having an anchoring filament to a lens element in a soft intraocular lens comprising the steps of (a) forming in the lens element a passage having a width that is less than the greatest width of the anchoring filament, (b) lubricating the anchoring filament of the haptic, the passage in the lens element, or both, (c) inserting the anchoring filament end-first into the passage, and (d) washing the intraocular lens to remove the lubricant.

Abstract: PTFE vascular tubing is guided on to a tapered ultrasonic horn as the horn is oscillating at a high frequency. This action causes the end of the tubing moved onto the horn to expand. The expanded tubing is then positioned on a mandrel having a desired shape, such as tapered, and resintered. The finished tubing with an expanded diameter on one end and a non-expanded diameter on the other end is then removed from the mandrel, and is ready for use. Untapered tubing can also be radially expanded by this method to provide a thinner wall.

Abstract: An intraocular implant comprises a lens substrate having on the surface thereof a coating layer, the coating layer being comprised of a specific compound.

Abstract: A longitudinally compliant PTFE graft is provided by compressing at least a portion of a porous PTFE tube along its longitudinal axis and coating at least the outer wall of the compressed portion of the PTFE tube with a biocompatible elastomer for allowing the compressed portion of the tube to be stretched along the longitudinal axis. The PTFE tube is compressed by pulling the tube over a cylindrical mandrel of like diameter and applying a compression force to the tube along its longitudinal axis. The compressed portion(s) is (are) secured against movement upon the mandrel, and a coating of liquified polyurethane or other biocompatible elastomer is then applied over at least the compressed portion(s) of the tube. The elastomeric coating may be applied by dip coating or spray coating techniques. After the elastomeric coating has dried, the completed graft is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: Uniform adherent coatings of antimicrobial agents are applied to the surface of implants by applying a film of silicone oil to the surface of the implant and then contacting the film-bearing surface with antimicrobial agents in a film-adherent powder form. A durable antimicrobial coating is formed. The coated implants can be packaged using mechanized implant handling equipment without significant loss of the antimicrobial coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing three dimensional anatomic models wherein a series of tomographic hard copy images are obtained of a desired section of a patient's anatomy. The images are used as masks in a "photographic " process to produce layers which are attached together to form the model.

Abstract: A kerato-prosthesis for transcorneal implantation which comprises an optical part consisting of a biocompatible clear material in the shape of a small cylindrical frustum, and a supporting haptic part in the shape of a small disk which is drilled at the center and is made up of an alloplastic, biocompatible, synthetic, porous or of the closed cell type, which cannot be reabsorbed and is capable of allowing the growth of human tissues inside, both parts being connected to each other respectively at the points corresponding to a portion of the lateral surface of said small cylinder and of the inner peripheral edge of said hole, and a process for manufacturing said kerato-prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of making an impermeable vascular prosthesis is disclosed which comprises the steps of treating a porous textile conduit with a first solution of cross-linking agent; perfusing the conduit with a second solution of cross-linking agent and protein; and drying the perfused conduit to allow gelation in a second solution to form an impermeable vascular prosthesis. Perfusion of the lumen of the prosthesis is performed with sufficient pressure to ensure that all interstices of the porous textile conduit are completely filled. A gelation mixture comprising albumin and glutaraldehyde is preferably utilized for perfusion of the prosthesis. Methods for preserving these grafts indefinitely by treatment with glycerol and other alkyl alcohols are also disclosed.

Abstract: Joint prosthesis of perforated sheet metal strips which, for the formation of a hollow shaft, are welded together and to a collar having a protrusion for attaching to a ball joint. The collar is provided with an opening leading to the inside of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A biocompatible hydrophilic material is based on purified cellulose, from which material all or the majority of the water has been removed and which has a modulable potential for water recovery of up to an amount of water of approximately 60%. The material can be used for the production of fitting sheaths for articulated prostheses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to prepare vessel prostheses formed from a porous basic body and an impregnating coating of crosslinked gelatin for sealing the pores.Crosslinking takes place accompanied by the use of a diisocyanate. The impregnating coating has good mechanical and physiological properties.

Abstract: An orthopedic device formed from a composite material which is reinforced with continuous filament carbon fibers to provide the material with high flexural strength, hydrolytic stability and a medical grade quality. A preferred embodiment of the orthopedic device is a hip joint prosthesis in which the stem and spherical head of the prosthesis can be formed from a composite block. In the alternative, the stem alone can be formed from the block and a head of another material attached to one end of the stem. One embodiment of the method includes first forming a sheet of carbon fibers by wrapping carbon fiber tows spirally around a drum after passing the tows through a thermoplastic resin which serves as a bonding agent. Then, rectangular pieces of the carbon fiber-polymer sheet are combined one with another to form a stack. Pressure is exerted on the stack in the presence of heat to form the composite block. Following the formation of the block, the block is machined to form the desired orthopedic device.

Abstract: A method of forming hollow, porous elastomeric bodies and hollow, duo-layered elastomeric bodies wherein one layer is porous and contiguous with the other layer which is solid by (a) coating a surface of a mandrel with a coating liquid, (b) adhering a layer of water-elutable particles onto the coated mandrel surface, (c) applying a layer of fluid elastomer composition to the particle-coated mandrel surface wherein the elastomeric composition is capable of forming a water-insoluble elastomer, (d) causing said elastomeric composition to form a cohesive mass while in contact with the particle-coated mandrel surface, (e) dissolving said elutable particles from the cohesvie mass with a water-based solvent, and (f) removing the cohesive mass from the mandrel. The coating liquid comprises water and may also further comprise a wetting agent and/or a sugar. The invention also relates to the method wherein the water-elutable particles are adhered to the mandrel surface by heating the mandrel surface.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing spherical objects which includes the steps of ejecting into a reaction medium layer a predetermined amount of liquid material which form spherical objects and allowing the spherical mass produced by the ejection to react and set while floating in the reaction medium layer. The reaction medium layer is restricted by a first blocking and protective liquid layer having a smaller specific gravity than the reaction medium layer and located above the level of ejection and a second blocking and protective layer having a greater specific gravity than that of the reaction medium and located below the level of ejection.

Abstract: An artifical skin comprising an insoluble atelocollagen sheet and an epidermal cell layer cultured only on one surface of the sheet, and a method of producing the same are disclosed, which method includes the steps of: forming an insoluble atelocollagen sheet; inoculating epidermal cells only on one surface of the atelocollagen sheet; and suspending the atelocollagen sheet in a liquid culture medium to culture the epidermal cells, thereby forming an epidermal cell layer.

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: The ultraviolet screening of a silicone rubber intraocular lens can be enhanced by the addition of an optical brightener. The optical brightener also serves to reduce any apparent yellow tint that may occur. The optical brightener is incorporated into the preformed silicone lens by immersing it in a solution containing the optical brightener and an ultraviolet screening agent.

Abstract: An ultraviolet screening agent can be incorporated into a preformed silicone rubber intraocular lens by bringing it into contact with a solution which contains the agent in a higher concentration than the lens material.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis including a base member, such as the stem of a hip joint prosthesis, having a porous region on its surface, and the region of porosity being coated with a bioabsorbable material, such as .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate, which enhances permanent bone ingrowth into the region. A method of manufacture of the prosthesis includes the steps of providing a coating material and applying the material to at least a portion of the porous surface of the base member, while providing energy sufficient to transform the material to a state in which it is bioabsorbable. In the preferred embodiment the material is plasma sprayed onto the porous surface of the base member.

Abstract: An intramedullary prosthesis device and the method of orthopedic implantation of the prosthesis device, particularly for a hip prosthesis. The prosthesis device and the method of implantation are directed to a precise undersized stem socket defined by compact bone formed by cortical or dense cancellous bone, and an oversized stem of the prosthesis device coated with a soft, resilient and compressible coating so that upon insertion of the coated stem within the undersized socket the coating is compressed along the length of the stem by the surrounding compact bone of the socket.

Abstract: An improved metallic bone prosthesis having a porous coating for bone ingrowth or interlocking with bone cement is disclosed. The porous coating comprises two layers of generally ball-shaped metallic particles bonded together at their points of contact, e.g. by sintering, and defining between them a plurality of connected interstitial pores having an average pore size of from about 350 microns to about 500 microns. A high resistance to failure at the coating-substrate and bone-coating (or cement-coating) interfaces is achieved with the use of the improved prosthesis. Also disclosed are a novel method for affixing the porous coating to a metal substrate, and a knee joint prosthesis having bearing portions designed so that the function of said prosthesis closely approximates that of the natural knee.

Abstract: A method of producing a mono- or multilayered prosthesis material for use with a living body, the material showing mechanical compliance vis-a-vis soft body tissue and possessing biocompatibility, the method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a polymer solution using a mixed solvent, the solution being near its precipitation point;(b) coating a substrate and precipitating thereon the polymer to form a physically stable porous structure by evaporating at least part of the solvent fraction of the mixed solvent;and the multilayered prosthesis material prepared by the method.

Abstract: A method of forming single-piece intraocular lenses comprising the steps of forming a thin sheet of colored polymethyl methacrylate, coring the sheet to form holes therein, filling the holes with a clear or differently colored PMMA material, polymerizing the colored and clear or differently colored PMMA material comprising the sheet and filled holes, cutting core members from the polymerized sheet each having an inner circular region of PMMA material and an outer region of colored PMMA material and machining a single-piece intraocular lens from a core member to have a central lens body of PMMA material and colored PMMA positioning loops extending from and integral with the central lens body.

Abstract: A process for preparing an artificial biological membrane in which an aqueous solution containing 6 wt % or more of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of not less than 95 mol % and an average polymerization degree of not less than 700 and containing a biological substance or a substance which does not hinder the gelation of the polyvinyl alcohol is subjected to a freezing step followed by a thawing step. Then, the mass thus obtained is further subjected to at least one additional cyclic processing step including the freezing and thawing steps. The product hydrogel is hard or not too soft and not swollen in water.