Abstract:
Orthopedic device of biocompatible polymer with oriented fiber reinforcement. There is provided a device such as a hip stem which has a longitudinally curved body. The reinforcing fibers are continuous filament fiber plies with parallel oriented fibers in each ply. The plies are curved longitudinally to approximately correspond to the curve of the body. In one embodiment, there are longitudinally oriented fiber plies at or near the surfaces of the device and plies with fibers offset at 5.degree.-40.degree. from the longitudinal axis between the surface layers. The fiber orientation is balanced by providing a ply of negatively angled offset fibers of a similar angle for each positively angled offset ply. The device is made by molding plies preimpregnated with polymer (prepregs) simultaneously, by molding a plurality of prepregs into segments which are then molded together, or by molding a segment and incrementally molding additional layers of prepregs thereto in a series of progressively larger molds.
Abstract:
Frame members of the apparatus mount cutter assemblies that are aligned by relative adjustive movement of the frame members with edges of a cutout that is to be cut from sheet material. The adjustive relative movement of the frame members additionally effects adjustment of the relative positions of the cutter assemblies and associated cam members also carried by the frame members. This in turn causes the cuts made by the cutter assemblies to be of the same length as the therewith aligned cutout edges. The apparatus preferably further includes clamping members that engages the sheet material during each cutting operation, and drive components for imparting desired motions to the various movable components of the apparatus.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular and other medical implants fabricated from low-modulus Ti--Nb--Zr alloys to provide enhanced biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The cardiovascular implants may be surface hardened by oxygen or nitrogen diffusion or by coating with a tightly adherent, hard, wear-resistant, hemocompatible ceramic coating. The cardiovascular implants include heart valves, total artificial heart implants, ventricular assist devices, vascular grafts, stents, electrical signal carrying devices such as pacemaker and neurological leads, defibrillator leads, and the like. It is contemplated that the Ti--Nb--Zr alloy can be substituted as a fabrication material for any cardiovascular implant that either comes into contact with blood thereby demanding high levels of hemocompatibility, or that is subject to microfretting, corrosion, or other wear and so that a low modulus metal with a corrosion-resistant, hardened surface would be desirable.
Abstract:
Medical leads fabricated from low-modulus Ti-Nb-Zr alloys to provide enhanced biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The medical leads may be surface hardened by oxygen or nitrogen diffusion or by coating with a tightly adherent, hard, wear-resistant, hemocompatible ceramic coating. It is contemplated that the Ti-Nb-Zr alloy can be substituted as a fabrication material for any portion of a medical lead that either comes into contact with blood thereby demanding high levels of hemocompatibility, or that is subject to microfretting, corrosion, or other wear and so that a low modulus metal with a corrosion-resistant, hardened surface would be desirable.
Abstract:
Ventricular assist devices fabricated from low-modulus Ti--Nb--Zr alloys to provide enhanced biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The ventricular assist devices may be surface hardened by oxygen or nitrogen diffusion or by coating with a tightly adherent, hard, wear-resistant, hemocompatible ceramic coating. It is contemplated that the Ti--Nb--Zr alloy can be substituted as a fabrication material for any portion of a ventricular assist device that either comes into contact with blood thereby demanding high levels of hemocompatibility, or that is subject to microfretting, corrosion, or other wear and so that a low modulus metal with a corrosion-resistant, hardened surface would be desirable.
Abstract:
A prosthetic ligament assembly includes a nonaugmented prosthetic ligament for permanently replacing a natural ligament spanning first and second body members, such as the femur and tibia, and a bone screw adapted for tensioning the prosthetic ligament during implantation. The prosthetic ligament includes a load bearing member intertwined into a plain braid from a plurality of biocompatible, high strength, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene yarns. Each yarn includes at least fifty fibers and has a tensile strength greater than or equal to about 100,000 psi. The load bearing member has a gage section and a loop at each end thereof for anchoring the load bearing member to the body members. The load bearing member is preloaded to remove slack therefrom. The load bearing member may be used alone or may be formed into a hollow braid having a core disposed within the hollow portion of the braid to permit radiographic visualization of the prosthetic ligament. A sheath may be friction fit or molded onto the exterior of the gage section. The assembly also includes one or two bone screws for complimentary engagement with the loops of the load bearing member. The bone screws have a tapered section extending beneath the head of the screw to the shank for tensioning the prosthetic ligament during implantation.
Abstract:
Disclosed prosthetic valves can comprise a sewing ring configured to secure the valve to an implantation site. Some disclosed valves comprise a resiliently collapsible frame having a neutral configuration and a collapsed deployment configuration. Some disclosed frames can self-expand to the neutral configuration when released from the collapsed deployment configuration. Collapsing a disclosed valve can provide convenient access to the sewing ring, such as for securing the valve to the implantation site, as well as for the insertion of the valve through relatively small surgical incisions.
Abstract:
Disclosed prosthetic valves can comprise a sewing ring configured to secure the valve to an implantation site. Some disclosed valves comprise a resiliently collapsible frame having a neutral configuration and a collapsed deployment configuration. Some disclosed frames can self-expand to the neutral configuration when released from the collapsed deployment configuration. Collapsing a disclosed valve can provide convenient access to the sewing ring, such as for securing the valve to the implantation site, as well as for the insertion of the valve through relatively small surgical incisions.
Abstract:
A break-resistant composite comprising a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in a polymer matrix forms a composite for making at least a portion of an endodonic instrument. At least a portion of the fibers are selected from a group consisting of partially twisted fibers and off-axis oriented fibers. The composite instrument can contain abrasive particulates to improve cutting and wear resistance for use in root canal procedures. The twisted fiber composite material allows for applied torque load response, improved flexibility within the root canal, and reduces or eliminates gross breakage of the instrument during use. The inventive composite can be molded or machined to make an endodnic instrument having certain desired diameters, tapers, helical recesses, and other design features.
Abstract:
This invention describes a corrosion-resistant, high-strength, low-modulus, titanium based alloy having about 5-11 weight percent Mo and about 6-15 weight percent Hf. This alloy is suitable for use in the fabrication of articles for medical and non-medical applications having low modulus, improved corrosion resistance and surface hardening. To increase strength, Cr, Si and Fe can be added in small amounts as well as increasing levels of interstitial oxygen, nitrogen or carbon. To maintain low elastic modulus, Mo can be partially substituted by Nb.