Abstract:
Artificial intervertebral disc, comprising a nucleus of flexible material with the shape of a flattened body, with a lower and an upper side connected by a lateral surface, having a rounded-preferably circular or ellipsoid-shape, around which at least substantially radially oriented windings of a traction-resistant fibre have been applied. The fibres have a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa and a modulus of at least 10 GPa.
Abstract:
This invention provides a novel unitary bone implant having at least one rigid, mineralized bone segment, which may be machined to include threads, grooves, a driver head, perforations, a recess or a symmetric or asymmetric shape, and a flexible, demineralized segment, which may also be machined to any desired shape prior to demineralization, or after demineralization. The implant of this invention has wide orthopedic applicability, including but not limited to repair or replacement of ligaments, tendons and joints and for inducing vertebral fusions and fractured bone repair. In a particular embodiment of this invention, selective uptake of biologically active or inactive materials into the segmentally demineralized portion of the implant is disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to novel materials for replacement of bones or cartilages, characterized primarily by their unique structure comprising substances known per se. Since these structures can be produced by selecting the suitable physical and geometric parameters, it is possible to manufacture implants either to replace bone and cartilage or to manufacture cartilage bone composite implants which closely resemble the relevant natural bones or cartilages in terms of elasticity, porosity and solidity and which behave in a similar biological manner to the direct in vivo environment.
Abstract:
A stem-like bone implant (10) includes longitudinal structural members (16A) and tension cables (31) that provide curvature control, support and rigidity against bending and buckling. The longitudinal structural members (16A) and tension cables (31) may become an integral part of a composite regenerated bone having a substantially increased strength over natural bone. The flexibility of the implant (10) is controlled by specifically varying the structural geometry of certain portions of the implant and by adjusting the tension in the tension cables (31) before, during and after the implantation operation to thereby adjust the stiffness of the implant. The tension cables (31) may be adjusted to produce asymmetric or non-uniform levels of tension in the longitudinal structural members (16A).
Abstract:
Self-reinforced composites of amorphous thermoplastic materials such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate and polysulfone are made by melt-extruding and simultaneously drawing and cooling the material to produce fibers (21) with longitudinally-oriented molecular chains, then arranging the fibers (21) in a preform, such as a mat, rod, plate or other useful shape, in which adjacent fibers (21) are in contact with each other, and thereafter heating the preform with fiber constraint to a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the degradation temperature of the thermoplastic, and applying pressure, to soften and fuse together the outer surfaces (23) of the fibers (21) without completely eliminating the longitudinal orientation of the molecules within the fibers (21).
Abstract:
An artificial ligament device (36) is provided for joining the ends of two bones (12, 14) wherein at least one of the bones has a tunnel (32) extending therethrough. The device comprises a multilayered or tubular woven ligament (35) having an intra-articular region (38), at least one bend region (40), and at least one end region (46), each region being woven so as to possess qualities of flexibility and strength suitable to the particular types of stresses it receives during use. The end region and a portion of the bend region are encased within a polymer bone block (8); usually by thermomolding, and the bone block is inserted into the bone tunnel to attach the ligament. The bone block is molded to provide a fixed bend radius (60) for the ligament at the point of exit therefrom so as to control the amount of bending stress on the ligament during flexure and extension of the joint.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve comprises leaflets (500) including a composite material that has a first plurality of fibers (505) embedded in a polymer matrix (502). Each fiber has a first extending direction and a plurality of undulations (515).
Abstract:
A length extensible implantable device includes a porous member and a longitudinal constraining member. The longitudinal constraining member can constrain at least a portion, up to the entire length of, the porous member in the longitudinal direction. The length of the longitudinally constrained portion can be expanded by applying force to the porous member. The porous member may be a porous tubular member.
Abstract:
An implant can include a plurality of polymeric fibers associated together into a fibrous body. The fibrous body is capable of being shaped to fit a tracheal defect and capable of being secured in place by suture or by bioadhesive. The fibrous body can have aligned fibers (e.g., circumferentially aligned) or unaligned fibers. The fibrous body can be electrospun. The fibrous body can have a first characteristic in a first gradient distribution across at least a portion of the fibrous body. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members, such as ribbon structural reinforcing members, which can be embedded in the plurality of fibers. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members bonded to the fibers with liquid polymer as an adhesive, the liquid polymer having a substantially similar composition of the fibers.
Abstract:
Anisotropic reinforcements and synthetic materials are provided in which the fibers, mesh, weave, or otherwise interlaced or networked components thereof are oriented in one direction so as to create greater stiffness and/or tension in the one direction of the patch relative to other directions of the reinforcement. Methods of producing such anisotropic reinforcements are provided. The anisotropic reinforcements are advantageously suitable for the surgical repair of incisions, openings, defects, etc. of the cardiovascular system and allow healing to occur while preserving mechanical function, particularly ventricular function.