The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc.

Richard D Scott

Thomas S Thornhill

Anuj Bellare

Wolfgang Fitz

Andreas H Gomoll

John E Slamin

Deger C Tunc

Erik S Larson

James A Rand

William H Hoffman

Thomas Vincent Doherty

Nanocomposite surgical materials, such as cements, having very fine heterogenous structure are formed by incorporating into a polymeric matrix a well dispersed solid filler having an average mass diameter ranging from about 750 nanometers to about 1 nanometer. The average ligament thickness of the surgical composite cements ranges from about 750 nanometers to about 1 nanometer. Methods and apparatus for avoiding air contact during the preparation and transfer of a cement to an in vivo site are described.

Nanocomposite surgical materials and method of producing them

Nanocomposite surgical materials, such as cements, having very fine heterogenous structure are formed by incorporating into a polymeric matrix a well dispersed solid, liquid or gaseous filler having an average mass diameter ranging from about 750 nanometers to about 1 nanometer. The average ligament thickness of the surgical composite cements ranges from about 750 nanometers to about 1 nanometer. Methods and apparatus for avoiding air contact during the preparation and transfer of a cement to an in vivo site are described.

A tool for measuring tissue tension during joint surgery has a tissue gripping end and a measurement assembly. The tool is preferably configured as a pair of tongs, with a mechanism that fixes the tongs to grip tissue with its tissue gripping end while the measurement assembly measures the tension in, or spreading force applied on the tissue gripped therein. In use, the joint is moved through a range of motion while the tool is attached, and the measurement assembly displays changes in tissue tension due to movement of the joint. A prototype tool implemented as a pair of tongs has tissue-gripping pincer points that are held closed by a ratchet bar assembly. The ratchet bar assembly is a telescoping cross bar which moves against the restraining force of an extension spring to register the spreading force exerted on the pincer arms by the tissue under tension. An annular stop member about each pincer point limits tissue penetration, and provides a defined surface against which the tissue acts allowing precise calibration of the device.

Knee incision tensile gauge

An improved knee prosthesis disclosed that includes a patella for positioning in a trochlear groove formed by two condyles of a femoral component. The novel patella of the disclosure has an elliptical outer periphery and presents an articulating surface to the femoral component for sliding engagement with a trochlear groove formed between the condyles of the femoral component. A side opposite the articulating surface has extending therefrom three posts which enhance the attachment of the patella prosthesis to the patella bone. In one embodiment of the invention an undercut area which is cut into the bone contacting surface of the prosthesis presents an overhang or undercut to the bone in order to enhance cement fixation. The overhang is formed by an outer defining wall which is positioned at an angle to a bottom surface of the recessed overhang area of between 50.degree. and 75.degree..

Oval domed shaped patella prosthesis

A hip prosthesis is disclosed which employs a number of cement spacers located on the surface of the stem of the prosthesis immediately below a collar which makes direct and parallel contact with calcar bone when a stem of the prosthesis is seated in medullary canal of the patient. The collar is constructed to provide even stress distribution to the bone.

Hip prosthesis

An anti-displacement device and method are disclosed for implantation of a prosthetic bone joint in a bone. A biodegradable biocompatable anti-displacement device comprising a biodegradable biocompatible polymer is directed through an orifice, defined by a cup of a prosthetic bone joint, and into interfering contact with bone tissue of the bone. Displacement of the cup is thereby sufficiently limited to allow bone tissue growth at the cup to fix the prosthetic bone joint to the bone while body fluid at the bone tissue and contacting the elongate member biodegrades the elongate member.

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Dedham, MA, United States of America

Richard D Scott