Richards Medical Company

Active Implants Corporation

Other

Smith & Nephew Richards Inc.

Richard W Treharne

Thomas B Buford

Lex R Giltaij

Dvora Galli

Eran Linder-Ganz

Richard L Dunn

Michael C Sherman

David L Brumfield

Danny H Lewis

Anthony D Prescott

Sam R Marchand

F Barry Bays

Thomas W Sander

Russell D Jamison

Paul J Wisnewski

Robert Wigginton

A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores stress distribution, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature that inhibits extreme movement within the joint while permitting free floating over a significant range. In one aspect, the anti-migration feature is an enlarged anterior structure or a posterior meniscus remnant engaging channel while in another aspect, the anti-migration feature includes a tethering member. Still further, removable radiopaque features are provided to enhance trialing of the implant prior to final implantation within the joint.

Meniscus prosthetic devices with anti-migration or radiopaque features

A method and apparatus for the fixation of bone fractures, limb lengthening, and the correction of deformities uses an improved composite plastic carbon fiber ring that is formed in a mold, or machined with a stepped end portion that allows half rings to be assembled in a common plane. The method can use a mold wherein multiple rings can be formed by stacking the rings with a Teflon layer therebetween and wherein circumferential braid reinforcement of carbon fiber adds strength at the circumferential inner and outer curved surfaces of the rings and half rings.

Method and apparatus for the fixation of bone fractures, limb

A compression hip screw for repairing a bone fracture includes a non-absorbable plate and a non-absorbable barrel section connected to the plate adapted to be inserted into a hole formed in the hip bone. A non-absorbable lag screw with a longitudinal opening therein and with internal and external threads is adapted to be inserted through the longitudinal opening in the barrel and into the portion of the bone on one side of a fracture. A compressing screw with threads adapted to cooperate with the internal threads of the lag screw and a head adapted to abut the outer portion of the barrel adjacent to the longitudinal opening can be inserted into the opening in the barrel for compressing the portions of the bone on both sides of the fracture. The compressing screw has at least a head portion formed of a material that absorbs on contact with body fluids.

Resorbable compressing screw and method

A system for producing nitrogen fertilizer using an electric arc process is described in which the electric arc necessary for the process is generated by piezoelectric elements actuated by a hammer mechanism powered by water pressure such as from a garden hose. The nitrogen oxides produced by the arc discharge are drawn into the water to serve as a source of nitrogen fertilizer. The net result of the invention is that the operator can provide nitrogen fertilizer as he supplies water to the same area. The only inputs to this system are air and a source of water under pressure.

Water-powdered piezoelectric unit for producing nitrogen fertilizer

A method for repairing a bone fracture with a compression screw assembly is provided. First and second non-resorbable compression members are positioned so that the head portion of the compression screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process. At least the head portion of the screw is formed of a material that resorbs upon contact with body fluids.

A nonaugmented prosthetic ligament for permanently replacing a natural ligament spanning first and second body members, such as the femur and tibia includes a load bearing member formed from a plurality of biocompatible polyolefin fibers positioned at angles of from 0.degree. to 55.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing member. Each fiber is less than 100 microns in diameter and has a tensile strength greater than or equal to about 50,000 psi. 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 provide shape for the load bearing member. A sheath may be friction fit or molded onto the exterior of the load bearing member to prevent abrasion of the fibers.

Prosthetic ligament

A prosthetic device formed of a biodegradable material and useful as a ventilation tube for insertion between the middle ear and the outer ear. The device includes a shaft with an axial passage, an inner flange and an outer flange. At least a portion of the outer surface of the shaft is tapered, with the taper increasing from the inner to the outer flange. The larger diameter outer flange and any attached portion of the shaft are, therefore, forced outwardly when the tapered portion of the shaft is in contact with animal tissue biodegrades before other portions of the prosthesis.

Biodegradable prosthetic device

A myringotomy tube allowing two-way gaseous communication between an external ear canal and a middle ear cavity and only one-way liquid communication from the middle ear cavity to the external ear canal includes a ball mounted within the tube to move freely into and out of contact with a valve seat for preventing liquid from flowing into the middle ear cavity. When fluid is present in the external ear canal, fluid pressure operates to move the ball into contact with the valve seat to provide a positive seal against ingress of fluid. In the absence of fluid within the external ear canal, the ball is free to move away from the seat to permit pressure equalization and liquid drainage from the middle ear to the outer ear. Longitudinal openings are provided in the portion of the tube within the external ear canal to facilitate free passage of fluid past the ball.

Growing community of inventors

Memphis, TN, United States of America

Richard W Treharne