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| Blood transfusion connector assembly |
| OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a container 10 constituting a source of ... |
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| Measuring probe |
| I claim: 1. An optical probe comprising: an outer sheath comprising a first end, a second end, and ... |
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| Process for determining parameters of interest in living organisms |
| It is an object of the invention to propose a simple method which should also be suitable for use ... |
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| Safety syringe |
| A safety syringe is disclosed. The syringe includes a syringe barrel, a plunger, a needle, a needle ... |
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| Device or apparatus for manipulating matter having a elastic ring clip |
| OF THE FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus ... |
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| Surgical fastener and delivery system |
| Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a surgical fastener that can access ... |
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| Expandable intramedullary nail for the fixation of bone fractures |
| The present invention relates to an improved intramedullary nail for the fixation of bone fractures.... |
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| Laryngoscope blade |
| Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved laryngoscope blade ... |
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Ossicular prosthesis
| Details |
Inventors: Prescott, Anthony D.;
Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc. (Columbus, MS)
Primary Examiner: Isabella; David J.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus
An ossicular prosthesis including a head portion and a shaft portion, each formed of a biocompatible material, preferably a susceptible to human tissues adhesion, and an intermediate portion formed of a bendable biocompatible material. The intermediate portion includes a first end connected to the head portion, a second end connected to the shaft portion, and a bendable shank which permits adjustable of the angular orientation of the shaft portion with respect to the head portion, allowing the prosthesis to be implanted in a human ear with the head portion contacting the tympanic membrane or the malleus of the ear and with the shaft portion contacting the arch or limbs or the footplate of the stapes. The prosthesis head portion and shaft portion are preferably made of hydroxylapatite, to which human tissue adheres, aiding in securing the prosthesis in the middle ear. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is an ossicular prosthesis including a head portion, an intermediate portion, and a shaft portion.
The head portion has a surface configured for contacting either the tympanic membrane or the malleus, while avoiding sharp corners that might injure the tissue of the middle ear.
The shaft portion is adapted to contact the footplate or the arch of the stapes.
The head portion and the shaft portion are made of a biocompatible material, preferably, a hydroxylapatite material.
Hydroxylapatite is a biocompatible material to which human tissue directly bonds.
However, hydroxylapatite is a rigid brittle material which cannot be easily shaped or bent.
The intermediate portion of the present invention includes an enlarged first end which is secured to the prosthesis head portion, a bendable shank, and an enlarged second end which is secured to the prosthesis shaft portion.
Accordingly, the ossicular prosthesis of the present invention can be bent to the required shape to permit it to be implanted in the middle ear of a patient regardless of the geometry of the middle ear.
By "enlarged" ends is meant that the ends of the intermediate portion have a minimum diameter, or other cross-sectional dimension, that is substantially the same as or greater than the diameter of the shaft portion, with the result that the enlarged ends of the intermediate portion inhibit the intermediate portion from migrating through the head portion or the shaft portion.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the bendable shank is made of a permanently bendable biocompatible material, such as stainless steel.
By "permanently bendable" is meant a material which is non-resilient yet which can be readily bent by hand and which after bending retains its bent configuration until it is again bent, by hand or otherwise.
As a result, when the ossicular prosthesis of this embodiment is bent to a specific configuration, by a doctor or other medical person during surgery to implant the prosthesis, the prosthesis retains that configuration
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