Abstract:
A method of cleaning surfaces using a mixed phase cleaning mixture of an aqueous solution and a flow of gas sufficient to produce droplets of the liquid which are entrained by the gas for a time sufficient to clean tubing of various lengths and geometries and porous membranes to remove biofilm, debris and contaminants.
Abstract:
A bone graft that is made at least partially of synthetic material or demineralized bone matrix and is of a suitable shape to fill a lower portion of a patient's maxillary sinus. The graft may be manufactured to patient-unique dimensions that may be determined radiographically prior to surgery and prior to manufacturing of the bone graft. Other aspects of the invention are a method of manufacture of the bone graft, and methods of installing the bone graft. The installation may make use of patient-unique templates to guide certain cutting operations. Another aspect of the invention is a kit comprising the bone graft, tools for its installation, templates and possibly other surgical items.
Abstract:
A release mechanism for releasing pressurized fluid from an associated pressure vessel has sealing means for use in sealing an opening in the associated pressure vessel, supporting means for supporting the sealing means, first opening means for selectively opening the sealing means by removing the supporting means and, damping control means for damping the supporting means and also regulating the release of the high pressure fluid. To release pressurized fluid from the pressure vessel, the supporting means is removed out of supporting relationship with a sealing means. Next the supporting means is moved along its axis without damping, then with damping and, finally, with relatively light damping.
Abstract:
A stored gas inflator is operable over a wide range of initial temperatures and such that the dependence of its total output as a function of initial temperature is substantially reduced.A vessel contains gas under pressure and has a seated outlet for the gas which is adapted to open upon command and permit passage of the gas therethrough.A thermal reservoir element is provided.A first exiting flowpath directs gas so that it substantially bypasses or avoids thermal contact with the thermal reservoir element.A second exiting flowpath directs whatever gas does not leave through the first exiting flowpath through the thermal reservoir element so that the gas has substantial thermal contact with the thermal reservoir element.A temperature-dependent flow control means varies the amount of gas passing through each of the aforementioned flowpaths.
Abstract:
A spinal cage insert for a spinal cage is provided. The spinal cage insert has a shape suitable to be inserted into and fit closely in an interior of the spinal cage. The insert may comprise a member of the calcium phosphate family. The spinal cage insert may be made to a desired shape of porous ceramic, and it may include channels and/or surface features. Various shapes of filler pieces are also provided, wherein the filler pieces may be suitable to augment external regions of vertebrae which have been fused to each other so as to promote build-up of bone. The spinal cage insert and/or the filler pieces may be osteoconductive and may also contain osteoinductive substances or material. The articles may also contain cavities suitable for containing particles of demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods of use and methods of manufacturing the spinal cage insert and filler pieces are also provided.
Abstract:
The invention includes a three-dimensional printing (3DP) machine that has at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source directed at powder or slurry being processed by the 3DP machine and/or directed at any of various surfaces or machine components, in a manner suitable to kill or damage microorganisms to a desired extent. The UV light sources may be either stationary or movable, and may be either pulsed or substantially continuous, and may operate in any desired sequence and timing with respect to other operations performed by the machine. The invention may include ultraviolet illumination in such a way as to interact with powder to sterilize or disinfect powder either while the powder is stationary or, alternatively, as powder is being moved from one place to another within the 3DP machine, or both. The invention also includes methods of performing three-dimensional printing using such illumination. The invention also includes the combination of other methods of sterilization or disinfection with the use of ultraviolet light. The invention also includes the use of ultraviolet light sources for a combination of polymerization/cross-linking in addition to sterilization/disinfection.
Abstract:
A bone graft that is made at least partially of synthetic material and is of a suitable shape to fill a recess around the base of an ailing/failing endosseous implant. The bone graft may be pre-manufactured in the suitable shape. The invention also comprises a method of installing either such a bone graft or any other type of filler. The invention also comprises various types of bone graft profiler tools suitable for preparing the recess, and optionally an alignment post to assist in the use of the bone graft profiler tool(s). The dimensions of the bone graft profiler tool(s) and the dimensions of the bone graft and the dimensions of the alignment post may be chosen to have defined geometric relationships with respect to each other, with respect to the dimensions of the existing implant base, and with respect to the extent of bone deterioration at a particular implant site in a particular patient.
Abstract:
An inflator includes a vessel for a source of gas under pressure. A pulse shaping valving means in the form of a Belleville washer or a sliding valve actuated by a Belleville washer operates to shape the pulse of gas flowing out of the vessel. Other than for a brief initial moment the flowrate of gas has a slower value over time followed by an instantaneous more rapid value followed by a tapering off.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a bone putty composition comprising a carrier formulation comprising water and a carrier substance, and granules wherein said bone putty composition exhibits gel-like Theological properties throughout the temperature range between about body temperature and temperatures approaching about 0° C. The bone putty composition further exhibits reverse phase Theological behavior in at least a portion of the same temperature range. The granules may comprise tricalcium phosphate (hereinafter “TCP”) or other calcium phosphates, they may be porous, and they are suspended in the carrier formulation. In one embodiment of the invention, the bone putty composition withstands exposure to certain temperatures below about room temperature without precipitation of the granules from suspension.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a high efficiency non-tracking solar collector device of the type in which a reflector, lens or like concentrating apparatus concentrates received energy along a path, locus or band, the location of which varies within a range during the course of the solar collecting period of the day responsive to the inclination of the sun relative to the reflector. The device is characterized by the provision of a collector assembly which includes an energy absorptive receptor surface spaced from the reflector in accordance with the focal length thereof, the receptor surface defining a boundary of a plurality of parallel paths or conduits within which heat transfer fluid is caused to flow. The fluid paths have common input and output manifolds, the system being arranged, as a result of the fluid having a viscosity which is temperature sensitive and appropriate internal geometry of the flow paths, selectively to concentrate fluid flow through that path or paths receiving maximum radiant energy. By this means there is assured that the maximum flow will occur in the hottest zones of the collector assembly without requiring moving parts or mechanical control mechanisms, such as valves, solenoids or the like. Preferably, a porous flow inhibitor is incorporated in the flow paths, resulting in a substantial increase in the flow ratio between heated and unheated paths.