Abstract: A bone implant prosthesis having an outer stress-free surface and a subsurface carried generally beneath and parallel to the outer surface for bearing tensile stresses. The prosthesis of the invention includes a plurality of slots undercutting the outer surface of the prosthesis thus forming a stress bearing subsurface to free the outer surface from being subjected to substantial stresses. The stress-free outer surface is readily adaptable to receive a porous coating to enhance bone ingrowth without decreasing the stress resistance characteristics of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A mounting and alignment device for removably mounting a dental model or portion thereof to a base cast. The device comprises an alignment collar which is adapted to be fixedly secured to a dowel pin and a dental model, the combination being receivable in a complimentary depression in a base cast to align and retain the dental model, preventing it from rotating or moving transversely with respect to the base cast when the portions are cooperatively engaged. A gasket may be included in the base cast to further enhance the engagement between the dowel pin and the base cast.

Abstract: A needle shielding device attachable to a hypodermic syringe for protecting a user from contacting the tip of a needle. The device comprises a generally cylindrical needle shield slidably engaging a syringe body for protecting a user from being stuck by the needle tip of the syringe. The needle shield continuously frictionally engages and grips the syringe body as the shield is moved between a retracted position wherein the needle extends forwardly of the needle shield and a extended position wherein the needle tip is protectively enclosed by the needle shield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined needle and dilator comprising a needle having a head with an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the body of the needle and a dilating sheath carried about the needle and abutting the rearward needle portion of the needle head. The dilating sheath has a front portion with an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the needle head to define, with the head, a generally smooth surface; a body portion with an outer diameter greater than that of the front portion; and a tapered portion disposed between the front and body portions. The tapered portion has an outer surface smoothly merging into the outer surfaces of the front portion and the body portion.

Abstract: A ground drainage system includes a relatively narrow, elongated trench disposed along a roadway (or agricultural field); and a drainage tube construction disposed in the trench. The tube construction including a plurality of longitudinally extending, substantially tangential and generally parallel corrugated tubes oriented with respect to one another in a linear fashion. In transverse cross-section the portions attaching the tubes to another define a generally straight line perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the tubes. The tubes are generally vertically stacked with respect to one another. The corrugations are defined by alternating ribs and valleys. Each tube has perforations in the valleys to allow fluid to enter therein and be drained away.

Abstract: A guide useful for guiding a catheter within a blood vessel is formed of a single length of shape memory alloy. The guide has a central portion of uniform diameter and substantially identical tapered end portions each terminating in enlarged diameter portions defining smoothly rounded beads which function to reduce trauma to the lumen of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A material heating oven for sterilizing items for use in a sterile environment or the like comprising a hot air supply device having a filter, a cool air supply device having a filter, an oven cavity separate from the hot air supply and cool air supply devices, and a dampering system for selectively drawing air from the hot air supply and cool air supply devices to regulate the temperature of the oven cavity. Both the hot air supply and cool air supply devices include independent air recirculation loops for maintaining substantially constant temperature airstreams from which selected quantities of air are exchanged with the oven cavity. The nearly constant temperature airstreams prevent the filters in the devices from being thermally stressed which may cause them to shed particles to the clean environment. An electrically controlled temperature control system is used to regulate the temperature of the airstream flowing through the hot air supply and cool air supply devices.

Abstract: A medical guide wire for insertion into body channels for accessing specific inner body areas without major surgery. The guide wire comprises an elongated, flexible guide having a core of a shape memory alloy, the guide utilizing the two-way memory properties of the shape memory alloy to impart tip-deflecting and rotational movement to the guide wire in response to a controlled thermal stimulus.

Abstract: To improve chip resistance of an alkyd-type electro-depositable coating composition, there may be added to the composition an ethylenically unsaturated, addition-polymerizable monomer or oligomer having a substantially linear backbone, having a molecular weight of at least about 150, and being reactive with fatty acid unsaturation of the alkyd.

Abstract: A measuring and dispensing device for shortening and similar semi-solid materials. The device includes a scoop having a tubular body with an inner surface, the scoop being open at both ends and having a handle. A plunger is closely receivable in one end of the tubular body and is movable to displace semi-solid material from the other end of the tubular body. Measurement gradations are provided on either the tubular body or the plunger, the tubular body preferably being transparent. The scoop may be filled with shortening, the excess being cut off with a knife or similar object, and the plunger then inserted to simultaneously measure and displace the desired amount of semi-solid material. To spread semi-solid material on a surface such as a cookie sheet or casserole, a flexible perforated cap is provided which is removably attachable to the opposite end of the tubular body.

Abstract: The biocompatibility of biomaterials having solid surfaces is improved through coating the same with biocompatible agents where the biocompatible agents are covalently bonded to the solid surface via a chemical linking moiety. The method for modifying the solid surface to improve biocompatibility employs molecules of a biocompatible agent and a chemical linking moiety possessing a photochemically reactive group capable upon activation of covalently bonding to the solid surface and possessing a different reactive group as capable upon activation of covalently bonding to separate molecules of the biocompatible agent. One of the groups is unresponsive to activation by a stimulus to which the other group is responsive.

Abstract: A method for reducing the occurrence of falsely elevated results in a peroxidase-catalyzed, enzyme assay is described. Interference in an assay caused by blood or bood products in a clinical specimen is eliminated or reduced by reacting the specimen with an oxidizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide or sodium meta-periodate.

Abstract: An easily produced, reliable mount for gems comprising a band (21, 22) embracing the periphery of the setting side of the gem (18), said band having a slit (15). At the upper edge of the band (21, 22), holding elements (19, 20) are disposed for the gem (18). Holding tongues (12, 13) disposed on the band (21, 22) and inclined outwardly and upwardly, serve to fix the mount in a carrier opening.

Abstract: A method for modifying the solid surface to improve its biocompatibility is disclosed. The method employs molecules of a biocompatible agent and a chemical linking moiety possessing a photochemically reactive group capable upon activation of covalently bonding to the solid surface and possessing a different reactive group as capable upon activation of covalently bonding to separate molecules of the biocompatible agent. The method comprises applying stimulus to sequentially activate the groups and covalently bind the different reactive group of the linking moiety to the molecules of the biocompatible agent and to photochemically covalently bind the linking moiety to the solid surface with a sufficient population density to enable the molecules of the biocompatible agent to effectively shield the solid surface and to provide a biocompatible surface.

Abstract: A catheter useful in draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles of a brain. The catheter utilizes a series of holes arranged in a helical pattern at the forward or ventricular end portion of the catheter. Exterior grooves may be provided in the ventricular end of the catheter within which the holes are protectively sheltered from contact with surrounding ventricular tissue. The catheter, and particularly its ventricular end, may be capable of elastic elongation upon insertion of a rigid stylet within the catheter, the diameter of the ventricular end portion become reduced in response to its axial elongation to facilitate disengagement of the catheter with the surrounding ventricular tissue to permit the catheter to be withdrawn.

Abstract: An organ preservation solution, particularly valuable in the preservation of mammalian hearts intended for transplantation, in aqueous solution, at least about 3% by weight of polypropylene glycol having an average molecular weight of at least about 15,000 daltons and being free of material retained by 10 micron filtration, a buffer buffering the pH of the solution perfusate to a value in the range of about 7.1 to about 7.5, and an impermeant composition for retarding the passage of water across cell membranes of an organ treated with the solution.

Abstract: A polypeptide transforming growth factor found in porcine platelets, having activity in the TGF-.beta. assay and a molecular weight of about 25 kDa. The factor is a heterodimer, one chain of which has an N-terminal sequence very different from human platelet TGF-.beta., and the other chain of which has an N-terminal sequence identical to that of human platelet TGF-.beta.. The factor is purified using gel filtration and reverse phase HPLC.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the propensity of a dairy cow to develop severe milk fever upon calving comprising administering thereto a composition comprising a water-soluble calcium compound and a complexing agent for serum phosphorus.