Abstract: A composite material comprising a multilaminate structure of amorphous metal and ceramic laminae, and a method of making the same. The material may be formed of a high strength, low inhibitor content, amorphous metal, e.g., in a single ribbon form, or in a woven multi-ribbon sheet form having a substantially greater width than the single ribbon form, in which the amorphous metal is coated with a thin layer of high compressive strength, low temperature curing ceramic. Ceramic/amorphous metal composites of the invention are usefully employed in structural composite applications, in which the amorphous metal may be utilized as an electrically conductive structural component. Superconducting composites are also disclosed, which have potential utility in applications such as power transmission lines, generators, superconducting magnets, high speed operating switches, bolometers, high frequency communications components, and motors.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyaxial lateral mass locking screw plate assembly for immobilization of vertebral bones, via fixation to surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the invention includes a narrow elongate plate having a plurality of holes, which in one variation are threaded, into which holes coupling elements may be inserted, or correspondingly screwed. The coupling elements have a cylindrical exterior, and have an semi-spherical interior volume into which the semi-spherical head of a bone screw may be inserted, and therein polyaxially mounted. In one variation the coupling element is a 7/8ths ring including a single axial slot. In another variation the coupling element includes a plurality of slots in its lower portion. In either variation insertion of a coupling element into a corresponding hole causes the interior volume to be crush locked to the head of the screw.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyaxial locking screw plate assembly for immobilization of vertebral bones, via fixation to surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the invention includes a plate, having an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which has a pair of threaded holes, into which holes coupling elements may be screwed. The coupling elements each have a threaded cylindrical exterior, and have an interior semi-spherical concave surface in which the semi-spherical head of a bone screw may be polyaxially mounted. In a second embodiment, the present invention includes a similar plate, having holes which are, however, threaded part of the way through the plate. In this embodiment, the bottom portion of the holes of the plate, additionally, have a curved interior surface which forms an annular lip for supporting a semi-spherical head portion of a bone screw. The coupling element of this embodiment is a short threaded cylindrical piece, having a concave bottom which locks the screw into the hole.