Abstract: A flexible, seamless tissue expanding implant with predetermined memory shape to augment tissue for accurate anatomical restoration for alloplastic reconstruction. The implant is a hollow shape formed from a material that tends to resume its molded shape even when collapsed and when reinflated resumes the desired shape. A minimal incision is made in the patient. From the incision a pocket is formed under the skin of the patient. The pocket is sized to hold the implant, which is inserted, in a collapsed deflated condition. The incision is then closed and allowed to heal. The implant is provided with a one-way, self-sealing valve for periodic inflation. The one-way valve is a latex plug encapsulated with silastic and incorporated into the implant. The valve can be palpated by the surgeon so that inflation can be performed with the implant in place by inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of the patient, through the valve and into the interior of the implant.

Abstract: A method of measuring residual lung volume (RV) in infants by washout of nitrogen or other inert gas, using a compression jacket for rapid thoracoabdominal compression (RTC). RTC is performed from a raised lung volume (V30) to an airway opening pressure. The jacket pressure (Pj) (range 65-92 cm H2O) which generates the highest forced expiratory volume is used during the RV maneuver. The infant is manually hyperventilated to briefly inhibit the respiratory drive. RTC is initiated during the last passive expiration. By measuring the volume of nitrogen expired after end-forced expiratory switching of the inspired gas from a breathable mixture containing an inert gas to 100% oxygen while RTC is maintained during the post-expiratory pause, RV is calculated.

Abstract: A composite allograft press comprises a loading frame and a two piece mold to form an composite allograft and in particular an acetabular cup from impacted cancellous bone chips and cement. Pressure is applied by a manually operated lever through a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism to a plunger attached to one part of the mold. Compression load switches in-line with the plunger indicate the correct loading to the mold to produce a composite allograft in which the inner surface is smooth and comprised essentially of hardened bone cement material. The outer portion of the allograft may have limited cement extrusions but the exterior of the cup primarily shows exposed cancellous bone surface. In surgery a composite allograft; e.g., an acetabular cup, is fixed in the acetabulum with bone screws to fill an acetabular defect. A plastic liner is affixed with bone cement directly to the composite allograft cup to receive the femoral component.

Abstract: An alloplastic device and process for replacement of a damaged or diseased spinal vertebral column disk. The replacement disk is hollow room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone shaped to mimic the natural disk being replaced. The shape can be derived from a mold of the natural disk or an MRI scan. The replacement disk may be trabeculated (honeycombed) and may be filled with a lubricating fluid including triglyceride oil, preferably soybean oil. The replacement disk is formed by allowing RTV silicone injected into a mold to vulcanize at room temperatures until a wall of sufficient thickness is formed. The unvulcanized silicone is expressed to form the hollow interior. The replacement disk is formed with a nipple having an interior concavity. The nipple is cut from the body of the replacement disk leaving an opening into the hollow interior.

Abstract: A process and device for improved healing of large avulsed or burned tissue which prevents excessive cicatricial, keloid or fibromatoid formation, reduces fluid loss, and increases protection from infection by employing an elastomer matrix; i.e., a thin sheet of elastomer with a plurality of fenestrations, placed on the wound and a bath of oil to cover the matrix. The oil bath is provided by a flexible sealed capsule of thin silicone elastomer, preferably filled with soybean oil that percolates through the walls of the capsule. Enhanced granulation tissue formation is promoted by encapsulation of the wound with the matrix. Granulation tissue engulfs the matrix while the matrix integrity and elastic rigidity acts to reduce scarring. The barrier of the sterile soybean oil bath and the barrier of the elastomer matrix improve antisepsis and acts to reduce loss of body fluids.

Abstract: A lock having a pin inserted into openings in the housing and the shaft to lock the shaft against movement relative to the housing. A lock guard is welded to the housing and a pin and ball receptacle is welded to the opposite side of the housing. A pin lock inserted through the lock guard, through the housing and the shaft into the pin and ball receptacle includes an outer pin containing a pair of ball bearings disposed within openings in the end of the outer pin. When inserted the pair of ball bearings are disposed adjacent to depressions in the inside surface of the pin and ball receptacle. A cylinder key lock is attached at the end opposite the key to a rotator which engages an inner pin. The inner pin has a large diameter section and a reduced diameter section at its end. When the large diameter section is in contact with the ball bearings, the ball bearings protrude through the outer pin and engage the depressions in the pin and ball receptacle to lock the outer pin to the pin and ball receptacle.

Abstract: A bicycle steering lock having a pin inserted into openings in the steering housing and the fork shaft to lock the steering of the bicycle. A lock guard is welded to the steering housing and a pin and ball receptacle is welded to the opposite side of the housing. A pin lock inserted through the lock guard, through the housing and the fork shaft into the pin and ball receptacle includes an outer pin containing a pair of ball bearings disposed within openings in the end of the outer pin. When inserted the pair of ball bearings are disposed adjacent to depressions in the inside surface of the pin and ball receptacle. A cylinder key lock is attached at the end opposite the key to a rotator which engages an inner pin. The inner pin has a large diameter section and a reduced diameter section at its end.

Abstract: A mastectomy garment for retaining a breast prosthesis in place on the anterior chest wall of a mastectomy patient. A combination bandeau/bra includes a normal bra cup for the natural breast (unless the patient has undergone a double mastectomy, in which case no normal bra cup is required), and a fold down cup for the prosthesis. Beneath the fold down cup a bandeau conforms to the anatomy of the patient's chest and presents a surface of hook and loop fastening material for the attachment of the breast prosthesis which carries mating hook and loop material on the posterior side. In one embodiment, the bandeau over the mastectomy site is provided with fenestration to improve the breathability of the site. The hook and loop fastening material on the bandeau covers substantially the entire portion of the bandeau over the mastectomy site allowing flexibility in the placement of the breast prosthesis on the bandeau.

Abstract: An alloplastic device and process for replacement of a damaged or diseased spinal vertebral column disk. The replacement disk is hollow room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone shaped to mimic the natural disk being replaced. The shape can be derived from a mold of the natural disk or an MRI scan. The replacement disk may be trabeculated (honeycombed) and may be filled with a lubricating fluid including triglyceride oil, preferably soybean oil. The replacement disk is formed by allowing RTV silicone injected into a mold to vulcanize at room temperatures until a wall of sufficient thickness is formed. The unvulcanized silicone is expressed to form the hollow interior. The replacement disk is formed with a nipple having an interior concavity. The nipple is cut from the body of the replacement disk leaving an opening into the hollow interior.

Abstract: A process for non-surgical repositioning of craniofacial bones following surgery for severe disease or trauma. At least two osseointegrated, i.e. bone implanted, fixtures are implanted in the patient. A malleable bar, preferably of a gold, platinum and nickel alloy, is fastened between the two fixtures. The gold bar initially has a flexed shape that could include loops, curves or other nonlinear segments. The flexed gold bar is periodically bent to a more straightened position which thus applies a force between the two bone implanted fixtures. The force between the two fixtures tends to reposition the facial bones over a period of time to restore function and/or form to the injured area.

Abstract: A folding portable exercise apparatus having a padded chest bar and a padded lap bar. Two pairs of length-adjustable telescoping rods connect the bars. Each pair of telescoping rods is joined by a coil spring. An abdominal belt may be fastened around and underneath the user. The device may be used to exercise the upper abdominal muscles, the triceps, the pectoral muscles, and the back and lower abdominal muscles. The device may be disassembled and folded into a compact arrangement for storage and travel by detaching the coil springs from one pair of telescoping rods. This allows the device to be separated into two components. The telescoping rods may be folded so that they lie along the major length of the respective chest bar and lap bar. The belt may then be used to secure the two folded components together producing a compact package approximately the length and width of the chest bar and lap bar.

Abstract: An external prosthesis and a method for affixing the prosthesis to the user by means compliantly housed magnets interacting with surgical steel implants inserted beneath the skin of the user. The implants are surgical steel buttons coated with methylmethacrylate to avoid the release of corrosion products and silastic, a biocompatible material. The implant is inserted beneath the patient's skin along with a biocompatible mesh material to provide additional strength. A flexible carrier is formed with a hollow cylindrical shape to allow a magnet to move freely within the carrier. The opening of the flexible carrier is covered with a mesh. The flexible carrier/magnet/mesh combination is formed into the prosthesis so that the prosthesis aligns with the surgical steel implants and allows freedom of movement within the flexible carrier. The mesh material allows for breathability and also avoids skin strangulation from excess pressure of the magnet on the surgical steel implant.

Abstract: A Christmas tree watering device for adding water to the water reservoir of a Christmas tree stand. A funnel-like opening for receiving water is disguised as a Christmas tree ornament. The disguised ornament is provided with a hinged section that opens to provide access to the hollow interior. The hinged section prevents debris from falling into the opening and serves to disguise the device. The interior of the disguised ornament communicates with a flexible tube to the reservoir located at the base of the tree. A warning mechanism to ensure that the reservoir is not filled to overflowing has a float that rises and falls with the water level in the reservoir, a bell, and a striker on the float arranged to contact the bell when the correct water level has been reached. The warning mechanism may be clipped to the lower end of the flexible tube or may be provided with a hook to hook over the side of the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved lifter and a method of repairing a damaged lifter employed in a rotary drum debarker of the type which removes the bark of logs by introducing logs into a rotating drum wherein the the logs tumble and flail against one another so that the bark is removed by the tumbling and rubbing action of one log against another. A plurality of lifters are arranged around the interior surface of the drum so that the point or vertex of the lifter is facing toward the axis of rotation of the drum. The lifters are provided with cleats on the vertex of the lifter in the direction of rotation of the drum to protect the lifter from excessive wear. In addition the cleat lifts the logs higher in the drum which improves the tumbling action. Damaged lifters may be repaired by the addition of the cleat to the vertex of the lifter.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the purification of waste wash water derived from the production of aromatic acids. Lost aromatic acid product and the heavy metal oxidation catalyst is recovered and purified water is recycled to the process. The process includes the steps of filtration to recover the insoluble aromatic acid, ion exchange to recover and purify the heavy metal oxidation catalyst, and a reverse osmosis system for recovering the water for reuse.

Abstract: A composite allograft press comprises a loading frame and a two piece mold to form an composite allograft and in particular an acetabular cup from impacted cancellous bone chips and cement. Pressure is applied by a manually operated lever through a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism to a plunger attached to one part of the mold. Compression load switches in-line with the plunger indicate the correct loading to the mold to produce a composite allograft in which the inner surface is smooth and comprised essentially of hardened bone cement material. The outer portion of the allograft may have limited cement extrusions but the exterior of the cup primarily shows exposed cancellous bone surface. In surgery a composite allograft; e.g., an acetabular cup, is fixed in the acetabulum with bone screws to fill an acetabular defect. A plastic liner is affixed with bone cement directly to the composite allograft cup to receive the femoral component.

Abstract: A game hoist for mounting to the cargo rack of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The game hoist is mounted to the cargo rack using a base plate which has one or more sets of angle brackets mounted to the underside of the base plate. The sets of angle brackets form pockets or receptacles to slidably receive respective rods of the cargo rack. The base plate has an upward facing cylindrical post which receives a cylindrical column. A telescoping boom is provided with a cylindrical collar which fits over the top end of the column. The telescoping boom has an inner cylindrical member which is slidingly received in an outer cylindrical member. The inner cylindrical member may be telescoped outward from the outer cylindrical member. The outer end of the inner cylindrical member is provided with a manually operated winch. The winch is desirably provided with a ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: An improved separation process for the continuous catalytic oxidation of aromatic alkyls for the production of aromatic carboxylic acids in a liquid solvent medium, wherein the reactor product stream is withdrawn from the oxidation process, then separated to produce a product containing stream, mother liquor stream and a catalyst containing purge stream which is then passed through a filtration system and series of sorption vessels to remove the oxidation catalyst and separate the impurities from the catalyst. The solvent is then separated from the reaction by-products by conventional distillation methods. The solvent is recycled to the process while the reaction by-product residue is disposed of by incineration. The oxidation catalyst is eluted from the ion exchange columns and returned to the process.

Abstract: A combination prosthesis and osseointegrated fixture for the attachment of the prosthesis. A percutaneous osseointegrated fixture is provided with a bar of biocompatible material. The bar is formed into a plurality of loops and the prosthesis is molded to form a plurality of complementary mushroom-headed protuberances that fit snapwise into the loops.

Abstract: Apparatus request for debarking logs comprising a generally horizontal rotary drum debarker having an inlet end, power drive device for continuously rotating the drum of the debarker generally about a horizontal axis, generally horizontal main conveyor element for conveying groups of tree length logs toward the drum, the main conveyor element having a discharge end below the axis of rotation of the drum, drive apparatus for continuously driving the main conveyor element, and auxiliary feed mechanism below the axis of rotation of the drum and between the discharge end of the main conveyor element and the inlet end of the drum for assisting the movement of groups of logs fed by the main conveyor element into the inlet end of the drum. The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,655, filed Dec. 7, 1994, 90/003,826 filed May 8, 1995, and 90/004,552 filed Feb.