Abstract: Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for repairing a cartilage defect and a method for utilizing the same. The orthopedic device includes an implant capable of attachment to bone, and a bearing portion extending from an exterior substrate of the implant. The implant may also include an anchor. The bearing portion includes a fibrous bearing surface configured to articulate against adjacent anatomical structures.

Abstract: UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation in an inert environment. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation.

Abstract: UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel composition comprising at least one polymer with functional groups including alcohol groups, acid groups, and amide groups and where the ratio of the functional alcohol groups to functional acid groups in the hydrogel composition ranges from about 16:1 to about 3:2. The present invention also provides a method of repairing an articulating surface in a body using the inventive composition. The inventive hydrogel composition is created by blending two or more polymers to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups, reacting at least one polymer with a reagent that results in the formation of alcohol, acid, and/or amide functional groups of the desired ratio, and/or polymerizing at least one monomer to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to form modified hydrogel materials using reactive compounding. The method includes mixing a hydrogel material with a plasticizer in a compounding apparatus. During mixing, a reactive chemical compound is added to the mixture that reacts with the hydrogel material to form a modified hydrogel material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing articles with a gradient of density, porosity and/or concentration by subjecting a viscous material to centrifugation during production of the article. The viscous material may be a composite material comprising a hydrogel. The viscous material can be molded or cast into the article. In certain embodiments, the viscous material is used to create an articulating surface implant such as a replacement plug, a knee spacer, or a spinal disc. The article may also be an implant such as a shoulder implant or other socket type implant that is produced by centrifuging in two axes which produces a gradient relative to both axes of rotation.

Abstract: An orthopedic device including a base and an adhesive pad attached to the base. The adhesive pad receives an adhesive capable of securing the orthopedic device to tissue. The orthopedic device may also include an attachment mechanism for receiving and attaching additional orthopedic components and/or surgical instruments thereto. For example, a cut guide, a pin placer, or another orthopedic component or surgical instrument may be secured to the attachment mechanism of the orthopedic device of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for the repair of bone defects which requires only the resection of the defective portion of the bone. After resecting a defective portion of the bone, a formable implant may be inserted through an incision in the skin and placed over the resected portion of the bone. The formable implant may conform to the shape of the resected bone, after which the formable implant may be adjusted or formed to a desired shape. Once a desired shape and location are achieved, a catalyst is employed to harden the formable implant.

Abstract: Photoresist compositions, or photoacids, are used in etching circuit pathways on the surface of microelectronic components. Iodonium compounds generate a strong acid under short wavelength irradiation, which is capable of etching the polymeric surface coating of a silicon wafer. The strong acid is the conjugate acid of the counteranion. Larger counterions generate acids that diffuse to a lesser extent in the polymer resist matrix, producing better image resolution. Given the particular anion, the solubility of its diary iodonium salts will depend upon which aromatic rings are used on the iodonium molecule. A zwitterionic structure of the iodonium molecule, having both positive and negative charges on the same molecular species, can be used as photoacid composition in the photoresist step of microchip manufacturing.

Abstract: A basic crane capable of lifting a predetermined load is equipped with an outrigger unit which, in one orientation, engages the ground to increase the lifting capacity of the crane to an intermediate level and, in a second orientation relative to the crane, is arranged to coact with members of heavy duty equipment which may be added to the basic crane to give it a heavy duty lifting capacity.