Abstract: An anatomically specific, bioresorbable, implant device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of using the implant device for facilitating the healing of a human joint lesion includes a cartilage region invested with an alginate microstructure joined with a subchondral bone region invested with a hyaluronan microstructure. The alginate selectively dispersed in the cartilage region enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage. The hyaluronan selectively dispersed in the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for mesenchymal cells which migrate into that region's macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. The microstructures can be invested at varying concentrations in the regions. A hydrophobic barrier, strategically positioned within the subchondral bone region macrostructure, shields the chondrocytes from the oxygenated blood in subchondral cancellous bone.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for actuating an electric circuit is disclosed including a cover (124) having a front wall including a broad surface and movably mounted by pins (126) extending through apertures (108) formed in a mount (90, 90') of a housing (12, 12'), with the cover (124) being biased by springs (130) located on the pins (126). Tongues (136) of the cover (124) engage the legs (118) of first and second actuating arms (112, 114) to pivot the arms (112, 114) to pivot an actuation lever (100). The lever (100) includes an actuation finger (104) which pushes against the toggle (38) of a switch (36) to de-energize the circuit. Thus, when any point of the cover (124) is pushed towards the mount (90, 90'), the switch (36) is moved to de-energize the circuit. A switch lever (70) is pivotably mounted to the housing (12, 12') and is pivoted by a slideable actuator (42) to move the switch (36) to energize the electric circuit.

Abstract: A ready to use, self contained article holding device for use on clothing to hold and support articles of a suitable kind like single use cameras. This device has on one end a protective liner (51) that is peeled off to expose an adhesive (50) that is on the back of a fastening strip (48) for attachment to an article. A fastening material (52) on the reverse side of fastening strip (48) is joined to a complementary fastening material (38) on a fastening strip (46) that is connected by an adhesive back on the second fastener strip (46) to the larger front side of a securing mechanism base (42). Securing mechanism base (42) is made from a sturdy, nonharmful material so that it can support-the weight of an attached item and not damage clothing from which it is held. Fastening strips (48 & 46) are made of material that will allow repeated releasing and replacing of attached products without reduction in holding ability.

Abstract: A biodegradable device for facilitating healing of structural voids in bone, cartilage as well as soft tissue is disclosed in the most preferred form including a porous macrostructure made from a biodegradable polymer and a chemotactic ground substance in the form of an RGD attachment moiety of fibronectin formed as a porous microstructure. For repair of articular cartilage, harvested precursor cells are secured to the biodegradable carrier which is shaped for press fitting into the articular cartilage lesion. In the most preferred form, the chemotactic ground substance enhances the attractiveness of the biodegradable device for cellular attachment at the site of repair and also facilitates the attachment of free, precursor cells such as chondrocytes and bone marrow to the biodegradable device.

Abstract: A hub assembly (10) for use in arranging muntins (22) across a window pane includes at least first and second covers (12, 14) which are snap-fit and frictionally held together and which define at least one arcuate track (70) that is adapted to slidably receive carrier members (20) for interconnecting the muntins (22) to the hub assembly (10). The arcuate track (70) coacts with the carrier members (20) to retain the carrier members (20) in selective angular positions about the hub assembly (10). The hub assembly (10), which is semi-circular in plan view, can be selectively attached directly to a window frame, or to another similarly constructed hub assembly (10) to form a circular overall hub assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling the transmission of rotational forces between first (14) and second (66) members through an axially shiftable friction element (56) that rotates in unison with the first member (14) and can be selectively brought into engagement with the second member (66) is provided with a forced air cooling system that functions to cool the interface between the friction element (56) and the second member (66), as well as a first bearing (54) allowing relative rotation between the friction element (56) and an actuation member (38). A flow of cooling air is developed during operation of the apparatus by fins (172,174) formed about an outer radial surface portion of the friction element (56) and the air is caused to flow through enlarged lobe cut-out sections (156) in the second member (66) along the interface and through holes (164) formed in the friction element (56) which are arranged opposite the first bearing (54).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for erecting collapsed, tubular cartons (12) includes a device (32) for removing the top carton (12) of a vertical stack of cartons (12) and moving it in a horizontal orientation to an operative position, with the second side panel (16) of the collapsed carton (12) underlying at least the first end panel (18) which is in a linear arrangement with the first side panel (14). Suction cups (76) carried by a frame (74) are secured to the second side panel (16) in an attachment position and moved by a parallelogram linkage to an open position located vertically below and coinciding with the first side panel (14). After an unload arm (84) is secured to the first end panel (18), tucking arms (102, 104, 106) are pivoted to tuck the bottom closure flaps (22, 24, 25).

Abstract: A microchip handling system has a pair of probes with suction cups for handling microchips. An improved microchip holding device is used in lieu of the suction cups to pick up and hold microchips. The microchip holding device has a head accommodating an annular sleeve that retains the microchip in spaced holding relationship relative to a body. The sleeve establishes a large annular space whereby the vacuum force has a large surface area for holding the microchip in engagement with the sleeve.

Abstract: A versatile apparatus (2) for controlling the transmission of rotational forces between first and second rotatable members preferably takes the form of a clutch that can be activated by axially shifting an internal actuation member (140) through the introduction of either liquid or gaseous mediums. The clutch includes first and second transmission members (177, 281) which are rotatably mounted within a housing (5) and adapted to be attached to the first and second rotatable members respectively. A coupling assembly (226), preferably including first and second sets of axially spaced interface elements (252-254 and 274, 275), is interposed between the transmission members (177, 284) within the housing and axial movement of the actuation member (140) causes the interface elements (252-254 and 274, 275) to be frictionally engaged.

Abstract: An oesophagus seal for sealing the oesophagus in a slaughtered animal comprises a plug (10) for insertion into the oesophagus (40) and a retainer in the form of a clamp (20) which internally engages and clamps to tissues of the oesophagus (40) to resist disengagement of the plug. The plug (10) has an outer peripheral clamp surface (13) and the clamp (20) is in the form of a clamp ring (21) which clamps the internal mucosa (41) of the oesophagus (40) between the clamp ring (21) and the outside clamp surface (13). The plug (10) has a reduced diameter neck (15) and a conical ramped outer surface (16) leading to the clamp surface. The clamp ring (21) is initially located beyond the neck (15) and is advanceable so that tissues (41) surrounding and projecting into the neck portion (15), e.g.

Abstract: A compact disk shelf assembly comprises a first and second top plates, a first and second transverse middle plates, a first and second bottom plates, a first and second left lateral plates, a first and second right lateral plates, and a first and second longitudinal middle plates. The first transverse middle plate is disposed between the first and second left lateral plates and the first and second longitudinal middle plates. The second transverse middle plate is disposed between the first and second right lateral plates and the first and second longitudinal middle plates. The first top plate is disposed between the first longitudinal middle plate and the first left lateral plate. The second top plate is disposed between the first longitudinal middle plate and the first right lateral plate. The first bottom plate is disposed between the second longitudinal middle plate and the second left lateral plate.

Abstract: A rotatable food serving housing including a rotating base assembly, a base including an umbrella accommodation sleeve and cold ice pack supports, at least two opposing food serving trays, and a cover including opposing hinged flaps for mating with the base, the umbrella accommodation sleeve and the cold ice pack supports.