Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the surface properties of the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: A surgical screw system for use with implantation rods includes a screw member, a receiver member, a pressure cap and a locking device. The screw member has a shaft and a head with a spherical undersurface and a conical tapered recess. The receiver member has an upper and lower portion, a u-shaped rod receiving channel and an axial bore. The u-shaped channel has two lateral legs at the upper portion and forms an opening leading to the axial bore. The axial bore near the lower portion includes an inwardly conical tapered surface which has a diameter larger than the shaft of the screw member but smaller than the head of the screw member. The conical surface forms a support upon which the spherical undersurface of the head of the screw member rests when the screw member is guided through the bore of the lower portion of the receiver member. The pressure cap is positioned within the axial bore and situated upon the head of the screw member.

Abstract: Surgical cross-connecting apparatuses in which the components of the apparatuses are adjustable as a result of being provided with a number of degrees of freedom. The components are movable axially and rotatably. The components are rotatable in several different ways taken from the perspective of the axially extending cross connecting member of the apparatuses. The apparatuses include a lever and set screw for locking a spinal rod in position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a shaped article suitable for use as the load bearing component of a prosthetic device formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. polyethylene.

Abstract: A method for preserving a component including polymeric material that reduces oxidation degradation after irradiation. The method includes sealing the polymeric material in a container filled with a fluid, preferably a liquid. Monitoring the integrity of the container's seal is enhanced by use of liquid rather than a gas. The method can be used for long term storage of orthopaedic implants which include polymeric material, especially Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The particles are composed of a material such as an absorbing agent, releasing agent and/or activation agent. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology for controlled gas transmission rate. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers in which a variety of items can be stored, such as eyeglasses writing instruments, pills, medicines, thermometers, rulers, note pads, to name a few of the nearly limitless number of items that can be stored. The containers may be provided with writing implements or gauges to measure a parameter, such as a timepiece, or a computational device, such as a calculator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bone plate assembly including a bone plate, bone screws received in apertures in the assembly, and a screw retaining member fixed to the bone plate which covers at least a portion of the bone screws. When bone screws have been received by the bone plate and inserted into bone and/or tissue, the bone plate assembly can be used to fuse anatomical structures together, such as adjoining bones, or to heal a fracture in bone.

Abstract: A tamper-proof container and cap assembly is provided, comprising a container having an upper portion and an outer surface. The container has a rim at the upper portion. The upper portion includes a flexible and detachable protrusion having a contact element and a break point. The container also has a cap having a base with an outer periphery and a skirt extending perpendicularly and outwardly around the outer periphery of the base. The cap has a hinge and a tap with a first and second slot wherein the first slot is capable of housing the protrusion, and the second slot has an interlocking device that mates with the protrusion. In an empty stage, the protrusion is positioned within the first slot. In a filled stage, the cap is placed upon the container and the protrusion is repositioned within the second slot and the contact element engages the interlocking device to form a tamper-proof seal.

Abstract: A first frame of an eyeglass device includes a bridge with a magnetic member, and two retaining mechanisms for supporting a pair of lenses. The retaining mechanisms defines a frontal plane. The bridge ties the two-retaining mechanism together, with the magnetic member magnetically coupling to another magnetic member at the bridge of a second frame. In one embodiment the coupling occurs at a coupling surface on the second frame that is substantially perpendicular to the frontal plane. The magnetic member at the bridge of the first frame can be a permanent magnet or a magnetizable member. The second frame can be a primary frame, and the first frame can be an auxiliary frame.

Abstract: A modular hip prosthesis, comprising: (a) a proximal segment including a neck lockingly engageable with a femoral head component and a male tapered portion; (b) a distal segment having a proximal end and a distal tip, the distal segment further formed with a male tapered portion adjacent the proximal end thereof; and (c) a metaphyseal segment having a proximal end and a distal end, the metaphyseal segment preferably including a bone engaging outer surface portion, and further including an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore including first and second female tapered portions formed adjacent the proximal and distal ends thereof, respectively. The first female tapered portion of the metaphyseal segment is dimensionally configured to lockingly engage the male tapered portion of the proximal segment. The second female tapered portion of the metaphyseal segment is dimensionally configured to lockingly engage the male tapered portion of the distal segment.

Abstract: The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer having interconnecting channels. The interconnecting channels act as controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A hydrophilic agent is blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, a releasing material is blended into the polymer so that the releasing material is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the hydrophilic agent forms passages in the product through which a desired composition is communicable to the releasing material that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a leakproof plastic container by completely ejecting from a mold and then transferring to a cap closing station. The process includes the steps of injecting a molten plastic material into a mold cavity and then opening the mold and ejecting the body and cap completely from the mold. Subsequently, the body and cap are gravity fed to a collection device and then transferred to a cap closing station. In the cap closing station, the body and cap are sealed before the material is fully set to form a leakproof seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting an end-user's current brand name and, in return, providing at least one comparable branded product to the end-user where the category of branded products are non-comparison shopped products. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus is utilized in the area of medical devices including such markets as patients with intestinal stomas, incontinence wound care needs and diabetes.

Abstract: A barrier pack comprising a cover portion bonded to a base portion to form a sealed unit package capable of containing a product wherein the cover portion has at least one cavity and the base portion and/or cover portion has an absorbing agent material applied to the cavity and/or base portion.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an apparatus and means to lower emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides in lean, pre-mixed gas turbine combustors. Specifically, this invention employs a catalyst deposited on the inner surfaces of the combustor in the region of combustion which oxidizes CO combustion products. Also provided is a means for depositing a catalyst within the thermal barrier coating on the combustor liner walls.

Abstract: A surgical cross-connecting apparatus includes a first element, a second element, an adjustable tightening device and at least two rotatable hooking elements. The first element has opposing ends; one end has at least one aperture and the other end has a recessed surface including a central bore. The second element has opposing ends; one end having at least one aperture and the other end has a recessed surface including an elongated aperture. The recessed surface of the second element is positioned to overlap the recessed surface of the first element. The adjustable tightening device is positioned through the elongated aperture of the second element and within the central bore of the first element to secure the second element onto the first element. The tightening device is designed to rotatably fit and slidably move within the elongated aperture of the second element.

Abstract: The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer having channels. The channels act a controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A polymer is caused to assume a molten state, typically by applying heat and melting the polymer. A channeling agent is blended then reacted into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, an absorbtion additive is then blended into the product so that the absorbtion additive is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the channeling agent forms passages in the product through which a desired compound is communicable to additive that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a leak proof body and cap. The process including the steps of defining a mold cavity between a first mold part and a second mold part, injecting a molten material into the mold cavity thereby forming from the molten material a body and cap, and retracting the first mold part from the second mold part to separate the first mold part from the body and cap. Thereafter, engaging at least the body with a robotic arm and moving the body with the robotic arm into a capping device while the body and cap are at a temperature at which the material is not fully set. The body is then sealed by moving the cap into engagement with the body to form a leak proof seal.