Abstract: Prosthesis components and a method for replacing the articulating surfaces of an ankle joint. Through the use of appropriate guide tools for a surgical saw, planar surfaces are formed on the tibia, talus and fibula. Tibial, talar and fibular prosthesis components are provided for mounting on the tibial, talar and fibular planar cut surfaces, respectively. A floating bearing is located between the tibial and talar prosthesis components. The floating bearing makes full contact with the talar prosthesis component and is capable of limited medial-lateral and fore and aft movement with respect to the tibial prosthesis component. The fibular prosthesis component has a plastic insert which cooperates with the other prosthesis components to provide stability to the ankle joint by permitting the full range of motion of the fibula including sliding motion fore and aft, piston-like motion up and down, and rotation.

Abstract: A handle structure providing the user with a comfortable, natural, hook-type grip, maintaining the use's wrist in a neutral or flexed position during the performance of gripping, pulling, or lifting movements of a repetitive exercise routine or an extended work routine, to facilitate grip strength and endurance. The handle comprises a grip portion from which a fixed or adjustable support surface extends tangentially, the user's palm is engaged by the support surface preventing the hand and wrist from extending due to fatigue or slippage.

Abstract: Optoelectronic interconnections can provide a practical solution for the ever increasing communication bottleneck problems when combining a multitude of information processing units to perform a function. As research activities progress in the field of serial or parallel board-to-board and module-to-module interconnections, some of the research focus has shifted to smaller physical dimensions, like intra-module interconnections, which combines optoelectronic interconnections, multichip module packaging, and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technologies at the module level. The present invention provides integrated optical input/output (I/O) couplers on multichip modules (MCMs) using micro-machined silicon mirrors that are used with optoelectronic multichip modules (OE-MCMs). The present invention used microstructures that integrate optical waveguide networks, multilayer electrical transmission line networks, micro-machined silicon mirrors, and C4-bonded photonic devices into a single structure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming crystalline silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure. In this method, the thin silicon layer of an SOI substrate is converted to silicon carbide using a carbonization reaction. The SiC layer is then, optionally, further increased in thickness using a vapor deposition reaction, preferably using a silicon-containing cyclobutane gas. Rather than increasing the thickness of the SiC layer, the vapor deposition process can also be used to deposit a layer of another semiconductor (e.g., a III-N or III-P semiconductor) on the thin SiC layer. The products made by this process are also claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the processing of a continuous blown film undergoing collapsing in which a plurality of differential elements of the film follow respective streamline paths which are approximately equal in length to the path of the longest streamline thereby substantially equalizing circumferentially varying shape change induced machine direction stresses and reducing the residence time variations within higher thermal energy regions so as to significantly minimize the commonly rather large magnitudes of variations of gauge, energy to break and machine direction lengths of the solidified material. The method and apparatus provide the potential to structure more uniformly the macromolecular arrangements existing within the material and allow the blown film extrusion of higher modulus materials than have heretofore been possible.

Abstract: An in-ground receptacle for a fluid meter and/or a valve, comprising a continuous wall defining a chamber for the meter and/or valve. The wall is molded in three layers comprising smooth inner and outer layers of plastic with an intermediate plastic layer having high insulative characteristics. The receptacle is provided at its upper end with an appropriate openable closure, substantially at ground level, and permitting inspection of and access to the meter and/or valve. The receptacle has an annular interior rim near its upper end. The rim supports an insulative pad at the top of the receptacle beneath the openable closure therefor. The pad has a removable center portion enabling inspection and access to the fluid meter and/or valve. The construction of the receptacle is such as to prevent freezing of the fluid meter and/or valve.

Abstract: A riding saddle comprises, inter alia, two downwardly depending flaps from either side of the seat, which flaps may be altered to provide different configurations so that the saddle may be readily adapted for different riding pursuits. Such adaptability is provided by a generally two-part flap comprising a main part attached to the seat and a plurality of differently contoured removable parts releasably attachable to the main part, either in an aperture thereof, or at a front edge thereof. The invention provides a simple, quick, and relatively lowcost method of adapting a saddle to suit a variety of riding activities, such as show jumping, racing and dressage.

Abstract: A wiping system for removing liquids such as lubricant and coolant liquids from the surfaces of a metallic strip. The system comprises upper and lower wiper rolls for wiping the upper and lower surfaces of the strip. The wiper rolls each comprise a metal core and a porous resilient covering. At least one upper backup roll for said upper wiper roll and at least one lower backup roll for said lower wiper roll providing support for said wiper rolls; urging said wiper rolls against their respective strip surfaces resulting in the formation of a liquid bead on each surface of said strip at the entry end of the wiper roll nip; and engaging their respective wiper rolls at contact zones at the entry ends of which beads of oil squeezed from said porous wiper roll covers are formed. A suction assembly is provided for each bead to remove liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A purified, naturally derived melanogenic inhibitor protein capable of inhibiting melanogenesis in pigmentary cells has an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 4. A method of producing melanogenic inhibitor protein comprises grafting mammalian skin onto a live host, permitting the mammalian skin to remain on the host for a predetermined period of time, removing the mammalian skin, and extracting the protein from the skin. Methods of controlling melanogenesis in pigmentary cells or selectively destroying melanoma cells comprise the steps of mixing an effective amount of melanogenic inhibitor protein, or an active segment, derivative, or analog thereof, with a suitable carrier, and applying this mixture to the pigmentary or melanoma cells.

Abstract: A multi-purpose internal fixation plate for stabilization of fractured or broken bones. The fixation plate comprises a central hub portion with a plurality of radial, integral fingers extending therefrom and evenly spaced thereabout. The fixation plate is designed to be cut to size and to the desired configuration by the total or partial removal of one or more selected ones of the fingers. The fixation plate is further designed to be bent to the desired shape depending upon the application for which it is used. The hub portion and the fingers may be provided with appropriately configured apertures through which they can be screwed by surgical screws to the bone or bones to be stabilized. The fixation plate is made of any appropriate surgically compatible, bendable and cutable material, having sufficient strength.

Abstract: Louvered blinds for use at windows and the like, having vertically or horizontally oriented louvers bearing decorative indicia, and which, when closed, are free of light gaps and free of overlap of the decorative indicia from louver-to-louver. Each louver comprises an elongated slat-like element with a main body portion and an extended lip portion along one longitudinal edge of the main body portion. The decorative indicia on each louver is substantially co-extensive with its main body portion. When the louvers are closed, the lip portion of each louver overlies the rear surface of the next adjacent louver to prevent light gaps while the decorative indicia of each louver is fully exposed to produce the overall decorative image of the closed blind, uninterrupted by overlaps louver-to-louver. In a preferred embodiment, the decorative indicia on each louver can be easily removed therefrom and replaced with other decorative indicia.

Abstract: A cooking device comprising a hot plate with a top surface; a heatable bottom cooking surface bearing a plurality of outwardly-projecting, spring-loaded, food piercing temperature probes of different lengths, configured for injecting into a piece of food such that the temperature of the food surrounding at least one probe may be determined, and wherein the spring-loaded configuration allows the probes to retract into the body of the cooking device when contacting a non-penetrable surface; means for indicating the temperature at the probes' ends; means for controlling the temperature of the bottom cooking surface; and a handle.

Abstract: A chlorine generator for preserving fruits and vegetables includes a first layer of paper or polyethylene and a second layer of polyethylene. The first layer has a weight of from about 20 to about 70 g/m.sup.2 and is preferably made from a laja-type paper. It is preferred that at least one surface of the first layer is coated with a plastic permeable film, such as polyethylene, having a weight of from about 5 to about 25 g/m.sup.2. The two layers are joined together, preferably by thermal seal, to define one or more pockets. A hypochlorite material, such as calcium hypochlorite, is placed in the pockets. This material releases active chlorine gas upon reaction with moisture from said fruits and vegetables. Alternatively, the first layer can be impregnated with a mixture containing the hypochlorite (such as a mixture of hypochlorite and sodium chloride) and is preferably coated with a resin material.

Abstract: A gas phase process for the production of titanium dioxide powders having well-controlled crystalline and surface area characteristics is disclosed. In this process, which is preferably carried out in a laminar diffusion flame reactor, vapor phase TiCl.sub.4 and oxygen are mixed in a reaction area which is heated externally. The titanium dioxide powder formed is then collected. It is preferred that the heat source used be a hydrocarbon fueled (e.g., methane) flame. Optionally, a vapor phase dopant (such as SiCl.sub.4) may be added to the reaction mixture to desirably affect the physical properties of the titanium dioxide produced. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a corona electric field is positioned across the area where the combustion reaction takes place (i.e., the reaction area). High anatase, high surface area titanium dioxide powders made by this process are excellent photocatalysts. The products of this process and the use of those products as photocatalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for infrared pressureless infiltration of composites, including infiltration of carbon fibers and silicon carbide fibers with aluminum and titanium matrices. Composites produced by the methods of the present invention are also included within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: An improved visual performance tester is provided which measures and stores very precise information concerning the visual sensitivity of a human eye, by use of a series of contrasting images on a computer monitor screen under a controlled-lighting environment. The tester measures the time it takes for a human patient to give the answers required by the test, thereby providing more accurate information than previously available in conventional vision testing systems. Various charts having different spatial frequencies (i.e., different sizes of bands inside a circle), different band inclinations, and different contrast characteristics are periodically displayed on the computer monitor, while the patient presses buttons (or areas) on the monitor screen to indicate his or her ability to perceive the chart images. By gradually and randomly decreasing the contrast, and/or increasing the spatial frequency, the tester can determine the patient's critical vision threshold.

Abstract: A method of selectively heating targeted cells within a specimen while avoiding heating of non-targeted cells is provided. The method comprises the steps of:(a) determining at least one combination of magnetic field strength and radio wave frequency (strength-frequency combination) at which only the targeted cells will resonate when the magnetic field and the electromagnetic radiation are applied to the specimen orthogonal to one another; and(b) applying a magnetic field and a radio frequency wave to the targeted cells, the strength of the magnetic field and the frequency of the radio wave corresponding to the strength-frequency combination to the targeted cells, in order to cause nuclear magnetic resonance in the targeted cells, thereby increasing the temperature of only the targeted cells.