Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a grooved director with a built in balloon which is inflated by a pump to a predetermined pressure to expand the walls of a collapsed vertebra. The device is inserted into the body of the compressed vertebra and the grooved director is positioned and aimed in a direction under the compressed superior end plate of the vertebral body. The balloon inside of the grooved director is inflated and the force and direction of balloon inflation restores the height of the fractured vertebrae. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director is circumferentially rotated while intermittently inflating and deflating the balloon to creates a symmetrical space within the center of the vertebral body. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director device with balloon is removed leaving a rebuilt vertebra which may be filled with a biocompatible material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a polyvinyl acetal sponge with a smooth outer low durometer silicone skin having less porosity then the foam center. The PVA sponge is washed free of formaldehyde, dried and hydrated and a thin coating of less than 1 mm low durometer silicone is applied to the surface of the sponge and heated at a low temperature ranging from 100° F. and 150° F. over 8 to 16 hours to cure the silicone skin bonding it to the sponge increasing the tear strength of the skin while preserving elasticity. The composite wound dressing allows moisture adsorption through the skin into the PVA sponge body but presents an outer surface precluding wound growth into the sponge material.

Abstract: A miniature articulated tip instrument for surgical and like uses, comprising: a thumb housing with an elongated fixed jaw assembly mounted thereto and extending therefrom. A movable jaw actuator member is slidably mounted in a groove formed in the said fixed jaw assembly, the proximal end of the actuator member being seated in a finger housing which is mounted to and spring biased from the thumb housing. A movable jaw defining at least one arcuate projection extending therefrom for pivotal engagement with the actuator member is additionally provided with a second arcuate projection and a concnetric cutout on its opposite side from the second arcuate projection to engage the fixed jaw member and provide a pivot point. The actuator member drives the movable jaw member in a pivoting motion within a throughgoing slot formed in the fixed jaw member within a range of movement with respect to the fixed jaw assembly between extended and retracted positions for effecting selective user controlled working movement.

Abstract: A fuel recirculation and cleaning assembly comprising a planar surfaced support base, an upright support secured to the support base and a flange extending from support base to form an enclosed area around the planar surface. A filter assembly for separating water from fuel and trapping particulate matter is mounted to the upright support and a discharge pump is fluidly connected to the filter assembly discharge water separated from the fuel by the filter assembly to a water storage tank. A magnetic microbial decontamination device is secured to the upright support and fluidly connected to the filter assembly by a conduit to receive filtered fuel from an outlet of the filter assembly and pass the fuel through a magnetic field which destroys microbial residues in the fuel. A circulation pump is mounted on the support base and is fluidly connected to an outlet of said microbial decontamination device by conduit means to discharge treated fuel to a fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A protective garment such as a glove is knitted from a yarn comprising a heat-resistant core and a core covering comprising a carbon based yarn. The knitted garment is treated (e.g. by heating) to at least partially decompose the carbon based yarn to form activated charcoal in order to provide increased protection against chemical and/or biological risks.

Abstract: A bottomless battery container for transporting and storing batteries is constructed of side panels and end panels. Each side panel is provided with an integral cushion assembly defining cutouts for battery terminals and battery filling caps. Each cushion assembly has a plurality of parallel score lines allowing it to be folded into a rectangular form having a top section, and end section and a bottom section with cutouts on the bottom section and an end section being adapted to receive battery filler caps and battery terminal posts. A glue panel extending from the bottom section is fastened to the interior upper portion of the side panel. When the container is assembled the outer walls of the end section of each cushion assembly abut each other with the dimension of the width of the cushion assembly being about one half the width of each end panel.

Abstract: A combination reflux/distillation apparatus is provided having interchangeable reflux and distillation columns, a segmented collection trough and an integrated indirect heating provision. The apparatus is uniquely adapted for refluxing and distilling small quantities of materials without the losses attendant to larger apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a sterile bone structure for application to a bone defect site to promote new bone growth at the site comprising a partially demineralized cortical bone structure, said bone structure comprising a cross sectional surface are ranging from 85% to 95% of the original bone surface area before demineralization with the remaining partially demineralized cortical bone structure having an outer demineralized layer ranging in thickness from about 0.05 mm to about 0.14 mm and a mineralized core.

Abstract: A suture anchor comprising a cylindrical body portion with in inwardly tapered distal end portion has a screw thread extending along the cylindrical body portion and a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves cut into the cylindrical body interrupting opposed portions of the screw thread. A suture cavity is transversely cut through the distal end portion and engages the plurality of longitudinal grooves, the suture cavity being dimensioned to hold at least one suture. The distal end portion defines a suture pathway comprising two separated leg members, each of which has an inner angled end surface leading into the suture cavity providing an entry passageway for a suture into the suture cavity and a driver for the suture anchor.

Abstract: A sterile allograft bone screw comprising a screw shank with a uniform diameter threaded portion, an unthreaded portion with a outwardly tapered conical portion and a rectangularly shaped driving head portion with substantially wedge shaped end which can be engagably seated in a seat of a driver member.

Abstract: An oscillator is described which exhibits low phase noise characteristics. The oscillator circuit of the invention includes an inductor in series with a low value capacitor, this series combination of an inductor and a capacitor, in parallel with a low value inductor forms a resonator whose inductive and capacitive reactances are a very low value. This causes the loaded Q to be very close to the resonator's unloaded Q.