Abstract: The invention provides a three-dimensional geometric porous engineered structure for use as a bone mass replacement or fusion augmentation device. The structure is a space-filling, self-supporting structure constructed of rigid filaments joined together to form regular, repeating geometric shapes. The structure supports the skeletal structure as well as the surrounding tissue during rehabilitation and/or bone fusion. Further, the structure provides many open intersticial areas, which are appropriately shaped and sized for bone in-growth. One preferred geometric structure is based on repeating modified dodecahedrons which are built from pentagons. The resulting structure has two transverse planes of bilateral symmetry. Other embodiments include disc shaped structures and structures having open internal areas to allow the possibility of auto graft, allograft, or artificial bone substitute.

Abstract: A handle for a manually movable vehicle or other article, such as a stroller, is infinitely adjustable to enable the person or persons imparting motion to the vehicle to achieve the greatest leverage and/or comfort. A height-adjustment assembly is disposed between and interconnects each extension rod and handlebar of the handle. The height-adjustment assembly includes a plurality of clutch plates and a locking lever having a cam end. The locking lever is manually moved between a locked position in which the lever cam end causes abutment of and friction between the clutch plates thereby preventing relative movement of the plates and securing the handlebar at a selected height, and an unlocked position in which the lever cam end reduces friction between the clutch plates so that the plates are movable relative to one another to enable pivotal movement and height adjustment of the handlebar.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two-speed single reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact single reduction gear assembly and cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The single reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about vertically offset input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two-speed single reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion device comprises a leg support frame actuated by alternately, pneumatically inflating and deflating a bladder assembly. The assembly includes a series of interconnected bladders associated with a pump and a three-way solenoid valve, and provided with flaps secured at a common point which act as a hinge. The secured flaps force movement of the bladders in an arcuate path during inflation and deflation, providing an operating force against pivotal components of the device thus actuating it. A photointerrupter control device is provided that controls the angular limits of the desired therapy.

Abstract: A process for printing substrates with sublimation dyes comprises coating the substrate with successive polymeric coatings, the first of which include inorganic filler particles contained in a binder polymer that functions as a barrier to the dyes, preventing them from entering the substrate. The second, outer coating, has an affinity for the dyes, facilitating printing on them. The process is particularly useful for printing polymeric foamed and elastomeric substrates.

Abstract: Solutions of triorganotin lithium are described having low residual concentrations (preferably less than 2,000 ppm) of halide. These are produced by a two-step process.Triorganotin halide is reacted with lithium to produce hexaorgano ditin and a precipitate of lithium halide. The lithium halide precipitate is removed by filtration and/or use of highly concentrated reaction conditions. Then the hexaorgano ditin is further reacted with lithium to form the triorgano substituted tin lithium. The lithium halide is less soluble in hot tetrahydrofuran (THF) and/or more concentrated solutions. THF is a preferred solvent for the reaction. The low-temperature reactions described result in low amounts of inactive and/or undesirable byproducts. These triorganotin lithium compounds are useful as anionic initiators that result in polymers with terminal tin compounds, e.g., triorganotin, attached to the terminal end of the polymer where initiation occurred.

Abstract: A mixing head for a molding machine includes a mixing chamber into which reaction materials are injected from nozzles communicating therewith, toward a closed end of the chamber and at acute angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, the angles' apexes lying toward the closed end. The streams of injected material impact and mix, before entering an area of turbulence between the closed end of the specifically dimensioned chamber, and the points of communication where they are preliminarily reacted. Subsequently the material leaves the chamber by passing back through the point of impact, effecting further mixing. The doubly mixed material thereafter proceeds to a discharge passageway prior to entering a mold.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly is provided having a top loading anchor which is fixed to a spinal member by means of a hook or screw. The anchor includes a seat having a channel to receive a stabilizer rod and a sliding interconnecting closure member which slides in a longitudinal direction relative to the anchor seat to form an integral closed anchor seat assembly. The closure member includes retaining flanges which dove tail relative to undercut retaining flanges of the seat member so as to prohibit the sliding closure member from being dislodged from the closure from the seat channel, as well as inhibit the splaying of the seat member in response to forces which may be imposed upon the seat member during derotation of the spine. In addition, the seat member includes a boss and/or hollow to form a biased lock and compression screw to lock the rod in position relative to the anchor. An instrument is provided which holds the slide for assembly in a spring loaded ball plunger.

Abstract: Polyimides serve as reinforcing rigid-backbone segments in nylon 6 copolymers. In a first embodiment, the copolymers are prepared from polyimides containing acylated caprolactam moieties pendant therefrom which provide sites for polycaprolactam grafts. In a second embodiment, polyimide oligomers end-capped with acyl-activated caprolactam rings permit the formation of block caprolactam copolymers that include polyimide reinforcing segments. The polyimide/nylon 6 copolymers have properties superior to those of nylon 6 and can also serve as compatibilizing agents.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the internal fixation of the spine. The apparatus comprises an assembly having at least two anchors and an elongated stabilizer. The anchors each have means to hold the anchor to the bone, and include receiving means which receive the stabilizer as well as securing means which cooperate with the receiving means by means of the interaction of mating threads to cause the application of compression on the stabilizer into the receiving means.

Abstract: A bone interface anchor is provided for use with a stabilizer rod for the internal fixation of a spine. The anchor has a seat which accommodates the stabilizer rod and which receives a bone screw for the fixation of the seat to the bone. A compression member cooperates with the seat external to the stabilizer rod and can be tightened to cause a compressive force on the stabilizer rod. The stabilizer rod bears on a rounded surface of the bone screw so as to cause a mating interface between the seat and the bone screw. Subsequently, the position of the seat relative to the bone screw can be locked.

Abstract: A working roller for applying pressure to a web of material interposed between the working roller and an opposing working surface includes a generally tubular roll-shell with bearings at each end thereof, a pair of stationary journals for supporting the roll-shell for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a stationary internal support structure, and a plurality of internal rollers which bear upon the inner wall of the roll-shell and are mounted to the internal support structure by a plurality of individually adjustable thrust-supports for controlling the outer contours of the roll-shell. The invention allows greater control of the outer contours of the roll-shell to compensate for localized, longitudinally asymmetrical deviations from the desired pressure distribution or spacing between the working roller and an opposing working surface or to permit predetermined, non-uniform pressure distributions or spacings between the working roller and an opposing working surface.

Abstract: A plurality of substituted styrene monomers, for example, urea substituted, is disclosed as well as polymers and copolymers made therefrom. Various thermoset plastic components can be reacted with the monomers, polymers, or copolymers of these substituted styrenes, as for example epoxy, which form a crosslinked system useful as an adhesive or a fiber reinforced substrate for circuit boards. The monomers are made by reacting aminostyrene type monomers with isocyanate containing molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating sexual intercourse between a female partner lying in an inclined supine position and a male partner in a standing position includes a platform mounted on a frame, such that the platform is inclined at an angle and situated at an elevation which places the vaginal passage of the female in alignment with the distended genitalia of a male partner standing adjacent to the lower end of the platform. The apparatus includes stirrups and handles which allow the female excellent freedom of movement to permit repositioning of her body as desired.

Abstract: A process for preparing film structures comprising phthalocyanine oligomers having metal coordinating atoms in adjacent rings connected along a central axis through oxygen atoms. The ligands on the outermost rings of the structures are hydrophilic. The preferred coordinating atom is germanium and the structures may be prepared on a Langmuir-Blodgett balance using phthalocyanine oligomers in which one of the outermost rings is connected to a hydrophobic ligand while the other outermost ring is connected to a hydrophilic ligand. The pH of the subphase in the trough of the balance is maintained at a pH of from about 2 to 6, and the hydrophobic ligand is converted to a hydrophilic ligand during the process of coating a substrate by passing it upward through the film on the subphase.

Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting contaminant-laden air from a building area includes a monitoring device for determining when a contaminant level has exceeded a preselected value and which provides an output signal when the contaminant level has exceeded said preselected value, a motor-driven exhaust fan and associated conduit means for expelling air from the building area, and a timer-control circuit for actuating the exhaust fan for a predetermined period of time in response to an output signal from the monitor that the concentration of the contaminant has exceeded the preselected level. The apparatus allows for the removal of contaminants from an occupancy area of a building only when the level of the contaminant exceeds a preselected level, and only for a maximum predetermined period of time effective to reduce the amount of contaminant in the air to a safe level, thereby providing effective, energy efficient means for maintaining contaminant concentrations below a desired level.