Abstract: The method of implanting a femoral and a tibial knee prosthesis and instruments for surgically implanting the femoral and tibial prosthesis component as disclosed. The method includes the formation of a plurality of surgical cuts on the patient's distal femur. A trial tibial prosthesis is then fitted to the surgically prepared distal femur. The trial prosthesis has a femoral articulating surface and a non-articulating surface that fits the patient's distal femur at the surgical cuts. A surgeon then forms a transverse cut on the patient's proximal tibia. The surgeon places a tibial trial prosthesis on the patient's proximal tibia, the trial prosthesis including a tibial trial stem that fits the patient's intramedullary canal, a tibial trial metallic tray or plate, and a plastic trial insert that fits the tibial tray or plate. The plastic insert includes a tibial articulating surface that can articulate with the femoral articulating surface.

Abstract: A distal femoral cutting block apparatus for use in knee surgery includes an instrument body that has generally flat opposing parallel surfaces and a plurality flat peripheral surfaces to form a generally rectangular body. The body provides anterior and posterior surfaces and medial and lateral surfaces. The transverse slot carries a valgus module that is movably disposed in the slot. The valgus module includes a tubular sleeve member having a pair of opposed sides that abut the body at the slot. A portion of the tubular sleeve member is threaded and the threaded portion extends away from the body. An open ended bore extends through the tubular member. The open ended bore of the tubular sleeve member of the module accommodates an intramedullary rod that fits the patient s intramedullary canal. A lock nut engages the threaded section of the module for locking the module in a desired position on the cutting block body by engaging the threaded portion and the instrument body to rigidly affix them together.

Abstract: The method of implanting a femoral and a tibial knee prosthesis and instruments for surgically implanting the femoral and tibial prosthesis component as disclosed. The method includes the formation of a plurality of surgical cuts on the patient's distal femur. A trial tibial prosthesis is then fitted to the surgically prepared distal femur. The trial prosthesis has a femoral articulating surface and a non-articulating surface that fits the patient's distal femur at the surgical cuts. A surgeon then forms a transverse cut on the patient's proximal tibia. The surgeon places a tibial trial prosthesis on the patient's proximal tibia, the trial prosthesis including a tibial trial stem that fits the patient's intramedullary canal, a tibial trial metallic tray or plate, and a plastic trial insert that fits the tibial tray or plate. The plastic insert includes a tibial articulating surface that can articulate with the femoral articulating surface.

Abstract: A knee cutting instrument apparatus includes an elongated alignment rod that can enable a surgeon to define alignment with a patient's long bone. An instrument block body can slide upon the alignment rod between its end portions. A locking member forms a connection with the rod at a selected position along the rod. The locking member includes a cam locking arrangement that rotates about a pivot on the instrument body. The cam has a handle portion or arm that enables a user to rotate the cam and its locking tab about its pivot. Part of the locking cam includes a locking tab having a slot that extends circumferentially about ninety degrees (90.degree.) around the pivot of the cam. The slot is positioned radially in between the pivot and the periphery of the locking member at a locking member bearing surface. The slot provides a closed end portion and an open end portion that communicates with the locking member periphery at a positioned spaced away from the bearing surface.

Abstract: A computer system including circuitry for accurately and economically controlling the charge voltage and charge current at the terminals of its rechargeable battery. During a battery recharge, sensor circuitry coupled to the battery provides accurate data to a battery microcontroller regarding the charge voltage and charge current present at the battery terminals. A battery microcontroller relays this information to a multipurpose microcontroller. The battery microcontroller also provides the desired charging voltage and current as determined by the battery pack's charging algorithm. The multipurpose microcontroller uses the battery status information to program an addressable potentiometer. In turn, the potentiometer generates an adjustment signal that controls the output voltage of the computer's AC adapter. Preferably, the AC adapter is capable of being operated in a constant-power mode.

Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus having an elongated plate member with at least two pairs of circular openings and a series of openings positioned along the longitudinal plane of the plate member with the circular openings and the series of openings each having a central vertical axis. The circular openings and series of openings each form a cavity with walls extending between the upper and lower plate member surfaces with at least a plurality of the cavities having smaller diameter portions at the plate member upper and lower surfaces and a larger diameter portion therebetween. The cavities are configured in the shape of two inverted cones with matching base circles for allowing transverse and longitudinal angulation of an implanted bone screw. A plurality of bone screws each have a threaded first end portion adapted for implantation into a patient's bone mass and a generally ellipsoid shaped enlarged second end portion.

Abstract: An adjustable finger support for the proximal interphalangeal joint of a finger of the human hand including an elongated, hinged support base adapted with means for securely, yet comfortably holding the finger in place throughout the course of treatment. The elongated base is divided at the hinge into respective support sections for the proximal phalangeal portion of the finger and the middle phalangeal portion of the finger. Jacking mean, such as a screw jack in the form of an elongated set screw operates in conjunction with hinged attachments to the respective undersides of the proximal and middle interphalangeal support sections to 1) maintain the set position of the angle of the respective base portions and 2) to provide firm, controllable extension of the joint over a wide range by selective operation of the jacking means.

Abstract: A portable computer system having a loudspeaker enclosure defined by a printed circuit board, a keyboard section cover and a gasket. A second enclosure is defined by an existing frame, the keyboard section cover and a second gasket. Advantageously, a loudspeaker mounting system provides positive urging of the speaker with the keyboard section cover and all other openings, such as the grill attachment apertures and any other openings, are sealed to achieve the total enclosure concept for a speaker system for a portable computer.

Abstract: A method for receiving hydrocarbon flow from multiple radial wells drilled in a single borehole which includes the steps of providing a principal vertical or horizontal cased well; positioning an inner casing within a portion of a cased well, the inner casing sealed at its upper and lower end portions against the wall of the outer casing and having a flowbore through it, the inner casing defining a radial tie back assembly; lowering a drill string into the assembly and drilling a radial well through the wall of the outer casing; retrieving the drill string and lowering a production liner into the inner casing; sealing around the wall of the liner so that all production from the formation flows through the liner to a point inside the inner casing; positioning a second length of inner casing at a point above the first length of casing, and repeating the steps of producing flow from a radial well out of that particular length of casing positioning a second radial tie back assembly at a point above the first radi

Abstract: A current-mode control system for a switching power supply which provides logarithmic compensation to a peak primary current of a variable frequency, fully discontinuous switching power supply. A ramp voltage generator generates a ramp voltage that is furnished to a control circuit. The control circuit compares the voltage level of the ramp signal to the voltage level of a control voltage. The control voltage is provided by an error amplifier and is a function of an output voltage of the converter. The control circuit allows a primary switching current to exist in the converter until the ramp voltage renders the control voltage. The ramp voltage logarithmically compensates the peak of the primary current by adjusting the ramp voltage. This logarithmic compensation provides a relatively constant output power over a large input voltage range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle mounted rolloff hoist having a tiltable frame. The apparatus provides a releasable hinge connection at the rear ends of a base frame and a rolloff frame enabling the operator to select a pivot point which provides for ground contact. The apparatus also permits the operator, once the tiltable frame is in a substantially horizontal position, to disengage the hinge point and advance the rolloff frame on top of the base frame in a lateral direction, securing the rolloff frame within the base frame. At that point, the hinge connection is reattached, and the rolloff frame is secured within the base frame. The result is an improved method and apparatus of a vehicle mounted tiltable rolloff trailer which provides for optimum load distribution, stability and clearance requirements.

Abstract: A polymeric foam with continuous, open-cell pores containing living cells suitable for medical applications and methods for preparing these foams. The microporous foams are of controlled pore size that may be utilized in a variety of applications. In general, the foams are characterized in that the pores are continuous and open-celled. In preparing the foams, an organic polymer is melted and combined with a selected solid crystalline fugitive compound, that melts above about 25.degree. C. and/or that sublimates at above about 25.degree. C. or can be extracted, to produce a substantially isotropic solution. The solution is cooled under controlled conditions to produce a foam precursor containing the solidified fugitive composition dispersed through a matrix of the organic polymer. Crystals of fugitive composition are then removed by solvent extraction and/or sublimation, or a like process to produce microcellular foams having a continuous, open-cell structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a distal femoral knee prosthesis includes the initial step of forming a rough prosthesis workpiece member that has the approximate size and shape of a final polished distal femoral prosthesis. The rough prosthesis workpiece member can be a casting, forging or a rough machined part. The prosthesis member is then attached to a fixator and movably supported adjacent a grinding wheel in a numerically controlled grinder. Relative motion between the grinding wheel and the prosthesis is controlled with a computer. An articular surface of the prosthesis is shaped by engaging the prosthesis with the rotary grinder. The grind program for the numerically controlled grinder is generated from data representing a CAD/CAM model of a joint prosthesis. The process of generating the grind program includes first the step of generating path data points for a ball-endmill having a radius equal to the nose radius of the rotary grinding wheel.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is provided for monitoring four cells of a battery. The sensor circuit provides a maximum terminal cell voltage and a minimum terminal cell voltage. In a switched capacitor embodiment, one comparator compares the cells, two at a time. The output of the comparator is provided to a maximum state machine and a minimum state machine which select the cells with the highest and lowest voltages, respectively. In a continuous system embodiment, six comparators continuously monitor the cell voltages. The comparator outputs are provided to a maximum logic circuit and a minimum logic circuit which select the cells with the highest and lowest voltages, respectively, and provides a maximum and a minimum terminal voltages signals. These maximum and minimum terminal voltage signals are provided so that a charge controller can monitor the cells for overcharge and discharge conditions.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disc for surgical placement between adjacent vertebrae including a first component for attaching to a first vertebrae, the first component having a concave recess, with the concave contoured surface having a circumference of 360.degree.. A second component for attaching to a second vertebrae, the second component including a projection with a convex surface, the convex contoured surface having a circumference of 360.degree.. The corresponding contoured surfaces shaped to allow an unrestricted rotational and a flexion/extension bending motion between the first and second components relative to a patient's normal spinal axis when in a standing position with the spine in a straightened position.

Abstract: An improved acetabular cup prosthesis has a cup body with correspondingly shaped outer convex and inner concave surfaces. The cup body has an apex and a base that defines a plane. The cup body outer convex surface has first and second curved, shaped portions positioned in between the base and the apex. In one embodiment, the outer convex surface has specially shaped portion in between the rim and a distance about one third of the distance of the rim to the apex. This specially shaded portion forms an interference fit with a patient's acetabular socket.

Abstract: A lozenge candy cutting machine includes a drum with an array of cutter elements thereon that engage on dough web conveyed to the drum. A row of cutters cuts lozenges from the dough web. Each cutter element has an ejector that discharges the lozenge after cut and while the next group of cutters is already cutting another group of lozenges from the web.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring of low elastic modulus Ti--Nb--Zr alloy to provide enhanced biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, flexibility and strength. Components of the annuloplasty ring can be surface hardened by oxygen or nitrogen diffusion or by depositing a tightly adherent, hard, wear-resistant, hemocompatible ceramic coating by physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition. The Ti--Nb--Zr alloy can be used as a fabrication material for any annuloplasty ring component that either comes into contact with blood, thereby demanding high levels of hemocompatibility, or that is subject to microfretting, corrosion, or other wear such that a low elastic modulus metal with a corrosion-resistant, hardened surface would be desirable.

Abstract: A primary server/standby server network configuration according to the invention includes a primary server executing network operating system software and a standby server monitoring for the proper operation of the primary server, where both the primary server and the standby server are connected to a storage system. If the primary server fails, the standby server instructs the storage system to switch its hardware connections to the standby server, allowing the standby server to boot the operating system. This instruction is done via in-band signaling. Further, multiple primary servers can be backed up by a single standby server.