Abstract: An implantable bone prosthesis, such as an acetabular shell, includes a bone engaging region that is made from a cast metal or metal alloy and an articulation surface that is formed of a ceramic material or a metal that is permanently attached to the metal bone engaging region. The bone engaging region of the prosthesis preferably includes a dampening mechanism to absorb some of the loading forces communicated to the acetabular cavity. The bone prosthesis is formed by a casting process from casting molds that are prepared using a three dimensional printing technique.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis plate system is particularly well adapted to securely fuse adjacent cervical vertebrae. The plates are adapted for mounting upon the anterior or posterior surfaces of the vertebrae. Plates for mounting on the anterior vertebral surfaces have a concave bone contacting surface and a bone screw locking mechanism integral with each screw hole. Moreover, the bone contacting surface of the plate has a plurality of bone penetrating protrusions to more securely affix the plate to bone. Plates for mounting on the posterior vertebral surfaces also have bone penetrating protections on their bone contacting surfaces. Such plates are formed so as to have a curved bone contacting surface that is concave in the transverse axis of the plate and convex in the longitudinal axis of the plate. The screw holes of such plates are constructed so as to guide a bone screw along a desired angle to improve the anchoring of the screws in bone.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical tool comprises a retractable cutting element movable along a cutting path and an electrical energy supply source which communicates electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) through one or more energy delivering electrodes associated with a tissue affecting portion of the tool to tissue adjacent the electrodes. One or more additional electrodes, such as return electrodes, form a second pole of the bipolar electrical connection are also associated with the tissue affecting portion and are electrically isolated from the energy delivering electrode. Various combinations of electrically conductive and electrically isolated elements associated with the tissue affecting portion of the device can be used as the two poles of the bipolar system.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure device (11) for a container (10) has a tear tab (17) which can be at least partially detached by tearing to leave an opening through which the contents of the container (10) can be removed. A roller (18) integral with one edge (17b) of the tab (17) has an operating member (19) for manually rotating the roller (18) back across the tab (17) from the one edge (17b) such that during such rotation the tab (17) is progressively torn away starting at the one edge (17b).

Abstract: A new class of ductile iron is formed by the hot isostatic pressing of a ductile iron casting, followed by austempering of the ductile iron casting. Hot isostatic pressing can be carried out at a pressure in the range of 10,000 to 17,000 psi at a temperature above 1600.degree. F., and usually in the range of 1850.degree. F. to 2050.degree. F. Austempering of the material is carried out by heating to the austenitizing temperature (about 1500.degree. F. to 1800.degree. F.), maintaining the austenitizing temperature for a suitable time period, and rapidly cooling to an austempering temperature (about 400.degree. F. to 750.degree. F.) to form ausferrite within the sample.

Abstract: A chemical barrier effective to irritate and repel molluscs contains an active ingredient formed of fatty acid salts of monocarboxylic acids having chain lengths ranging from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, coconut fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, and mixtures thereof. The barrier may be in the form of a solid or a gel-like material that is able to harden to a solid. A solid barrier may also be formed by providing a solid substrate coated with the active ingredient barrier composition.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic having a smooth ceramic surface and an assembly for forming ceramics having a flat and smooth ceramic surface are disclosed. A greenware precursor is disposed between a greenware base and a greenware cover. A frame is disposed between the greenware base and greenware cover for limiting compression of the greenware article to an amount which allows formation of a smooth ceramic surface during densification of the greenware precursor. The greenware base, greenware cover and greenware precursor are densified to cause the greenware precursor to form a ceramic having a smooth ceramic surface.

Abstract: A dual ovenable food product container is formed from a coated or uncoated paperboard substrate to which is applied a precoat layer and a topcoat layer. The precoat is formed from an aqueous emulsion copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate while the top coat is formed from and aqueous emulsion which is a copolymer of one or a mixture of styrenated acrylic copolymers. The T.sub.g of the precoat should be in the range of 0.degree. C. to 25.degree. C., while the T.sub.g of the top coat layer is in the range of about 10.degree. C. to 60.degree. C.

Abstract: There is provided an improved composition for rapid setting, sprayable cementitious material, as well as improved processes and systems for mixing and placing such materials. The composition comprises a sprayable mixture of cement forming ingredients, such as silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, and an aqueous metal phosphate solution. The process for mixing and placing such a composition uses serially connected dry material feed receptacles which are independently pressurizable and are isolatable from ambient conditions after loading to provide substantially increased throughput volume. The receptacles communicate the composition to a fluidizing element in which the material is fluidized before being formed into a slurry and atomized. Alternatively, dry and slurried material can be conveyed in a cavity pump under high pressure to achieve substantially increased throughput volume.

Abstract: A catalytic asymmetric reduction process, which, by hydrogenating trisubstituted olefins, yields a corresponding organic compound having a high level of enantiomeric purity is disclosed. The process is also effective for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of certain enamines and related compounds to yield a corresponding amine or related compound, respectively, having a high level of enantiomeric purity. The reduction process utilizes a chiral metal catalyst that includes a metal or metal complex that is selected from groups 3, 4, 5, or 6, lanthanides and actinides. Moreover, the process uses hydrogen as the stoichiometric reducing agent and may be carried out at pressures ranging from about 0.5 to 200 atmospheres. The reaction can also be carried out using an acidic compound as a rate enhancing additive.

Abstract: A catalytic asymmetric reduction process, which, by hydrogenating enamines, yields a corresponding amine having a high level of enantiomeric purity is disclosed. The reduction process utilizes a chiral metal catalyst that includes a metal or metal complex that is selected from groups 3, 4, 5, or 6, lanthanides and actinides. Moreover, the process uses hydrogen as the stoichiometric reducing agent and may be carried out at pressures ranging from about 0.5 to 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has at least one pair of electrical contacts of which one contact is mounted for movement relative to the other contact between first and second positions. One of the first and second positions corresponds to the contacts being closed and the other corresponds to the contacts being open. Resilient biassing means urges the one contact into the first position so as to maintain the contacts normally in the condition corresponding thereto. A magnet (such as a solenoid acting in active or passive mode) is capable of holding one contact in the second position against the action of the resilient biassing means, but is demagnetisable to permit the one contact to return to the first position.

Abstract: A catheter docking system is provided that is easily affixed to a patient and that facilitates the secure connection of an infusion line to an anesthesia-delivering catheter. The system comprises a docking station having an adapter mounted thereon. The adapter incudes a first port adapted to communicate with an infusion line and a second port adapted to communicate with an anesthesia-delivering catheter. A valve device may be provided to regulate the flow between the first and second ports. In addition, the system preferably has associated with the docking station a device for relieving any tensile strain on the catheter line.

Abstract: A catalytic asymmetric reduction process, which, by hydrogenating trisubstituted olefins, yields a corresponding organic compound having a high level of enantiomeric purity is disclosed. The reduction process utilizes a chiral metal catalyst that includes a metal or metal complex that is selected from groups 3, 4, 5, or 6, lanthanides and actinides. Moreover, the process uses hydrogen as the stoichiometric reducing agent and may be carried out at pressures ranging from about 1 to 200 atmospheres.