Abstract: A prosthetic dental implant for anchoring to the mandible or maxilla for supporting artificial teeth and dentures includes a substantially flat yet slightly tapering endosteal blade portion constructed of a titanium alloy and including two columns of oblong slot-like apertures interior thereto and two edge columns of half-length oblong slot-like apertures. Support for an artificial tooth is provided by means of a support post which has a substantially circular lateral cross section throughout and an enlarged part-spherical lower portion and an upwardly and inwardly tapering portion thereabove. In an alternative arrangement, the vented concept provided by the slot-like apertures is replaced by a solid blade which includes a plurality of wedge-like lip portions outwardly extending from each side of the anchoring member and defining a recessed channel between adjacent lip portions, the lip portions and recessed channels on one side of the anchoring member being staggered from those on the opposite side.

Abstract: A liquid or gas system connector, which is easily attachable and detachable, and provides a seal to avoid undesirable leakage when in the connected position. The connection is accomplished by guiding a first member along cam surfaces and, when the first member has been guided in the connecting position, the same cam surfaces press against each other, supplying an axially directed force which deforms a resilient o-ring to provide a leak-proof seal.

Abstract: A weight-measuring and display device includes a rigid structural housing for supporting a load positioned thereon and a strain-sensing and weight-displaying circuit located within the structural housing. The rigid structural housing includes a top plate on which the user stands or the load is placed, a bottom plate and three deflection beams horizontally arranged between the top and bottom plates. Mounted to the top of each deflection beam is a strain gauge and mounted to the bottom of each deflection beam is another strain gauge. The group of three top mounted strain gauges accounts for the resistance in one arm of a wheatstone bridge and the group of three bottom mounted strain gauges accounts for the resistance in a second, adjacent arm of the wheatstone bridge. In addition to the wheatstone bridge, the strain-sensing and weight-displaying circuit further includes an amplifier portion, an analog to digital converter, a BCD to seven-segment decoder and three, seven-segment LED readouts.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic device for a prosthesis between metatarsal and phalangeal bones comprising proximal and distal components which are engageable with each other. The proximal component has a convex, part-spherical bearing surface and a stem projecting from this surface for securing the proximal component into the end of the first metatarsal. The distal component has a concave, part-spherical bearing surface and a stem projecting from this surface for securing the distal component into the end of the phalanx adjacent to the first metatarsal. The engagement of the two components forms a less-than-hemispherical articulation.

Abstract: Medical testing apparatus including a microprocessor controlled centrifuge having a group of cuvettes therein. The apparatus also includes a microdiluter apparatus with a pair of pumps therein of differing diluting capability. The cuvettes have hollow main bodies produced from transparent material to allow analysis of the specimen within the cuvettes by a series of spectrophotometers adapted to read the cuvettes while they are rotating within the centrifuge. Bags of reagent are received within the cuvettes and are designed to burst upon reaching a given level of centrifugal force allowing the reagent to flow from the bags into a test chamber within the cuvette main body. Projections are provided on the cuvettes to control the orientation of the cuvettes when inserted into the microdiluter apparatus. A tab is provided on each cuvette in proper orientation to actuate the appropriate microdiluter pump for the test the cuvette is intended for.

Abstract: An automatically-adjusting photometer for measuring the absorbance of a sample in which the amount of light passing through a sample test location is sensed by a photodetector and converted to an electrical output signal. The output signal is amplified and converted to a logarithmic value. Prior to measuring the absorbance of a sample, the photometer is calibrated by a computer. With the sample test location empty, the computer records and places in memory a logarithmic value proportional to the electrical output signal which corresponds to zero absorbance. Next, this value is reduced by a predetermined factor by switching a resistor into the calibration circuitry. The resulting value is also recorded and placed in memory by the computer. When a sample is placed in the test location, the computer records a value proportional to the electrical output signal which corresponds to the absorbance of the sample. Using the three recorded values the computer calculates the correctly-adjusted absorbance of the sample.

Abstract: A method for making fluid release bags having a particular use to disperse reagents into a reaction chamber during centrifugation and as burst bags for manually dispersing reagents. The bags are made by scoring a flexible film material with a laser to form a uniform and predetermined linear depression along approximately the entire length of the film. The film is folded along the linear depression such that there are two sides of approximately equal dimensions and such that the bottom edge of the folded film is the laser scored linear depression. Portions of the two sides of the film are sealed together at predetermined intervals to form a continuous film of attached bags having one open end. A substance is injected into each bag through the open end. The open end edges are sealed together, and the bags are separated from one another into individual bags or groups of bags by suitable cutting means.

Abstract: A cuvette for holding a liquid specimen during centrifugal testing and analysis of the specimen by a spectrophotometer. The cuvette includes a hollow main body produced from a transparent material to allow analysis of the specimen within the cuvette. Two bags of reagent are mounted within the cuvette main body and are designed to burst upon attainment of a given level of centrifugal force allowing the reagent to flow from the bags into a mixing chamber within the cuvette main body. A plug is sealingly mounted to the lid of the cuvette and is removable to allow insertion of the liquid specimen into the cuvette prior to centrifugal testing. Projections are provided on the cuvette to control the orientation of the cuvette when inserted into a diluter test receptacle. One projection on the cuvette contacts appropriate switch means within the test receptacle in turn operable to activate means for diluting the specimen prior to insertion into the cuvette.

Abstract: Method for the chromatographic analysis of a technetium-containing mixture of bound, reduced technetium; unbound, reduced technetium; and, free pertechnetate. A portion of the mixture is spotted on a chromatographic adsorbent, preferably cellulose-fiber paper, and is developed with an aqueous salt solution, preferably comprising sodium chloride and/or sodium pyrophosphate. The developed chromatogram has an isolated zone in which the unbound, reduced technetium is located. Simultaneously therewith, a second chromatogram is developed utilizing a suitable liquid organic solvent, preferably comprising a mixture of acetone and acetic acid. The developed chromatogram has an isolated zone in which the free pertechnetate is located. Radioactive measurements are made and the amounts of unbound, reduced technetium and of free pertechnetate are determined as proportions of total technetium. The amount of bound, reduced technetium may then be readily calculated.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis consisting of an artificial femur head and an artificial acetabular socket. The femur head includes a ball head which is received in the acetabular socket, a neck connecting the ball head to a platform and an arcuate stem which is T-shaped in cross section and extends from the platform for insertion into the medullar cavity in a femur. A recess located on the lateral portion of the platform and several steps located along the medial portion of the stem are further provided to securely anchor the prosthesis when it is cemented into the medullar cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for straightening the spinal column. The apparatus includes an elongated member securable forwardly of and against the spinal column. A pair of fastening devices extend around the spinal column from the elongated member to a pair of bands located rearwardly of and adjacent the spinal column. The fasteners are tightened to force the bands toward the elongated member thereby causing the spinal column to straighten in the particular area. The bands are provided with handle portions removable therefrom after the bands are positioned adjacent the spinal column.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic joint comprising a first member and a second member, both of which include a stem portion implantable in bone. The first member has a neck portion and a protuberant head portion attached to the neck portion. The second member has a head-receiving cavity and a slot in communication with the cavity to provide hinge-like motion of the joint as the neck portion is moved within the slot and the head portion rotated within the cavity. The head-receiving portion of the second member includes a transverse channel communicating with the cavity and a transverse slot communicating with the transverse channel whereby the head and neck portion of the first member may be inserted into the head-receiving portion of the second member in a direction transverse to the plane established by the hinge-like motion of the first member relative to the second member as the neck portion of the first member moves along the channel in the head-receiving portion of the second member.