Abstract: A liquid ring pump includes a housing, a pump head coupled to the housing and defining an inlet channel, an outlet space, and a cone seal area, and an intake valve movable to control the quantity of a gas entering the inlet channel. A reservoir contains a quantity of sealing liquid, a pump discharge path provides fluid communication between the outlet space and the reservoir, and a first flow member includes a first valve coupled to the reservoir and the inlet channel. A second flow member includes a second valve coupled to the reservoir and the cone seal area, and a rotor is supported for rotation by a shaft. The pump is operable in a start-up mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the first flow member and during a running mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the second flow member.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing that contains a liquid, and a rotor including a plurality of blades extending radially from a shaft, and defining a conical space. A port member is disposed within the conical space. The port member defines an inlet port in communication with a low pressure region, a discharge port in communication with a high pressure region, and an anti-cavitation port in communication with a fluid supply having a pressure between the low and the high pressure regions. Each pair of adjacent blades cooperates with the liquid and the port member to enclose a variable volume bucket, wherein rotation of the rotor selectively positions a bucket in an inlet position adjacent the inlet port to draw in fluid, in an anti-cavitation position wherein the bucket is adjacent the anti-cavitation port and fluid is admitted into the bucket, and a discharge position wherein the bucket is positioned adjacent the discharge port to discharge fluid.

Abstract: A conical member for a pump head of a liquid ring pump, the conical member including a body, the body defining a first body opening on a first end positioned to abut a first pump opening, a second body opening on the first end positioned to abut a second pump opening, and a port. The conical member further includes a radially outer lip arranged about the first end and positioned to abut a pump aperture. A sealing liquid introduction path is arranged to introduce sealing liquid to a working chamber, the sealing liquid introduction path arranged at least partially between the second body opening and an outlet, and a gas vent passage is arranged to vent gas from the working chamber, the gas vent passage arranged at least partially between the port and the first body opening.

Abstract: A liquid ring pump includes a planar port plate having first and second planar walls, a sidewall which defines a shaft receiving aperture, an inlet, and an outlet. An opening is formed in the port plate and includes an open end that extends through the sidewall and an open face that extends through the first planar wall. A rotor shaft is rotatable about a central axis and is positioned such that a portion of the rotor shaft extends into the shaft receiving aperture. An aperture is formed in the port plate and positioned substantially opposite the opening. The opening, a space defined between the rotor shaft and the sidewall, and the aperture, cooperate to define a channel that extends between a first side of the shaft receiving aperture and a second side of the shaft receiving aperture, wherein the channel is formed entirely coplanar with the port plate.

Abstract: Tissue implants prepared for the repair of tissues, especially avascular tissues such as cartilage. One embodiment presents an electric potential capable of receiving and accumulating desirable factors or molecules from surrounding fluid when exposed to dynamic loading. In another embodiment the implant promotes tissue conduction by retarding, restricting and controlling cellular invasion through use of gradients until competent tissue forms. Further embodiments of the tissue implants may be formed into a multi-phasic device that provides deep tissue mechanical stimulus by conduction of mechanical and fluid forces experienced at the surface of the implant.

Abstract: A liquid ring pump includes a port plate coupled to a pump head. The port plate has an opening with a first end at a first section and a second end at a second section. The first section opens through a portion of a surface forming a first face of the port plate. The second section opens at the second end into a shaft receiving aperture of the port plate. The first and second sections are continuous. The first section is angularly between the closing edge of a port plate outlet and leading edge of a port plate inlet. A length measured from the first section to the inlet's leading edge is less than a length measured from the first section to the outlet's leading edge. The first section does not open into the outlet or inlet.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

Abstract: A modular liquid ring pump has a liquid ring overload protection system including a passage from a working chamber directly to the pump discharge passage and a mechanical relief valve configured to release liquid from the working chamber during compressor overload. The liquid ring pump, when configured to have two stages, has an inter-stage by-pass system that includes an opening in an inter-stage passage and a pressure sensitive mechanical valve that allows the discharge of a first stage compressor to flow directly to the pump discharge at start up or during low pressure operation. The liquid ring pump's modular construction may be easily configured from a single stage pump to a two-stage pump and vice versa by using the same bearings, head, and drive system and only changing the body, cone, and rotor.

Abstract: The invention describes new synthetic medical adhesives and films which exploit the key components of natural marine mussel adhesive proteins.

Abstract: A high strength porous biphasic polymeric reinforcement material manufactured by a compression and/or sintering process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

Abstract: An implant for deployment in select locations or select tissue for regeneration of tissue is disclosed. The implant includes collagen and or other bio-resorbable materials, where the implant may also be used for therapy delivery. Additionally, the implant may include, or have blended in, an additive, such as an osteoinductive factor, for example biocompatible ceramics and glass.

Abstract: A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, consisting of a highly porous body, made from a polymer, the porous body having a plurality of pores, such that the device is capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, and the polymer fixation device is rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. Preferably, the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device consists of a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may feature additional materials which serve to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively the additional materials serve to deliver therapies to the living being.

Abstract: A liquid ring pump having a channel including a first opening which opens into a first bucket formed by rotor blades. The first opening is located along an arcuate path between a closing edge of an inlet port and a leading edge of a discharge port The inlet port and discharge port are in a port plate of the liquid ring pump. The channel has a second opening which opens into a second bucket formed by rotor blades The second opening is on an arcuate path between a closing edge of the discharge port and a leading edge of the inlet port. A fluid pathway interconnects the first and second openings. At least a portion of the liquid ring pump forming the channel is disposed in a circumferential cylindrical cavity, wherein the cavity is formed from a plurality of axially extending rotor blade ends.

Abstract: The invention describes new synthetic medical adhesives and antifouling coatings which exploit the key components of natural marine mussel adhesive proteins.

Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: One or more embodiments disclose a sealable membrane for protecting portable electronic devices. The sealable membrane includes an enclosure including a material that is reactive to a stimulus. The enclosure includes at least one opening configured to receive a portable electronic device thereinto. The enclosure includes an inside surface and an outside surface. An annular member is insertable into the opening. An outside surface of the annular member forms a seal with the inside surface of the enclosure. The annular member forms a rigid conduit into the enclosure. The annular member is configured to receive a retaining member thereinto. The retaining member retains a sealing member within the annular member. The sealing member prevents access to the opening of the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention includes a subchondral bone repair system, comprising a structural component and a fluid settable component and an optional non-core component. The fluid settable component may penetrate into any pores of the structural component, and set to a solid, thereby fixing the structural component in place. The fluid settable component will penetrate interporously into the pores of the subchondral bone tissue surrounding the device, beneficially displacing any fluid to reduce edema in the affected bone region. Furthermore, the settable component, once solid is osteoconductive to promote repair and regrowth of bone in the affected region, and will also transmit mechanical force stimuli (such as compressive forces) directed through the structural component, into the adjacent bone tissue, thereby providing appropriate force stimuli necessary for appropriate tissue growth.

Abstract: A method of supporting a defect in the tissue of a living being includes the steps of: a) providing a delivery instrument that includes an elongated instrument, at least one barrier element, and a plurality of connecting members; b) inserting the elongated instrument into the tissue at or near the defect; c) deploying the barrier element from the delivery instrument into tissue at or near the defect, the barrier element having at least one connecting member attached thereto; d) extending at least one passage means from the delivery instrument; e) engaging at least a portion of the at least one connecting member with the at least one passage means, whereby the at least one passage means causes the at least one connecting member to pass through the tissue, and f) withdrawing the elongated instrument from the tissue, thereby deploying and securing the barrier element to support the tissue.

Abstract: A modular liquid ring pump has a liquid ring overload protection system including a passage from a working chamber directly to the pump discharge passage and a mechanical relief valve configured to release liquid from the working chamber during compressor overload. The liquid ring pump, when configured to have two stages, has an inter-stage by-pass system that includes an opening in an inter-stage passage and a pressure sensitive mechanical valve that allows the discharge of a first stage compressor to flow directly to the pump discharge at start up or during low pressure operation. The liquid ring pump's modular construction may be easily configured from a single stage pump to a two-stage pump and vice versa by using the same bearings, head, and drive system and only changing the body, cone, and rotor.

Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.