Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: An electrode is provided which can improve the efficiency and quality of plasma-generated coatings in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating device. The electrode comprises dual shower head faces containing in the preferred mode a plurality of magnets which are aligned so that the poles of the magnets face in the same direction to thus generate two magnetron faces for each set of magnets.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A method and related materials and apparatus for using minimally invasive means to repair (e.g., reconstruct) tissue such as fibrocartilage, and particularly fibrocartilage associated with diarthroidal and amphiarthroidal joints. The method involves the use of minimally invasive means to access and prepare damaged or diseased fibrocartilage within the body, and to then deliver a curable biomaterial, such as a two-part polyurethane system, to the prepared site, and to cure the biomaterial in situ in order to repair the fibrocartilage. Applications include repair and replacement of the intervertebral disc of the spine.

Abstract: A surgical device and related method and kit for use in sealing a biological aperture in situ. In one embodiment, the device is provided in the form of an expandable, porous material such as poly(vinyl alcohol).

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A device for mixing and delivering a curable biomaterial using minimally invasive techniques. The device provides a mixing path that is configured to contribute a longitudinal distance dimension to the device that is considerably less than the length of the mixing path itself. In so doing, the device can provide improved ergonomic control and single-handed operation in the course of mixing biomaterial components, in order to initiate cure, and delivering the mixed biomaterial through a delivery conduit and to a tissue site in vivo. Optional features of the device include the ability to warm the biomaterial components, to position or retract a protective sheath covering the delivery conduit, and the ability to divert or shunt an initial volume of mixed biomaterial.

Abstract: A method and related materials and apparatus for using minimally invasive techniques to repair (e.g., reconstruct) tissue such as fibrocartilage, and particularly fibrocartilage associated with diarthroidal and amphiarthroidal joints. The method involves the use of minimally invasive techniques to access and prepare damaged or diseased fibrocartilage within the body, and to then deliver a curable biomaterial, such as a two-part polyurethane system, to the prepared site, and to cure the biomaterial in situ in order to repair the fibrocartilage. Applications include repair and replacement of the intervertebral disc of the spine.

Abstract: A system for resurfacing orthopedic joints by arthroscopic means. The system involves a method that includes the delivery of a curable biomaterial, and the use of minimally invasive means to prepare an injury site, and then deliver, cure and shape a curable biomaterial at the site of injury.

Abstract: An ornamental coating and process for applying the coating to a substrate includes mixing a first batch of liquid mortar composed of sand, cement and an aqueous solution of acrylic resin, and trowelling or spraying a first layer of the liquid mortar onto the substrate and allowing the liquid mortar to cure. A second batch of liquid mortar is mixed which is the same as the first except that it contains a color pigment contrasting with the color of the first batch. A template defining a pattern of grout lines is placed over the cured first batch and the second batch of liquid mortar is trowelled or sprayed over the first batch and the template as a second layer and allowed to cure only to the extent that the second layer is firm, but not hard. The template is then removed, removing any part of the second layer immediately above the template thus exposing lines of the cured first batch which then appear as grout lines between areas of colored mortar which appear as bricks, flagstone or tiles etc.

Abstract: A system for resurfacing orthopedic joints by arthroscopic means. The system involves a method that includes the delivery of a curable biomaterial, and the use of minimally invasive means to prepare an injury site, and then deliver, cure and shape a curable biomaterial at the site of injury.

Abstract: An ornamental coating and process for applying the coating to a substrate includes mixing a first batch of liquid mortar composed of sand, cement and an aqueous solution of acrylic resin, and trowelling or spraying a first layer of the liquid mortar onto the substrate and allowing the liquid mortar to cure. A second batch of liquid mortar is mixed which is the same as the first except that it contains a color pigment contrasting with the color of the first batch. A template defining a pattern of grout lines is placed over the cured first batch and the second batch of liquid mortar is trowelled or sprayed over the first batch and the template as a second layer and allowed to cure only to the extent that the second layer is firm, but not hard. The template is then removed, removing that part of the second layer immediately above the template thus exposing lines of the cured first batch which then appear as grout lines between areas of colored mortar which appear as bricks, flagstone or tiles etc.

Abstract: A pavement grinder for grinding and grooving pavement surfaces has a grinding carriage with a rotating arbor supporting a number of radial blades. The arbor is directly coupled to shafts of hydraulic motors with an adapter between the arbor shaft and the motor shaft and includes an oil reservoir. Debris from grinding is removed by a removal system using suction. Suction bars extend behind and to the sides of the arbor and a shroud is positioned in front of the arbor. The debris is suctioned to a separation tank which directs the debris downward away from the vacuum force. Gravity and the downward momentum of the debris is greater than the vacuum force, so the debris is separated from the air flow. The debris is directed to the bottom of the tank and enters a slurry which is pumped for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for relieving residual stresses and stabilizing modal behavior in a workpiece, and/or analyzing change in modal behavior of a workpiece to detect buildup of residual stresses. The apparatus includes an exciter for vibrating the workpiece. In addition, the apparatus further includes a computer for varying the frequency at which the workpiece is vibrated in response to the fast fourier transform of the frequency response of the workpiece.

Abstract: A pavement grinder for grinding and grooving pavement surfaces has a grinding carriage with a rotating arbor supporting a number of radial blades. The arbor is directly coupled to shafts of hydraulic motors with an adaptor between the arbor shaft and the motor shaft. Debris from grinding is removed by a removal system using suction. Suction bars extend behind and to the sides of the arbor and a shroud is positioned in front of the arbor. The debris is suctioned to a separation tank which directs the debris downward away from the vacuum force. Gravity and the downward momentum of the debris is greater than the vacuum force, so the debris is separated from the air flow. The debris is directed to the bottom of the tank and enters a slurry which is pumped for disposal.

Abstract: A load sensing proportioning valve system for the hydraulic brake system of passenger cars and the like for varying the amount of brake fluid pressure and thus the braking torque at the rear brakes of a passenger car. The system includes a load sensor oriented between a suspension component, such as a supporting spring, and the vehicle frame or body and includes a cavity for incompressible fluid in which variation in load will vary the volume of the cavity for providing increased pressure and volumeric flow of an incompressible fluid from the cavity to a proportioning valve incorporated into the hydraulic brake lines extending from the master cylinder to the rear brakes of a passenger car for regulating the proprotioning valve to vary the braking pressure and thus braking torque to the rear wheels to reduce or eliminate premature rear wheel locking when applying brakes of a lightly loaded vehicle and to maintain adequate braking force for the same vehicle when heavily loaded.

Abstract: An improved material for finishing athletic court, commercial, and residential floor surfaces of wood, linoleum, terrazzo, concrete, or other smooth surface includes at least one elongated sheet having a layer of a uniform flexible film of clear plastic material of between about 1 mil and 25 mils thickness and a continuous layer of adhesive material releasably adhering the flexible film onto the floor surface. The elongated sheet is provided in a self-adhesive roll and is applied to the floor surface by unrolling the sheet from the roll, with the adhesive side down, aligning an end portion on a predetermined corresponding portion on the floor, and pressing the total length of the sheet against the floor to adhere the sheet to the floor surface. Additional sheets may be unrolled successively, with a slight overlap to assure an sealed joint.

Abstract: Impact-absorbing safety matting systems include a helipad, a mat for children's play areas, and an athletic sports game surface. All systems have a surface layer with a botton and outer edges, an array of air-filled cells affixed to the bottom of the surface layer, ribs extending a defined distance from the bottom of the surface layer for defining the array of air-filled cells, sealer and aggregate spread over the surface layer and the base immediate to edges, and median ribs extending a shorter distance from the bottom of the surface layer than the defining ribs in order to give added support against a strong blow striking the surface layer and the array of air-filled cells affixed thereto.

Abstract: An adhesive composition consisting essentially of a solution in a suitable solvent of a ricinoleate urethane polyol and a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride in which the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride represents no more than approximately 90% by weight of the combined polyol and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A process for producing composite materials which comprises subjecting particles of a malleable matrix material, i.e., a metal or alloy or the components of a matrix alloy and particles of a reinforcing material such as a carbide or an oxide or an intermetallic to energetic mechanical milling under circumstances to insure the pulverulent nature of the mill charge so as to enfold matrix material around each of said reinforcing particles to provide a bond between the matrix material and the surface of the reinforcing particle. The process is exemplified by the use of aluminum alloy as the matrix material and silicon carbide as the reinforcing particles. Reinforcing particles are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 30 volume percent of total matrix and reinforcing particles. The invention is also directed to the product of the process.