Abstract: A joint endoprosthesis has a first implant component which can be attached to a first epiphysis, and a second implant component which can be attached to a second epiphysis of two epiphyses forming a joint, with the first implant component and the second implant component each having articular surfaces for the formation of a swivel joint, and with a sliding piece being provided that in addition enables a rotational movement and a translational movement of the epiphyses with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for replacing at least a portion of a proximal tibia. The tibial tray apparatus includes a posterior compensation element configured for extension across a resected surface of the tibia and formed to include a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a side wall and a stem extending from and being unitary with the distal surface. The side wall of the posterior compensation element includes an anterior region with an anterior height and a posterior region with a posterior height, the posterior height being greater than the anterior height.

Abstract: A breast prosthesis worn in a brassiere or the like. It has a prosthesis y having a front side in the shape of a natural breast, a back side with a recess and a prosthesis edge which follows a closed line on which the front side and the back side both end. The prosthesis body has a soft elastic silicone rubber compound which is enclosed without any voids in a bag consisting of two elastically expandable plastic films joined tightly together along the edge of the prosthesis. When the wearer is lying down, the prosthesis should assume a stretched form, where the front side is flattened slightly. When the wearer stands upright, the upper part should sag downward slightly, with the lower and middle areas of the front side having a somewhat greater bulge.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped prosthetic spinal disc nucleus including a hydrogel core surrounded by a constraining jacket. The hydrogel core is preshaped to form the wedge shape in a hydrated state. The constraining jacket is flexible, but substantially inelastic and is configured to prevent the hydrogel core from conforming to an anulus upon hydration. The prosthetic spinal disc nucleus corresponds generally to anatomical variations in disc space geometry, generally defined by separable areas or compartments, thus improving performance. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthetic spinal disc nucleus includes a radiopaque marker for indicating a location and orientation following implant.

Abstract: Method and use of injected fluids for enhancement of absorption of radiofrequency and microwave radiation in tissue. Biocompatible fluids or solutions with absorption properties greater than that of the target tissue are injected into the target tissue, which is then irradiated with appropriate frequency radio-frequency or microwave radiation. Absorption produces heat selectively in the target tissue, thereby producing desired ablation of excess or diseased tissue.

Abstract: A femoral knee implant includes a fourth compartment of articulation. The superior posterior articulating surface is achieved by first increasing the thickness of the superior posterior condylar portion of the femoral component to widen the superior posterior edge of the posterior condyle. Second, the newly created surface at the superior posterior condyle is smoothly rounded to provide an articular surface with no sharp changes in the surface contours. In one embodiment, the fourth articular compartment of this invention is provided in a one piece femoral design. In another embodiment, it is provided as a modular addition to an existing prior art femoral component. In another embodiment, the fourth compartment is combined with a posterior stabilized (PS) TKR design that includes a tibial post and cooperating femoral cam characterized by low engagement of the cam on the spine.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for urging proper breathing. The apparatus comprises an oral barrier placed in or over the mouth having an air impervious layer to prevent airflow into the mouth and through an oral air passageway. The oral barrier may also have an appendage extending into the mouth to engage the tongue and teeth. The apparatus may also comprise a mouth closer urging the mouth into the closed position to prevent the entry of air through the mouth and into the oral passageway. The mouth closer further secures the tongue in the mouth.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided in which a replaceable tobacco flavor unit containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of permanent reusable heaters to evolve flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. Each heater heats only a portion of the available tobacco flavor material so that a plurality of individual puffs of tobacco flavor substance can be delivered sequentially to the smoker. The replaceable tobacco flavor unit can also include a filter to reduce the effect of residual aerosol which settles or condenses on the permanent portions of the article and which can result in undesirable flavor generation when reheated. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the replaceable tobacco flavor unit is also provided.

Abstract: A method of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia includes (a) inserting a catheter into an epidural space in a patient; (b) performing a spinal anesthesia for the patient; (c) monitoring an analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia in the patient; (d) in the event that the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia is found to be insufficient in the patient, injecting a physiological saline solution through the catheter into the epidural space, thereby rapidly expanding the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia in the patient. Preferably, the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia is monitored at a point of time about 10 minutes after the spinal anesthesia. It is also preferred that the amount of injection of the physiological saline solution be adjusted as a function of the height of the patient to rapidly raise the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia to a desired level in the patient.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a particular volume of plant or animal tissue comprising the steps of treating the plant or animal tissue with at least one photo-active molecular agent, wherein the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue retains at least a portion of the at least one photo-active molecular agent, and then treating the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue with light sufficient to promote a simultaneous two-photon excitation of at least one of the at least one photo-active molecular agent retained in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, wherein the at least one photo-active molecular agent becomes active in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue. There is also disclosed a method for the treatment of cancer in plant or animal tissue and a method for producing at least one photo-activated molecular agent in a particular volume of a material.

Abstract: Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated system providing a mechanical and chemical barrier against the spread of infected secretions into the distal trachea is disclosed. An endotracheal tube is used for patient airway management and provides a means to conveniently irrigate and drain the subglottic region below the vocal cords and above an inflated cuff. The subglottic region accumulates liquid secretions that may channel past an inflated endotracheal tube cuff, providing the necessary bacterial inoculum leading to bronchitis and nosocomial pneumonia. An irrigation channel delivers liquids such as saline or antibiotic and antifungal medications for mucosal hydration, and bactericidal action against infected subglottic secretions. An outer sleeve surrounding the endotracheal tube forms a suction lumen for removing the secretions. Electronic and mechanical controls provide regulated volume infusion and regulated suction.

Abstract: In an emergency oxygen supply system of an aircraft equipped with a pressurized cabin, breathable gas is supplied by a gas generator (1) for generating an oxygen-enriched gas either from the ambient air, or from air tapped from the engine, or from fresh water. The generator may also generate practically pure oxygen. A mixed gas is produced in a mixing unit (14) from the breathable gas and oxygen as needed especially in short duration transition periods to meet official regulations. The oxygen partial pressure in the mixed gas is varied or controlled depending on the cabin pressure. The breathable gas is fed in a constant mass flow through an on-board distribution network to the breathing masks connected to the network. Selectable masks for the crew may receive pure oxygen while most other masks for the passengers receive mixed gas having an adequate oxygen content.

Abstract: A continuous pneumatic tobacco conveyance system is described which automatically controls the rate at which tobacco is fed into the conveyance system and automatically controls the velocity of the tobacco which is pneumatically conveyed. The system utilizes a plurality of programmable logic controllers for analyzing the velocity of the tobacco in the system and the amount of tobacco required and currently existent in cigarette making machine. The system compensates for correct airflow and velocity of the tobacco in the pneumatic piping by controlling the rate at which tobacco is fed into the conveyance system and controlling the airflow required to move the tobacco at a continuous velocity by adjusting a flow control valve attached to a vacuum source.

Abstract: Tobacco products improved by the use of uncured, yellow tobacco low in tar and carcinogenic nitrosamines, treated by microwaving, or convection heating, or freeze drying to kill microbes responsible for curing, for use in smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, tobacco chewing gum, beverages and foods. In one preferred embodiment tobacco, uncured or cured, is microwaved to reduce further tar and carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Abstract: An acupressure patch for providing a controlled pressure to a selected point on the skin of a patient for a selected period of time is disclosed. The patch includes a rigid nub fixedly mounted to a flat rigid pressure plate. The pressure plate is positioned on an adhesive disc and held in place by an adhesive ring. The nub sits in an aperture such that it is not covered with any adhesive. A cushioning pad may also be provided between the pressure plate and the adhesive disc. The acupressure patch provides a low profile apparatus which can be secured to a patient's skin to provide adequate pressure to be effective but not to irritate the skin.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for monitoring cardiac output using bioelectrical impedance techniques in which one or more interior electrodes are placed in the trachea in the vicinity of the ascending aorta, and one or more exterior electrodes are disposed near the suprasternal notch, so that the resulting bioelectrical impedance measurements reflect voltage changes induced primarily by blood flow dynamics, rather than respiratory or non-cardiac related physiological effects. Apparatus and methods are also provided so that the measured cardiac output may be used to control administration of intravenous fluids to a patient or to optimize heart rate for those patients having pacemakers.

Abstract: A point-of-care device allows for a simple and rapid determination of blood coagulation properties. The device is comprised of an absorbent material and a clotting agent. In operation, a quantity of blood is first allowed to clot, after which remaining serum is allowed to migrate through the absorbent material. The serum migration distance is proportional to the clotting time of the patient sample as routinely determined. The device can be used directly at the bedside of a hospital patient for immediate test results, or can be used for patient self-monitoring.

Abstract: A smoking article has a flavor-generating material as a burnable smoking element. The flavor-generating material includes a flavoring component-holding material formed of a heat-irreversibly gelled glucan and a flavoring component held in the holding material, and is obtained by thermally gelling a mixture of ungelled glucan and the flavoring component added thereto. Since the flavoring component is firmly fixed and held within the three-dimensional network structure of the gelled glucan, the storage properties and release-durability of the flavoring component are improved.