Abstract: An implant may include a curved implant body and a flange extending from the implant body, the flange being thinner than the implant body, the implant body and the flange having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface opposite the first surface in which the implant body and the flange formed by at least partially fused particles. The particles at the first surface define a first average pore size and the particles at the second surface define a second average pore size; with the first average pore size being greater than the second average pore size. The first surface may be a tissue ingrowth surface and the second surface may be a tissue ingrowth barrier.

Abstract: There is provided laser welding apparatus (10) comprising an evacuatable chamber (12) incorporating a transparent window (16) through which laser radiation (14) is transmissible to heat a weld region (32) on a workpiece (30), wherein ionisation means (33) is disposed within the chamber (12) to ionise any particles emitted from the weld region (32) and deflection means (34; 70) is disposed within the chamber (12) and is configured to deflect ionised particles (54) away from the transparent window (16). In one embodiment, the ionisation means comprises first and second electrodes (34, 34?) arranged to generate a high voltage arc across the laser beam. The deflection means comprises electrostatic field or magnetic field generation means.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a continuous process for treating acid mine drainage while simultaneously recovering a high-grade rare earth preconcentrate suitable for extraction of commercially valuable rare earth oxides. In a further aspect, the preconcentrate is from about 0.1% to 5% rare earth elements on a dry weight basis. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for processing the preconcentrate to generate a pregnant leach solution that does not form gels or emulsions and is suitable for processing via solvent extraction. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and plant for carrying out the disclosed process. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition containing rare earth elements produced by the process disclosed herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to dust particle removal in underground mining. In one example, a filter system for removing dust particles includes a mesh system comprising one or more meshes, a frame bed for holding the mesh system, and vibrational energy transfer from the continuous miner to the mesh system. In another example, a method for removing dust particles includes contacting the dust particles with the filter system mounted to the continuous miner, where the continuous miner produces vibrational energy sufficient to vibrate the mesh in the filter system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an orbital floor implant (10). One embodiment provides an implant with a first surface that is a fully porous, bone-side layer (16) and a second surface that is a non-porous, orbital content-side layer (18). The implant material itself may be polymeric material throughout, without the need for an embedded mesh or other support matrix. The implant is provided in a pre-shaped configuration and is of a material that allows it to be bent for shaping purposes. An extending tab (12) with eyelet portion/opening (14) can enhance securement options to a patient's bone.

Abstract: An ear implant selection kit is described including a set of semi-transparent or transparent contour templates, a separate set of gradation templates, and a set of three-dimensional ear implant models, all of which may be used to select an ear implant out of a set of implants that best matches the appearance of a contralateral ear of an individual. Related ear implant systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An implant that can function as a tissue suspension implant. Embodiments find particular use in connection with eyebrow or forehead lifts, which require raising of soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide implants and methods for manufacturing an implant having an outer layer that is porous. The porous outer layer can help encourage tissue ingrowth into the implant. The porous outer layer may be positioned around a core structure this is solid or that has a hollow interior. The core structure may be spherical or any other appropriate shape for a medical implant.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a continuous process for treating acid mine drainage while simultaneously recovering a high-grade rare earth preconcentrate suitable for extraction of commercially valuable rare earth oxides. In a further aspect, the preconcentrate is from about 0.1% to 5% rare earth elements on a dry weight basis. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for processing the preconcentrate to generate a pregnant leach solution that does not form gels or emulsions and is suitable for processing via solvent extraction. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and plant for carrying out the disclosed process. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition containing rare earth elements produced by the process disclosed herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An osteotomy gap filling implants and related methods. In one example, the implant may include several implant segments, at least some of which include a porous body, in combination with a non-porous flexible spine extending through the implant segments.

Abstract: An implant may include a curved implant body and a flange extending from the implant body, the flange being thinner than the implant body, the implant body and the flange having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface opposite the first surface in which the implant body and the flange formed by at least partially fused particles. The particles at the first surface define a first average pore size and the particles at the second surface define a second average pore size; with the first average pore size being greater than the second average pore size. The first surface may be a tissue ingrowth surface and the second surface may be a tissue ingrowth barrier.

Abstract: An implant that can function as a tissue suspension implant. Embodiments find particular use in connection with eyebrow or forehead lifts, which require raising of soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow.

Abstract: An orbital floor template packaged along with an implant. The two components are provided together in a single sterile package. This allows the surgeon to pull a single package and have the implant and a pre-sized template available during surgery. This avoids the need to pull a second implant from the operating room materials shelf for sizing purposes only. The template is used during surgery and prevents the need to use a separate, new, sterile, separately-packaged actual implant for sizing purposes.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a continuous process for treating acid mine drainage while simultaneously recovering a high-grade rare earth preconcentrate suitable for extraction of commercially valuable rare earth oxides. In a further aspect, the preconcentrate is from about 0.1% to 5% rare earth elements on a dry weight basis. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for processing the preconcentrate to generate a pregnant leach solution that does not form gels or emulsions and is suitable for processing via solvent extraction. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and plant for carrying out the disclosed process. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition containing rare earth elements produced by the process disclosed herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an orbital floor implant (10). One embodiment provides an implant with a first surface that is a fully porous, bone-side layer (16) and a second surface that is a non-porous, orbital content-side layer (18). The implant material itself may be polymeric material throughout, without the need for an embedded mesh or other support matrix. The implant is provided in a pre-shaped configuration and is of a material that allows it to be bent for shaping purposes. An extending tab (12) with eyelet portion/opening (14) can enhance securement options to a patient's bone.

Abstract: Differences in x-ray absorption coefficients and ash content are used to process coal waste and concentrate rare earth elements (REE) found in coal seams. A method for processing the coal waste includes receiving, by a detector, at least one collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source that has been passed through a sample of coal waste; determining measurements of at least one x-ray absorption characteristic of the sample based on the received at least one collimated x-ray beam; and identifying a first region in the sample having a concentration of rare earth elements based on the measured x-ray absorption characteristic.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a continuous process for treating acid mine drainage while simultaneously recovering a high-grade rare earth preconcentrate suitable for extraction of commercially valuable rare earth oxides. In a further aspect, the preconcentrate is from about 0.1% to 5% rare earth elements on a dry weight basis. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for processing the preconcentrate to generate a pregnant leach solution that does not form gels or emulsions and is suitable for processing via solvent extraction. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and plant for carrying out the disclosed process. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition containing rare earth elements produced by the process disclosed herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide implants and methods for manufacturing an implant having an outer layer that is porous. The porous outer layer can help encourage tissue ingrowth into the implant. The porous outer layer may be positioned around a core structure this is solid or that has a hollow interior. The core structure may be spherical or any other appropriate shape for a medical implant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide implants and methods for manufacturing an implant having an outer cortical layer that is porous. The porous outer cortical layer can help encourage tissue ingrowth into the implant. The porous outer cortical layer may be positioned around a core structure this is solid or that has a hollow interior. The core structure may be spherical or any other appropriate shape for a medical implant.