Abstract: A system for basing drones is described. A network of geographically diverse hangars provides storage and charging locations as well as backhaul communications infrastructure and video monitoring. As drones are needed, a central command point tasks an available drone, which may or may not already be located in proximity to a target. If additional drones are needed, drones can be flown to the area of interest and continuous coverage provided by charging drones while an active drone is conducting the mission, then rotating charged drones into the active mission. Structures for the hangars, the overall system, and methods of operation are described.

Abstract: A method of using a guide system for resecting a bone through incisions of the type utilized for arthroscopic procedures is provided. The guide system comprises a first alignment pin, a second alignment pin and a wire saw. The first alignment pin is configured to be inserted through a first incision into a bone in a first orientation. The second alignment pin is configured to inserted through a second incision into the bone in a second orientation. The first alignment pin and the second alignment pin are configured and oriented to define a resection plane of reference through which the bone is to be resected and the wire saw is configured to be inserted through the first and second incisions to be guided by the first and second alignment pins while being moved to resect the bone.

Abstract: A kit for a prosthesis system includes a plurality of first components, each of the plurality of first components for replacing one of a plurality of first surface portions of a bone, a second component for replacing a second surface portion of the bone and a resilient connector for connecting at least one of the plurality of first components to the second component. In accordance with one method, components from a prosthesis system kit used to replace adjacent portions of a bone surface are assembled ex vivo.

Abstract: A prosthesis system includes a first component having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side and a second side, the first component configured to replace a first portion of a surface of a bone. A second component is configured to replace a second portion of the surface of the bone and a spacer is configured to be located adjacent to the first side of the first component and between the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component replace the first portion and second portion, respectively, of the surface of the bone.

Abstract: A method of using a guide system for resecting a bone through incisions of the type utilized for arthroscopic procedures is provided. The guide system comprises a first alignment pin, a second alignment pin and a wire saw. The first alignment pin is configured to be inserted through a first incision into a bone in a first orientation. The second alignment pin is configured to inserted through a second incision into the bone in a second orientation. The first alignment pin and the second alignment pin are configured and oriented to define a resection plane of reference through which the bone is to be resected and the wire saw is configured to be inserted through the first and second incisions to be guided by the first and second alignment pins while being moved to resect the bone.

Abstract: A guide system for resecting a bone through incisions of the type utilized for arthroscopic procedures is provided. The guide system comprises a first alignment pin, a second alignment pin and a wire saw. The first alignment pin is configured to be inserted through a first incision into a bone in a first orientation. The second alignment pin is configured to inserted through a second incision into the bone in a second orientation. The first alignment pin and the second alignment pin are configured and oriented to define a resection plane of reference through which the bone is to be resected and the wire saw is configured to be inserted through the first and second incisions to be guided by the first and second alignment pins while being moved to resect the bone.

Abstract: A system improves the design of artificial implant components for use in joint replacement surgeries. The system includes an anthropometric static image data analyzer, an implant model data generator, a kinematic model simulator, and a dynamic response data analyzer. The implant model data generator may also use image data of a joint in motion for modification of the implant model data used in the kinematic simulation. Dynamic response data generated by the kinematic model simulation is analyzed by the dynamic response data analyzer to generate differential data that may be used to further refine the implant model data.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee system includes a tibial tray, a non-rotating tibial insert, and a rotating tibial insert. The non-rotating tibial insert and the rotating tibial insert are selectively couplable to the tibial tray such that a fixed or a mobile orthopaedic prosthesis may be configured. In some embodiments, the tibial tray may be a fixed or mobile tibial tray. Additionally, in some embodiments, the prosthetic knee system may include a femoral component.

Abstract: A knee prosthetic system includes a femoral component, a fixed tibial bearing component, a mobile tibial bearing component and an integrated or common tibial base component. The same tibial base component can be used with either the fixed tibial bearing component or the mobile tibial bearing component. The fixed bearing component and tibial base component have mating anti-rotation features. One embodiment of the mobile bearing component does not engage the anti-rotation feature of the tibial base component. Another embodiment engages the anti-rotation feature to allow for limited rotation.

Abstract: A kit for a prosthesis system includes a plurality of first components, each of the plurality of first components for replacing one of a plurality of first surface portions of a bone, a second component for replacing a second surface portion of the bone and a resilient connector for connecting at least one of the plurality of first components to the second component. In accordance with one method, components from a prosthesis system kit used to replace adjacent portions of a bone surface are assembled ex vivo.

Abstract: A prosthesis system includes a first component having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side and a second side, the first component configured to replace a first portion of a surface of a bone. A second component is configured to replace a second portion of the surface of the bone and a spacer is configured to be located adjacent to the first side of the first component and between the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component replace the first portion and second portion, respectively, of the surface of the bone.

Abstract: An improved sliding patellar replacement component is provided. Various combinations of translational and/or rotational degrees of freedom are provided by boss and channel configurations between the base subcomponent of the replacement component and the articulating subcomponent of the patellar replacement component. In one embodiment, spin about one axis is restricted by a spin stop that may be movable to allow for ease of assembly. Alternatively, the boss and channel are configured to function as a spin stop. Assembly of the patellar replacement component in one embodiment is simplified by the provision of a boss assembly region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for navigated placement of bone engaging elements, such as support pins used to support a cutting block on a bone for resection. In one embodiment, a tool configured to drive a pin into a bone is outfitted with a position tracking element. The system includes a localizing device that senses a signal from the position tracking element and feeds position information to a processor that makes a real-time comparison of the position of the tool to a location on the bone for placing the pin. When the tool spatial position coincides with the location on the bone, an annunciator is activated providing an audible or visible signal to the surgeon to operate the tool. In another embodiment, when the spatial position coincides, the processor directs an on-board controller of the tool to activate the tool. In another embodiment of the invention, the tool is continuously operating and the on-board processor controls a sheath that initially covers the working end of the tool.

Abstract: A guide system for resecting a bone through incisions of the type utilized for arthroscopic procedures is provided. The guide system comprises a first alignment pin, a second alignment pin and a wire saw. The first alignment pin is configured to be inserted through a first incision into a bone in a first orientation. The second alignment pin is configured to inserted through a second incision into the bone in a second orientation. The first alignment pin and the second alignment pin are configured and oriented to define a resection plane of reference through which the bone is to be resected and the wire saw is configured to be inserted through the first and second incisions to be guided by the first and second alignment pins while being moved to resect the bone.

Abstract: A system improves the design of artificial implant components for use in joint replacement surgeries. The system includes an anthropometric static image data analyzer, an implant model data generator, a kinematic model simulator, and a dynamic response data analyzer. The implant model data generator may also use image data of a joint in motion for modification of the implant model data used in the kinematic simulation. Dynamic response data generated by the kinematic model simulation is analyzed by the dynamic response data analyzer to generate differential data that may be used to further refine the implant model data.

Abstract: A knee replacement system provides a knee implant that may be used to more accurately replicate the diameter of a natural knee. In one embodiment, a patellofemoral component is connected to the posterior portion of a condylar component by screws that pass through the femur allowing the patellofemoral component and the condylar component to be torqued against opposing sides of the femur. Two additional screws are used to connect the patellofemoral component to an anterior portion of the condylar component. A gap may be left between the patellofemoral component and the anterior portion of the condylar component if needed to provide precise replication of the diameter of the natural knee from the patellofemoral component to the condylar component.

Abstract: A process for peroxide bleaching of pulp using magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide as a substitute for caustic soda wherein the pulp is bleached in the presence of hydrogen peroxide characterized in that the concentration of ion present in the magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide and the pulp is maintained less than 20 ppm and/or the concentration of manganese is maintained less than 10 ppm.

Abstract: A process for peroxide bleaching of pulp using magnesium oxide as sole alkaline source wherein said pulp is bleached in the presence of hydrogen peroxide for a maximum period of 180 minutes and achievement of a maximum target ISO brightness of 65 in regard to freshly prepared pulp characterized in that said magnesium oxide is utilized as MgO particles having a particle size of 5-500 microns and a particle surface area (PSA) of between 20-60 m.sup.2 /g. By using such parameters, a peroxide bleaching process may be carried out most efficiently on a commercial scale.