Abstract: An apparatus which allows for the counter rotation of a wheel accessory is disclosed. The apparatus is intended for mounting on a wheel of a vehicle. The apparatus has a base plate for attaching to the wheel, a transmission mechanism coupled to the base plate and a rotation prevention mount attached to the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism has an input shaft and an output shaft which extend in opposite directions from the transmission mechanism. The input shaft rotates in the direction of the vehicular wheel. The output shaft rotates counter to the vehicular wheel. A method for using a wheel accessory that rotates counter to the rotation of a vehicular wheel is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element for incorporation into a prosthetic implant so as to form a bone-contacting portion thereof, the element comprising a rear face, a front face, and a body extending between the rear face and the front face, wherein the front face comprises a basal surface and at least one upstanding portion projecting above the basal surface and having a transverse hole extending therethrough from one side of the upstanding portion to another. It further relates to a prosthetic implant for implantation into a patient so as to contact a bone of the patient, the prosthetic implant comprising a body including a bone-contacting portion for contacting the patient's bone after implantation of the prosthetic implant, wherein the bone-contacting portion is provided with at least one upstanding portion that projects above a surrounding basal surface portion and that is provided with a transverse hole that extends through the upstanding portion from one side to another.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows for the counter rotation of a wheel accessory is disclosed. The apparatus is intended for mounting on a wheel of a vehicle. The apparatus has a base plate for attaching to the wheel, a transmission mechanism coupled to the base plate and a rotation prevention mount attached to the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism has an input shaft and an output shaft which extend in opposite directions from the transmission mechanism. The input shaft rotates in the direction of the vehicular wheel. The output shaft rotates counter to the vehicular wheel. A method for using a wheel accessory that rotates counter to the rotation of a vehicular wheel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: An article having a non-thrombogenic surface and a process for making the article are disclosed. The article is formed by (i) coating a polymeric substrate with a crosslinked chemical combination of a polymer having at least two amino substituted side chains, a crosslinking agent containing at least two crosslinking functional groups which react with amino groups on the polymer, and a linking agent containing a first functional group which reacts with a third functional group of the crosslinking agent, and (ii) contacting the coating on the substrate with an antithrombogenic agent which covalently bonds to a second functional group of the linking agent. In one example embodiment, the polymer is a polyamide having amino substituted alkyl chains on one side of the polyamide backbone, the crosslinking agent is a phosphine having the general formula (A)3P wherein A is hydroxyalkyl, the linking agent is a polyhydrazide and the antithrombogenic agent is heparin.

Abstract: A polyamide and a process for preparing the polyamide are disclosed.

Abstract: An article having a non-thrombogenic surface and a process for making the article are disclosed. The article is formed by (i) coating a polymeric substrate with a crosslinked chemical combination of a polymer having at least two amino substituted side chains, a crosslinking agent containing at least two crosslinking functional groups which react with amino groups on the polymer, and a linking agent containing a first functional group which reacts with a third functional group of the crosslinking agent, and (ii) contacting the coating on the substrate with an antithrombogenic agent which covalently bonds to a second functional group of the linking agent. In one example embodiment, the polymer is a polyamide having amino substituted alkyl chains on one side of the polyamide backbone, the crosslinking agent is a phosphine having the general formula (A)3P wherein A is hydroxyalkyl, the linking agent is a polyhydrazide and the antithrombogenic agent is heparin.

Abstract: A crosslinked polyamide material and a process for preparing the crosslinked polyamide material are disclosed. The crosslinked polyamide material comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (1) a polyamide of the formula: wherein n is between about 50 and 10,000, wherein each R is between 1 and 50 carbon atoms alone and is optionally substituted with heteroatoms, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus and combinations thereof, wherein multiple of the R are in vertically aligned spaced relationship along a backbone forming the polyamide, and wherein two or more of the R contain an amino group; and (2) a crosslinking agent containing at least two functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups of the polyamide. In one embodiment of the invention, the crosslinking agent is an aliphatic or aromatic isocyanate compound having 2 or more —N═C═O groups.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter includes a capacitive d.c. blocking element to separate the time varying red and infra-red components of a light source transmitted through or reflected form the blood from the composite light signals. The magnitudes of the signal amplitudes are then digitized and converted for use as independent variables applied to a ROM based look-up table to determine blood oxygen saturation.