Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a distal interphalangeal (“DIP”) fusion device for connecting a first bone of a patient to a second, adjacent bone of the patient. The device may include an anchor assembly and a compressor assembly. In another embodiment, a separate compressor base assembly is included. In yet another embodiment an access port assembly is included. The anchor assembly is rotationally coupled to one end of the compressor assembly, such that the compressor assembly may rotate about the anchor assembly within a semi-spherical zone (three degrees of rotational freedom) and translate axially (one degree of translational freedom). In an operative position, the anchor assembly is anchored in an intermediate phalanx of a digit of a patient, the compressor assembly is contained in a distal phalanx of the digit, and the distal phalanx is flexed relative to the intermediate phalanx to create a joint angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for stabilizing and compressing bone fractures using a compression plate apparatus for stabilizing bone fragments with compression comprising a plate having at least two bone screw holes adapted to accept at least one bone screw each, the plate additionally having at least one elongate hole through the plate; a rack comprising rack teeth located along at least one linear edge of the elongate hole; a pinion axle assembly comprising a pinion axle having a head portion, a pinion gear having complementary gear teeth for engaging the rack teeth and a lower portion having threads for engaging bone.

Abstract: A system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints is disclosed. A flexible bone fusion apparatus is provided having an anchor and a compressor, each of which engages with a coupler to provide axial and/or linear rotation of the apparatus. Alternatively, a compressor and an anchor may directly join with each other at a shared interface. Tools for installing and compressing the apparatus are provided. Also provided is a method for fusing two bones or bone portions to create a non-linear post-fusion orientation. A further aspect of the disclosure is a method for maintaining thread synchronization of a bone fusion apparatus having a discontinuous thread.

Abstract: A system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints is disclosed. A flexible bone fusion apparatus is provided having an anchor and a compressor, each of which engages with a coupler to provide axial and/or linear rotation of the apparatus. Alternatively, a compressor and an anchor may directly join with each other at a shared interface. Tools for installing and compressing the apparatus are provided. Also provided is a method for fusing two bones or bone portions to create a non-linear post-fusion orientation. A further aspect of the disclosure is a method for maintaining thread synchronization of a bone fusion apparatus having a discontinuous thread.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for stabilizing and compressing bone fractures using a compression plate apparatus for stabilizing bone fragments with compression comprising a plate having at least two bone screw holes adapted to accept at least one bone screw each, the plate additionally having at least one elongate hole through the plate; a rack comprising rack teeth located along at least one linear edge of the elongate hole; a pinion axle assembly comprising a pinion axle having a head portion, a pinion gear having complementary gear teeth for engaging the rack teeth and a lower portion having threads for engaging bone.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, including methods, apparatus and kits for connecting bones and/or bone portions using a multi-part bone connector with one or more rotating joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a distal interphalangeal (“DIP”) fusion device for connecting a first bone of a patient to a second, adjacent bone of the patient. The device may include an anchor assembly and a compressor assembly. In another embodiment, a separate compressor base assembly is included. In yet another embodiment an access port assembly is included. The anchor assembly is rotationally coupled to one end of the compressor assembly, such that the compressor assembly may rotate about the anchor assembly within a semi-spherical zone (three degrees of rotational freedom) and translate axially (one degree of translational freedom). In an operative position, the anchor assembly is anchored in an intermediate phalanx of a digit of a patient, the compressor assembly is contained in a distal phalanx of the digit, and the distal phalanx is flexed relative to the intermediate phalanx to create a joint angle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the deposition of a source material (10) are disclosed. An atomizer (12) renders a supply of source material (10) into many discrete particles. A force applicator (14) propels the particles in continuous, parallel streams of discrete particles. A collimator (16) controls the direction of flight of the particles in the stream prior to their deposition on a substrate (18). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the viscosity of the particles may be controlled to enable complex depositions of non-conformal or three-dimensional surfaces. The invention also includes a wide variety of substrate treatments which may occur before, during or after deposition. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a virtual or cascade impactor may be employed to remove selected particles from the deposition stream.

Abstract: A method of depositing various materials onto heat-sensitive targets, particularly oxygen-sensitive materials. Heat-sensitive targets are generally defined as targets that have thermal damage thresholds that are lower than the temperature required to process a deposited material. The invention uses precursor solutions and/or particle or colloidal suspensions, along with optional pre-deposition treatment and/or post-deposition treatment to lower the laser power required to drive the deposit to its final state. The present invention uses Maskless Mesoscale Material Deposition (M3D™) to perform direct deposition of material onto the target in a precise, highly localized fashion. Features with linewidths as small as 4 microns may be deposited, with little or no material waste. A laser is preferably used to heat the material to process it to obtain the desired state, for example by chemical decomposition, sintering, polymerization, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rubber modified polymers which contains a functionalized (that is, highly grafted) rubber having a degree of grafting of at least 30 percent at the point of phase inversion and a specified amount of grafted vinyl aromatic polymer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.

Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is a halogen-free ignition resistant polymer composition comprising: A) a thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend, B) a modified multi-functional epoxy resin containing from 0-20 wt. percent residual epoxy groups, based on the total weight of the epoxy resin, and C) a phosphorus containing compound. The use of a modified multifunctional epoxy compound having from 0-20 weight percent residual epoxy groups, enhances the flame retardancy of the thermoplastic polymer, and can increase the compatibility of the epoxy resin with the thermoplastic polymer through the use of the modified functionalities, without causing black specks in the final product. It has been additionally discovered that modified multi-functional epoxy resins can also contribute to improved mechanical properties, melt flow rate and processability.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials using an extended nozzle. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from a few microns to a fraction of a millimeter, and can be used to deposit features on targets with damage thresholds near 100° C. or less. Deposition and subsequent processing may be performed under ambient conditions and produce linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The extended nozzle reduces particle overspray and has a large working distance; that is, the orifice to target distance may be several millimeters or more, enabling direct write onto non-planar surfaces. The nozzle allows for deposition of features with linewidths that are approximately as small as one-twentieth the size of the nozzle orifice diameter, and is preferably interchangeable, enabling rapid variance of deposited linewidth.

Abstract: The present invention is a halogen-free ignition resistant polymer composition comprising: A) a thermoplastic polymer, and B) a phosphorus element-containing epoxy resin.